Choose Me

by Hart, Delmire

  “Oh? How rare for the trader to give away one of his prized jewels. He must have enjoyed training such an exotic beauty. He has such unusual colouring.”

  The continuous attention to his little omega by another alpha had him fighting off a growl. Berend’s lazy grin widened as an aborted growl left his throat.

  “He is from up north somewhere. Litton brought him to me untrained, he seemed to think I would enjoy training him myself.”

  “Well now, that is a rare treasure indeed! Pretty and completely untouched. He must have owed you a great deal.”

  Renato shrugged again and held out his glass for a refill. He would need the extra alcohol to get through this conversation with the slippery alpha. His questions were all innocent enough, but the very fact that he was focusing any attention at all on the omega was not a good sign. You were a fool if you let the easy atmosphere Berend projected deceive you. The man was cunning and sharp as a knife; he wasn’t one of the top generals in the Rokerean army for naught.

  “More likely that he wanted to encourage me to purchase more from him in the future. He stands to make a great deal more than this one is worth if so.”

  Never had a bigger lie been told, but he kept his expression schooled into one of boredom and mild annoyance in hopes to dismiss the subject out of hand. Thankfully, the conversation shifted onto safer subjects.

  It was all going well until Toru stirred and sat up rubbing his eyes. Renato felt another thrill of satisfaction at seeing the omega marked so thoroughly as his. Big blue eyes blinked sleepily at them and it seemed to take a moment for him to register that there was another person in the room. He reeled back and looked to Renato in alarm.

  He beckoned his little mate forward. No doubt suddenly being in the presence of an unknown alpha was alarming. Toru slid off the window seat and padded across the room to sink carefully onto the cushion that Luca had placed by his feet. He settled quickly and wrapped an arm around Renato’s leg, pressing his body close and resting his cheek on his thigh. Oh, how Renato enjoyed that. It just screamed possessiveness.

  “My, my. He really is a pretty one.” Berend gave a delighted laugh. “And what an expression! You would like them wilful. I can see now why Litton gave him to you untrained. What a pleasure it must be to discipline his unruliness.”

  Renato reached out to stroke a hand through Toru’s hair in a soothing gesture. “I much prefer his wilful attitude to the subservient little dolls you prefer to play with. I’m quite enjoying his very honest reactions to myself. Far more satisfying than the thought of it being just a fake act to ingratiate him into my favour.”

  “You almost tempt me to try and train one myself. It would be excellent to have a toy to suit my preferences exactly but I’m not a patient man.” He waved the glass to the quiet beta for a refill and sighed in pleasure upon taking another sip.

  “I’ll take them willing and wet, I don’t need anything else. If only I could enjoy such pleasure of this drink with my toys. Excellent taste and even better properties. No need to fear ill intent in the form of a convenient poison. But, as I’m but a poor soul who isn’t owed a favour by your esteemed self, let me enjoy one last glass before I partake of Cosa’s marvellous brothels. I had hopes to stay in the city for a few days and join you on your travel to the capital for the wedding but alas, business once again must pull me away from my pleasure early. We are leaving on the morrow, so you don’t have to worry about my troublemaking.”

  Luca dutifully stepped forward and refilled the alpha’s glass once again. Renato stroked down Toru’s soft hair and trailed his fingers across the back of his neck, raising a shiver.

  “It is more pleasurable to travel with companions,” Renato acknowledged.

  Berend’s lips curved up into a leering smirk. “You must be pleased that I can no longer join you, as I will be unable to interrupt your pleasurable journey. You could always leave early and travel slowly to the capital, enjoying each and every stop along the way.”

  “Unfortunately, business dictates my pleasure as much as it does yours. If not for the wedding, I would not venture to the capital for some time but familial duty calls.”

  “Ever the recluse still I see.” The alpha drained the rest of his glass, setting it down on the small table and stood. “I won’t intrude on your pleasure time any longer. You and your pet are welcome to my party after the wedding. I trust that you will join me.”

