Page 41 of The Omega Thief

“You know the emperor only mates with female wolves.”

“I know that’s his personal taste. I believe my father told me. I also know he takes more than one omega, so it can’t be a true bond, but the market? Why go there?”

“I can’t prove this,” Attiker said. “But you know Eryken told me the ruling family was the biggest trader in fever white?” Raz nodded. “Do you also know the history of omegas in Abergenny?”

“Yes. I know that once the crown was passed down to the eldest daughter, she would mate with an omega male. Although that changed.” Raz rubbed his head. Why had it changed? No, he remembered. “Because two generations of the ruling line didn’t have a daughter, so in the end, they had to go with the eldest son. I believe Johannas’s father was the first to inherit from his mother.”

“Yes, now Laronne will probably confirm this, but another problem with fever white when it was originally used to relieve pain was that it often brought on early birth in pregnant women. Too early for the baby to survive.”

“I’d heard that,” Raz confirmed. “I also understand that in small doses, it’s said to be given deliberately to make that happen.”

Attiker leaned forward and lowered his voice. “This is what I can’t prove, but one of the traders in fever white at the market told me that Johannas’s grandmother miscarried every female baby she had. That the only baby that survived was Johannas’s father. He said that no one realized that the only babies it affected were females. And that his grandfather had an army full of apothecaries working in the palace to find out why, including his own father and brother.”

“Understandable,” Raz said. Although he hadn’t known the omega came from an apothecary family.

“Except Johannas’s grandmother treated his father little more than a paid slave. There were all sorts of stories. That she had wild parties and that as an omega, he was forced to service the queen’s friends, and that apparently, in the end, her grief over the death of her babies eventually drove her mad.”

Suspicion pricked at Raz’s gut. “Wait, are you saying this was deliberate? That Johannas’s grandfather deliberately gave his grandmother fever white to ensure no females were born?”

Attiker shrugged. “I have no idea, but if his father and brother both witnessed his treatment, they wouldn’t want to help the queen, would they? And sure enough, his father was the first emperor, and Johannas is the second. Plus, he also has three sons from different omegas and no daughters.”

“What a mess,” Raz whispered. “And you think the reason that the emperor takes more than one omega is to hide the fact they’re all addicted to fever white? How is that possible, though?” He knew what the addicts looked like.

“The omegas are kept in a harem-type enclosure. Guarded and veiled when seen in public. No one can possibly tell whether the omega is the same one or not.”

“Why haven’t you told anyone?” This was ridiculous.

“Because the alliance had already defeated them when I found out, but even so, who would I tell that might have believed me?”

Raz met Attiker’s gaze. It was true. Much as he hated to admit it, Attiker wouldn’t have even been granted an audience.

“He also told me that Abergenny got fever white originally, and it was the way it’s dried that makes it addictive. That dried correctly before it’s crushed, it reverts back to a simple pain reliever. And that it was Abergenny themselves that turned it into an addictive drug to sell.”

“Shite,” Raz swore.

Attiker chuckled. “Think you’re spending too much time with me.”

“I feel like I’ve had my head in the sand.” Why didn’t he know these things?

“But weren’t you fighting up to the treaty with Rajpur? Then your ma and dad. Think you’ve been a little busy,” Attiker said, generously.

There was a knock on the door, and both Pinkerton and Carter entered. “Your Highnesses,” Carter said. “His Majesty, Emperor Johannas, is on his way to the palace. Would you care to greet him? I have taken the liberty of arranging refreshments in the private salon.”

Raz would very much care to strangle him, but unfortunately, there would be witnesses. Then he smiled. “We won’t be furnishing refreshments. They may order them afterward in their room, but we will receive them in the great hall.”Sat on my throne, with my omega by my side. It was the single most intimidating room in the palace, and Raz hated it.

It would be perfect.

He barked out orders, took Attiker by the hand, and led him to the great hall.

“What are you doing?” Attiker whispered.

“I want him to know he has no power in Cadmeera,” he said. “And I want them to see you at my side.”

Attiker all but rolled his eyes. “Oh, I don’t know,” he whispered. “I quite like the thought of being a pampered princess in a harem.”

If Raz was honest, he quite liked that idea, as well.

By the time the large double doors were opened, they were in position. His Majesty, the Emperor, was announced, and he was accompanied by his heir, Sovereign Markell. Raz stayed seated as they approached and waited just a hair longer than was polite to stand as both approached the throne. Raz greeted him formally and introduced Attiker. He could tell Johannas was thrilled at having to acknowledge him.

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