Chapter Text
Chapter 1
“Get up and get dressed.”
His Mother never was one to give him any privacy. He was lying down in bed, asleep. The rain from Caladan made it easy for him to go to sleep, but not to wake up. But the urgency in her voice made it clear that he was needed. He pulled on the warm clothes that she threw at him from the closet. She was wearing a black dress and looked quite uneasy.
She rarely ever looked uneasy at him. She was always a solid rock, never surprised by anything. But she led him quickly to her room, his parents' room. He hadn’t been in here since he was a child, scared of the thunder and lightning.
“We have news for you.”
Paul frowned deeply at the implications of his Mother’s words. She always chose them so carefully, and so thoroughly. She was never caught without a plan, and never seemed nervous. Yet, now at this moment - she seemed a little nervous and looked to his Father for more guidance.
“As you know, Atreides has been given stewardship of Arrakis.”
Paul knew this. He was there for the announcement, with a full ceremonial dress. His Father had spoken to him about the implications of this, what it could mean war between the two houses. It was something that wasn’t entirely looked at as a good thing. His visions told him futures of both immense power and wealth, happiness in the arms of a figure…and of absolute destruction.
“And that it was given to us from the House Harkonnen. To secure our safety and to placate Baron, we have been asked to create an alliance.”
“Asked" is a strong word. It is not the correct word. We have been demanded to create an alliance.” His mother interrupted. “We do not have a choice.”
Paul never really did have much of a choice. He grew up in the loving comfort of his parents. He had responsibilities, but most of those were to obey his parents and work diligently in his various studies. He had heard from others that he was a good son, a good omega, and someone fit for his station.
“This isn’t something we want for you.” His Father continued, “It’s something we are being forced to do. We have no options for what they’re asking. They’re asking for marriage.”
Paul knew that marriage was always something that could be used against him. He knew that his parents weren’t married, but he always thought that his Father’s devotion to her was admirable. It was something he wanted. Paul was an omega. He was capable of carrying a child, with some patience and the right circumstances. Just as he was capable of siring one of his own… with some patience and the right circumstances.
He knew it was his Mother’s choice to make him this way. Male omegas weren’t very common…better a female omega. They were more fertile, even a beta female was more than he was. He was capable of it… but it wasn’t something he thought he’d have to do. He wasn’t prepared to do it either. But he tried to hide any embarrassment from his family.
But he wasn't stupid. The Baron had two nephews and no nieces.
“Which one?” His voice sounded quiet and resigned. He wouldn’t fight it.
“They’re sending Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen.”
He had met the Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha once before. When he was very young, Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha was just reunited with his uncle after the death of his Father. They didn’t talk at all, so maybe met wasn’t quite the word. He can picture a skinny, tall Alpha before puberty who had a frown the entire brief encounter. As an omega, he stayed with Princess Irulan’s many younger sisters. He thought that it was quite annoying and thoughtless.
However, his parents did not put up a fuss.
Not that he could blame him. Giedi Prime was a heartless place full of violence and terror. Gurney told him many horror stories of his time as a slave there and how little he thought of it. Giedi-Prime is a visually unique planet where its people are kept under strict control. Many of the so-called citizens work hard to the bone with the occasional battle for them to enjoy as a reward.
His Father never allowed him to attend any social or political gatherings on Giedi Prime. And he had never wanted to go truthfully. They have been at some sort of war and vague disagreement or maybe outright hostility with that family for generations. To his father, the Harkonnen name was a great shame and all that held it were no better than insects without morality.
His mother didn’t let them interact much. Not that he could blame her. The Harkonnens were known for their brutality and even children were dangerous. It was simple they would not encounter one another too much anyway.
But now, he felt worried about being with someone he did not know. He thought, secretly, maybe he would have married someone from his family’s circle, a trusted friend.
“When we arrive at Arrakis, Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha Harkonnens will arrive only a few short days later. You will be married by proxy and then when Arrakis is under our control and spice production is up the Emperor will come to review the union.”
“Reviewing the union in this case means that you are carrying his child.” His mother supplied. They were sitting down but she was stiff, her back straight and narrow. “Maybe this will be months, maybe up to a year.”
Paul didn’t sleep well with the news. He tossed and turned. His visions were only nightmares of a pale figure snarling at him. He wished for the strange girl instead. He wanted her instead of all this. His dreams were floaty, they came and went - some repeated and somewhere only once. It was like he could barely grasp it for what it was.
When he woke up, in a sweat he turned to hold his pillow in his face. He needed to relax. The anxiety wouldn’t be good. He needed to be strong and calm. But even with the breathing exercises, he felt himself slip into sadness and uncertainty.
“Doctor Yueh is here for you.” His mother found him when he didn’t show up for breakfast. She sits next to him on the bed. He hadn’t gotten up in time. The time had slipped away from him.
“I’m fine.”
Still, he let the doctor examine him. Dr. Yueh was a constant figure in the house. His Mother worried about his health constantly and he was also a tutor for him as well. Dr. Yueh seemed to treat him like a son, but he was first and foremost faithful to his mother. Under the watchful eyes of his tutors, Dr. Yueh, Duncan Idaho, Gurney Halleck, and Thufir Hawat he never had a moment to act out.
In soft voices, they spoke right outside his room. It annoyed him that they would speak just loudly enough so he knew they were speaking, but not loud enough for him to hear.
“Physically you are fine.” His mother said before sitting back down. She took his hand into hers. “But mentally, you need to be stronger.” She squeezed tightly. “This isn’t what we want for you, but it was always a possibility. I am sorry that I did not prepare you better. I hoped for something else.”
He could not remember another time that his mother apologized. She never did, it always seemed to him as a child and now that she would always be right, able to know everything and anything. He didn’t say anything else, just enjoying her hand wrapped around his own. He was too old for this, he knew. But he wanted it anyway.
She stayed like this a little while longer before hugging him tightly and then letting go too early.
“I wouldn’t stay here all day. Go for a walk. I will let your teachers know that you will not be joining them today.”
Food was brought to him and he felt like it tasted bland. He knew that Dr. Yueh and his Mother were right. He wasn’t being very strong. He changed into some comfortable clothes. He liked reading, so he brought out his books - some of the ones that weren’t packed away and then left.
It was raining, but it rained a lot here. He just walked to one of the spots with a gazebo and sat down. The book wasn’t anything interesting and he just let himself look at the servants running around. They were cleaning and packing. He never really sought them out and he knew they were mostly weary of him.
He thought of sending messages to some of his friends, a small group of noble boys and girls he kept in touch with. But they already said their goodbyes. He didn’t want to burden them with this news. It wouldn’t be welcomed.
The rain picked up and a servant girl came. She was a newer one and would be left here. Her long dark brown hair was braided down her back. Her eyes were a warm brown like amber and she was quite tall.
“What’s your name?”
“Clarissa Yone.” Her reply was soft. “Your mother sent me to take you inside.”
“I know.” Paul didn’t think a servant girl would come here anyway. “Is it possible for me to stay outside a little longer?”
“It is not up to me to say.” She was diplomatic and then said kindly, “The news of your marriage has already reached my ears.”
“And?”
“I think you have every right to be sad and moody over this.” She was honest but kept her voice down to a whisper. “I think that, if I were you I’d be sad too. But you can be sad inside.”
He gave a little amused grunt and went with her. The rain was getting very hard, but once they got inside she gave a little bow and left. He wanted some company, but he didn’t want to keep her from her own duties.
Her opinion that allowed him to be sad and moody stayed until supper. Which his parents both expected him to attend. His Father's sympathy was clear. Paul was his only child, his only son and he was worried for him. But this was for the family, it was part of duty. His Father had told Paul that marriage was a political weapon once, when he was younger, and wanted to know why his mother wasn't the wife of his father. He had explained it very simply to the young child. This was how the Great Houses gave hope to others. To make allegiances and to protect the family, everyone had to make sacrifices.
“Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen will be with us on Arrakis and although we will have to protect him, we can protect you too.” His Father promised.
The Guild’s shuttle was large and imposing. Paul had been off the planet before only a handful of times. And never in a shuttle like this, it was meant to hold not only people but all of his possessions. Of course, he stayed in the rooms meant to be comfortable for people. Their sleek light gray color was meant to be cool and comforting but seemed clinical. Paul’s room was near his parents but he knew they wanted time alone too.
Instead, it was Dr. Yueh, who was in the room next to his, almost like a babysitter. Paul was 17, almost 18, and resented the idea… But he resented being alone more. Dr. Yueh planned all sorts of lessons about the ecological atmosphere of Arrakis.
Paul had always known Caladan as home. Its wet and windy atmosphere was an annoyance but also a pleasure. Humidity clung to the air most of the year and Paul was excited to see sand and not mud. Dr. Yueh nurtured his talents through education and mentorship.
Paul loved all his studies and he tried to excel in everything he could. But he was slight and small. Duncan and Gurney mentioned that to his Father as he was growing up. He was not like his Father or Grandfather, built for war and violence. His Mother seemed never to worry about it, he was an omega after all, what was the point of being built like a brick if it meant he could not get pregnant?
“Do you think Arrakis will ever be able to see rain?” He asked Dr. Yueh. He liked this hypothetical game they played at the time. It was just to pass the time.
“There is the technology of course. But it is expensive and may be detrimental to the atmosphere present. You will miss rain, but they have never seen it, it is not necessary for them.”
“What about the Desert Botanical Testing Stations?”
“Abandoned and probably left in the sands. Dr. Yueh said a bit sadly. “All that knowledge is wasted. But I will speak with Dr. Kynes, and we will discuss this in greater depth.”
“Can I come?”
“Young Master,” he admonished. “I believe you should follow your Mother’s instructions more carefully, now more than ever.”
Arrakis was nothing like he had ever been to before. It was sandy. It was all sand. It was so terribly hot and uncomfortable in the day and chilly at night. But there was beauty to it. The gleam of the spice was magical. The power of the entire empire was floating around him.
The harsh climate meant he and everyone else were kept out. They had to be careful, and mindful of their sun exposure. The capital that his father picked seemed so grand but also unlived in. He knew that the Harkonnen’s had their own cheaply made city that his Father was abandoning. Perhaps they were worried about spies.
Fremen women seemed to be everywhere. Their wailing was persistent when the windows were briefly opened. He was never allowed to go out and explore. Basically, confined to his rooms as they made Hawat go through each one. The only time he got any relief from his bitter loneliness was when Duncan came back.
Duncan and he were reunited and their precious moments together, talking kept him grounded. Duncan never treated him like a nuisance. But instead, as a friend to be cherished. If he had any say in his own marriage, he would have been happy as Duncan’s mate.
But the beauty and novelty only kept him busy for so long. His new room was spacious, but it would only be his room until he moved in with Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Then they would have a small collection of rooms, and they would be farther away from his parents.
He tried not to feel anxious over the entire time. Duncan did his best to help him get his mind off things. Stories of Arrakis were entertaining and he enjoyed the time the two of them had together. In another world maybe they would be spending all their nights together telling stories.
Even Dr. Yueh and Gurney tried their hardest to keep their spirits up. They had planned for his terrible news. Dr. Yueh brought a collection of filmbooks, reels, and tapings for his amusement and pleasure. Gurney sang him songs when he had a spare moment. But they were fleeting distractions from the main source of his terror and curiosity.
It was first peeked when a visitor came.
A strange alpha, a Fremem, had been brought to his Father. He had asked several times to go, he wanted so hard to see one up close. He wanted to know who Duncan spoke so highly of. But he declined. His father wanted him somewhere safe, isolated, and alone.
They even had Dr. Yueh give him something to sleep. It was too easy to pretend to take it and lie down for a nap. Paul was not one to be where he was unwelcome, but he was ready for this chance. There was a small servant’s passage to allow them to go through without being noticed. He snuck through and peered through the small hole in the door. The door concealed as it was that nobles did not like to be bothered by their servants.
He heard more than he could see with his eyes. Kneeling on the floor, Paul had kept his breathing as quiet as possible. Gurney was loud and clear, but the man himself seemed farther away. His breath, more light, and voice didn’t bounce off the walls.
This man that was there was a fremen. A leader among his people, he would be there to help his family.
When he made it back to the rooms, Dr. Yueh was none the wiser.
Duncan still gave him a play-by-play. Entertaining him with even more stories he felt like he was there. He had been tutored and trained all his life for a political career. But now his parents were trying to shut him out. It made him angry and confused. Duncan was the only one who hadn’t changed.
His mother already warned him that would end as well. It would be a completely professional relationship with no ounces of friendship only loyalty. She knew that Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen would expect total submission and complete surrender, especially concerning this. His family was old-fashioned, she had never met a single omega from House Harkonnen.
The spice and stories would soon be gone.
The thin linen shirt and black trousers he wore his last night alone felt restrictive. He lay in his bed and cautiously slipped his hand under. Past his testicles, he had what all omega men had, a slit that would open to receive his husband. Paul was always mindful of how much he explored himself. He was hairless, it was common for cleanliness.
It was soft and dry, as it usually was. He knew his arousal came more easily from the front, but on a night like this it was soft. He never dipped his finger inside. He wondered if that was weird. If he should explore now, this might be his only chance.
He felt immediate worry wash over him and took his hand out. Attraction is a luxury. He would just have to lie with Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen and allow him to do what he wanted. His inexperience was worrying him. He didn’t have liberal relaxed parents. His parents were faithful to one another. His mother watched him like a hawk, he wouldn’t have time to experiment. He had never really wanted to beyond the quick pleasure he found in the showers of Caladan.
“You didn’t sleep.” His Mother said that breakfast.
“Can you tell?” He didn’t want to try to be too snarky, but it slipped past his lips.
She gave him a very pointed look which made him want to shrink back into his bed. She took a sip of her glass before she spoke. She used silence and pauses as weapons.
“Ceremonial dress has been laid out for you. I expect you to be calm and confident when you meet him tonight.”
“Yes, Mother.” He promised her.
Confidence was harder to get a hold of. After putting on his simple black attire, the added headpiece unnerved him. It was black, stiff, and had a light black veil over his face. It was a circular piece of stiff silk and it was made masculine enough.
Still, he hated it. He hated all that it meant.
He didn’t know how long he waited, but the knock got him out of his self-pity trance. Duncan came through the door with an apologetic glance. Maybe it was his sullen tired face but Duncan walked forward quickly and gave him a shoulder hug. It was brief but enough to ground him. He smelled of pine, of home and he wanted that forever.
“You’re wanted.”
Standing quietly by his Father’s side he waited for the large shuttle to offload the occupants. It was a hot breezy day like usual, and he wondered if it was going to shock any of them. It was a private affair. There were no others but the family and the servants to greet them. Ducan and Gurney were there as well, their faces were stiff and guarded.
But everyone seemed that way.
Feyd-Rautha, Na-Baron of Harkonnen came down, his sharp steps were quick and his pouty frown was noticeable. His hair was similar to Paul’s in the sense that it was gelled and styled back out of his face. Without the gel, Paul’s hair went all over the place. Paul wondered if it was the same for his light golden locks. Behind him, at a slower pace - a much more traditional pace - came his entourage. He was allowed his tutors and a small private force for personal protection. It looked like only three men. He also had a few servant girls too, who looked like they could be swept up in a strong gust of wind.
