Page 37 of The Omega Slave

Then when Tsaria was so hungry his belly ached, and it was Alain who shared his food when Father wasn’t looking. Alain always came when he had nightmares. Tomas was a carbon-copy of their father. Always treated Tsaria like he was too much trouble, always cared about the farm, which is why he didn’t understand Tomas joining the army. He would have been running the farm now.

Tsaria stepped into Alain’s open arms before he could drop them and buried his head in Alain’s shoulder, smelling the scent of home.

“I’m sorry our first meeting in so long has to be like this,” Alain murmured.

“Not your fault,” Tsaria sighed and stepped back. That bastard Ishmael had kept them apart.

Alain glanced at the floor and his neck reddened. “I don’t expect you to return with me,” he whispered and raised tear-filled eyes. “Especially after what…” he trailed off, reddening even more, the blush obvious since Alain was fair like Father.

“After what?” Tsaria repeated, and Alain flushed harder.

He shook his head. “No, I know. I get it.”

Tsaria could hear his words edging into panic. “Alain, tell me what you mean.”

He squirmed. “I know you’re important. And I understand what Ash means. I mean, how could I not? I know ensuring the emir gets crowned is vital.” Then he frowned. “But that makes no sense. Of course he will be emir. Why does that have anything to do with you not coming with me?” He shook his head. “But I understand the emir is more important than I, and despite what Ash said they wanted, I couldn’t leave without telling you I understood. After the way Father treated you, I don’t blame you for hating my family.”

Tsaria felt like he’d joined a conversation halfway through.

“I need to go. Ash promised some protection.”

“Wait,” Tsaria stopped him. “You spoke to Ash? Just now?”

“Yes,” Alain confirmed. “He explained how important you were and that I couldn’t ask this of you.” He frowned. “I think he was worried because I heard him talking to that big chap that follows his highness around.”

“Mansala?”

“’Course, no one would blame you for waiting here until the full moon,” Alain said.

“What?” Tsaria said in confusion. But that was at least another twenty full daylights, and the children would be sacrificed in seven.

“Not sure what you’re waiting out, but apparently something bad is gonna happen, then eventually ‘cos you can’t stop it, you ride in all victorious afterwards and it stops a war.” Alain seemed to think about that.

Tsaria shivered; he felt so cold. But Ash wasn’t Kamir. There was no way Kamir would expect Tsaria to sacrifice children. But what about the edict from the ruling assembly? Even more children would die if Kamir didn’t change into his dragon. But Tsaria had tried, and nothing had happened.

“And I understand,” Alain said. “Ash said his highness promised to send a guard back with me.”

“His highness promised a guard?” Tsaria said woodenly.

“Apparently you’re needed for the coronation and everything, but as soon as that’s done you can come back home.” Alain smiled hopefully. “They won’t need you anymore so you’d be welcome at the farm.”

Tsaria swallowed sickly. Exactly as he’d feared. That once Kamir proved his animal, Tsaria would be tossed away like spoiled meat.

“Don’t tell them I snuck out to speak to you after I promised I wouldn’t, please. I don’t want to anger them.”

Tsaria felt bile hit his throat. All those promises Kamir had made when he insisted he was different and tried to get Tsaria to call him by his first name. When they had woken that morning. When they had been close.What they had just done.It just proved he should never, ever trust the rich. “You spoke to Kamir?”

Alain huffed. “Ash first. But I can’t believe an emir would possibly want to talk to me. ‘fraid I might have been a bit tongue-tied.”

“Where’s your carriage?” Tsaria said, feeling numb. Kamir was willing to sacrifice children just to make his riding to the rescue worth the show?

“I was told it was outside the kitchens,” Alain said. “Told me they’d send provisions back with me.”

How kind of them.Tsaria suddenly lunged and hugged his brother. “I want to come, but I have no idea how to get out.”

Alain looked unsure. “Neither do I, but I can’t ask you to do this for me.”

“You’re not,” Tsaria said. “I’m doing this for Sarah and Arrabella.” He could help them, and even Kamir had admitted he did nothing to stop his father’s cruelties. The rich had means he only dreamed of. There was no way with the support of Cadmeera that Kamir wouldn’t be able to be crowned, animal or not. The only thing he trusted was Jael’s safety. He knew Attiker would make sure Jael was cared for. Would Jael even miss him? He glanced back at Alain, and Alain ducked his head, trying to wipe away tears. Tsaria had no choice. Would Jael ever forgive him for being one more adult that had let him down? One day he hoped Jael would understand, or better still forget all about him.

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