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  Kardos shrugged. “It is a magical thing. Through use of spells and magical energy, I assume.”

  Rozalia scowled. “I am glad that magic is not something we use extensively in our lands. It's a dangerous power that has too much potential to pervert the natural law.”

  “I agree. The problem I have is that the Omega onboard this ship is blocked by magic. It is supposed to wear off after three months from when we left the Western Lands. But I need it to be interrupted.”

  “Interrupted?”

  “I need for her blocks removed for a period of time and then returned.”

  “May I ask why?” The woman frowned. “Wouldn't it be better to just wait until the magic wears off?”

  Kardos began to pace, agitation working through his limbs. “No. I need to know all possible eventualities of what may happen when she arrives at the Southern Lands. She has been difficult to understand even with the blocks in place.”

  “How so?”

  “She seems to feel she shouldn’t be punished when she doesn’t do what she is told.”

  “But you said she has yet to learn our language. Maybe she doesn’t understand.”

  “She understands well enough,” Kardos growled. “She simply has no stamina. She cannot push through and find strength when necessary. Even as an Omega, with the things she may go through when she gets to our home, she must be disciplined enough to do that.”

  Rozalia hummed in agreement as she thought for a moment. “But without the blocks, she will be the same as she is now except she will have her scent and may, of course, enter her Haze, which has its own typical behaviors. There is no guesswork there.”

  “If she enters her Haze that is good. I want her to know what it is like. I suspect she has never had one before. She was protected by her family.”

  “Ah,” Rozalia said, nodding in understanding. “You want her to go through all experiences now so that it's not a surprise when she gets to the Southern Isles and the high chief assigns her a mate.”

  Kardos growled, turning to her fiercely. “You do not need to make guesses on what will or will not happen when we get to the Southern Isles,” he said harshly.

  The woman stilled again, looking at him closely. “You must come to terms with that, my shinno,” she said slowly. “She is not your Omega to keep.”

  “Did I say that I wanted to keep her?” Kardos bellowed, an anger rising quickly within him.

  Rozalia pursed her lips and gave him a look that said he didn’t need to say it.

  Kardos turned from her gaze. “I am trying to prepare her so that our entire Lands can benefit from her arrival and perhaps return, once more, to what it was.”

  “Is that really important?” Rozalia asked slowly. “Why not just let her experience it for the first time herself? Do you not think that maybe the high chief would be more enamored with her if he got to know her as she is now, instead of you trying to prepare her in a way that may give her an… opinion of us?”

  “What do you mean,” Kardos asked guardedly.

  Rozalia sighed. “Are you aware you are punishing someone who should be a guest?” She held her palm up to stop Kardos from interrupting. “I know punishment is normal for us, it is how we train our children and how we teach new tribesmen, but she is learning about everything for the first time, including our language. She probably doesn’t even understand why she has been punished. She is going to assume the worst of us if we do not treat her well. And you know this,” she said, glancing at him disapprovingly. “Before you even decided to go to the Western Lands, we discussed this when we talked about partnerships and trading in foreign lands. What if we arrive at the Southern Isles and she doesn't want anything to do with our culture?”

  “That is more preferable to her behaving badly,” Kardos said firmly. “If she knows what's expected of her, she will eventually do it, and she may even do it well. But if she is thrown into a situation that surprises or shocks her, there is no telling how she may react.”

  “But that is a short-term thing. She may still act badly, but it may happen a few seasons down the line when she realizes what her life is.”

  “By then, it won't matter.”

  Rozalia shifted in her chair, frowning at Kardos. “So it only matters to you now for our arrival? Why? Why is this important to you?”

  “Do not act like you don't know,” he warned. “The fact I have an Omega, and I’m bringing her to Southern Isles… You know what that will mean.”

  The woman nodded. “I do, but just her existence is enough for that. Why do you also want to control her behavior?”

  “Because everything is at risk,” Kardos stressed. “Bringing an Omega back to the Southern Isles would be enough for one of the other shinnos—no one would blink, and they would praise him and declare that he is granted what he is owed. But not me. Her presence alone will not be enough for me, she needs to also behave correctly, and do everything that she’s supposed to do as an Omega. Everything depends on it, and I want no chances for mishaps or mistakes.”

  Rozalia’s face tightened, and then she lowered her head. Kardos knew she could not deny what he said was true. Although he was superior to the other shinnos, he was also slightly different, and everything he did would be examined and inspected because of it. He couldn't expect the same treatment as if somebody else had bought an Omega home. With him, everything had to be perfect and the Omega was perfect. He just needed to ensure that she remained so in the eyes of his people.

  “I hate that this is the situation,” Rozalia said, her voice low. “I cannot deny that you are correct. Her behavior will fall upon you.”

  Kardos nodded. The idea did not give him comfort, but at least he knew he could do something about it. “So you will create a potion that will interfere with her blocks.”

  “I will try. I do not have the full host of my ingredients to make a potion for an Omega. I never expected to have to do that. It will take some experimentation.”

