Mate of a Desert Prince Ch. 02

Running over, she pushed through the crowd before her until she got close enough to see what all the fuss was about. Was a noble passing by? If so, she hoped these people didn't expect a hand out. Nobles were surprisingly cheap when it came to their wealth. It was quite amusing sometimes. How the poor and rich alike refused to share what they got.

But the ones passing by was not a noble. Oh no, it was much worse. At least, it was to her. It was Prince Badru in all his extravagance and arrogance. He was riding in his personal carrying chair with a grand assortment of pillows and a canopy that kept the poor prince from roasting in the sun. He even had some drapes to keep the people out of sight.

Karla snorted and turned away, disgusted by the sight of such indulgence. Gods forbid the brat ever be seen by such humble eyes. Around him were soldiers and slaves alike. The soldiers kept the people from coming too close while the slaves carried their prince on their shoulders. As the prince's entourage passed, Karla froze. Her nose twitched as she could have sworn she felt something call out to her.

Searching the crowd, she felt a ... Feeling push her to move out of the crowd that had parted just so that the selfish prince could stroll back home. She felt many people stare at her, but that didn't stop her from running toward the prince only to be stopped by the guards and pushed away. As she hit the ground, her head hit the leg of a slave. She looked up at him, she couldn't help but smile.

Brother!

Her heart screamed as she stared up at the disheveled man before her. He was huge, handsome and felt so familiar despite her never having met the man. She stood up and just as she was about to be dragged away by the guards, A voice stopped them.

"What is happening?" The guards stopped and bowed as their second prince Manu stepped forward. Karla didn't bow but she wanted to. She always loved how Manu held himself. Proud but still humble about his exploits.

"Your majesty, this peasant dared to draw close to Prince Badru." One of the guards said his grip on her arm firm. "We only tried to stop her from doing so."

Karla scowled from under her cloak. "Do not insult me." She cried, removing the covering from her face. "I only wished to speak with his majesty. How dare you assume such a thing about me?"

The guards, despite letting her go and apologizing to her, still gave her a look of disgust. They hated having to show respect toward what they saw as a decorated whore. But they knew as long as she was favored, they'd have to give in. Too bad for them.

Manu stepped forward and extended a hand to her. Karla stared at the hand and then up at Manu. He was one of a few men who towered over her. Most were either shorter or the same size. It was comforting to have such a nice man make her feel both respected and female. Just as she was about to take Manu's hand, his idiot brother shouted.

"Can we get going now?" He demanded, looking back from his throne. "I would like to get home soon so I can enjoy my new toy." He looked past Karla and then looked away. If she didn't know better, she'd swear he looked embarrassed.

Manu smiled and then ordered the men to continue. As they did, the slave, whom she only now noticed was tied to the carrying chair by a long rope, was staring a hole through the back of said chair. The stare, though not directed at her, was intense. So much so, she took a step back. It was the look she'd seen often on the face of many a man she'd slept with.

It said that the one who received it was going to, one way or the other, belong to them. And for a slave to show it toward their master? It made Karla in equal parts want to smile and cringe.

Manu, however, had chosen a view on this. He glared at the slave with open animosity. Did he sense the man's intention too? He was much bigger than Badru and obvious a fighter.

"Your majesty, are you really alright with letting Prince Badru have such a... questionable slave?" Karla asked, looking at the back of the slave. Under the long deep auburn hair he bore, the mark of a crescent moon was tattooed between his shoulder blades.

"No, I am not okay with it." Manu said. "But I will take care of it soon enough."

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Badru was quite unsure of himself. As he kept himself from view, he couldn't help but remember the smoldering look his new slave. Were they suppose to look at their master like they were about to take a bite out of them? He wasn't sure, since this was his first slave.

Though his father had slaves aplenty, he never had the opportunity to have one himself. He was a prince with no slaves. Then again, father didn't have all that many either compared to others. Less still were foreigners. But this man called to him, almost as if they were brought together by fate or something. He shook his head to dispel the thought. What nonsense. As if the gods would dare to pair him up with such a lowly creature. Still, the man was going to be an issue.

