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For as long as Eijun can remember, the sea that meets the horizon on the eastern side of the castle has been calling to him. He dreams of walking barefoot on the grainy sand, hearing the hiss of the waves as they wash along the shore, and feeling the warm sea breeze caress his skin like a teasing lover. Sometimes when he’s up in his bedchamber alone, he’ll open his windows just to hear the sounds of the beach as they call to him. He swears they speak, as if in some ancient tongue, beckoning him to leave his restrictive life and go to some far-off place he can call home.
As it stands, Eijun is the only son of the Emperor so his life is not his own to live. He is also the only child born of the first Empress before she passed. The moment his father remarried and sired alphas, Eijun was quickly removed from the line of succession, but he is still a prince and still has duties as such. As an omega, he’s never left the grounds of any castle, foreign or not, and he’s never been permitted to explore the ports where the markets thrive and the visiting sailors roam.
Despite his secondary gender, he still has value as a chess piece in his father’s political games because of his purity and royal blood. The masquerade ball being held this evening is in his honor after all. The celebration is for his recent engagement to an alpha he’s never met and had no part in arranging. Their first introduction will be tonight where he’ll be expected to act like the perfect picture of a docile omega.
“You’re all ready, Your Highness,” one of the servants tells him after finishing some last-minute touches on his specially crafted ensemble.
He turns away from the beta that had been painting some rouge onto his lips to look at himself in the mirror above his vanity. His white linen tunic is tucked into a tight-fitting pair of breeches that sit at his waist to exaggerate the swell of his hips. The coat tailored for him is snug and fairly long, covering his neck and reaching down to his knees. It’s elaborately decorated with a gold braid applied down both fronts with the cuffs embroidered with blue wool. Silk gloves hide his hands, making his face the only visible bit of skin— the very picture of a modest unmated omega.
A matching cape hangs heavy over his shoulders, showing off his wealth and status as a member of the Imperial family. The last touch is the mask placed securely over his face, gold in color and made to cover his nose and eyes. The intricate design of ivy extends past the mask with some hand-painted gold on his cheeks and forehead, the paint shimmering on his unblemished skin.
He looks stunning but no different than any other omega who’s dressed up like a prized hog ready for slaughter. All he needs to be is beautiful, something pleasant for his fiance to look at without any personality or substance. The best-case scenario is that the alpha will be kind to him and they will grow to be friends. The worst case is that he’ll spend the rest of his days in a cellar, used only to produce the next heir.
Once he’s as ready as he’ll ever be, he leaves the room with his chin held high and shoulders back. Two of his father’s guards flank him as soon as he steps out the door and they usher him toward the banquet hall. They too are wearing simple black masks in addition to their typical uniforms, a slight detail to let them blend in while also not seeming above their station.
He stands by his father’s side as they greet their guests and the hall begins to fill with brightly colored, extravagant costumes. Music and chatter replace the quiet while the tables of meats and desserts are scoured. The mingling scents of alphas and omegas tickle Eijun’s nose as couples start to take the floor in synchronized dances.
Eijun can spot a few of his friends from other noble families standing by a table and picking out their drinks. He wants more than anything to enjoy the party and throw himself into the crowd like he would on any other occasion but today, he is to remain by his father’s side. It’s when the first song ends and the dancing stops that the attention of the entire room is brought to the people who have just entered.
Even without his father telling him to fix his posture and smile, Eijun can tell that his future mate has arrived. Bringing an entourage of people with him, all dressed in black and the finest of jewels, the prince he is to marry easily sticks out among them. Like a peacock, iridescent feathers are woven into his mask and jacket. His height and musculature command the attention of the room with every step, letting it be known that he was not an alpha to be messed with.
“Behave yourself, Eijun,” his father says immediately, low enough for only him to hear. “He’s an excellent alpha and this match will give us the power to keep our coastlines safe so try to keep… quiet.”
He spares Eijun a critical eye before greeting the prince with open arms. Eijun frowns. It’s not like his mouth hasn’t ever gotten him into trouble but when it does, it’s usually from his step-siblings tattling on him or the Imperial advisors trying to find a reason to kick him out of the castle.
