Choose Me

by Hart, Delmire

  Unlike the relatively polite staff of Kessler’s household, he could still feel eyes on his skin as they moved deeper into the press of people and he swore someone tried to grope him but when he whirled around, no one was paying them any attention. He was soon being grabbed by the arm and dragged off to follow Luca to a hawker selling bundles of fresh herbs.

  He gaped in surprise at the deep ebony of the man’s skin colour and Alden had to elbow him in the ribs to get him to stop staring rudely. He ducked his head in embarrassment but the man didn’t seem offended thankfully. They moved from stall to stall looking in wonder at all the produce and trinkets on display. The utter abundance of fresh produce on display was astounding, all of it ripe and ready for eating. The omega had to be bodily hauled away from a stall selling mangos that all looked mouth-wateringly delicious.

  Toru wasn’t sure how much time had passed but he was beginning to feel uncomfortably sticky from the humid heat and his vision swam when he moved his head too fast. The loud voices of the markets seemed rather muffled and indistinct too. He could blearily make out Luca’s concerned face swimming in front of him with Alden peering worriedly over his shoulder. He stumbled over his feet as he was tugged somewhere and the basket was grabbed from his hands. He followed the best he could on unsteady legs as the world spun about him before he was swallowed by darkness.

  When he came around, Toru found himself lying flat on his back against something cool and hard. He opened his eyes as he forced himself to sit up and groaned at the headache thumping behind his eyes. A bleary look around showed him what appeared to be jewellers shop and he was sitting on the polished stone floor near the back of the shop. Alden sat next to him and held out a large green, round object. The top was cut away and he could make out something fleshy and white lining the inside. Inside that appeared to be water.

  “What is this?”

  “It’s a coconut. This is a young one, good for drinking as it has lots of water inside. You passed out from the heat so you need to drink to make sure you recover.”

  “A young coconut?” He stared down at the object in his hands in confusion.

  “Coconuts are fruit. The young coconuts are green and have lots of water inside so it’s good for drinking, especially in this heat. There’s lots of good nutrients in it as well to help you recover. The older coconuts are brown and kind of hairy, they don’t have as much water inside but they have more of the white flesh that used in cooking and to make oils.”

  “All right, enough of the lesson, drink up!” Luca appeared on the other side of Toru and was making impatient noises while he stared at the odd fruit in his hands. With a small shrug, he brought it up to his face. It smelt amazing. He took a few sips and savoured the taste. It was a sweet, nutty flavour but it was faint, especially compared to the overwhelming smell.

  He didn’t realise just how thirsty he was until he started to drink and was soon gulping the liquid down. The sweet juice trickled down his chin and he quickly polished it off. He felt a little better already, but that was no doubt due to being out of the hot sun and sitting on the nice cool floor. The omega kind of wanted to lie back down on the stone but figured that would be rude now he was awake.

  “Where are we?”

  “A jeweller’s shop. The owner offered her shop to let you cool down out of the sun. Master orders quite a few things through her and I’ve had to pick up things from here before. She has a present for us to deliver to him as well. She saw us in the market and was on her way to meet us when you collapsed.”

  “Oh.” He felt so tired all of a sudden and just wanted to be back in the manor, in that bed seemingly made of clouds to sleep away the rest of the afternoon. Both Luca and Alden stared at him worriedly.

  “We’ll have to get Azumi to check you over once we are back.”

  Toru groaned but his protest of being fine was cut short when a small omegan woman approached with a number of silver chains in her hands. She gave a meek little bow and beckoned them all closer. Toru let himself be helped to his feet by the two betas, Alden taking the empty coconut, and the woman set her handful down on a nearby display cabinet before selecting one from the pile. She turned to the other omega and reached out for his hand.

  “If I may?” Her voice was soft and sweet, a quiet caress you couldn’t help but want to trust.

  He cautiously put his hand out and she fastened the chain around his left wrist. A delicate arrangement of smaller chains dangled off that one and covered his hand in sparkling silver. Demurely, she fastened other glittering arrangements of silver chains to his other hand and ankles. She stood back and looked over Toru with a critical eye. She gave a small, decisive nod and asked them to wait while she fetched something else.

  “I thought this was supposed to be a present for Kessler?” he hissed to the betas.

  “Prince Kessler! We are in public, remember! And it is.”

  “Yeah, yeah, prince and all that. But how is it a present to him when she’s putting the stuff on me?!”

  The other two slaves stared at him incredulously and it was Alden who answered. “Because she’s dressing you up for him?”

  Toru opened his mouth to protest and clicked it shut once it sunk in that she was prettying him up like a doll for the alpha. He flushed and scowled. “What’s the point, anyway? Why do this as a gift?”

  “Are you daft? If Master likes it, then he will come back and buy more.”

  “Oh.”

  Their conversation was interrupted by the return of the small woman. She carried four solid bands of silver and proceeded to slip two up each arm so they sat an inch apart across the meat of his arm above the elbow. All three stood back to admire the scowling omega. She seemed satisfied this time and gave them all another small bow.

  “Please inform His Highness that this is a gift from Yasuko of The Glittering Chain. We would welcome his patronage if our specialty chains are to his liking.”

