MINE.

Chapter 3: Bow for bows

The show of wealth did not surprise Dion, it was the show of beauty that unnerved him. How can a man wearing a mask so vicious and caked in blood care for such things as looking neat? Even the beasts dark tan skin is oiled and his scent betraying he has bathed quite recently. The king is wearing a cotton shirt like the kind the peasants wear that is cut at the sleeves while most of the buttons undone exposing his broad tattooed chest.

Absentmindedly Dion brings his nails to his mouth and cringes. His long ivory nails are lacquered with a mixture of red henna and snake venom. The bitter taste that makes his tongue numb is the subtle reminder from the Empress that princes do not bite their nails. A disgusting habit that reflects lack of control as Hazel has said countless times.

Dion resolves that he has seen enough to assume that the rumors have been greatly exaggerated. He had also assumed that the Demon Alpha had every intention of having him as a queen. Dion knew that this meant whether he agreed or not no one would dare challenge the alpha King. This was very troubling but Dion couldn't find a care as he pointed the toes of the foot the alpha was currently massaging. He was too relaxed to worry or remember that the entire palace was in upheaval looking for him.

The peace was so easily disrupted. One second the alpha was massaging Dion's  feet and the next the heavy bedroom door is splintering into a million pieces. It's as if the room is exploding when pieces of the splintered door fall onto the mirrored dresser shattering the glass and scattering shattered glass along with the splinters.

The Emperor steps into the room and even that doesn't relax Dion's shoulders that are practically up by his ears from the shock.

"You OverStep!" The emperor's bellows as the splinters and broken glass crunch beneath his fine shoes. But the Demon King is unfazed.

Dion watches with bated breath from any reaction but the beast simply continues his task. He reaches over for the towel and Dion's hands act on their own picking it up first and handing it over.

The Emperor clears his throat and still the Alpha is non reactive,  his movements relaxed as he dries each of Dion's feet with not a single rushed motion.

The emperor shakes his head in disapproval before he walking over to peer down at the demon.

"You don't ever change. I should have you dragged to the dungeon for this. Dion is a prince! You can't just drag him away. You terrified his sister." The emperor nags.

His father is chastising the demon king as he does Swari and Amani. What's more surprising is the huff of annoyance as reply.

Dions father rolls his eyes into his head, " Guard!" The emperor calls and five of them rush into the door.

"Stop!" He commands and the the uniformed officers freeze in their spot.

"I said Guard, as in one. The rest of you get out if you don't want to die."

Four of the men quickly scatter out as one steps forward standing at attention for his next order.

The Emperor turns back to the Demon King, "Have you finished?" He asks more patiently than Dion can understand and the Demon King shakes his head. He drapes the used towel across his shoulder before reaching for one of the pieces of red silk. He pulls both ends apart effortlessly tearing the fabric into two long pieces.

The emperor rolls his eyes once again, "That was a gift from the Prince of Persia along with the silk pillows that your soldiers commandeered so they could turn my throne room into a brothel!" The emperor nags on which is strangely comforting to Dion despite still not knowing what the hell is going on.

Dion tilts his head curiously as he watches the alpha take hold of his left foot. Starting from Dion's toes he works the silk up his foot before tying a perfect bow at the ankle. When finished he presses his finger into Dion's toes before looking at him as if to ask, Is it too tight here?
Dion shakes his head as reply and the alpha takes hold of his silk shoed foot and rolls the ankle before looking once more to Dion who shakes his head.

Satisfied the beast moves on to the next foot. Once again he starts at the toes and if anything his movements are more relaxed as Dion's father taps his toe of his shoe in frustration. The impatient tapping sound actually gets to Dion and he sighs as the second bow is tied.
Once again the beast presses his toes and rolls his ankles and Dion shakes his head before taking a moment to admire the beauty of the silk slippers.

The Omega has always been notorious in the palace for hiding his shoes. Dion has hated wearing shoes since he was a child and his parents and servants have long ago gave up trying to make him. But the silk was lovely, breathable, and soft.

"Thank you." Dion says politely and the Demon bows his head before standing and reminding Dion just how big and imposing he really is.
Dion peers up at the demon king feeling tiny in his shadow and when the alpha beckons once again Dion moves as if he's been trained.

The alpha huffs through his mask encouragingly before he bends down to place his big hands on either side of Dions hips. Effortlessly lifting the omega and placing him on his feet at the foot of the bed.

Dion collects his long curtain of hair to the side as the Demon King bends again to pick up the second piece of silk. The Emperor sighs loudly at the alpha's blatant disregard but nags no further.

The alpha wraps the remaining fabric around Dion's waist. The fine silk covers the omegas exposed leaf and butt before tying a similar bow at the hip. Dion is surprised how much he loves the makeshift skirt and matching bow slippers.
How was it supposed to make Dion feel that a man so feared would lower himself before him, wash his dirty feet with his bare hands, and safeguard his humility? Is it strange to feel touched.?

It reminded him of something his mother told him long ago. Hazel had read Deanna and Dion a bedtime story about a princess who fell in love with a beast.
Dion was disgusted at first and Hazel laughed, "Your father was once known as a beast." He told them.

"There is nothing wrong with loving a beast as long as he's a beast for you but never to you." The Empress's voice echoes in Dion's head as if it were yesterday. It didn't make much sense back then...in this moment it did.

"Take Dion to his mother. He's worried sick." The Emperor commands the guard but as he steps towards the bed The Demon King growls deep in his throat. A clear warning.

The emperor places his body in front of the aggravated alpha before motioning the guard to proceed.

The anxious guard eyes dart between Dion, the towering alpha, and the yellow eyes not at all blocked by the much smaller man. He takes a breath before scooping Dion off of the bed and swiftly carrying the small omega out the open doorway.

How strange that Dions heart throbbed each step the guard took him away from the most terrifying alpha he ever knew.