“Welcome!” his father booms with a hearty laugh, playing the part of a happy ruler to a prospering empire, even when it isn’t. He and the alpha respectfully dip their heads to each other in greeting before their gazes turn to Eijun. “I have the honor of introducing you to my first son, Eijun. I know his refined poise and obedient nature ensure he will fulfill his duty.” He pointedly emphasizes those words to remind Eijun of his place and how he’s been taught to act.
Eijun bows demurely if only to hide the look of disgust on his face. He doesn’t know what’s worse, being forced to sit with a tutor his entire childhood so that they can beat into him proper omega etiquette or actually being forced to act it out. All he can hope for is that this alpha is not one of those alphas whose ego is bigger than their brain.
“This is Amahisa Kousei, the crown prince of the Sankou Kingdom,” his father introduces and Amahisa politely lowers his head to Eijun.
He doesn’t once take his eyes off of Eijun, his scent heightening and the glimmer in his gaze revealing how pleased he is with Eijun’s appearance. Eijun is able to offer a genuine smile, flattered by his honest reaction, and relaxes at the approval in his body language. Amahisa isn’t unattractive either with his broad shoulders and friendly smile. The mask hides certain features but Eijun can still see his amber eyes, thick eyebrows, and his close-shaved head that denotes his military experience.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you!” Eijun is the first to speak, blurting out pleasantries with a confident grin and fiery determination in his eyes. The subtle courting pheromones Amahisa is letting out is a good sign and Eijun won’t let it go to waste. Even if this isn’t something he would have chosen for himself, it is bigger than himself, and he has an obligation to his people. He can make this work.
Amahisa opens his mouth to respond but his father speaks first, addressing Amahisa but giving Eijun a look that says omegas are not to speak in the presence of alphas. Eijun's hands ball into fists. No matter what ends up happening in the future, at least he won't be under the care of this cruel man anymore.
"How are preparations with your sailors? Our ports are ready and we have the proper supplies available," his father goes on, changing the subject straight to the business at hand.
Amahisa lingers on Eijun for another moment before turning to address the Emperor. "Everything is as our deal outlines. By the end of the month, you'll have Sankou's navy by your side to finally get rid of those awful thieves that plague our waters."
That's what this is all about, the whole reason Eijun is being pushed into this marriage. Their empire is coming off a years-long war with a kingdom on another continent. In the fray of politically unstable areas and angry alphas with no national allegiances, ships on both sides were hijacked or turned into traitors in favor of plundering. As a result, their coastal defense capabilities were reduced and the coastlines of the empire were constantly raided. And they continue to be raided today by the boom in the number of pirate ships that now prey on cargo and naval ships. Pirates had been a problem for years before the war, but now their numbers are too great and the empire's defenses haven't been able to keep up.
With Eijun's marriage to Amahisa, their nations' alliance will be sealed and both navies will work together to protect the lands and people from the lowlife raiders that mock them.
Eijun has heard more about these grand plans than he has about his betrothed but he still stands here, staring off into space when he should be making an attempt to seem interested in their conversation. Whenever a servant walks by with a tray of fresh drinks, Eijun swaps his empty glass for a fresh one, thankful to have something to keep him occupied. After one too many, he starts feeling the effects of the sweet wine, and forgetting himself, swoops into the conversation the second he sees an opening.
"Your Highness!" Eijun shouts at Amahisa, startling the alpha with his loud voice. "We should dance!" He points a finger at the alpha, the glass in his hand moving too fast and making the wine slosh over the sides of the cup to soak his gloved hands. "Oh, no," he mutters to himself as he drops the glass on a passing-by tray and slips off the gloves.
"Eijun, you must get a hold of yourself. This is no way to act and you know better," His father scolds.
"It was only an accident," Amahisa says with an amused smile, his head cocked to the side as he watches Eijun.
At his voice, Eijun remembers what he was trying to do and grabs one of Amahisa's hands, Eijun's skin sticky from the wine clasping around the other's warm fingers. "Let's dance," he presses.
