Page 31 of The Omega Slave

True mates? Kamir’s heart beat even faster.

“But Algred was a wolf,” Raz said. “That makes no sense.”

“Actually, your Highness,” Carter interrupted apologetically. “After last year, I decided to do some reading about the ancient challenges, and there was never any question originally that Algred had a wolf, with one caveat. Algred had an identical twin brother.”

“How interesting,” her highness remarked. “And of course, in those days the ruling family were never to shift in front of anyone except in times of great peril.”

“Wait,” Raz said. “Are you telling me Algred couldn’t shift, but because of his brother, they managed to fool everyone?”

“The dowager queen would have known,” Carter said. “According to history, the brothers were very different. Algred was the eldest by nearly half a bell and excelled at horse-riding, jousting, and all tournaments. A natural leader. He was also skilled in negotiation. Beowen was the complete opposite and excelled at his letters and books, but he was rumored to be mute.It isn’t beyond the realm of possibility that the king was in on the deception for what he felt would be the good of the kingdom. There were a lot of warring tribes then, and if Beowen was named his successor, there would have been many challenges.”

“’Er ‘ighness also said that these Dragorans were very rare and were supposed to be the direct descendants of the first dragon that mated with a human. That’s how I knew you’d be able to touch the pod.”

It made so much sense, Kamir thought.

“It still brings us back to you needing to shift again in front of witnesses,” Raz said.

Kamir started a little, lost as he had been in his memories, and Tsaria clutched his hand as if he was frightened he would let go, when Tsaria seemed to be the only thing capable of anchoring him to the here and now. “We need to ask Eldara.”

“I did,” Attiker said. “And she said she’s a dragon, not a shifter, and doesn’t know, but she says you’re important. Apparently she recognized your lineage, your blood.”

“Wouldn’t Algred have had these?” Tsaria said, holding his arm out. He didn’t raise the other and Kamir was glad. He still wanted to hold it.

“Possibly, but it could have been duplicated with henna easily enough on Beowen,” Attiker said.

Kamir agreed, then scraped his chair back and stood, bowing respectfully. “It has been a long day for us all, and while the threat to the village children is of immense importance, may I suggest we attempt to talk to Eldara tomorrow?” He needed to get Tsaria back to their rooms. Have some normal time with Jael who he felt had been neglected, then talk.

It didn’t seem it would be that easy, though. Raz wanted Kamir to accompany him to go over some trade agreements that were vital because he had three ships worth of goods docked, destinedfor Rajpur, and they couldn’t unload unless both Raz and Kamir signed off on it.

Attiker was kissed within an inch of his life by Raz and Tsaria was insanely jealous. He got a palm laid across his cheek and a fond look before Kamir followed Raz and his guards out.

“Have you thought what you’d like to do with the rest of your life?”

Tsaria suddenly realized he and Attiker were alone, and his heart beat painfully. What should he say?

Attiker grinned and stood. “Walk with me?”

Tsaria could hardly refuse and followed Attiker to the far doors and down a short corridor. A guard followed, of course, but apart from an acknowledged smile, Attiker ignored him. “Did you know that I only met Raz because I was arrested for thieving a purse? It was the honor weekend, and he’d sent nearly all his staff into the city to enjoy themselves. I requested a royal hearing because I was desperate to catch a short-sail and I hadn’t taken the purse. Thought it would get me released because he couldn’t be arsed.” Attiker chuckled. “Not that I wasn’t guilty of plenty before, but by that time I was a seeker, and keeping on the straight and narrow. Nobility of all classes were my main customers, so I kept my nose clean.”

Tsaria gaped. He knew Attiker was from the common people. Everyone had heard the story, but he hadn’t known this. “Thing is, Raz didn’t care. He saw good in me I didn’t know existed.” Attiker smirked. “And made me the people’s champion.”

Tsaria had heard of that as well, but he was mostly vague on the details.

“So, I make sure whatever crazy scheme Raz thinks of to help his people is grounded in reality. For example, Raz wanted to declare all shops were closed on a recent holiday, so people didn’t have to work.” Attiker shrugged. “He thought he was helping. He didn’t realize that the shopkeepers on Kingdom Day—when Cadmeera initiated their independence—were so busy that their takings for that weekend were the equivalent of what they would usually earn in nearly two months.” Attiker shot him another smile. “He thought he was doing good until I advised him otherwise. He didn’t realize that implementing it meant a loss of income equivalent to two months earnings.”

“I don’t suppose I would have either,” Tsaria said. “My world was simply getting ready to be fucked and making sure I was good at it.”

He didn’t realize how blunt he’d been until Attiker remained silent. Tsaria glanced over. “Sorry.”

“Why?” Attiker asked. “I don’t apologize for being a thief. I don’t apologize for having a ma that kept a roof over us and crusts in our bellies by going out whoring.” He sighed. “I don’t even apologize for not being able to save her from fever white when her reality became more than she could bear.”

“My ma died when I was born. My fault. And why my father hated me so.”

Attiker glanced at him, pausing for a second as if Tsaria had said something else. “You don’t sound so sure.”

He shrugged. “Sounds ridiculous, but I remember her baking. Or not her, exactly, but the smell. Pretty sure I’m making it up.” Which made no sense if she was dead. He was silent for a long moment and Attiker let him be.

“So back to the rest of your life,” Attiker prompted after a minute.

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