He laid back; almost feeling the gaze he knew was still trained on him, and sighed. What should he do? He went and damn near begged Manu to buy the man and now he was feeling like mother after buying something she was sure she'd never use. He'd simply wanted the man because he was big strong and handsome to boot. And all under his control, if the traders boast were true. He hoped so. The slave looked to have the strength to tear a man to pieces. And those eyes.

The thought sent a shiver though Badru and he squirmed in his seat. That thought shouldn't get him excited. He mentally scolded himself as he pushed down on his newly grown erection. From the looks of it, the slave was the type to do the pounding and there was no way he, the prince of Egypt, was going to be the bitch boy of a slave. No matter how delicious the thought was. Yet he found himself curious, just for a second, at how that would play out.

In his mind, he imagined being held down by the slave, his face but shadows. Oh, how he wanted to see the man's eyes. To watch their color darken with desire for him alone. He attempt to reach up to touch the man's face but the limb would be pinned to the bed. Even as his inner prince raged at the audacity, a small part of him shivered in delight at being dominated. Of being at the whim of such a big strong man.

As the fantasy grew hotter and more graphic, he let out a small moan. It wasn't very loud and the noise from outside should have blocked it out but the second the noise left his lips, Manu called out to him.

"Badru, are you okay in there?" He demanded, sounding concerned. That snapped Badru out of it. His cheeks heated, Badru told his brother that he was just fine and that he'd just hit his arm on something. Just outside his curtain, he heard Karla snicker. He didn't bother commenting on her obvious amusement. She seemed to get off on him being in pain. Bitch.

Badru caught his reflection on his mirror and grimaced. Boy was he glad no one could see him in this chair. What would his subjects think if they saw him all hot and bothered in public? They'd think he was like the whores one sometimes caught in the alleyways, servicing their customers.

They'd make up terrible rumors and then Badru would have to deal with Fathers lecture.

Just outside his little sanctuary, he could hear Karla speaking to one of his guards. No, flirting was a better word. Badru rolled his eyes. He would have complained but knowing her, she was probably doing it on purpose. They held mutual dislike for each other but for vastly different reasons. Badru disliked her mostly because she slept with his father. It's very disturbing to know ones father has sex with a woman only 2 or 3 years older than his son on regular basses.

Yet another thing to dislike about his father. Oh, the list grows by the day. But then again, Badru disliked most people. He couldn't be like his brother and see beyond peoples faults. He knew and understood people wore masks but he preferred honesty above all that nonsense.

Soon, their little parade reached the palace and Badru was lead out to receive some welcome. But not a warm one.

"Mother? What are you doing here?" Badru asked, stepping toward the first wife of the Pharaoh. Her hair was black as night and arranged so it never fell into her eyes. She was covered head to toe in jewelry and make up. She looked like a queen and held herself like one. Much to everyone's dismay.

"I need a reason to see my son?" She countered, raising a drawn on eyebrow.

For other mothers? No. You? Gods, yes. "No, but..." Badru really didn't like talking to her. She was such a downer, always telling him what he should be doing and why he would grow up a failure.

"Before you start, I have one question for you, Badru." She continued on as if he'd never spoken. How very like her. He thought, schooling his features. Might as well get this over with. "What is that filthy thing over there?" She said, looking past him.

Just as he was about to ask what she was talking about, he heard a loud roar. While everyone else jumped back at the sound that sent shivers down their spine, Badru couldn't help but shiver with delight. He really liked that sound. It reverberated through him and settled in his stomach making his hard again. To hide this from his mothers notice, he turned toward the sound to see his newest slave fighting the guards who were trying to hold him down. Clearly, he wasn't going to yield and they brandished their weapons to punish him.

"Stop!" Manu shouted before Badru could. He stepped up and walked over to the guards. "Take the slave and place him in my quarters. I want him chained and under control when I arrive or I will take it out of all of your hides. Understood!?"

"Yes, your majesty!" The guards shouted, bowing to their prince. At once, the guards went about dragging the slave away. The man, still under Badru control, went with them willingly, yet his gaze never strayed from Badru's until he at last, disappeared from sight.