  The three slaves nodded and returned the polite bow although Toru was still scowling. He didn’t want to be treated like some pretty doll but he couldn’t be rude after she let him recover from the heat outside on her shop floor. The grabbed their discarded baskets and made their way back out into the marketplace. Toru was far more aware of the sticky heat now than he had been in his excitement before.

  He would have to be a little more cautious, since his body could deal with the temperatures for a while, but not extended periods of time it seemed. This sticky heat that clung to your skin and seemed to bury itself into your body to leech your strength was the opposite of what he was used to.

  All in all, it made him miss the soft blankets of snow from his homeland. Being one with ice, he was far more relaxed and in tune with nature during the winter. The soft natural snow extended his senses and boosted his power tenfold. The looming mountain of home felt like it was on the other side of the world from here. He looked around the sea of unfamiliar sights and sounds and felt a pang of homesickness. Toru trailed after the betas with none of his earlier enthusiasm.

  Thankfully all that was left was one last bunch of fresh herbs and then they would head back to the manor.

  ***

  Toru felt much better after being forced to down copious amounts of water then sent for a nap by Azumi. Both Alden and Luca were scolded for not knowing better with someone new to the heat and the omega was given a lecture on proper water consumption when going out in the sun. It made him feel like a child all over again, but he could look after himself.

  He stretched, feeling much like a lazy housecat. He checked the jewellery that still adorned him and breathed a sigh of relief when it was all still in place. The silver chains were so thin he was sure they could be easily snapped and he had just fallen into bed, virtually passing out without a thought to what he wore. He hauled himself of the bed and padded to the doorway. He stepped out to be greeted by a still slightly sheepish Luca.

  “Hey, how are you feeling?”

  “Better, thanks.”

 
“Good. Sorry, about earlier again. I should have warned you. But now that you’re awake, I have to go get Master, you wait right there!”

  “Wait, why?!”

  Luca was already scurrying across the room and yelled back over his shoulder, “Because he wants to see his present.”

  Toru was left floundering in the bedroom doorway. Of course the alpha wanted to see him all dolled up for his viewing pleasure. He backed into the bedroom and paced around. Why was he suddenly so nervous about this? All the alpha wanted to do was look at him, something he had been doing a lot of already. It wasn’t like Toru wanted to be all prettied up for the alpha.

  He lifted his face to the early evening breeze that floated through the open balcony doors and let it wash over him, soothing his nerves while he waited. He heard the soft footfalls of the alpha approaching and found his body tensing up all over again. Turning, Toru looked straight into golden eyes. They held his own for a few moments before sweeping over his attire. A small smirk adorned his lips and Kessler sat down on the edge of the bed, beckoning the little omega forward.

  The slave walked forward until he stood in the indicated spot between the alpha’s legs and let the man run his hands over the glinting silver. His fingers were warm and gentle, dancing over his arms in a soft caress that had the omega unconsciously relaxing. His eyes followed where his hands trailed and they were soon running over the lines of the tattoo across his neck and up to his throat.

  The alpha picked up one of Toru’s hands and held it up to his chest, comparing the delicate silver chains with the pattern etched into his skin. “They match.” They locked eyes, and the alpha brought his hand to his lips to press a soft kiss to his knuckles and Toru’s breathing hitched. He fought the impulse to lean in and ask for more.

  Yharis, this man is dangerous.

  That was the last thought he had time before the alpha’s eyes widened as he looked at something behind Toru and suddenly the omega found himself flung backwards by the alpha. He hit the floor with a thud that knocked the wind from his chest and he wheezed as he tried to pick himself up. There was a grunt and a thud in front of him and the slave looked up to find Kessler grappling with another man dressed in faded brown leathers. He caught the glint of a knife in the assailant’s hand and gasped. Kessler grunted again and managed to grab the hand that held the knife, forcing it back away from his throat.

  Toru’s heart thumped loudly in his chest as he still struggled to regain his breath. The unknown beta in the room was an assassin! He was trying to kill Kessler. He didn’t think and threw out his hand, unconsciously trying to will his ice across the floor so he could help the alpha. Nothing happened and in a panic, he tried to force it. All he got was a glimpse of his beloved serene pool that indicated his power, lush grass in soft rich soil surrounded the pool but the pool itself was empty, the rocks lining the bottom still bone dry.

  Toru almost sobbed in relief. That was the first time since waking up in Rokere that he had even felt anything or seen his mental image of his power. The dry cracked earth and withered grass stems had healed, going back to their lush forms, but he still needed to heal more before his power was truly back. In the meantime, that left him with only his physical body to fight with. Having always relied on his power, he had no idea how to actually fight.

  The slave turned his focus back to Kessler, who had managed to get a few punches into the assassin and seemed to be attempting to disarm the man but was having trouble. With a start, he realised that the reason Kessler was struggling was because he was keeping his back to Toru, every time the attacker tried to circle around, the alpha blocked his path.

  He’s protecting me and it’s costing him.