  “Of course.”

  The alpha left without another word, following behind Luca who led the way. Renato waited until they were gone and the door clicked shut before he pulled Toru up onto his lap. The omega flushed a little as he ran his hand across his chest. The tattoo was mesmerising, and it was a surprise that Berend hadn’t asked about it. That was disquieting, the man was too sharp and knew about elementals, Renato was sure. There was more knowledge about them in the high tiers of the army than in the aristocracy and Berend was one of the top generals for Rokere.

  The alpha tended towards play and personal amusement rather than work, so he only did his due as far as Rokere’s current war efforts. Not that he could judge as he had done much the same. Renato had personally overseen the start of the invasion into Tyseal as per the obligation of his rank, but had pulled out as soon as possible. The entire endeavour was just a waste of resources.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked, turning his attention back to the omega in his arms.

  Toru squirmed in his grip, still not meeting his eyes. He must be embarrassed after this morning’s activities. Well, that was easily fixed by exposure and he would take great pleasure in getting the omega used to such things.

  “I’m fine.” He spoke softly, almost shy. It was very cute. He tilted Toru’s chin up so that they could maintain eye contact and watched with satisfaction as a stubborn glare flashed across the omega’s face before he looked away with a slight huff. Now that was the expression he liked. Defiant, wilful, and very much his own person.

  Far more attractive than the simpering looks of the trained whores that others, like Berend, preferred.

  And it made Toru’s cries of pleasure far more enjoyable knowing they were from pure, honest pleasure.

  “You’ll have to get used to it when we travel to the capital.” The omega’s head whipped back around he looked at him in surprise. “My eldest brother is getting married and you will travel with me. Seeing as we aren’t mated yet, I’ll need to scent mark you regularly so that others will keep their hands off. The collar will keep you safe to a point but a more visceral proof of ownership is best.” He thumbed across the white leather that marked Toru as his property. Slave collars were adequate deterrence out here where Renato ruled with complete control but the capital was a whole other world.

  “Shouldn’t I be staying here, then?” the omega asked desperately.

  “I’m travelling for pleasure, and as such I’ll bring my pleasure with me. As my pleasure slave and to-be-bonded mate, you will come with me wherever I go, except to a war zone. Although even that depends on the circumstance. One doesn’t just part with their mate after all.”

  “We aren’t even mated yet,” Toru said sullenly but Renato noted the use of the word ‘yet’. Stubborn little thing could deny it all he wanted but everything he did just screamed his acceptance. Renato leaned in close, nosing into his neck and crooning gently. He grinned victoriously as the omega immediately relaxed and purred back.

  “Oh, you can deny it all you like, little omega, but your body knows who your alpha is.”

  Toru pulled away with an angry blush adorning his cheeks. Trying to slap Renato’s hands away, he wriggled back, attempting to escape from his grip but the alpha just pulled him close to him. They sat motionless, eyes locked in a silent battle of wills, until a light knock on the door sounded. Renato sighed and pulled his mate closer to coax him into a soft kiss. The young man was pliant under his touch as their lips slotted together and it ended far too soon. He was very interested in another proper taste but that would have t
o wait for now.

  Yet again duty interfered with pleasure.

  “We leave for Salantra at the end of the week. Luca will come with us as well as a few other household staff so you will have company while we are away. We will have plenty of time to go over how you are to behave once we are there on our travel.” That comment earned him a mulish look but he just chuckled and slid the omega off his lap so he could stand. “Perhaps we can go over the basics later, after our sparring session so you are less likely to have difficulty.” That comment earned him an outright glare. He cut Toru off just as he opened his mouth to retort angrily. “As much as I enjoy your fiery defiance, it will attract attention in the capital. There is no good kind of attention in Salantra.”

  There was another knock and this time Morse poked his head around the door. Renato nodded to him and he disappeared again.

  “Be good, Toru, I’ll see you tonight.”

  He stole one final kiss and left the omega standing there with a pout and slight blush.