Badru didn't even realize that his was following the slaves with his eyes until he started after him. He just barely stopped himself. He shook his head and instead watched as Karl ran up to Manu and started to converse with him. Badru could never figure out why that woman was so obsessed with his brother. Was she much of a slut?

"What a disgusting display." His mother said, drawing his attention once more. "Do those two not have any shame? Surely, if they wanted to whisper sweet nothings to each other, they could do so in private." She openly glared at Manu and Manu must have felt it because he turned toward them.

He excused himself and came over to them. Badru shook his head, trying to tell his brother not to come but the stubborn man refused to listen. He stopped beside Badru and inclined his head to the queen.

"You're Majesty; it is a pleasure to see you again." He said, respectfully. But he might as well as spit in her face with how she reacted.

Though her features were set, one could see the pure disgust in her eyes. "Do not think you have any right to speak to me, bastard child." She said through gritted teeth.

"Mother, he is the son of the Pharaoh, as I am."

Badru defended, staring hard at his mother. "He is a respected solider and an honorable man. He is-"

"All he is, my dear son, is the son of a disgusting heathen." His mother said, her voice composed once more. She watched Manu, wanting to see him flinch. Manu gave her nothing but his usual stoic expression. She took a step forward and leaned in close until there were nearly face to face. Not an easy task since the queen was fairly. She was not even close to Manu's height. "You may have coated yourself with honor and valor to hide your roots but I know. And I will make sure you never forget it." With that, the Queen left, her hand maidens, who had been standing some distance away, followed her.

The two brothers stood there and watched the queen leave. Both sighed.

"Why did you come over here, idiot?" Badru said rubbing his hand across his face. He spoke Latin since even the servants were nosy. "You know she hates you, right?"

Manu gave him a sad smile. "I just wanted to see if it was still as scathing as last time." He replied in kind. "At least she didn't throw anything at me this time." He joked.

"Well, I suppose compared to the time she tried to kill you, this was a much better result." Badru retorted. As the two shared a laugh, they continued down the hall until they reached a private corner the two had claimed as their own from childhood.

The two sat down on a bench and sat back to back. Badru leaned his head against Manu's back and closed his eyes, letting the sun warm him. Now, he was not cold, but the contact always comforted him. Both loved to bask in the comfort of each other's company on days like this. The two sat there for what felt like hours, though they had only sat in silence for an hour or two at most. At some point, Manu spoke.

"Badru." His brother said, just as he was about to fall asleep. He let out a groan, trying to telling Manu to leave him be. "Badru, I will drop you if you do not wake up." He threatened.

Pouting, Badru sat up and turned to Manu."What?! I was comfortable like that." He complained. Manu turned to him, his expression serious. "Oh, no. You have your big brother face on."

"Quite. This is about your slave, Ba-" Badru covered his ears and turned away.

"No, I am not going to listen to you if you're going to tell me to get rid of him." He said, glaring at his brother. Manu jumped up and grabbed Badru hand to pull it away from his head.

"Listen to me, Badru!" He ordered. "That man is dangerous. He could easily kill you."

"We have that collar that controls him, Manu." He retorted. "We know for a fact that it works so-"

"What if it snaps? Or we lose that ability to control him?" Manu grabbed Badru by the arm. "I will not have you hurt just because you are being stubborn. I am going to keep him locked up for now but you are not to see him."

Manu probably said other things but Badru hear nothing more. Not see the slave? Even though he had yet to see the man's face? Even as he yearned to see what color eyes seared him to the bone?

Never! Badru pulled away and ran off, hearing his Manu call after him. He was not going to lose that slave to Manu's over protective babble. Badru was 22 years old now, not a child. He could protect himself.

He ran about the palace, making sure to stay out of sight or else Manu would find him faster. He didn't have much time and he had to a lot of ground to cover. Seeing the guards from before, Badru took a chance and walked up to them. As soon as the two realized who it was that approached them, they bowed.

"Y-your majesty, it is an honor to have served you before." One said, his partner echoing the sentiment. Badru just shook his head at them. He would have teased them but he didn't have the time.

