Page 20 of Own to Obey

Shaya thought back to when he strung her up. “Land-ton-rook, Shaya?”

“Lanatton arook.” Treska said, nodding. “Find strength, Shaya.”

Shaya almost snorted. Find strength? He expected her to strengthen when he tortured her? “What about…” She thought back to the moment on the ocean when he was amused with her urges to look at him. It was a long one, though. She sounded out as much as she could remember.

Treska frowned, and then made suggestions until she came upon the correct phrase. “Dess rennon vec lesha ackken ash ren lesha dess, kysm eshar. Fegakke ni laegoy.”Treska checked her own little dictionary and then smiled as she translated.“You may look upon me as I look upon you, little bird. I am not shy.”

Shaya couldn’t help but smile at that one. The man was the complete opposite of shy. “What about…” She paused, wondering if she should ask her the next one, but if she didn’t, how would she ever know? She sounded out the words, already having them memorized—he still said it to her every day.

Treska’s eyes widened as she repeated her words. “Tes ni choya detta mthnoy, kysm eshar.He said that to you? The shinno?”

Shaya nodded, curious. “Sometimes it varies a little, but yes.”

Treska giggled and then smiled widely at Shaya, her eyes shining. “He said, there is nothing more beautiful than you, little bird.”

CHAPTER FIVE

KARDOS

Kardos stood staring at the izak-rock, his mind revolving over how he could get Shaya to behave with him how she had before.

Putting her in the box-cabin had been a mistake. He hadn't realized she suffered from room fever so badly that she would severely damage herself trying to get out. He had been shocked and surprised at her outburst and instantly knew she needed the ocean—it was the only thing that had ever calmed him and allowed him to think. He was thoroughly annoyed with himself that she had been hurt, but he couldn’t deny that her injuries allowed him to get closer to her in a way that he didn't expect. And now that he fucking needed her that way, she was withholding herself from him.

The tint in the izak-rock began to turn orange and he stepped forward in unison with the tribesman opposite him to lift and rotate it onto its side, then stepped back into position to watch and wait for the next color change.

Shaya was more determined than he thought she would be. Watching her when they first boarded the boat, and in that first time in her cabin, he had thought she would be meek, eager to please, and easy to understand. She wasn't. Although she was quiet and watchful, there were moments she had the same firmness and determination he saw when she volunteered herself to save her sister. He wondered if maybe her lack of understanding Mayaros was the reason for her quietness. What if she was indeed a difficult Omega? That would not do. Other Alphas might find that a delight to deal with, but he did not. Shaya would have to behave.

In truth, she started well. She had learned how to be pleasing to a man who wanted to use her mouth. She didn’t have the experience like other women, but she took to it very well and even had shown great enthusiasm, much to his surprise. The main thing was, it wasn't a new experience for her now and that would likely serve her well once they got to the Isles; although, he refused to think on that point too often.

All time with her had been perfect for him, because every single expression that graced her face entranced him, especially when she came undone in his lap, crying out and shuddering so beautifully, then curled into his chest, unable to help looking at him as though she was entranced too. Those moments had been the highlight of the entire journey to the Western Lands so far. The highlight of the whole season, in fact. And now it had fucking stopped.

“Shinno Kardos.”

Kardos turned to see Zolt standing nearby waiting to speak to him. He frowned and glanced back at the rock. He couldn't leave his shift, it was important for the izak to be turned at the right time, but when he glanced back at Zolt, he realized he’d bought another tribesman to replace him. They switched places, and Kardos and Zolt moved to speak privately away from the others.

“The Isles are in long-sight,” Zolt informed him. “At this current capacity, we will get there in a week.”

Kardos nodded. A week was too soon. He had expected Shaya to be fully briefed on Isle culture by now and even possibly speaking some Mayaros, but weeks had gone by without her learning anything, and the danger was that she wouldn't know enough, and could embarrass him. He needed more time.

“However,” Zolt continued. “I would like to recommend that we take two days off.”

Kardos frowned, surprised, but Zolt held his hands up and hurriedly continued, assuming Kardos would be angry by his suggestion.

“I know it doesn't seem like a long time,” he said. “But we have been working triple shifts for five weeks. The entire tribe is exhausted. I think if we arrive in this state, it will make us look as though the journey tired us.”

Kardos nodded. That was true. Although they had indeed worked hard on the journey back to ensure that the ship had the fuel it needed from the izak-rock, he could tell that the tribe were tired. There was less chatter on the ship, less laughter. Men and women walked with miserable faces. It would do them well to have two days off to rest so that when they return to the Isle they still looked strong, as though the trip had strengthened rather than exhausted them. Appearances were important.

“How much longer will the journey be if we take two days?”

“Based on my calculations, almost an extra two weeks,” Zolt responded.

Kardos nodded. “That is not ideal,” he said slowly, “but I agree it’s necessary. We will go another three days before the two-day break. Inform the tribe.”

Zolt nodded. “And what do you think about announcing the Omega during that time?”

Kardos bristled. “She is not ready for it. She has been more difficult than anticipated, but she is learning.”

Zolt hesitated, and then spoke. “She has taken more of your time than I expected, my shinno. It has affected your shifts. Should I continue to schedule you?”

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