  The omega bit his lip, chewing on it worriedly. He had to help somehow. Kessler was forced back and the assassin struck out, slicing across Kessler’s thigh, earning a grunt from the man. As soon as Toru saw the blood on the dagger, he leapt to his feet and stared wildly around the room. His hands shook and his blood rushed in his ears.

  He scanned the room and his eyes landed on the weapon rack on the wall. He rushed over, nearly tripping on his feet in his haste. Pulling off the bottom sword, he turned back to the scuffle taking place near the balcony.

  He scurried closer as he called out, “Kessler!”

  The man turned his head around slightly to catch sight of Toru and his eyes jumped down to the scabbard in his trembling hands. Kessler caught the assassin and twisted his body around, somehow throwing him on the ground. He reached the omega in a few long strides, yanking the sword from his grip and pulling the blade from its sheath before discarding it. He turned back around and his whole countenance changed. Gone was the desperate grapple against an armed opponent and in its place was the deadly calm of a warrior with his chosen weapon in hand.

  Toru backed away and watched with wide eyes as the assassin approached far more cautiously. Kessler stood in place and when he did finally move, it was with a fluid grace. The clash of metal rang out and Toru watched awestruck as the alpha moved as though dancing, countering every thrust perfectly.

  When he had first seen Kessler, Toru’s first thought was that the man looked to be a warrior through and through, something that was only confirmed upon seeing the rippling muscles in the candlelight that night. But this…this was something else. No warrior Toru had ever seen made the movements look almost beautiful.

  Until his sword ripped right through the assassin’s throat and blood sprayed out across the room accompanied by a wet gurgle. Toru’s eyes were riveted on the blood spatter across the floor, it seemed to fill his entire vision. He felt like he couldn’t breathe, like he was drowning and his hands scrabbled at his throat as he choked on nothing. It wasn’t just his hands trembling now, his entire body was shaking violently.

  He curled up into a ball and desperately tried to force air into his lungs. He heard voices in the background but they were dim and morphed into remembered screams and wails of terror. All he could see was that splatter of blood arching out from the man’s ruined throat and it overlapped with memories forced to the recesses of his mind.

  He had forgotten. How could he have forgotten what he did?

  He cried out in anguish. He was supposed to die, his life for theirs. Blood stained his vision, his beautiful crystalline ice layered in sickening amounts of dripping red. Arms wrapped around him and he fought the hold. He needed to get out, needed to breathe, needed to stop this nightmare.

  Except it wasn’t really a nightmare, was it?

  This happened.

  Memories that he just didn’t want to remember. He was held tight, trapped in a steel embrace and he wailed in fear. A gentle rumble spread throughout the wall beside him. A low sound accompanied it, deep and rich and soothing to his very soul.

  Slowly, very slowly, the omega relaxed. Air rushed back into his burning lungs and the gory memories retreated from his vision. He leaned into the comforting embrace and was wrapped up even tighter in response. Toru drifted into an exhausted sleep, dreamless and calming, lulled there by the deep rumble purring softly in his ear.

  Chapter 7: Why Must You Deny Me?

  Renato stared down at the dead assassin bleeding out over his plush carpet and tsked. It had been a while since anyone had bothered to even attempt to take him out. The man was nondescript looking and the alpha knew he would have nothing on him that would point to the mastermind behind the plot. This man had been good, he had to give him credit, scaling up the side of the manor in the dim light of the early evening and even able to get a hit in on Renato while he was unarmed.

  Although it would have been a different story had the little omega not been there, but he had not been willing to take a chance of Toru being used against him. No, that one was a treasure of great worth; when he wasn’t being stubborn, that is. An anguished scream tore him from his musing and Renato spun around with sword raised, intent on killing whoever attacked Toru.

  Except no one was there but the little slave. He sat curled up in a li
ttle ball with his nails scratching into the flesh of his throat and catching at the leather collar. The omega’s eyes were unfocused, seeing something beyond the waking realm, and he choked as though unable to draw breath. Renato dropped his sword, letting the metal hit the floor with a dull thud, and strode forward.

  He scooped Toru up into his arms just as the door burst open. Jamil stepped in first with sword upraised followed by an equally armed Morse. Luca must have heard the commotion and gone straight for help. He made a mental note to reward the beta later and turned his attention back to the struggling omega in his arms.

  Toru fought against his hold, thrashing around wildly and crying out in fear. It was an awful sound; a high pitched, terrified whine. It grated on his alpha senses and had him wanting to lash out at whatever caused his distress.

  Except Renato couldn’t kill something that was in Toru’s own mind.

  He sat down on the edge of the bed and trapped the distressed omega in the circle of his arms. Finally able to hold him still, Renato began to croon. It was a deep rumble that reverberated through his chest. Much like an omega crying affected nearby alphas, the croon an alpha produced had a soothing effect that was especially potent to omegas or their bonded mates.

  Renato watched as Jamil and Morse walked into the room and went to inspect the corpse of the unfortunate assassin. Luca popped his head in after and moved aside to let a concerned Azumi into the room once he had determined that the coast was clear. The healer quickly walked over and gave them both a critical look over. The young beta hovered behind her, alternating worried looks between his master and the corpse. Toru slowly relaxed and Renato could hear him beginning to breathe easier.