He came forward quickly and got down on one knee, but looked up with a challenging gaze. It was intense, black, and sharp. The Na-Baron had the best tutors in the world. He was a noble-born…kneeling must have been difficult.
Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen was attractive in a deadly sort of way. Not very comforting and he seemed almost too alpha. Or at least trying to be the most alpha of them all.
“Duke Leto Atreides.” Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen’s voice was rough. “It is an honor to become your son.” The words lack any sense of warmth or sincerity. His eyes were sharp and calculating. He was sizing up his new Father-in-Law. It made Paul uncomfortable.
“House Atreides accept you as one of our own.” His Father seemed to be at least making a resigned effort to mask his distaste. “We hope that you will find Arrakis worthy of becoming your home.”
The Na-Baron looked as if that was going to be unlikely. He stood up and looked around and Paul had to admit it just seemed extremely hot and sandy. The capital city lacked the flair and glamor of most other planet’s cities.
They brought them in. His Mother went off with the other women and servants that would be attending. Gurney and Ducan stayed with them as his Father personally brought the Harkonnen’s protection force to their barracks.
“We wanted to make sure you felt like they would always be close to you, without interruption, but also comfortable.”
“It is better than what they had at home. They are grateful.” Na-Baron replied to them. He inspected it carefully, his eyes trained on everything. He was sharp and thoughtful. The gaze he had was calculating, not only of them but his surroundings.
“Anything they brought with them may be stored here after we inspect it,” Gurney said firmly. The hatred in his eyes was apparent and he seemed to be holding back his own biting words. Duncan instead came forward.
“I would have thought less of you otherwise.” Na-Baron moved back to allow his men to come forward. Many of them seemed to favor knives of various lengths. They all seemed deadly, but also like puppets.
“Does the little bird have to be here?” He looked at Paul. “Maybe this is boring to him.”
Paul tried to bristle at the little bird comment. He had never been called anything so annoying before. He was always respected in his Father’s house. Omega or not, that was not going to change just because of the Harkonnen. But he decided it was not the exact time to bring up his issues.
“I want to make sure you’re comfortable,” Paul said calmly. He wasn’t going to leave. He wasn’t going to become a woman just because he was an omega.
Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen ignored him. Instead, he asked to go into their shared rooms. The rooms were spacious and included a bedroom, a connected study, and a small washroom. There were no showers here. Only a bath that was expected never to be filled up.
Paul had seen the bedroom before, it was made to mimic his old bedroom. It had a long and wide bed pushed against a wall and a big table with chairs. It was cleaner than his bedroom before, and none of his books were scattered around. Instead, it was just very unlived in. But the closet already had all of his clothes, everything was moved.
There was an ornate wall filled with ocean imagery on it. The big eyes of the fish were like the ones he knew of Caladan. Maybe his parents chose the room for him because of this detail. Na-Baron was looking at the wall too.
The study was more homey, with books everywhere, wall to wall. There were two desks with drawers and all sorts of devices to help them study and hopefully pass the time. It was known that Harkonnen was not the studious sort, but he couldn’t be parading around Arrakis. The capital does not have the nightlife and entertainment so this would have to do. The surrounding villages were poverty-stricken. Kept that way due to the intense regime of the Harkonnens.
“We leave you to get acquainted with your surroundings.” His Father said and led them all out. Gurney was biting at the bit. He didn’t trust the Harkonnens at all. Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen had been good at ignoring Gurney, but that might not last forever.
“You allow them privacy my Lord?” Gurney asked just as they reached out of earshot. “I don’t agree with this.”
“You made that clear.” His Father said, “But this is his home and maybe if he feels safe, it will work out in the long run.”
Gurney instead placated by allowing him time to go off with Ducan to discuss what was found or not found with his entourage. Once they were alone, Paul voiced his own worries.
“Will I have to sleep with him tonight?” Paul asked. He felt more sheepish than before. His question came out more childish and nervous than he wanted. His Father looked at him with patience and compassion.
“Not tonight, but tomorrow. It is later than expected and I don’t think it is wise to force your company onto him earlier than necessary. We will have the ceremony tomorrow. As it was always planned.”
But the night was quite eventful. Lady Jessica had dismissed several of his entourage. The shuttle that had left them here would be taking back a group of men and women who had decided not to continue their time in Arrakis with his Father. Both Duncan and Gurney tried hard to convince as many as possible to stay but about 100 wanted off the planet. To join them were several of the young women that Paul had seen earlier.
“They are not servants, they are pleasure slaves.” She told Leto and Paul, clearly not impressed. His Father Duke Leto never married. And Paul never knew him to be with anyone other than his Mother. He adored her and the thought of his mate wanting to share felt uneasy to him.
Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen was practically seething in his seat the entire late meal. But his Mother did not back down. Apparently, it had been made abundantly clear that his darlings would be a forgotten past of his bachelor life. Something that would be non-negotiable and therefore should have been expected. Instead, almost like a brooding teenager, Feyd-Rautha’s only reaction was that they weren’t married tonight so she should have let them at least stay the night.
Paul's inexperience was only highlighted in contrast with Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen’s playboy lifestyle. It was clear that as an Alpha, he had more freedom. But freedom in Caladan was different from the freedom he enjoyed in Giedi Prime.
Feyd-Rautha hated it here. It was a big dust bowl of nothing. He was furious with the concubine bitch and even more livid that he was sent here. It was not the promised land of wealth he had been led to envision. What was even the worst part? The only entertainment on this stupid little planet was reading. The court of the Atredias and the families on Arrakis were quite dull. They probably could tell that the Duke Leto was a more reserved man than Rabban. And although Feyd-Rautha didn't wish his brother here, he would have at least found some entertainment. Perhap it would have been a fight or an orgy. Instead he was left with a small group of warriors and soldiers, a handful of servants, and a tutor. He would dismiss the tutor soon anyways on the next flight out.
After exploring every inch of his room that night he found nothing but books on every subject. There were a few pieces of technology here and there, but these recorded videos were of the scholarly sort. There were not even any dramas or series from Caladan! Not even anything about battle other than strategy.
The bed was comfortable enough, maybe if he had been in a better mood he would admit that it was more comfortable than his back at home. But he was terribly lonely in it. He hated to admit it. But he enjoyed the presence of his darlings, not just that they were a status symbol of his power, but they could be used as shields and distractions.
One thing he liked was the absence of his brother. Rabban was a foolish fat and ugly man and he enjoyed tormenting him since his leave. Rabban would get to stay on Giedi Prime, but he would not hold any sort of real power.
Still, Giedi Prime had quite a few fights he could attend. He could enjoy the pleasure of slaves and eat until he vomited. Something that he had been warned against doing here. It seemed anything that might excite or even please someone was a mark of weakness here.
Feyd-Rautha flipped through mindlessly another book that was here on the fauna of Caladan. It looked very lush and at least they were unique enough to hold some interest.
But apparently not enough, he fell asleep reading it.
And waking up was not a joy either. His body was stiff from his awkward positioning and he was awakened rudely by one of the slaves he brought. The still strange room did not help his mood improve. He only had to glance around, the only company was books and a weirdly large table for studying.
This one was named Yaneth and she had served him for a long time of three months. Maybe it was because she was unflinchingly calm and never messed up so he had no reason to kill her for shaking or being disruptive. Her blond hair on her light skin made her look a little like a ghost. It was braided down, in a French braid that was tight and never seemed to move.
Even now, her presence, which brought annoyance, at least did not bring shame.
“Lady Jessica is here to help you prepare for this morning’s festival. I have also been instructed to bring you your morning food.” Her voice had a lower register than most women. He liked that it wasn’t high and shrill. She placed a large wooden bowl down with an orange piece of vegetable. It had little nuts in it, roasted too and smelled rather mild. There was a beautiful crystal goblet of water with an equally beautiful glass there.