"Where is the slave I purchased?" He asked, hoping Manu hadn't told them to keep him away. Luck was on his side as one of the men directed him straight there. It was a good thing theses two had yet to move very far from their assigned places.

Yet, he was confused when they lead him to a spare room where they kept their incense and spices. Badru looked around and saw that they were nowhere near his brother's quarters. Not that he was complaining but if he'd been the one to give the order, this oversight would have enraged him to no end. When he demanded to know why the slave was in this room instead of his brothers, they're response was... funny.

"We apologize, your majesty but this was as far as we could get him." One explained. Badru raised an eyebrow at them

"It's true, my prince." The other jumped in, looking contrite but firm. An interesting expression. "As soon as we got him to the hallway, he started fighting us, trying to go back. It took us a long time him chained up and gagged. We didn't want him screaming and bothering anyone else."

"He nearly bit my fingers off when I tried to gag him the first time." One said, as Badru entered room. They stayed outside, as per his instructions, and kept watch.

"Well at least you did not take that kick to the gut I go from him." The other complained. The man rubbed his belly, grimacing. "The man kicks like a horse."

Badru, only barely listening, proceeded in. As soon as he opened the door, the scent of spices and incense invaded his system. After a minute inside the rather large room, his head started to feel fuzzy. Shaking his head to clear it, Badru proceed inside, looking for the slave. Just when he was about to call out to the slave, he tripped over something.

Badru hit the ground and fell onto a bag of something that smelled spicy. Coughing, he tried to focus on anything but the dust covering his and misting the air. He then heard a growl. Slowing turning, Badru saw the slave, chained to the wall with his arms above his head.

Badru stared at his biceps, entranced for a minute by them. The slave clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly, making his arms bulge and tighten with strength. Unconsciously, Badru reached out to touch them. Just before his fingers touched, the man flinched, as if anticipating the gesture. This made Badru stop and pull away, holding his arm to his chest.

What was he doing?! He was a Prince, not a simpering bitch boy in heat. He had to show more resolve than this.

This in the forefront of his mind, Badru stood up and brushed himself off once more. He walked over and pulled the cloth from the slave's mouth.

Still, the man's hair was in the way of his face. This annoyed Badru. Frustrated, Badru pushed the man's bangs up with his hands and stared into the man's eyes.

His face, so savagely handsome, floored him. With his heart pounding in his chest, Badru took this chance to study the slave at his leisure. The man's eyebrows were just shade darker than his hair, making Badru assume his hair had paled under the heat of their sun. his face was covered in scars but none marred his beauty. In fact, it made him even more mouth watering. His skin was rough to the touch, as was his lips. It was obvious the man hadn't had any water in some time yet he remained strong and showed no weakness. That alone made Badru hard as a rock.

And those eyes. Those searing green eyes that reminded Badru so much of the emerald's he'd always found himself admiring. Something about the color made him feel so content, the way it danced in the light. This man's eyes didn't make him feel content though. It made him feel targeted.

With great reluctance, Badru looked away and stood. The slave tried to do something but his chains stopped him. When struggling didn't work, he started speaking. Badru had no clue what the man was saying but his voice was delicious. Deep and scratchy but not too booming. Shivering, Badru turned back to the slave and pressed him finger to his lips.

"I'll be right back." He promised, as he walked to the door. Though the man didn't say a word, he watched at Badru left, clearly bothered by his departure. How strange he was. He reached the doorway and looked around the hall. IT was still empty. Good.

"You." He said to one of the guards, He jumped and bowed. "Give me your wine skin." The man did so and he went back inside.

The slave was still there, staring at him. He reminded Badru so much of a stray dog. Clearly in need of help but wary of everyone. It was nice to be that one person he seemed to trust. At least, that's what he thought before the slave refused to drink the water he offered.

"What? do you think that I am trying to poison you or something?!" He demanded, lacing his hands on his hips as he glowered at the stubborn slave. "You should be grateful that I am doing all this for you. Manu would kill me if he knew I was so close to you."