  “Do what you must,” Kardos said. “Treska knows where her cabin is. She can take you. Just make sure that whatever you do, she is not harmed in any way.” He shot her a look of warning, so she would know that he was entirely serious, but he needn't have bothered. Rozalia was looking back at him as though he was an idiot for even saying it. “We will have a break from all shifts in two days, which will put us on course to arrive in the Southern Lands roughly two to three weeks later. I will need it within the next week.”

  “I will try to have something for you in the next four days, my shinno.”

  Kardos inclined his head in thanks and took his leave.

  Once the tribe became aware that they were due a break, the mood in the ship completely changed. It returned to something similar to what it had been when they first set off on their journey, but for Kardos it was an inappropriate time to feel joyful. The more he took Shaya to his private deck, and the more she pulled away from him, the more desperate he became to have her submit. At times, he was furious that she did not recognize what he was doing for her. He was ensuring that she got to see the ocean, he was making her feel the way an Alpha was supposed to make an Omega feel, and he wasn't taking anything for himself. His cock had been begging for release for weeks, but he had no enthusiasm to seek out any of the other women on the ship. He wasn't sure if it was because he had already tasted what it was like inside an Omega, or because none of them captured his attention the way that she did, but he was stuck in a limbo that he couldn't get out of until Rozalia completed the potion.

  If he tried to fuck Shaya again, there was no doubt it would go badly. Her first experience had not been met with any pleasure. He knew when he withdrew that he may have spoiled that part of her experience, but he had done it in favor of trying to repair it later. It would be a disaster if she was given to the high chief only for it to be discovered that she did not like sex. It was unheard of in the Southern Isles. Such things could only happen in the other Lands, where the amoral and devious lived. There was no way he co
uld bring an Omega to the high chief with that affliction.

  Playing with her and sucking on her slippery, tasty clit until she came had helped a little—it had at least made her less conscious of her beautiful body—but there was no guarantee that full sex would be met with enthusiasm. In fact, it was likely that it wouldn't after what happened, and that's why he needed her blocks removed. Without her blocks, or her Haze, there would be no resistance to him, and she could truly understand the pleasures of being an Omega and the joy of being with an Alpha.

  The next time that he summoned Treska to report back on Shaya's progress, it seemed as though Shaya was indeed a quick learner, which made him a little more secure that they still had over two weeks left for her to continue her learning. Unfortunately, that was not the only thing Treska reported on.

  “What do you mean Anata came to her cabin?” he thundered. “No one is supposed to know where she is, or that she even exists on the ship!”

  Treska shrugged back a little. “I don't know how she found out,” she said. “She kept saying that somebody was taking your attention and there is no one else on the ship who is doing it that she knows of. I think she has been investigating, my shinno. She is familiar with your movements and your patterns of behavior. She has guessed that you have been spending time with someone else.”

  Kardos clenched his fists. Anata shouldn't even be guessing what he was doing with his time. It was none of her fucking business. “What did she do, and what did she say?” he asked through gritted teeth. Anata was known for her temper, but most of the tribe knew how to deal with her. Shaya would not.

  “Katashaya couldn't understand anything that she said,” Treska said, quickly. “But she could tell that Anata was threatening her.”

  “And what did she say?” Kardos said sharply.

  “She said that she had guessed all along that there was somebody else on the ship taking your attention, and she had been correct in her assumptions, but she wasn't aware that the woman was going to be so small and insignificant, with no real curves, and no character. She said the only thing Shaya had going for her was her pretty face, and that that could be destroyed easily enough.”

  The fury that burned Kardos at the idea that anyone would dare even threaten to touch Shaya's face could barely be contained. The rumble of displeasure that began in his throat turned into a burning roar from his chest at the audacity of this jakhra to threaten his Omega, and Treska shrunk back until she was flattened against the wall by the time the roar ended.

  “And you say Shaya could not understand it?” he growled.

  “N-n-no,” Treska stuttered. “And I couldn't explain to her why she was even in the room because of the lack of communication—”

  “I will reallocate her now,” Kardos decided, striding to the door. He slowed to a stop as a thought occurred to him, and he looked over his shoulder at Treska. “Is she frightened to be in the room now?”

  “She doesn't seem to be,” Treska said. “But it is difficult to know what she really thinks when I cannot communicate with her properly.”

  “She seems to be learning quickly,” Kardos said turning back the door. “Hopefully you will be able to communicate with her soon enough.”

  ***

  When he entered Shaya’s room, she was surprised to see him. Usually he would come later to carry her to his private deck. He looked around the room to see what would need packing up to take to her new cabin, but noticed that there was nothing. She only had two sets of clothes, which she seemed to be washing herself, items for her hair and injuries, as well as the materials for her learning. Rozalia’s words sprung to his mind. She is going to assume the worst of us if we do not treat her well.

  He strode to her and lifted her into his arms, as he always did, and she settled against his chest, as she always did and the familiar satisfaction rose that she was in his arms. This time he took her to a cabin that was on the same corridor as his own. It was guarded more heavily, even though there were more people around the deck. He preferred having her closer to him, and if anything was going to happen, at least he would be nearby.

  The cabin he gave her was a few doors down from his own, bigger than the one she had been in, and much more lavishly decorated.