At the touch of their skin, Amahisa's eyes cloud over and his face relaxes. "Of course," he instantly agrees and drags Eijun off to where everyone is dancing before he knows it.
For their skin to be touching like this would normally be improper enough to cause a scandal but propriety doesn't mean much when they're set to get married before the next full moon. They easily fall in line with the other dancing couples, the wine Eijun drank making his limbs loose and giving his mind more courage. He doesn't care how they are perceived, he's just happy to be away from his father and being spun around rather than doing nothing.
The longer they dance in each other’s arms, the heavier Amahisa’s scent gets until Eijun is almost dizzy with it. He knows they’re technically supposed to be courting each other but the wedding and marriage are already arranged, so there’s no need to lay it on so thickly. If anything, it’s kind of rude to ambush him in a cloud of pheromones so that he can’t breathe properly.
Once it becomes too much, Eijun coughs and says, “I think I need to sit down. Would you walk me back to my father?”
Amahisa doesn't spare a word and obediently guides Eijun away from the dancers and to where his father is seated on the dais.
"Have you forgotten yourself?" his father hisses, face turning red once he sees the state Eijun's in.
He didn't realize how unstable he was becoming, his skin tacky with sweat and his face warm all over from the physical exertion. His chest heaves with shallow breaths and he looks around for something else to drink.
"He'll be fine," Amahisa cuts in with a casual shrug, showing that it's no big deal. "Let him rest a moment."
His father sighs but not wanting to cause a scene in front of their much-needed ally, he only sighs and shoos Eijun away with his hand. "Go rest in your room until you are well again." He motions for one of his guards to escort him.
He makes his way back down the corridor toward his room, using a hand to fan himself and tug at the heavy cape secured around his neck. The masked guard follows him silently, a constant presence he got used to over the years of being under his father's thumb. There's a high probability of him being punished once the night is over but he finds comfort in the fact that it will be one of the last times. He needs to make it a few more weeks and then he'll be moving to a faraway land for a life that he still has hope in for being better.
"You can stay outside, I only need a moment," Eijun instructs the guard as he approaches his door.
He reaches for the handle, intending to only rest long enough to clear his head before returning to the party, but his hand never makes contact when he’s instead pushed up against the wall. His wrists are bound behind his back and his chest is uncomfortably pinned to the wall by a solid body behind him. The lack of space forces him to turn his head to the side where he can see the guard’s face inches from his own. There’s an amused sparkle in his honey eyes but the wicked smile on his face is what makes the hairs on the back of Eijun’s neck raise.
“Hello, princess,” the guard’s sultry voice purrs into his ear. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
Eijun becomes all too aware that the guard is an alpha, one with a heavy, musky scent that’s tinged with salty water and screams of danger. They are entirely alone in the hallway and no amount of shoving is budging the alpha off him. Whatever this is, whether it’s someone in the castle’s scheme to get rid of him or an outsider looking to cause trouble, Eijun has no way to fight back.
Before he can open his mouth in a last-ditch effort to scream for help, a heavy weight slams into the back of his head and everything goes black.
*****
When Eijun awakes, it’s to an uneven swaying that rocks him like an infant in a crib. His ears are filled with a melody that he can’t begin to decipher or describe but it puts him at ease, threatening to pull him back into a deep sleep. There’s a bright light shining on his closed eyelids like the brutal glare of the afternoon sun. He can smell the familiar scent of the ocean, the same one he would catch whiffs from his room in the castle, but this one is so much stronger. The only thing stronger is the unmistakable scent of alpha that overwhelms him.
Eijun’s eyes snap open and he jolts up fast enough to make his head dizzy. He goes to rub at the back of his head but his hands are tied in front of him with rope that forms an intricate knot that he doesn’t think he’ll be able to get out of alone.
It all comes back to him in a flash. The masquerade from last night— or however many nights ago when he doesn’t know how long he’s been asleep— dancing with Amahisa and leaving to rest in his bedchamber when he was knocked out by someone he thought was his father’s guard. He’d spent so many years being told omegas were weak and that he couldn’t defend himself only to be kidnapped from under the watchful eyes of the most powerful family in his empire. What a joke. Now he has no idea where he is, and with whom, and if his father will even bother trying to rescue him.
