CHAPTER TWO: Mercy

Yuuri let himself be held by the taller man for long, blissful minutes. It was the first affectionate touch he had received in weeks. He knew this comfort wouldn't last; soon, he would be brought back to reality by a smack or an invasive touch on his already bruised body. But now, just for now, he would allow himself to enjoy the soothing warmth of those strong arms. As time passed, Yuuri felt his trembling slow to a stop, and he could finally breathe. Only then did Viktor move again. The prince slowly outstretched his arm and reached for the golden key on the floor next to the boy, then gently shifted Yuuri to his side.

"I am bringing you to a room close to mine, so you can be safe and rest. I do not want you to strain, so I'd like to carry you. Is that okay?"

Yuuri laid his head on Viktor's chest and closed his eyes, nodding. He felt his strong muscles working under the skin as he picked him up bridal style and made his way through a hidden door on their left. He shut it closely behind them and starting walking in the secret hallways, dark but somehow not menacing. A peaceful silence fell upon them. The prince was truly a beautiful person. His angular features were naturally stunning, with a touch of grace that emanated from his royal persona. He had crystal blue eyes that changed color as fast as the sea, and hair an unusual but nonetheless pretty silver color. His pale skin and elegant manners made him look like some winter deity. In any other circumstances, Yuuri would've blushed just from glancing at him. But now, he was simply worried. One naturally would think being owned by such a good-looking master would have comforted him, but in all honesty, it only made things worse. Pretty people didn't have to be nice to be loved. They could be as cruel and hypocritical as they wanted, and they would still have their faithful bunch of little minions ready to adore them at the flick of a finger. Viktor, also being in a position of power and authority, was most likely an egoistical, self-centred liar. It only made his caring words hurt even more. As far as Yuuri was concerned, this whole "no-slave-law" story and "I would like to care for you" attitude could have just been made up on the spot to make him trust the guy and be compliant. Unfortunately, he didn't have much of a choice at the moment. Not in his state. He was hungry, and hurt, and weak. But Yuuri was no fool. He knew he didn't have much to offer, especially to someone like the prince. He wasn't as beautiful as him, or as strong as him, he had no royal blood, he didn't know that many things... Soon, Viktor would get bored of him. Once he had played enough with him, he would throw him away to be forgotten, sold again, or killed. It terrified Yuuri to realize how much his life depended on him.

All these thoughts broke the relaxed bubble Yuuri's mind had settled itself in. He suddenly felt as if Viktor's hands were intrusive on his skin, too close, too tight. He wanted to get down. He wanted to get down now.

Fortunately, the other sensed his stirring and shushed him softly.

"We're almost there, I promise."

True to his words, after a few more turns in the lantern-lit hallways Viktor stopped. He shifted Yuuri so he could pass his fingers on the empty stone, until a click was heard and a panel of the wall slid to the side.

The smaller man didn't see much of the big, clear room they passed through as they went directly to another door accross it. They stepped in a spacious chamber, illuminated by a pearl chandelier and two tall windows on each side of a large bed. The covers were of a deep blue shade and embroidered with pieces of the precious nacre. Beside it as a mountain of colorful cushions and blankets amassed in a comfortable nest. This is where Viktor set him down, very carefully laying his body on the pillows. Then, he proceeded to gently remove Yuuri's cuffs. His ankles and wrists were a dark purple and red color, and the skin had been quite deeply scratched. The wounds had obviously been made by rough rope though, and not the precious metal the boy had been bound with when he arrived. Vikor took a deep breath.

"Are you comfortable?" The captive nodded. "Good. Yuuri, I know you are hurt. I just need to know where, and how much, so we can treat you properly. Do you... understand? I am not doing this to hurt you. Please, could you... show me your wounds?" The smaller man gulped and looked away in shame. He had been abused, that much was obvious. His flinching away, the marks under the cuffs, how slowly he moved and walked... But he still didn't want to show himself as vulnerable to his owner. He sadly understood he didn't have much of a choice. He knew his master would ask him to undress sooner or later, might as well do it voluntarily and not being forced to expose himself. It might save him a few additional bruises. Yuuri swallowed a choked cry and closed his eyes.

Slowly, he started to remove the layers of fabric one by one. The scarfs on his upper body fell first, revealing a few dark bruises on his arms. Being thrown around here and there by his captors during the trip to the palace had left some marks. His fingers moved to take off the veil on his head, and used it to wipe the makeup from his face and torso. A split lip, a fading dark eye, a few cuts, traces of a hit on his left side and his stomach... Viktor realized the golden powder the man was covered in reflected light and prevented him from noticing any of the wounds earlier. Finally, Yuuri reached for his loose pants and slid them off slowly, wincing as he did. He wore no underwear, as was the tradition for prostitutes. The prince simply wished the other didn't understand the meaning of it. Fortunately, the pale legs were not as bruised as his chest, with only one major blue spot behind his left knee and a few other small ones here and there. The captive lay there, naked for the other's eyes to examine, judge, appreciate, with no dignity left as he waited for his master's reaction. He knew he wasn't much to look at, he just hoped Viktor wouldn't hate what he saw and take it upon himself to make it worse.

The prince didn't say anything for a few seconds. Yuuri was shivering at the cold air against his bare skin, and his throat was tightly closed around his sobs. This was it. This whole suffering of the past weeks had led him there, to this room, completely exposed at a stranger's request who had every right upon his body. He was going to get hurt, or thrown away, he might not even survive this, and he couldn't do anything about it. Rage and uncontrollable fear bubbled up his chest, and he clenched his fists around the fabric he was still holding. He was shaking again. He shut his eyes and braced himself for the first hit.

A hit that never came. A few more seconds passed. When Yuuri finally dared open his eyes again, he had the surprise of his life. The prince was crying. Not very heavily, but those were clearly tears running down his marble cheeks. He didn't even make a move to wipe them. He simply let them fall, free and pure, down the length of his face. The smaller one saw the other swallow thickly a few times before he spoke again. His voice was barely a whisper.

"Did... did they..." A short breath. "Did they ra-" He couldn't even finish his sentence. The prince was biting hard on his lip, fighting against a new wave of fresh tears. Yuuri took pity, and finished his words for him.

"No, they didn't rape me." He spoke very softly. He looked down. "I... I was to be preserved for you." The last syllables got stuck in his throat. He was disgusted at the words, reluctantly letting his lips form them. Viktor closed his eyes and nodded. So the boy knew why he had been brought here. He should have expected so. No one remained this innocent after what he had been through. He got up without a word, disappeared in the other room a few seconds and came back with a heavy blanket. He kneeled beside Yuuri laid it on him, touching him as little as possible. The man looked straight into the dark eyes.

"Yuuri. I might be experienced with wounds, but I need to get someone who really knows what they are doing as not to hurt you more. Please, trust me on this, she is a loyal servant and a very good friend. She wouldn't do wrong to anyone on purpose, and she won't tell a soul about what she sees if that's what you want. Please. I... I need you to tell me this is okay."

Yuuri didn't know what demons possessed him that instant, but he nodded. No. This wasn't okay. He didn't trust this man. He didn't know that lady. But somehow, something in Viktor's eyes made his head move on its own. The man sighed in relief. He got up again, went to another door accross from the slave and disappeared in the hallway.

Yuuri really wasn't sure what had just happened, but he felt just as relieved as the prince.