Page 85 of Of Daggers and Deceit

I looked at Sly, and I saw a future that was bright and wonderful and loving. If I chose him, this city would, in some way, go to war, because Zander would not be overthrown easily, and he was never going to give up the purest Omega he had ever found. The one closest to what this society aspired to. The one Omni decreed as best.

Death would follow if I chose him, and there was no part of me that wanted to watch him die.

I’d thought so much since Zander’s address about what a life with our city leader would be like. He offered me a comfortable life with hope for a bright future for this city and a chance to honour my mother, by ensuring that those in the Outer Ring were given every opportunity to thrive.

Sly, though, he would offer me love, but with it would come pain. It would be selfish to continue this.

“Supreme, would you like us to set up for today’s address?”

Zander simply shook his head. “Not today, Commander. I need to spend time with my future bonded.”

My eyes widened in surprise as he looked down at me with twinkling eyes. He had never addressed me as such. That was a lifelong commitment for fully mated partners in the eyes of Omni.

“Your future bonded,” Sly repeated slowly, glancing between us, his face infinitesimally tighter than before.

“That’s correct,” Zander confirmed before he dipped his head to kiss my lips. My mouth was still slightly agape when he pulled back, and I quickly recovered to look at Sly, who was staring straight at me.

Zander turned back towards him, Sly’s gaze back on him just in time. “You can leave, Commander.”

Sly nodded his agreement before turning and leaving, casting one last sharp glance back towards me. We are running out of time, it seemed to say.

I felt physically sick. My mother was gone, lost to the Dominants and Alpha’s beyond, who would likely sell her to another. Then, this happened. I’d gone too far with Sly, allowed too much with him.

There was no path for me where I got everything I wanted. My life had always been destined for sacrifice.

“I wanted to tell you earlier,” Zander began, “but I’ve been so busy, and I know I’ve not been good enough for you, my love.”

His fingers fumbled with mine, his throat bobbing.

“I know I work a lot and have a lot to make up for, but I want you to know I’m committed to you, and I’m devoted to proving it to you every day for the rest of our lives.”

His expression seemed sincere as he spoke, but then what Raya had told me about the Benefactor and everything he said trickled back into my mind. Was the Benefactor lying? Was he the evil in this city trying to make Zander look bad?

But what I saw the other day with the hidden doorway told me Zander was also a liar. Not even I knew the depths of his deceit.

His finger trailed across my lips as a small smile graced his face.

“Starting today, I will do better. I will spend time with you.”

He kissed me.

“Listen and learn from you.”

Another kiss, and I closed my eyes.

“And love you the way you deserve.” His lips caressed my own as he whispered the words against them. The scent of roses and something far too sweet flooded the space. My nose itched from it.

“So, tell me how I can help you today.”

Today, I just wanted to hide and wallow. At the beginning of this month, this moment would have been like a dream. Now, it was awful and felt more like a curse.

He waited a long time for an answer that never came. “It’s okay, my love. Let me take care of you. I will cook you some lunch and you can read your book. I’ll come lie with you later.”

“Okay,” I breathed as he slowly got up and left the room, the sounds of pots being pulled from drawers in the background. The door remained open, and I stared at the space where Sly once stood.

I felt guilty even though I was in a situation out of my control. It was evident to me what I had to do, and the thought of it was excruciating, adding to my already-aching heart at the loss of my mother.

I opened the book in my lap, turning to a random page. The words were all a blur.

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