He looks around the room he's woken up in, large and cabin-like with an interior made of wood. Across from him is a wall of shelves, filled with all kinds of books, bound in old leather with parchment sticking out, and trinkets that Eijun can’t begin to name. The bed he’s on is much too big with dark-colored quilts and furs layered underneath him. At the end of the bed sits a bathing tub, currently empty but big enough to comfortably fit the burly size of an alpha.
What Eijun finds the most mesmerizing, however, are the four windows to his right, each one spanning from the ceiling to the rug-strewn floor. Built into the walls, they overlook the bobbing waters right outside. His heart squeezes as he realizes the swaying wasn’t his imagination— he’s on a ship in the middle of the sea with nothing but blue waters and clear skies as far as his eyes can see.
His breathlessness only lasts a moment when he catches sight of the big oak desk and upholstered chair underneath one of the windows. The desk is littered with papers, a stack of books, and what might be some maps but what really spoils his view is the man sitting at the desk.
He’s leaning back in his chair with his black boots propped up on the desk, looking at peace and not at all like he’s bothered by the stranger in his bed. He’s watching Eijun with an arrogant smile and once Eijun meets his eyes, the corners of his mouth curl up even more.
“Morning, princess,” he greets cheerfully and without a care in the world.
Eijun bristles. If there was any doubt in his mind that this man was the alpha who had kidnapped him, it's gone the moment he hears that slimy voice. Replacing his mask from that night is a pair of black-rimmed spectacles that made him look even more cunning than the devilish curl of his lips. Eijun can’t waste time marveling at the ocean when he’s in very real danger and because they’re on a ship, he has nowhere to escape. He still flails, kicking his legs to push himself off the bed. He lands on the floor with a thump, dragging down the blankets with him. There’s a door to his left that if he could just get to—
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” the alphas lazily drawls out.
Eijun freezes with his tied hands on the doorknob and looks back at him with narrowed eyes. “And why not?”
He shrugs. “I can’t protect you once those rascals out there catch a whiff of your sweet scent.”
Damn it. Eijun hadn’t taken into account his status as an omega. He’s probably the only one on the ship too, considering crews are mostly made up of alphas and sometimes a few betas. According to the laws his father wrote, omegas weren’t fit to join the navy, and boarding ships for journeys longer than a certain amount of days was illegal.
Following laws and rules didn’t seem like a priority to this man. He wore no naval uniform, only a pair of black trousers and a dirtied tunic that showed off an obscene amount of his chiseled chest. From what Eijun could see, there was no officer’s jacket or some kind of flag or insignia representing any kingdom lying around. Dread settles deep in his stomach because if this ship belonged to an enemy nation, at least he’d have a chance at diplomacy, but as it stands, pirates don’t answer to anyone but themselves.
He’s never met one but he’s heard enough stories and seen enough of the damage they’ve done to the ports of his empire. They loot, ravage, and set fire to everything they touch, taking all for themselves and leaving nothing but death and destruction behind. It’d be foolish of him to think this alpha could offer him anything resembling protection. If anything, he’s mostly likely the one in charge here and anything that he’d need protection from would happen by his orders.
“Can’t or won’t?” Eijun challenges.
He laughs. “More like I’m not inclined to.”
Eijun huffs but drops his hands from the door. He keeps his back pressed against it, still wanting the option to leave the room should his captor try anything. “Who are you?” he demands, keeping his head high and lacing his words with all the authority of the prince that he is. “What do you want with me?”
The alpha's feet drop to the floor and he gets up from the desk, the movement making Eijun stiffen. Treating him as if he were a small frightened animal, the alpha doesn’t come any closer, he only walks around the desk to sit on the edge of it. His every move is calculated and by the intense way he’s watching him, Eijun knows he’s only being toyed with like he’s this guy’s prey.