At Giedi-Prime meals were lavish, with many small plates of ornate dishes. Here, with only one choice he rolled his eyes.
“In the future, you will only follow my orders.” His voice was gruff from sleep. She tilted her head down slowly.
“Na-Baron if you desire it, it is done.” She walked back, never lifting her head. Good.
Lady Jessica then came out swinging, she took one look at his near-naked form and threw the clothes at him. Feyd-Rautha felt slightly like a scolded child under her gaze. She seemed completely at ease around him. Not scared or worried at all. It made him mad. She was the Bene Gesserit concubine of the Duke and had her own powers and privileges afforded to her. The Baron even mentioned that he could not kill her specifically. She was too important.
“A Na-Baron not ready? Have you already gotten lazy?” She asked, sitting herself down and then pouring her a glass of water from which Yaneth came back to set down. “Help him dress.”
She was gazing at him like a doll that needed to be inspected. Lady Jessica was uniquely beautiful, with pretty pale red hair and pouty lips that seemed to be forever in a slight frown. She looked at him with an expression of displeasure and boredom. But something had to keep the Duke Leto from marrying for an alliance. It wasn’t like she gave him many sons either.
“Na-Baron may I?” Her voice was always steady.
“No, I can do it myself.”
She did not move forward, only instead staying next to Lady Jessica.
“Will you watch?”
“If I want to, I will. And I want to make sure you have nothing on you that might hurt my son.”
She revealed her motives easily. “I could just simply kill you.” She added. She was wearing full ceremonial robes already. Maybe it was to intimidate him, and she seemed like the type to do so. Instead, he just did what she wanted. Putting on the traditional clothes of Harkonnen felt very hot and stuffy, but it was just for the ceremony.
Yaneth was quick to start cleaning up, knowing without direction that he would want to come back to sleep more. But Lady Jessica set the glass down and looked at her.
“Yaneth in the future will serve both you and my son. I have already arranged for her to work with his servants, but I raised Paul to be self-sufficient and not over-reliant on their help.”
She was scolding him again. It was already tiring having a mother figure. His own Mother died in childbirth, giving birth to him. Then his brother killed his Father and he was shipped off to Giedi Prime with little in the way of a parental figure. Scolding was not common, punishment was.
Yet, she did not make Yaneth stop doing anything.
“Are we to leave now?”
“Yes.” She walked with him through the halls. Duncan Idaho was outside the door waiting for them and falling in step quickly. Duncan Idaho seemed to be the one that protected the family most intimately. He was strong, built like a soldier. An alpha, clearly with deeply tanned skin and unruly hair, he walked with self-assurance that years of being trained into a killer brought.
The Halls were most decorated as he got closer. But they were still quite modest by his standards. The draped cloth was easy to ignore and nothing seemed to be done to honor his own heritage.
The entire ceremony was dull. He stood straight and tall as some older man spoke to a crowd of somber and quiet elites. Paul looked the same, proud and resigned to a future with him. He could respect the pride, but he would break it down to something more malleable. His Uncle had been clear with his expectations. Paul was to be completely under his control.
When they join hands, Paul’s are very cold compared to his. They were soft, but he felt under it calluses that were healing. He fights and he trains. Something respectable but would also stop from here on out. Maybe Lady Jessica trained her son in the Bene Gesserit ways. He was an omega, a cheap vessel to continue their genetic lineage. Yet, there was real fondness in the family. She would help him protect himself.
As quickly as that had happened, Paul pulled away too.
He could not see his face beneath the black veil he had fashioned around him. But he probably didn’t have a face of joy.
Paul smelled of something nice that he couldn’t quite place, but knew. It was refreshing and nice. At least he could find himself attracted to the young man.
Once the festivities, rather tame by his standards, started up he leaned down next to Paul’s seat. He was pushing around his food, flattening it with his fork and then making it into a little mound.
“You’re my mate now.” He said clearly. “This may not be something you wanted, but it is what happened. You will not shame me.”
“Have I done anything wrong already?” He snarked back a little. It was quiet enough that no one could see. But Feyd-Rautha still puts his hands on Paul’s thigh. He is pleased to see Paul jump ever so slightly back.
“No, but now that you’ve already been warned, I will have no problem enforcing it.”
Paul stayed quiet next to him for the remainder. When they were finally brought to their rooms. This time Paul was going to stay. Paul took off his veil and let down his hair. He was a small thing. Thin, maybe due to the lack of appetite he witnessed. He sat down at the big table in their room.
Both the father and mother lingered. They brought tea, and another round of desserts. They spoke about everything and asked almost every question they could about Giedi Prime. The baron spoke of Duke Leto as an arrogant prick, and he had pride… but he was also worried. Rautha was trained by Piter to see what he could in a person. Duke Leto didn’t hide it at all. He was here for Paul.
He struggled to stay polite and answer everything. They asked about their marriage ceremonies which he exaggerated for his own amusement. Duke Leto occasionally seemed off guard by it all. Lady Jessica wasn’t as easy, and she reacted to almost nothing. Instead ask questions like a tutor would. She seemed to enjoy quizzing him and asking question upon question.
He was not eager about getting along with Paul. But he could only take so much chatter. Finally with his eyes heavy and from the amount of tea he took polite sips up he got up. Maybe he felt the side effects of a sedative.
“I have to use the restroom so I think this is a good moment to say good night.”
Both of them looked serious. Duke Leto got up first, his eyes grim. He clapped him on the shoulder and it took Feyd-Rautha a moment of surprise, before he could stop he grabbed his wrist and pushed back. Already an attack?
“I-” He dropped his hand quickly. Should he fight now? Is this something-
“No, I apologize.” The Duke said quickly. “I mean only to ask that you take care of Paul tonight.” He seemed strained and nervous. “We would understand if you want him to come with us too.”
Feyd-Rautha looked at Paul who seemed unsure of it all. He seemed to be hard at the thought.
“I will do whatever my mate wants from me.” But his voice sounded extremely flat. He did not want to give anything away.
“It will not do for us to be separated, but you will see him tomorrow in good spirits.” The Duke and Lady Jessica walked out then. And from the door that Paul was closing it seemed like she wanted to say something. Feyd-Rautha believed that they could communicate without their voices, but he still gave them time.
For all this eagerness around sex, he did not find it enjoyable to be so forceful. Sex and sport are different from one another. He enjoyed them both, maybe equally. But he also knew what it meant to be forced into it and that it was not enjoyable.
Paul seemed impossibly small now.
“I did need to use the bathroom.”
Paul watched him leave and felt like he could only breathe a little. They were quiet and shallow breaths. Feyd-Rautha was not as manic as he had thought. He seemed mostly in control of his reactions and seemed to know of some manners.
Yet, it was clear to Paul that Feyd-Rautha’s expectations of a mate were very firm. It did not matter they were not on Giedi Prime, he was his and he would be expected to follow their traditions.
He read about them. Omegas were almost extinct on Giedi Prime as even their Alphas preferred beta females. In this case, that meant that most omegas were bred out and alphas were extremely rare. Yet Feyd-Rautha was the second alpha.
“Get changed in the washroom,” Feyd-Rautha commanded. “Be quiet too.” He added as an afterthought.
Paul looked at him, not sure if he should follow without a single thought or attempt to speak to him now.
“You can’t possibly have more stupid questions?” Feyd-Rautha mocked him but also sounded bored and tired. “Just go.”
He pushed him out of the share, forcefully but not enough to harm.
Paul shut the door to the washroom and with shaky hands undressed. He made extremely slow work of the buttons and folded everything near perfectly on the bench. He took the sponge and carefully washed himself, including between his legs. He was trying not to shake, nervous of anyone seeing him down there.
