Chapter 1

Gabe tossed and turned in his bed, nervous for tomorrow, for the winter festival. All the omegas and women of the Enclave were gone, warming the beds of the sacred royalty of Hestros.

Gabe had been part of the Enclave for as long as he could remember. However, at twenty-one, he was still a virgin, unlike most of the enclave members who got initiated at the age of eighteen.

The Royal Enclave, Gabe's home, was more than a whore house; it was a sanctuary dedicated to the gods and the royal family of Hestros.

The Enclave Vaisas were bound by sacred vows to provide pleasure to the house of Hestros. However, they could not be touched without their permission, and their devotion was offered only to those deemed worthy by the royal administration.

Every Vaisa fulfilled his/her role once they turned eighteen. Gabe had been awaiting the moment the royal administration would deem him ready—ready to serve the important people of the palace and the god Deroki.

He had often wondered what the point of his being in The Enclave was if it wasn't going to serve his purpose. Not that he wasn't grateful. Very few got the chance to serve the great house of Hestros, the house of the god Deroki. Gabe had dedicated his life to the devotion of King Deroki. And he dreamed of the day he could serve his majesty.

Marisel, the King's advisor and head of royal administration, made sure no one was allowed to call for Gabe's services.

Gabe was an orphan. Marisel was like a mother to him. In a place where everyone acted like they were his competition, Marisel was the only one who really cared for his well-being. And just like a son, Gabe had his disagreements with her. But he knew she had the best in her heart for him.

The Kingdom of Hestros was not led by a mere human but by an immortal god. Deroki. Including, of course, Gabe. He had spent countless hours murmuring his prayers to the all-divine. To Deroki.

Merisel wasn't religious, but she never questioned his devotion or encouraged him.

She taught him to ask questions. To think logically. She taught Gabe everything he knew.

But lately, Gabe had been squirming to know more. He had often felt his devotion waver in the dark of the night. Yearning for things too forbidden to think for a Vaisa who wasn't approved to be touched by an Alpha.

But tonight, the reason for his sleeplessness wasn't his curiosity. It was the King Deroki.

He was elusive and stayed from the public eye most of the time, but during the Winter Festival, he took his place on the throne at the court. It was the only day he showed himself to the common people.

Gabe had wanted to meet him. Ask him for something. Something no Vaisa had ever asked before. Marisel warned him against it. She was the reason Gabe never attended the Winter Festival before. Also, an uninvited person wasn't allowed to attend. Still, many vaisa got around the rules and sneaked into the great hall anyway. Gabe had never done that, though. He believed in following the rules. Respecting the laws.

Marisel never justified her reason to stop Gabe from attending the festival but Gabe listened to her anyway because he never went against her.

But this time, Gabe was going to go against her. This time, he wanted something he had never wanted before...a purpose. Gabe was Twenty-One Years old, and he had never seen the outside world. He had never been kissed, never been touched intimately.

It wasn't just the carnal needs; it was the forbidden need of freedom, of independence, that he craved as well.

The vaisas of the Enclave returned to their chambers one by one as dawn neared. Tired and well-used.

"You are lucky you get to sleep the night before the Winter Festival," Sandra commented when she saw him going for breakfast as she was returning from her services.

Gabe shrugged. "Do you want to eat before going to bed?"

"I am not hungry. I am exhausted. I am going to sleep."

"Goodbye then. See you when you wake up."

Gabe was going to do something no slave or servant had ever tried before. Confront the King. Demand things that would probably be denied.

He sat down on one of the communal tables beside Jessi, one of the Enclave girls.

"When did you return?" Gabe asked, as he bit into the sausage roll. The Enclave vaisa were treated no less than royalty. They were given the best accommodation and the best food among all the servants. Even better than the soldiers.

"3 AM."

"Didn't you go to sleep?"

"I slept for a few hours, but I got hungry. Why did you wake up so early?" she asked.

"I am going to attend the Winter Party at the court."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "How? Did you get invited?"

Gabe wished.

"No. I am going on my own."

"You do know we are not allowed there without invitation, right?"

"Maybe it's time it changed."

"You are crazy." She shook her head before going back to eating her porridge. She didn't believe him. He couldn't believe it himself.

Gabe went to his room and pulled out the best outfit he had. If he was going to stand before the King he was going to look his best. He put on a white silk robe with small cherry blossoms embroidered at the bottom and flared out sleeves. He tied his hair in a top knot, pulled some strands to give his face some shape, and then examined himself in the mirror. He wondered if the King would find him beautiful. But then he scolded himself for his far-fetched thought. King Deroki had the best vaisas of the Enclave. The most beautiful. The most talented vaisas. Gabe was an inexperienced omega, who hadn't seen an Alpha cock in his life. There was was no way the king would even give him a sideway glance.

