Warning for whipping

It had been three years since the incident with Prince Thor. Nikolas hadn't seen either prince or the other three men since. He had forgotten about the whole thing. He was scrubbing the floors near the kitchens. He was given a few days 'off' from his duties in the brothel due to his 'condition'. Nikolas wasn't like the other slaves. He had magic! Only the palace servants and healers had magic and usually only women.

The difference between slave and servant was that the servants were free and got paid. Nikolas was lucky to receive payment for services, but he was not free. He would forever be a slave in Asgard unless he was traded/bought or freed. Nikolas was also not like most men. Back on Vanaheimr, he had been called a Breeder, for he could get pregnant. He never knew why this was. He chalked it up as being a mage and shapeshifter.

For his body was all male unless he wished to take on the female form. He had never let anyone on Asgard know about that little trick of his and only used it if the week of his blood cycle was too much to bear. When that was the case, he let the brothel steward know he would not be up to any duties then he would barricade himself in his room, transform into a woman to relieve the pain, and spend the rest of the time in bed.

He was also extremely careful about not getting pregnant. His bleed wasn't too bad this month so he had told Ivar, the steward, that he couldn't perform his regular duties but could still work. Which is how he came to be scrubbing the floors. Bucket of dirty and soapy water in front of him. Brush in both hands. His hair was in a ponytail so as not to get wet or in his face.

He was so determined to scrub a stubborn stain on the stone floor, he hadn't noticed anyone nearby. As he was about to dunk the brush in the bucket, the bucket was kicked, spilling water everywhere and soaking Nik's knees. "Clean that up slave!" Nikolas closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. Just then glass could be heard breaking.

Nik opened his eyes to find a trio of noble men in front of him and a broken wine glass with wine splattered on the floor next to the men. "Clean that up too!" The men laughed. While Nik wasn't in pain from his bleed, he did tend to get cranky, which made him unpredictable. He stood up and spat in the face of the man who had obviously dropped the glass. "Clean that up!" He said to the man, picking up his bucket and brush off the floor and turning to leave.

He had only gotten a few steps before he felt two pairs of hands forcing him to the ground. One man held his hands above his head with a knee against his neck. Another man all but sat upon his legs, restricting his movements while the man he had spat on removed his belt. The belt descended viciously onto his back. His thin tunic was no match against the quality leather belt and soon fabric and skin began to tear.

Again and again the belt bit into his back. Nik was crying and screaming out with each hit. He didn't know how long the brutal punishment went on for. He hadn't realized it was over until a hand grabbed his hair and pulled him up. "Maybe now you will remember your place slave!" The man he had spit on had snarled and spat on him. He was dropped to the floor and heard footsteps retreating.

As he lay there, he could feel the wetness of blood on his back and the torn material of his ruined shirt sticking to his wounds. ~Sigh. Gotta clean the floor again. Should do it before the blood dries and stains.~ He got up and collected his bucket and brush before heading to the kitchens to get more water.

As he turn to go into the kittens, he ran into something, knocking him and his bucket over onto the floor. "We really must cease meeting like this." An amused voice said to him. ~Fuck! Just kill me now.~ He didn't have to look up to know who it was, but he did. And of course, it was Prince Thor standing above him offering his hand to help him up.

Nik stayed on the ground, but moved to stand on his knees. "Forgive me Prince Thor! I really must learn to watch where I am going." He heard a chuckle and a rustle of clothing. He looked up to find the prince kneeling before him. Nik's eyes widened as he lowered himself down to his hands and knees. As a slave, he should never be above or at equal height as his betters. A lesson that had been beaten into him countless times. "Stop this nonsense and stand! The palace is often busy and these things happen."

Nik slowly arose, suspicious about having gotten away without punishment for something that has happened twice now. "Thank you Prince Thor. Your kindness knows no bounds. How can I help your highness?" Thor smiled and shook his head. "I merely require food for a hunt my friends and I will soon embark upon." Nik gave a small smile back. "Ah. That would be a task for the kitchen staff then. I am only on clean-up duty today." Nikolas wanted to hurry this up and get clean. He could feel the blood dripping down his back and trickling around the hem of his pants.

The prince frowned. " Do you only work the brothel at night?" Nik felt his cheeks heat up. "Um. No. I am there working day and night. I am simply unable to perform my usually services at the moment. I shall return in a few days. I beg your pardon my Lord, but I must see to my current duties." Be the prince could say anything, Nik walked past him and to the back of the kitchens where the sinks were to refill his bucket and got back to work.