“Are you nude?” Feyd-Rautha asked through the closed door.
“Yes.”
He opened the door and Paul almost closed his eyes, but then he felt cloth being thrown at him.
“You forgot your nightshirt, you’re stupid aren’t you?”
Paul took it as Feyd-Rautha closed the door tightly behind him. He slipped it over before coming out.
“I’m not stupid,” Paul told him as he got to the foot of the bed. His eyes flashed with anger and annoyance. He never had anyone assume such a stupid thing.
“Fine, not stupid just nervous and a virgin.” Feyd-Rautha didn’t sound tired, just amused.
“Get into bed and fall asleep. Or don’t and sleep on the floor.” Feyd groped the wall for the switch and then immediately turned off all the lights before Paul made up his mind.
But Paul was unsure of what to choose. In the end, he forced himself to sit on the bed cautiously. Finally, Feyd-Rautha just grabbed him, Paul tried to wrestle out of his arm but Feyd-Rautha was quicker pinning him into the bed. Feyd-Rautha was taller than him and generally stronger. Maybe if Paul had wanted to, or thought of it before he could have taken him. But not in the dark, too worried to think straight, Paul was at a disadvantage.
“Will you calm down?” He asked him. “My god we’re not having sex tonight just stop squirming or I’ll knock you down on the floor.”
“I wasn’t squirming.”
“You were,” Feyd-Rautha argued and whacked the pillow above his head. “I have no interest in raping you.”
Paul made a small noise of distrust in his throat. He seemed shocked that Rautha would say the word out loud.
“I don’t want to take you now.” He said again.
“Why?”
“Do you want me to?”
Feyd took his hand and gently put it on his thigh and went up, Paul kept his legs tight. He knew what his Mother told him and he wasn’t ready. He knew that it was happening now that he didn’t want to.
“See, you are too scared.” His mate said softly. “And I know that if you’re too tense it won’t just be painful for you, but for me. Some people like this, but I don’t. So just get used to me sleeping in the same bed as you.”
Softly was not the same as kindly. It was more of a demand than anything else. Paul felt Feyd-Rautha let go of him, almost like a scared animal before reaching for a pillow and stuffing it far too aggressively between them. The thin pillow did nothing to calm down Paul though. If Feyd-Rautha was going to rape him, it wouldn't stop him.
Paul didn’t fall asleep. But Feyd-Rautha did, his breathing evened out and he was done for the day. Maybe the trip also made it possible for him to fall asleep but Paul was still too nervous too. He refused to say that he was scared.
When he woke up, it was the second night without sleep and Paul was a little high-strung. Feyd-Rautha got up, took one look at him, and gave a cruel little smile before taking a curl and pulling hard. Paul twitched back and smacked his hand away which only gave the alpha a little grin.
“You are too distrusting.” He mocked him. “Now go to bed, I’m going to go out and exercise before the sun can fry me alive.”
He undressed in the washroom and got ready quickly before he was off. Now that he was alone, he could calm himself down. Feyd-Rautha didn’t do anything to him. Calling him stupid and pulling his hair wasn’t all that bad.
Paul got maybe two hours of sleep before Feyd-Rautha loudly woke him up by slamming one of his books on the ground. He looked down at him with a grin on his face but did not attempt to touch him. Paul felt grateful for the small moment of space.
“Your parents would have killed me if you didn’t show up for breakfast. Get up, Yaneth will help you.”
Yaneth approached him, and Paul found it strange that this woman was helping him take off his shirt. He tried to hide himself but she just tsked softly. But Paul was following her eyes, she was looking for proof of last night and he felt his cheeks flush bright red.
Feyd-Rautha was gone when she spoke up.
“Your Mother, Lady Jessica should have allowed Na-Baron his playthings.” She said softly. “They could have taught you what he liked and you would be more confident.”
He did not respond which she didn’t seem to mind at all.
“He is honorable, in his own way.” She added once he was entirely dressed and she was already making their bed. That was a chore for him at home. He went to help but she swatted his hands away. She didn’t seem like a meek little servant with him.
“What do you mean?”
“He killed many of my friends and many of the other slaves. But if you were calm and listened you wouldn’t die. He doesn’t lie either. If he’s mad at you, if he wants to punish you it will be clear.”
Paul went to breakfast feeling like he got only two hours of sleep. But the relief was noticeable when he entered, everyone there didn’t seem to be hiding it.
Feyd-Rautha ignored it all, but when he sat down he started to eat. The squash that his mother favored was there again. It wasn't common to have the same thing over and over again. But maybe it was what they had.
“He is a fearful one,” Feyd-Rautha reported to his Father like he was a naughty child. “A sheltered Omega is good, but he has become fearful of what he doesn’t know.”
His Mother only looked at him sharply. She had wanted him to do his duty and be done with it. Now it would drag on and they are being admonished by a Harrokan. Paul tried not to let his own relief show though. He was happy that Feyd-Rautha didn’t force him into anything. He wasn’t sure how that would be.
And thankfully he didn’t seem to want to dwell on it either. Instead, he asked his Father if he could go out and see how the spice is harvested. His father was a little shocked but it all made sense.
He had no real desire to honeymoon with Paul.
So off they went. It was clear from the sharp gaze of both his Mother and Feyd-Rautha he was not attending this outing. Instead he would be spending time with his Mother and Yaneth.
Quickly it seemed that she was the only servant worth a grain of salt to Feyd and it was only because she was the least annoying of the choices.
“Your mate,” Yaneth said calmly, “wants a willing partner in bed.”
“Why?”
“Don’t most people?”
She answered back in questions like Feyd-Rautha as well.
“He expects blind obedience but at this moment appreciates the honor that comes with being a scared virgin.” She wasn’t particularly kind. “But he is not against pushing. He knows that the purpose of this marriage is simple. He doesn’t expect love, but he demands loyalty.”
Lady Jessica dismissed her.
Paul confided in her.
“I couldn’t lay still with my legs open.” He couldn’t get the words above a whisper. “I couldn’t hide that I was scared.”
“You have to control your emotions. Like we trained.” She was sharp and not very comforting. “You know that male omegas cannot easily get pregnant and therefore you will probably have to allow them to happen frequently.”
“He was tired.” Paul excused, and he blushed furiously.
“It is our fault that you are so inexperienced and naive.” Lady Jessica continued. “But now you will learn quickly. Just like you absorb all the knowledge from your books, you will do the same now.”
His mother only gave him the most meager of talks about his body. Enough to make sure he kept himself clean and safe.
“A good mate will help you get wet.” Paul’s ear burned as he stared at the table between them. “But you can use oil as well. There are some in the room already.”
Paul sometimes woke up wet, but he had never really noticed too much. His parents were very reserved. They were very proud of their prudish and passive affection.
“Allow him to use his fingers first, or ask him if you can.”
“Mom- please stop.” His heart was beating so fast. “Please, I”
“Listen to me.” His Mother held his hand tightly in hers. “You can do this Paul. You just have to remember he needs you, you are his and he has to protect you.”
Paul can’t imagine Feyd-Rautha would want to help him ever. He could only hope that he wouldn’t want to flay him alive.
They were out for the entire day. When Feyd-Rautha came back he was in a very foul mood. He was yelling at one of his servants, not Yaneth but someone else. Paul watched as his Father stood next to Feyd-Rautha with a serious expression on his face.
A slap that came out of nowhere landed the servant on his ass. His Father quickly raised his voice.
“Enough!” He told Feyd-Rautha, that his authority was clear. “Does hitting him help us find a solution?” He challenges him. “Control yourself.”
Feyd-Rautha seethed back at him, trying to go at his full height. His eyes narrowed dangerously.
“My fucking stupid brother has made all our lives difficult.”