  He put her down slowly, keeping her close to his body as he tilted her head up to him. “This is your new cabin now, Shaya,” he said in Mayaros. “The same rules apply.” Unfortunately, she hadn't yet learned any of those words because her gaze was blank. She didn't understand.

  He lowered, hunched over her, and brushed his lips with her own. “I'll be back shortly for our ocean time so you can fly with me.” When he pulled back, she looked surprised that he had kissed her and he couldn’t help but smile. “You are still very beautiful, little bird.”

  To his amazement, a gorgeous shy smile grew and her eyes darted down, her face a picture of embarrassment. She understood him! He leaned in and kissed her properly, sucking on her perfect lips and pressing his tongue into her mouth. She whimpered and accepted him in, sucking on him and kissing him back as she went limp in his arms. When his pants became tight, he forced himself to pull away. He would have his tongue in that fragrant place between her legs shortly, but there were things he needed to do first.

  Turning, he left and sought out Treska, immediately sending her to Shaya to try and explain that she has now moved cabins. Additionally, he sought out a few of the tribeswomen who were good crafters to make some jewelry for her and some gifts so that her new cabin would not be so impersonal and bare.

  Next, he sought out Anata working on fuel deck four.

  “That jakhra told you I was in the cabin, didn't she?” She laughed nervously and humorlessly. “I knew that she would run to you. I was simply protecting you that's all.”

  Kardos’ jaw hardened. “How so? It seemed to me that you are only thinking of yourself and your pussy. I thought it was extremely clear to anyone I fuck that I do not want ownership of them.”

  “I do not expect you to want ownership of me,” Anata said, unfolding her legs and standing, her hip dropped onto one leg. “I'm talking of your situation back home. When you were taking your pleasures with me and the other women, that was normal behavior for a shinno in your position. What you are doing with this small little thing, is not.”

  Kardos growled, his fury spiked at her audacity. “How dare you speak to me as though you are concerned about my leadership,” he bellowed. “It is not your place to interfere with anything like that. You do your job as required for the tribe and that is it.”

  “It is my cousin who is in Tribe Obari—”

  “Tribe Obari?” Kardos spat with disgust. “Where exactly do your loyalties lie? Because if it is not with Tribe Nyek, you do not belong here.”

  Anata's face dropped as she suddenly realized what he was saying. Her concern about anything other than her own tribe was considered treason as far as many tribe members across all tribes were concerned. It would have been better for her to say that she was jealous, rather than bring up an inter-tribe matter that had absolutely nothing to do with her.

  When she said nothing more, Kardos stepped forward, his face contorted. “You will not be fucked by anyone for the next season for this interference and if you approach that woman again, you will be expelled from this tribe. Do you understand?”

  Anata nodded, all bravado dropped away from her stance, her face and her voice. For someone like Anata, four months of no sex was like torture.

  “Get back to your chores,” Kardos ordered. But as he turned to go, she spoke again, this time her voice weary and defeatist.

  “Who is she?” Her voice shook, as though she was afraid of asking the question. And although it was reasonable for any tribe member to ask, she should have better judgment than to ask it now. “No one has been told of a new tribe member.”

  “That is none of your fucking business,” Kardos said menacingly. “I will announce information to the tribe when I'm ready. It is not for you to seek knowledg
e and interfere with my affairs and work against my will.”

  “Of course,” Anata mumbled. “I apologize, my shinno. Please send her my apologies.”

  “You are not important enough for her to hear your apologies,” Kardos snapped. “Do not think of her again.”

  Upon leaving her, a thought occurred to Kardos, and he headed to see Zolt, who would be in the meeting room drawing up schedules for each area of the ship.

  As he entered, Zolt placed down the schedule he was working on and nodded in greeting. “I was about to come and find you. What are your thoughts on having a celebration during the two-day break? Some of the members have been asking about it. It's been a while since you've had any kind of celebration gathering… Would you approve it?”

  Kardos closed the door behind him. “What did you tell Anata?”

  Zolt frowned. “Anata? Nothing. Why?”

  “She discovered Shaya, and entered her cabin and threatened her.”

  Zolt's face smoothed in understanding. “Ah. She came and asked if we picked up any new guests when we left the Western Lands. I told her about the bondmaids, which most of the tribe know about. She then asked if there was anyone else, and I said that you would announce anything further when you are ready.”

  Kardos exhaled in annoyance. “That tells her that there is someone.”

  Zolt blinked. “You wanted me to lie?”

  “Yes,” Kardos shot at him, hardly believing he had to fucking spell it out. “I do not want anyone to know of her existence, Zoltan. Even implying that there could be someone else other than the bondmaids on the ship is dangerous for her. What if Anata had attacked?”

  Zolt frowned and shook his shaggy head, confused. “But Anata wouldn't have any reason to attack her, unless your behavior changed…” A new understanding jolted into Zolt’s eyes and he slowly rose to his feet. “You stopped fucking her,” he said plainly. “And you have probably stopped fucking all the other women, that is why she became so concerned.”

  “Who I fuck is not her burden,” Kardos said, sharply. “It is not cause for her to seek out information that I have not announced, and threaten somebody who is supposed to be special to our Lands.”