  ***

  Toru sighed as he dragged his feet towards Kessler’s private quarters. He had spent the afternoon helping Luca run errands in the market square and was tired after all the activity. Not to mention that his head still reeled over what had happened that morning.

  Yharis, what had possessed him to agree to let the alpha touch him so intimately?

  Instincts most likely and he had let himself be carried away by the situation. Had it been anyone else, he would have been mated and bonded by now, Toru was sure. Kessler must have legendary self-control. He had seen other alphas lose their mind over just the scent of an omega, let alone touching them so intimately.

  Kessler had sent him over the edge of pleasure multiple times and at the end came again virtually untouched. Which showed just how much Toru affected him and yet he didn’t act on it. Sure, the man took some liberties. He had felt Toru up more than once and often coaxed him into kisses but there was always this set boundary between them.

  It made Toru trust him.

  That was probably the point of why he was doing it. Gaining his trust and endearing himself to the omega. But the man was an alpha in a powerful position and Toru was merely his slave. Why would he bother to do such things if all he was trying to do was lull him into a false sense of security?

  That surely meant that Kessler wanted a real soulbond, a real relationship with Toru. Even if it was just for his elemental powers, he had already said it was tied to will, so that meant he couldn’t just about face his attitude lest he break Toru and lose access to his power. Something Kessler has said with the strange alpha that morning stood out to him.

  “I much prefer his wilful attitude to the subservient little dolls you prefer to play with. I’m quite enjoying his very honest reactions to myself. Far more satisfying than the thought of it being just a fake act to ingratiate him into my favour.”

  That meant that he liked Toru as he was, right? Ignoring the implied ownership but Kessler had seemed to talk in a certain manner with the other alpha as though he was wary of him. Which meant that he would be after Toru as a lover, as Luca thought. That thought was somehow less terrifying than it had been previously. He wasn’t some little doll to constantly bow to the commands of another but a lover, a partner…

  That was an entirely different affair.

  Kessler had always spoken as though Toru was property, which he clearly was, but it felt like there was more to it. As though once he gave himself over, something would change. Something that Kessler seemed to want to hide, as though he wanted Toru to make his choice based on the worst possible outcome. But why?

  He sighed. There was no point thinking on it now, his tired brain would only run in circles and get him nowhere. At least he had been given time for a nap. It was a small consolation but one he would gladly take.

  Opening the door to the bedroom, Toru stepped inside wearily. A nap on the cloudlike comfort of Kessler’s bed sounded perfect, otherwise he wouldn’t last long in their sparring session that evening and he was determined to hold his own tonight.

  It was purely ingrained reaction forged from Kessler’s countless surprise attacks that had Toru lunging out of the way before he could even consciously process what had happened. A sharp blade swung into the spot he had previously been standing and he looked up with wide, terrified eyes. The beta standing in front of him could have been anyone. His face was as plain as his clothes and Toru wouldn’t be able to tell him apart from a crowd. The man spun around with the large dagger, striking out again and the omega rolled away before rising to his feet in a defensive posture.

  Another assassin.

  Except this time, he didn’t have Kessler there to protect him, all he had was his own skills honed over a scant few weeks. He danced back as the assassin lunged again and Toru realised that he mustn’t want to leave any possible warning for Kessler. He might be able to bring down Toru but there was no chance he would take out the Blademaster without the element of surprise.

  He cursed as the dagger sunk into the flesh of his arm as he moved seconds too late. The assailant shifted stance and it seemed like he was finally taking Toru seriously. This was not good. The beta attacked again and Toru was able to move away and under his reach, kicking out like he had been taught and nearly knocked the man off balance. It wasn’t enough and the blade went whistling past his ear, far too close for comfort.

  They danced back and forward, Toru never quite able to knock the man off balance but earning himself several shallow flesh wounds for his efforts. His chest heaved and the exhaustion of the wounds weighed heavily on him. Each cut sent sparks of pain through his nerves and slowed him down that little bit more while redirecting his attention. At this rate he would not survive the fight.