“And is he your brother?” Duke Leto pointed to the servant who was already in a prostate position. “Leave us!” Duke Leto waved his hand immediately and the servant basically fled.
“You’ve seen what your family left us, what they left you.” Duke Leto said to him clearly. “You see it all, now we have to come up with a solution.”
Feyd-Rautha dismissed himself and locked eyes with Paul.
“Come here and follow me.” He instructed him and Paul was powerless but to follow.
They were back in their rooms, this time, the study. Feyd-Rautha had stripped out of his gear and into casual lounging clothes, but he was ripping through the books furiously.
“What happened?”
“A machine malfunctioned. They are old and dingy.”
“They can be fixed, can’t they?”
“Not without money and technology that we barely have here.”
Paul stayed quiet next to him. He was looking through an engineering book. Feyd-Rautha quietly continued to sit in his anger. Paul didn’t want to provoke him.
“What do you do when you’re angry?” Feyd-Rautha asked him.
“In Caladan, I used to go swimming to clear my mind.”
Feyd-Rautha gave him the most unimpressed stare ever. Paul wanted to further explain but wasn’t given the opportunity to.
“I used to kill people for sport or fuck,” he said simply. “Your Father tells me I can’t go around killing people, even those deserving of it. So I guess that leaves fucking.”
“But you’re angry…”
“And having sex can be a lot of fun.”
Feyd-Rautha pulled Paul close. “Tell me, did Yaneth and Lady Jessica help you to understand?” His grip was hard, but he allowed Paul to shake loose.
“You need to get used to me touching you.”
Paul knew that was common sense. But it was difficult. The few dreams he has had have all been difficult to understand. He didn’t dream of this.
“I had a dream that we were standing together with spice around us,” Paul said. Before Feyd-Rautha had cruelly woken him up.
“That’s a nice dream.”
“But there were so many dead around us.”
“That’s even better.”
Paul shook his head.
“They were House Harkonnen.”
“Is my brother included in that?” Feyd-Rautha’s response surprised him. “Because the thought of his death only turns me on.”
Paul didn’t have siblings. But he was certain this was not an appropriate way to act.
Feyd-Rautha got to work though. He tugged Paul into bed and stripped him out of his clothes. He was gentle but persistent with Paul’s own. Paul’s legs this time spread on his own.
Feyd-Rautha smelled of something quite sweet, like caramel. He hovered over Paul and kept his elbows beside Paul’s head, caging him in while supporting himself.
He leaned down to gently nip at his neck. Paul's own hands stayed firmly at his side, fighting not to push him off, although nothing hurt.
“Relax.” Feyd-Rautha instead demanded. “I won’t put it in until I know you’ll like it.”
Paul couldn’t understand how this man, someone who wanted to kill his brother would also be considerate like this. But he didn’t have much time to ponder. Feyd-Rautha moved quickly to put his hand over his penis. Paul wasn’t hard and tried not to get upset over the fact that Feyd-Rautha was poking his thigh with his own.
Paul never fumbled in the dark with anyone, no man or woman no matter their secondary gender. He never had the time…he spent hours training or in his room. No one wanted to be with him in a way that mattered like this. He was terribly inexperienced and had to rely on Feyd-Rautha to help him.
“You try.” He said after several strokes, although gentle, were quite determined, didn't do too much. “Does it not feel good?” He asked.
Paul couldn’t find his voice, he just gave a little shrug. “I’m worried.”
It had felt nice to Paul, but he wouldn’t keep his focus on the sensation. It was what was going to come after that was making him nervous.
“Don’t be.” Feyd-Rautha insisted. “Let yourself feel good.”
Paul took himself in his hand and stroked. Feyd-Rautha continued to hover over him and then started to kiss and peck at his neck and chest. Finally, he got hard, and Paul felt the courage to put his hand on his shoulder.
“There, you can touch me,” Feyd-Rautha said easily. He seemed to take this as a good sign and went back to biting his chest.
“Na-Baron,” Paul said quietly. “I don’t know if I can get wet.”
“Okay.” Feyd-Rautha got up reached down somewhere and pulled out a glass container. “We can use this. And call me Rautha.”
He poured the oil on his fingers and Paul's hands went to Rautha’s shoulders. But he was shocked when Rautha put his mouth on him.
Paul gasped loudly and his body jolted up.
“Don’t move.” Rautha swatted his tummy. “My god, you don’t want me to bite you.”
But then went back to work. Paul immediately liked doing this. He hated to admit it, but for some reason, Rautha was quite good at this. And Paul squirmed. It was hard to hold still.
“Wait!” Paul insisted. “Wait!” He felt heat grow. He tried to put his legs together and push him off. But the sensation made him feel a little like jelly.
But Rautha didn’t, instead he just patted him on his chest. Paul tried to get up on his elbows, but the heat was intense and he felt too good to contain it. He spilled in Rautha’s mouth. Paul's hands instead went to his face. And his body felt like it was turning liquid.
“See.” Rautha seemed proud. “You’re wet.” He had swallowed it? Paul knew he was flushed.
Paul gave a nervous little smile. But then it fell again when he saw Rautha’s hand move down.
“You’re relaxed now.” Rautha’s voice was steady. “It’ll be easier now. Just let me take care of you.”
Paul took a deep breath and Rautha’s finger pushed in. He was quick and Paul clenched down fast. His body didn’t feel like it was liquid anymore.
“Wait, wait!” Paul insisted.
“It’s only one. I won’t put another in without warning you.” Rautha tried to calm him down. “It’s not going to hurt. Just relax again.”
“Please-” Paul hated how he sounded. “Please wait.”
“No one waited for me.” Rautha withdrew gently. He looked at Paul. “Did it feel good?”
“I don’t know.” Paul pulled his knees up to his chest. “I’m not sure.”
Rautha pulled the thin blanket over him. The silence allowed Paul to hear his heartbeat.
“Don’t be miserable.” Rautha looked annoyed, but not angry. “You’re going to be fine. This is what mates do. This is what your parents did.”
Paul groaned loudly.
“Please don’t mention that.”
“Why do you think you’re here?”
Paul gave a small glare but Rautha just laughed a little breathy laugh. He was teasing him.
Paul thought that was a bit cruel.
“Am I bleeding?”
Rautha pulled the blanket up and looked between his legs.
“Wait here.”
Rautha shuffled around their room and got a small mirror. He sighed and sat down.
“I swear this should have been taught to you already. All these books and recordings and you don’t have porn?”
“When do you think I would have gotten porn?” Paul asked him.
“Come here.” Rautha moved his legs and put the mirror between them. “No blood.”
“How can you still be horny?” Paul could see Rautha’s own erection proudly. It was proud and long, Paul knew in his mind that an Alpha’s would be big, to begin with. But it seemed too big.
“Because I have the stamina and patience from practice.”
Paul laid back down nervously and Rautha got back between his legs. He kissed his knee when he brought it up. It was more tender than Paul expected.
“We don’t have a lot of time and we need to get you pregnant.” He reminded him. He put his fingers back in and Paul let out a sigh this time. It didn’t hurt. He was fine and he wasn’t bleeding. “Just think of it as doing your duty.”
Paul closed his eyes but rested his hand on Rautha’s wrist. It gave him some idea of control. He told him that a second was coming and this time there was a stretch. Paul felt doubt come back. It wasn’t pleasurable, it felt like a burning sensation that he could do without.
“Male omegas are tight.”
Rautha was trying to push in and Paul kept groaning. He gritted his teeth and held on to Rautha’s shoulder.
“I’m going to bleed,” Paul said.
“No you’re not,” Rautha argued back to him and pushed harder, moving a little around.
Paul felt the tip push in and he groaned. Rautha pushed.
