Kari stood and stared in shock. What kind of choice was that? Death or an entire lifetime of servitude. He would take his own life before he allowed himself to be sold to a brothel but the other choice removed his freedom- the one thing he truly valued and tied his very soul to this unknown man.
Both choices were incomprehensible to Kari.
“W-what? You can’t be serious!”
The alpha merely raised an eyebrow and swirled the glass of liquid in his hand. “You should be more thankful, omega. It is rare for a slave to receive a choice. I could just as easily take that choice from you and claim you as mine whether you like it or not.”
“Why don’t you?” Kari stood with his arms still wrapped around his frame but stared up at the large man with all the defiance he could muster.
Anything to focus his attention away from the sheer horror at the choices presented to him. Anything to take his mind away from the fact that he was a very naked little omega and in front of him was a very powerful alpha.
“I know little about Daiyans.” The man took a sip of the clear liquid and placed the glass down on the desk behind him. “They are preciously guarded by your people and I know more myth than proven fact. But there have been Daiyan slaves in the past. High stationed and powerful men within the Niamrean court have paid vast fortunes to get their hands on Aithyean Daiyans that have been put up for sale. These slaves have been flaunted in front of the court and asked to do little party tricks with their power. Yet not once were their owners able to get a single thing out of the slaves.”
“There have been two within my living memory, each with the tattoos that symbolize their power. Both had small tattoos in easily hidden places and were closed-lipped about it, thus most of the population, including their masters, did not know what they were for. Both were also broken into hollow-eyed obedient little slaves and suddenly those tattoos scarred over. Interesting, is it not? My personal belief is that your power is tied to your will.”
“After their tattoos scarred, neither lived for more than six months. It was like they gave up, completely lost the will to live, and so they withered and died. So, I give you a choice, little one. You become mine willingly or no one can have you. I do not see how that’s so hard of a choice.”
Kari stared in silence. He had not known that there had been others of his people that had been captured and sold. The very thought appalled him. He had known about the tattoo scarring and honestly, if he lost his Daiyan power, he wouldn’t want to keep living either. It was a part of him, a part so big he wouldn’t be whole without it. But that didn’t make the man’s offer any less ludicrous.
“But that’s…what you’re suggesting isn’t some simple mating bond. You’re an alpha. Bonding to me is for life. A soul-bond. You want to tie our very souls together for the rest of our lives? That’s stronger than any marriage. Aren’t you a lord or something? Aren’t you supposed to get married and have heirs? Why the hell do you want to bond with me?”
Ryedir only looked amused. He raked his eyes over Kari’s frame again and the omega was suddenly reminded how naked he was. He took a small step back at the sheer heat he saw in the other man’s eyes. He struggled to school his expression to not give away how uncomfortable that gaze made him but the heat in his cheeks told him how futile that effort was.
“Things work a little differently in Niamrea. I forgot how traditional and outdated Aithyean culture could be.” Kari gaped at that comment. “Marriage is only used as more of a binding contract, usually for the joining of physical assets like land. Heirs are any of my offspring, from any source. There is no illegitimacy here. Pretty or intelligent slaves are often sought out to be bred for the specific purpose of heirs if there is no one of your class that suits your taste. Pleasure slaves, on the other hand, are usually treated to become barren and thus more suitable for their purpose. You are an omega, are you a bearer?”
“I-I don’t know.”
“Either way it doesn’t matter. If you are, it will only make things easier. If you choose to be mine, then I will look after both yourself and any offspring that may arise as befits your station- a personal property of a prince. It is your choice but at most, you have three months to decide.”
“I could have my heat tomorrow,” Kari snapped out, seizing on the anger fully to push the swirling confusion back out of his head. “I have no idea when it’s due. What kind of time frame is that?”
“Oran really didn’t touch you, did he?”
The sudden change of topic took the omega by surprise. “No, he didn’t.”
The man stalked closer, his muscles rippling under his clothes as he rose to his full height and loomed over Kari. “So I see, he likes them obedient and subservient. You must have made him itch for a cane.”
The omega scrambled back in alarm and there was a soft thump as his back hit the closed door. Hands caged him in, one on either side of his head and the man’s face inched too close for comfort.
“Personally, I prefer spirit and fire- a rare trait in an omega. You are quite an interesting specimen.” They were almost nose to nose and Kari remained trapped in place. “A little warrior, hmm? I bet you taste delicious.”
Ryedir suddenly stepped back, leaving Kari plastered against the door, wide-eyed and trembling.