“I was just hoping we could talk, princess,” he explains cryptically and Eijun rolls his eyes.
“Stop calling me that!” he bites out.
The alpha chuckles at Eijun’s outburst, his self-important attitude making Eijun’s hands clench into fists until his knuckles turn white. What a prick. “I suppose I could call you by your more fitting title.”
Eijun has no idea what he means by that but he doesn’t care. “If you wanted to talk, surely there were other ways to go about it.”
“But this is so much more peaceful,” the prick says and gestures to the room around them. “Besides, you didn’t seem thrilled to be marrying that stuffy alpha.” Eijun freezes at the mention of Amahisa. Just how long has he been watching Eijun? “So I saved you, really. Can I hear a “thank you”?
Eijun’s jaw drops the sheer audacity of his trying to spin his kidnapping into a good thing. Whatever game he’s trying to play, Eijun doesn’t want any part of it. He’ll have to be careful with his words because this prick seems like the type of person to trick people into making deals with him. One wrong move and Eijun will be playing into the palm of his hand.
When he keeps his mouth shut, the alpha adds, “If you don’t want to talk, you can always pay with your body.” He crosses his arms over his chest, drawing Eijun’s attention to his body which is purely made of muscle from spending his days at sea. The longer he looks, the more he can't deny that this alpha is roguishly handsome. His brown hair is on the shaggier side, windswept and messily falling over his forehead. His jawline is square a cutting, masculine in a way that he knows would have all the court omegas climbing over each other to get one single glance from him.
Too bad he's a prick.
He gives Eijun an appreciative once over and Eijun has to stop the shiver that threatens to run down his spine. “Sure,” Eijun grinds out through his teeth, “if you don’t mind being slapped.”
“Oh, are you the shy type? Don’t worry then, I’ll lead.” He takes a step toward him and Eijun jumps back, tripping over himself and falling into the door with a bang.
“Don’t you dare lay a hand on me!” Eijun yells and puts a hand up as if to block him.
He laughs at Eijun’s skittishness, clutching his stomach and wiping at a fake tear. Like a prick. “No need to be so defensive. It’s no fun for me if I have to force you. But don’t worry, when you come around I’ll be sure to have you crying and begging for my knot.”
Eijun grimaces, holding back the urge to gag. He takes back every doubtful thought he's ever had about Amahisa. A lifetime spent with him is looking a million times better than spending another second stuck in this room with the most irritating alpha he’s ever met.
Growing tired of this game that’s getting him nowhere, Eijun sighs. "What exactly do you want me for? If it's money, I'm afraid your efforts have been in vain. My father is no doubt happy to have me off his hands."
"You're mistaken,” the alpha says as he takes a cautious step and then another, slowly stalking toward Eijun. “I'm not looking for ransom. All the money, jewels, and gold I could ever want are already at my fingertips. What I need,” he stops when he’s barely a step away from him, making Eijun crowd back against the door, “is something more… idiosyncratic.”
Eijun thinks back to what he had said to him while they were in the castle. I’ve been looking for you everywhere. “Me?” Eijun asks, dumbfounded.
“I knew you were hiding out there somewhere but to be a part of the Imperial family was unexpected. And the way you were able to make that prince fall under your spell so effortlessly…”
Eijun’s brows pinch together and he shakes his head at a loss. Nothing this alpha is saying makes sense. If he could piece his words together, maybe he could find a way back to shore but if what he is saying is that he needs his personhood, then Eijun might well and truly be stuck on this ship. Indefinitely. “What are you talking about?”
He leans in to close the distance between their faces. His eyes have hardened and Eijun knows that whatever it is he wants, he’s willing to die for it. “You have something I need,” he states plainly and with a quick turn of his head, whispers directly into his ear, “Siren.”
Eijun breath catches in his throat but before he can mull over what was just said, the alpha is pushing open the door and ushering them out onto the quarterdeck. “Welcome aboard The Steel Challenger.”
The sea breeze whips Eijun’s hair back and he has to put his hands up to shield his eyes from the sun.
“From now on, I’ll be your captain, Miyuki Kazuya.”