Paul screamed, his face which was already very red twisted in pain. Rautha tried to shush him. The warmth, tight heat that wrapped around him felt so good. Rautha missed this feeling of pleasure like this. But Paul’s face was twisted in pain. Rautha liked to think he was good in bed, he didn’t want this for Paul.
“Relax, relax I’m stopping. I’m not going to move.” He knew his voice was more forceful, like a command to a soldier than a mate who was shaking. He didn’t know what to do.
“Take it out,” Paul whined. “Please.”
“I will, I will.” Rautha closed his eyes. He didn’t want to remember his own first time. He didn’t want to remember all the times after. “I will just relax so I can move.” It would hurt Paul more if he moved when he was this tight.
“Please.” Paul was starting to squirm.
“I will.” Rautha felt the hands squeeze him tighter. “I will.” He moved down to press his body on Paul’s but he didn’t find it comforting. Instead, he shook. “Okay, okay I’m moving out now. Just breathe.”
Paul took a deep breath and Rautha moved out of the warmth and heat. It had felt good to him, but seeing Paul cry out it was clear it was only good for him. The Baron told him to break Paul, slowly and without alerting anyone. Either Paul would be under his complete control, or he would have to die.
“We can’t do it tonight,” Paul told him. “Please, we can try another time.”
Paul’s voice was almost on the edge of begging. He was too proud to fully beg, but to discuss and negotiate, he would do. Rautha remembered he used to do this too. He used to try to bargain his way out of things.
“We should keep at it tonight. If we don’t finish tonight you won’t want to tomorrow either.”
“I will,” Paul promised, he was already trying to get out from under him.
“It’s better to get it over with now,” Rautha told him. “Calm down.”
Paul shook his head. His long brown twirls shook too. Rautha never had a male omega before. He never had a mate and all his chosen partners were willing. They were fun and adventurous. But this boy couldn’t even take it lying down.
“Do you want me to suck you off again?”
“No.” He buried his head in his hands. “I’m trying to relax.”
Rautha could see that Paul was trying to calm down long enough. He even laid back down. It was admirable in a way.
“Do you want me to try and push right in and then stop? Or do you want me to move slowly?”
Paul let out a shaky sigh. “The first one.”
Rautha got back into position. But this time he didn’t try and hover. He just grabbed his knees and pulled him closer. Paul was a slight and skinny man. He was already closing his eyes.
He pushed in all at once. Paul groaned and twisted. Rautha pulled up his knees and tried to encourage him to hold them but they fell awkwardly on either side.
“Breathe.” He told Paul. If he could breathe through the pain he would feel better.
“Please hurry.” He begged him.
Rautha got to work. Pushing in and out. He focused on his own pleasure. Paul felt good and hot. Wrapped around him he felt himself quicken up to reach his goal.
“I won’t knot.”
Paul gave a tense nod. His arm was thrown over his face to hide it now. His face and neck, his chest, it was all red and hot to the touch. Paul was struggling.
“I’m close.” Rautha said in a small voice. He didn’t want to spook his mate who hadn’t relaxed.
He grunted with a last push forward.
When he went to remove himself Paul grabbed him weakly.
“Stay in me so we’ll have a baby.”
“Okay.” He laid back down and settled back in.
He remembered his first time and many times that left him shaking and full of hatred. Would Paul hate him too?
Paul finally let him take himself out and Rautha felt like he wanted to roll over and sleep. But cum wouldn’t feel good between his legs so he went and dampened a cloth and came back. Paul was up and shaking. He looked ready to be sick.
“I’m sorry.” He said miserably. Rautha pushed him back so he was lying down.
“Spread your legs.” He helped him move his knee apart. Paul was breathing better. Rautha made sure he was gentle. Trying to ignore the red on the rag.
“I’m bleeding,” Paul whispered. “What does that mean?”
“It means I didn’t stretch you enough.”
“What do we do?”
“We let you sleep and heal.”
“We won’t do this every night?”
“No.” Rautha doubted he’d feel the urge to want to have sex with the scared omega. Paul let out a shaky little laugh. He was relieved.
“Thank you,” Paul whispered. Rautha threw the rag somewhere and went back to bed. He felt Paul scooted over to him.
He didn’t hate him. Rautha tried to make himself as inviting as possible, but Paul only lightly touched him with his body. He was in pain and uncomfortable but fell asleep quickly.
That morning Paul woke him up. His lower back hurt and since it was his fault Paul thought it was only fair to make him rise too.
Rautha knew that Paul was not quite a good flirt. He was awkward, but it was only slightly endearing.
“What are you doing today?”
“Your father wants me to sit with him and learn more about Arrakis. Then we will do more touring of the spice business.”
“Can I come?”
“No, you should be with your mother. I want you to stay inside, preferably in private rooms.”
“Really?” Paul looked at him annoyed and not hiding it. “What should I do?”
“Read, learn an instrument or a new language?” Rautha shrugged. “And wait for me to get you pregnant.” He added and the effect was immediate. Paul flushed an angry red. He was easy to tease. No one probably dared to tease the duke’s heir.
The breakfast was served at their large table. It was now blissfully silent. Mostly because his mate was sore and seething. The food was tasteless, it was a plain orange squash that was maybe roasted.
“I want to accompany you.” Paul tried again.
“When I want your company in public, I will tell you.”
“But-“
“Do not argue with me. This is new to you but I am in charge. You are going to listen to me.”
Rautha got up and looked at Paul’s plate. He had taken the smallest bites of squash too, so maybe it was not Caladan’s food either. Rautha put his hand under Paul’s pants and Paul froze. “Relax. I’m checking for blood.”
“You could have asked.”
“I don’t need to.”
Paul moved away and Rautha let him. Looking at his hand it was dry.
“I will allow Yueh to examine you.”
“I don’t want to be examined.”
“Then you can dismiss him. But I know your mother will want him to.”
Dr. Yueh was gentle. He had him lay down and spread my knees. Paul laid open. He always trusted Dr. Yueh, but he felt humiliation on his cheeks during the examination. He was tender and in pain. He didn’t want Dr. Yuen prodding around him. My Mother wasn’t watching, she was looking away to give a little privacy.
“It was painful.”
“Did he rush and push in?”
“I asked him too.”
Dr. Yueh nodded before giving him a head up and inserting his two fingers in. He was sore and tried to keep still. Dr. Yueh probably thought Rautha was a monster, a horrible person who forced him. But it was really his lack of skill that caused this.
After a quick examination, he gave him some gel.
“Young Lord, you shouldn’t have asked him to do that. I would recommend not having sex until you’re no longer sore and healed.”
“He didn’t relax enough.” His Mother said her words were biting. It was his failure that made Rautha hurt him. If he had been better, maybe he would have been able to go out with Rautha.
He got dressed and she kept herself busy by thinking to herself. But Paul knew she was thinking about him and all possible failures.
He watched his Mom stand up. He always trusted her. She had chosen him and loved him. But he also knew that this baby could be the Kwisatz Haderach. It was everything their world had wanted and it was up to the two of them.
He didn’t know if Rautha knew. Or if he cared. But Paul cared and he wanted a baby.
“Tell me, was he kind to you?” His Mother softened up and looked at him full of concern.
“He was patient with me. He didn’t want to hurt me.”
“Good. I can’t say the servants find him patient or merciful. Yaneth told me she served him the longest of three months. He dismissed or killed the others.”
“How many did he kill?”
“In Yaneth’s presence, she saw him take down two.”
“He’s dangerous.” Paul knew this. “He has a short temper.”
Short temper was an understatement. Rautha made quite the first impression by getting into a screaming match with Gurney in front of all the soldiers and guards. Duncan had to break them up with his Father’s help.
Paul hadn’t been there but Gurney had apparently slighted him by refusing to fight him.