Gabe walked towards the great hall, passing through the medieval hallways. The grand murals told stories of gods and men, legends, wars, and festivals. The beautifully painted drawings had always fascinated Gabe, but he didn't give them much heed as he walked towards his destination.

The sounds of the Winter festival, drums, and string instrument, grew louder reverbarating through the thick walls, as Gabe neared the great hall. Gabe's heart pounded as he approached the gate to the great hall.

He was stopped by a guard at the gates.

"Do you have an invitation?" one of the guards asked.

"I was invited by Merisel's," Gabe lied.

"Did you?" the guard asked, looking at the other guard as if he knew the answer.

"I don't know. I thought no vaisa was invited this year."

"Just let me in for a few minutes," Gabe requested.

"Vaisas are not allowed at the Party."

"I...I will be in and out in ten minutes."

"No! Leave on your own, or we would have to physically remove you."

Do hell with it...Gabe thought before slamming against the wooden door and running towards the Podium, pushing through the crowd.

The guards got to him within a few seconds, slamming him down on the floor and holding him by the neck.

"I just need to talk to the King!" Gabe shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Shut up, omega. You will get yourself killed," the guard whisper-yelled.

"Please. I just want to tell him one thing. Let me see him! King Deroki!" he shouted, trying to look up and failing.

"King Deroki!" he shouted again as the Guards dragged him towards the exit.

"Let him go," came a booming voice across the hall. The party went eerily silent. Everyone almost froze, and so did Gabe.

The guards let him go immediately. Gabe looked up and met the eyes of the most dangerous being in the world. Time seemed to pause as Gabe's eyes met the giant figure of a man who couldn't be called a man; he was a god. One of the most feared gods at that.

The imposing figure cocked his head and regarded Gabe with amused curiosity. The face in the sculptures and murals didn't do him justice. Gabe had only heard about his beauty, but in person, he was blinded by it. The sharp jaw, dark eyes, and slightly long hair only added to his masculinity. Even through his good looks there was something very dangerous about him. No wonder the Enclave slaves didn't like to talk about him much.

Gabe felt a chill run down his spine at the sight of him. Enchanting, yet predatory, igniting fear and something else Gabe couldn't put a finger on. In that moment, he was both terrified and utterly entranced, drawn into the mystery of the man who Gabe had spend years worshipping.

"What do we have here?" The King drawled. His voice was deep and resonating. Each word dripped with intrigue and a hint of amusement. Gabe felt his heart race as he stood transfixed in the middle of the hall. Gabe wasn't sure if it was appropriate to feel the things he was feeling for the god of winter. The god for whom this festival was held.

Gabe looked down when he realized he was staring. He sat on his knees and bowed his head, hands joined on his lap. His throat felt dry, heart raced as he gathered courage to say his next words.

"Your Majesty," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "I come with a request for all the vaisas in the Enclave an opportunity to leave the palace and attain education."

"You are a member of the Enclave?" The King asked, sounding amused. "Why haven't I seen you before?"

Gabe gulped. "I haven't been initiated yet, your Majesty."

"Then why are you not in the monastery? What are you doing in the palace."

All vaisas stayed at the enclave monastery until they experienced their first heat. Every vaisa came to the Enclave after their first heat and got initiated shortly after. In Gabe's case, that never happened.

"I am twenty-one, your Majesty," Gabe said, feeling ashamed of his uselessness.

"Twenty-one. Hmm?" King Deroki rose up and walked towards him. "What were you saying about attaining education?" the King asked, standing before him.

Unclosed, he was imposing. Larger than life. Tall and regal. A whiff of smoky amber permeated the air at his closeness.

"I feel there is more to us than being a vaisa." As respected as the Vaisas were, they were still whores and they were not considered good for anything other than sex.

A collective gasp ran through the hall, whispered murmurs among the guests. Gabe was playing with his life. He knew the serious consequences of his action, but he did it anyway. His life had no meaning; at least this would bring some excitement to it.

"Do enlighten me?" The King asked, considering him. The air thickened with tension, every guest listening to their exchange.

Gabe swallowed hard. "As a citizen of this country, I believe we should have the right to learn and expand our knowledge."

"Hmm...Interesting," the King muttered. "Bring me a document signed by all the slaves who wish to study. I'll consider your request if more than fifty percent of them agree."

Gabe's heart leapt. "Thank you, all divine. It means a lot to me," Gabe said, bowing down.

The guards pulled him away from the King. Gabe looked up just as he was exiting the door. His eyes met with the King, and he gasped at the sheer intensity of his gaze. He looked away immediately, too overwhelmed by it.