  There was one thing he could use to defend himself, however. He didn’t have time to picture his pool of power but it was there, it had accidentally popped up in training more than once with Kessler. Toru didn’t know how much he had, how much he could draw on, so he needed it to be a surprise. All he needed to do was get close enough. The assassin was getting desperate with his attacks, as though it had gone on too long and he needed to end it quickly.

  The other man lunged forward and Toru dodged backwards under his swing then kicked out with his foot. He landed the hit squarely on his stomach, eliciting a grunt of pain, and pushed out with his ice upon feeling the connection. There was a strangled wail as ice ripped through the mans unprotected belly and Toru didn’t even stop to think, he spun around, throwing his arm out as he lunged for the man’s neck as Kessler had taught him. However, unlike in their practice matches, this time an ice dagger was clutched in his fist and it easily sliced through the man’s throat with the force of his swing.

  Blood sprayed out from the ruined throat and a horrible gurgling sound was made as the assassin clutched at his neck. He slowly toppled over as if the body didn’t yet know it was dead. He fell forward and Toru was left staring in shocked horror at the ice shards sticking out from the man’s back.

  A perfect ice crystal formation had impaled the assassin. Toru’s beautiful, perfect ice. It was dripping with sticky crimson and he couldn’t tear his eyes from the sight. All at once, the memories came rushing back full force and he fell to his knees, arms wrapped around his trembling frame.

  He did that. He killed someone.

  Again.

  The blood ran down in rivulets. So much blood.

  The ice sparkled sickeningly with the red and all Toru could hear was the terrified screams for mercy and forgiveness. Soldiers begging for their lives, begging to end it.

  The terrified scream of Hemlock as he let her die by virtue of not protecting her.

  In his mind’s eye, the beautiful idyllic pool that showed his power was overtaken by creeping ice. The stunning, swirling patterns that iced over the top where blood red and swirling as the colour grew bolder and bolder as if more blood was being added. Then more and more still.

  Murderer.

  A tho
usand or more lives lost to him.

  Murderer.

  This beautiful gift bestowed upon him from Yharis, the same one he had used to create snow castles and forts to play with the other children at his home village, the same one he had used to craft roses for his mother, the same one that he had vowed to never, ever misuse.

  He used it to kill. He tainted it with his sins. How could he be worthy of such a gift?

  Murderer.

  The screams pounded in his head as he stared wide eyed and unseeing at the red crystalline ice.

  Toru pushed out with his ice, trying to remove it from himself. He didn’t deserve it. But it was him, a part of him. Maybe he was better off dead.

  He needed to atone for his actions. Because whatever the Rokereans thought of slavery as payment for crimes, he didn’t share that sentiment. It was a nice concept but it rang hollow in his mind, it was just an excuse, a cover for the trading of human flesh. No, if he wanted to truly pay for tainting such purity, then he had to offer the one thing he had left.

  Himself.

  The omega reached deep inside himself and began to pull his power up from his very veins just like he had once before. The pain was worse than he remembered and he screamed in agony. It felt like he was tearing his nerves out thread by thread from his body.

  Dimly he became aware of something. Something pulled at him.

  Something soft and soothing.

  Yharis, he wanted that. It called to him and he stopped, wavering in his act of suicide.

  His vision swum and slowly be noticed something beyond the torment of his memories. A face came into focus in front of him and he immediately recognised the golden eyes.

  “Kessler?” he croaked out, voice hoarse and breaking as though he had been screaming nonstop.

  “It’s okay Toru, I’m here. Just hold onto me.”

  The soft crooning started up again and Toru realised that was the sound that had been pulling at him. The alpha gathered him up in his arms and held him so tightly it was hard to breathe. The trembling increased to the point that his entire body shook violently and Toru found tears rolling down his cheeks but they wouldn’t stop. It was as though the flood gates had opened and everything came pouring out.