“The way he looked at me,” he was seething in their rooms. “He looked at me like I was an inexperienced child.”
“Gurney’s old…” Paul’s mother left when he broke through the door. It swung so loudly that it rattled. She had decided that it was enough.
“Do you think he’s going senile then?” Rautha asked him mockingly. “You are fond of him.”
“He was my old master. I’m good at fighting. We could spar?”
“Sparing with an omega? It’s beneath me. And sparing against my mate? Ridiculous.”
Paul sighed deeply. Rautha was so restrictive. He hoped that he would relax with time. Omegas haven’t been kept away from society in many years, although their need was usually carefully planned out like his own. He was aware that many omegas lived their lives according to how fate planned it out for them. .
“It could just be for fun? You don’t like reading. What will we do together?”
“We do not need to be friends.” Rautha reminded him of being annoyed and frustrated. “We don’t need to do anything together other than what we did last night.”
“But Dr. Yueh told you we can’t tonight.”
“We still need sleep then.”
Paul went to his cabinets and pulled out a long thin blade. Rautha didn’t look scared at all.
“It looks ceremonial.”
“It’s not. It’s just traditional from Caladan. You can have it.” Paul placed it in front of him.
“It’s light.”
But Paul watched him inspect it. He was giving it some thought. The beautiful knife was something Paul wanted to keep in the family. Rautha was now his family in some ways.
“If I stabbed Gurney with it, what would you do?”
“You won’t do that.” Paul sighed. Rautha liked to be shocking. He was theatrical like that.
“Don’t be so sure.” He muttered but placed the knife down anyway.
They talked about spice production and then went to sleep. Paul still tossed and turned nervous about the possibility of sex. But Rautha didn’t seem to care. He slept.
They spent most of their days like this. Rautha went out to do business and Paul was left with his Mother. It was clear that omegas weren’t part of the social scene. Any attempt to spar was shot down. Paul found the loophole by training with his Mother. But they had to be careful.
It was the night that Dr. Yueh cleared him for sex. He knew that Rautha knew. They would have to act on it.
The Emperor already sent a congratulatory message.
Again Paul froze when it was time for him to enter. The memory of the pain was at the forefront of his mind. Rautha was patient again. But they were duty-bound.
“Dream about our child,” Rautha told him as if Paul had any control of these dreams of his. “Tell me if it’s an alpha.”
Paul was sore in bed again. Rautha had set a very brutal pace but there was no blood.
“If it’s an omega would you be okay?”
“You can control this, can’t you? Make it an alpha.”
“I’m not as strong and gifted as my Mother,” Paul admitted fearfully but he learned that Rautha appreciated honesty. “I’ll try.”
“If it’s an omega we’ll continue until we have our alpha.”
Rautha was difficult to pin down sometimes. He could be kind and understanding. But he was also short-tempered and very violent. He slapped around his servants. And during practice sparring sessions he never held back against his own guards.
The entire entourage seemed loyal to him but it was out of fear nothing else. The only exception was Yaneth who seemed to be the only one without bruises.
It was another night and Rautha was trying hard for Paul to participate in their sex.
Rautha peppered him with small kisses and bites and had his fingers in him. It wasn’t that it didn’t feel good. It was more over the fact that Rautha kept trying to pull him on top. It made Paul nervous. He was used to lying down now, he didn’t want to worry about being good.
“Do you only lay there?” Rautha groaned, “Try something else.”
Paul hated trying new things in bed. They had just started having painless sex. It was enjoyable.
Rautha never knotted him.
“What do you want to try?” Paul let out a breathy little sigh as Rautha circled his sensitive penis with his fingers. The other hand, dutifully helping him get wet. His fingers were skilled and helpful. They were preparing the way so that Rautha would enter easily.
“Get on top of me.”
Paul was pushed forward and made to straddle him. Rautha was leaning on the headboard of their bed and helped him to hover over his penis. One hand in his waist and the other held his penis.
Paul chewed his lip. Rautha pinched him.
“This is a good position for children,” Rautha said before coaxing him to move down. Paul started groaning. The new position made it seem bigger and he had to pause.
Rautha began moving his hips a little. Paul had more to go down and went to get up but Rautha held him firmly. He pulled him close to his chest.
“You’re okay.” He told him. “Keep going.”
Paul eventually did. Rautha had to help him bounce. He felt his mate's eyes intensely on him. It made him feel a little shy.
“Rautha, “ Paul asked him once he was done. “I want to accompany you tomorrow.”
“You want that every day.”
“Maybe I wouldn’t want it so much if you gave in.”
Rautha got on top of him. His hands went to his face. They were tender.
“You smelled differently tonight. Your heat is coming.”
The medicine Paul used to take to surpass that is finally completely out of his system. He hadn’t had one for a long time, and Paul felt his heart speed up. He’d be spending his heat with his mate. Who wouldn’t let him go out.
“Let me come out with you. I want to see Arrakis.”
“That’s not important.” Rautha scolded him. “Don’t ask again.”
Paul reached out to him. The caramel smell that always followed Rautha was strong and sweet. Rautha allowed him to touch his chest.
Maybe the silence hung in the air. But Rautha just leaned down and had him spread his legs again.
There was no more talk of Arrakis.
Paul felt sore again when he woke up. He woke up to the sound of running water.
He gingerly got up and went to their washroom. It was Rautha. He was filling up the tub.
“We’re not supposed to do that.”
“Those stupid palm trees outside are a waste of water. You need to keep yourself clean. The best way is for water.”
He pulled him close.
“Test the water and get in. I’ll join you.”
Paul did as he was told and felt the water rise when Rautha got in too. He had soap and a sponge in his hand.
They cleaned one another. All the sweat and cum and sex came off them. When they were done and clean and into clothes Rautha looked at breakfast. It was the same thing that his Mother always sent. Paul was sure at this point his Mother was trying to annoy Rautha for some reason. She did not seem to like him very much. Not that Paul could blame her.
“Is there nothing else on this planet?” Rautha asked. He seemed annoyed again.
Irulan heard of the news that Feyd-Rautha and Paul's marriage was almost a success. Any day they wanted to expect news of a baby.
Both the houses were in this pause. It was a peaceful pause and it was hopefully going to last. There was so little news from them that she thought she’d have to wait and see to hear anything more.
Paul’s heat was coming and she felt a small twinge of sympathy. Irulan and Paul were not close. Their brief feelings always left the impression on her that he was a very sheltered and shy person. He was very reserved and very polite like his Father.
Feyd-Rautha was quiet too. In addition, violence was his preferred way of communication. He was strong, willful but honorable. He had more restraint than his brother. Feyd-Rautha spent most of this time on Giedi-Prime as a socialite darling once he became a teenager. As a younger child just taken from his home Lankiveil he had been more reserved.
The two of them were always going to be part of this plan. However the long-standing hatred between the two houses made it difficult for them to come to terms. Irulan wasn’t even sure if they had spoken before this. The courtship was the decree.
News of this marriage wasn’t a big surprise to those who mattered. And everyone was hoping their child would come soon and bring the promised peace.
So when she got, within the same week, two letters from Feyd-Rautha and Paul separately it seemed odd.
Feyd-Rautha was quite demanding. He didn’t want the Emperor to come out so soon, gave it another two years. He also wanted complete governorship of Arrakis at a much more daring speed than originally promised to him. The original promise was always that after Paul gave birth to a healthy Alpha that Duke Leto would pass the title to his son-in-law.
Paul’s letter was also quite direct and this time he wanted Bene Gesserit’s influence decreased on Arrakis. Lady Jessica always gave her son way too much training and information for a male. Her love for Leto and her chosen son would always cause problems. Paul was having dreams and visions. He was aware of too much. It might get him killed at some point.