Page 71 of The Omega Slave

So much had happened in so short a time.

He glanced around the suite. It was luxurious, but it simply wasn’t him. But he was going to try to make it a home…that was assuming he could ever get Kamir in here in the first place.

And his thoughts—of course—went back to how he loved Kamir so much, but he still had the niggling doubt that Kamir only needed him for his dragon. He knew it was illogical. They were bonded. Kamir loved him.

He just wasn’t sure how much he needed him.

He’d accompanied Kamir to visit the city three days ago, and much to everyone’s amazement, Kamir had insisted on visiting the two new pleasure houses that had sprung up since Ishmael had died in the throne room when Kamir first shifted into his dragon. Kamir had walked into the first with no warning and heard the screams of a girl as her “guest” had beaten her. Kamir had thrown the “guest” plus the owner of that pleasure house into one of his new cells and announced that, going forward, all pleasure houses were to be licensed and inspected.

And that was when they had their first fight.

“You want me to do what?” Tsaria asked, after Kamir casually asked Tsaria if he wanted to organize said inspections and licenses.

“Well,” Kamir stammered. “I just thought—”

“You thought because I spent the last nine summers on my back, I would have the necessary experience?”

Which was mean of Tsaria. And if Tsaria hadn’t spent the previous seven days dining alone, going to bed on his own, and waking on his own, he would have reacted better. He sighed. In a lot of ways, Kamir was right, and it was a good idea. It seemed like everyone had a part to play except him, and inspecting buildings wasn’t what he imagined doing.

Moxie was thriving in her new role. Kamir was busy being the emir everyone wanted him to be, so that left Tsaria doing what? It was as if he didn’t have a role at all. When they’d visited the city three days ago, he’d even heard some of the children shouting Dragonara—keeper of dragons—which was fine, but it wasn’tallhe was. He just hadn’t found out whatelsehe was.

Then another thought made him want to curl up. Was Kamir ashamed of him? Was that why he had asked him to sort out the pleasure houses? Keep him busy so he wouldn’t expect to be by Kamir’s side?

A tiny part of him still wanted the idea of a small cottage and a family. A baby. But they had two sons now so surely Kamir’s schedule would ease soon. Or would it?

Tsaria stared out from the huge windows in Kamir’s suite. The view was incredible. He could see the lights of Rajpur below and knew thousands of people were living what now—thanks to Kamir—would be a better life. Something curled in his belly.

In that moment, he felt more shame than he ever had all those times he had lain on his back. He needed to grow the hell up. If his role was to be in their suite when Kamir arrived, then he would make it an oasis of peace. He had even spoken to Mansalatoday, as he was worried over Kamir, and Mansala had promised to have Kamir delivered to their suite by the eighth bell before he joined Tam in their rooms.

Everything was ready and Tsaria, dressed in his best silks, watched the sundial as the eighth bell approached. When the bell sounded, he even gave his beautiful man a few extra moments. But when another half bell had passed, Tsaria stood. This was his life. He would spend the next forty summers waiting for Kamir, and would do so because while he loved Kamir desperately, Kamir obviously didn’t love him back.

Or not enough.

He bent to blow out the candle nearest to him and crossed to the others when he heard the door to their suite open. His eyebrows lifted as he saw not only Kamir, but Mansala and Tam as well.

Kamir came right to him and took both his hands, then pulled him close and delivered a kiss like he hadn’t done in days. Tsaria melted into the lips that claimed his own, his arms wrapping around Kamir of their own accord.

It was Kamir who broke it, but he stayed close. Tsaria quickly remembered they had an audience, and tried to step back, but Kamir caught his hand and brought it to his lips. “Will you let me show you something?”

Tsaria stilled in surprise. Of everything Kamir could have said,can I show you something?had never entered his mind. But as Tsaria stared at the eager but wary face, he knew whatever it was must be important. Unsure, but knowing he could give no other answer, he nodded, and Kamir took his hand, smiling.

Kamir looked over at Mansala and Tam, who came fully into the room. Tam grinned. “I’m your babysitter.” He waved at them as Mansala opened the door to the suite to usher them out. Tsaria glanced down at his choice of clothing, because he’d covered himself up far more in public this week, but Kamir bentand gently bit his earlobe. “You look amazing, and you set my blood on fire.”

Tsaria shivered deliciously.

They had a full complement of eight guards, which was a little startling in the palace until Tsaria realized they were heading for what Kamir called the garden exit. Tsaria knew Kamir was expecting Gerry, the dragon lily expert, and the Cadmeeran gardeners next month, as Kamir wanted a full apothecary garden. Tam was excited to give his input, and the greenhouses would be built when Gerry gave his opinion on a suitable area. Tam had received Ash’s blessing to stay in Rajpur.

Kamir paused at the door of the palace and shrugged off his tunic, handing his sash carelessly to Mansala, then draped his tunic around Tsaria’s shoulders. “In my excitement, I forgot you might be chilled,” and Tsaria’s heart did that funny, melty thing. There was no one here, so he wasn’t covering Tsaria because he was ashamed. He truly wanted Tsaria to be comfortable. They carried on down the path. Tsaria hadn’t been out this door before, so he had no idea where they were going, but Kamir walked with purpose for what seemed a long time until they came to an old house. Tsaria glanced up. It was large and two stories but some of the roof had fallen in and there was a lean-to that had no roof at all.

Kamir stopped outside it and all the guards stepped away to a respectful distance. “This was originally the head gardener’s cottage until my grandfather moved him into the servant’s quarters, as he decided he was too far away to issue daily instructions to.”

Tsaria swallowed with difficulty, dread coiling inside him. “So you’re renovating it for him?”

“No,” Kamir said softly and took Tsaria’s hand. Mansala stepped back and talked to the guards but didn’t follow them. Kamir pushed open the door and Tsaria took in the scene. Therewas a roaring fire. A large bed had been assembled on the floor with cushions, blankets, and furs. There was a table laden with drink and food.

Kamir let Tsaria look and then took both his hands and pulled him close. “I was hoping…” Kamir hesitated, sounding nervous, “that you would arrange this to your liking.”

Tsaria blinked. Tried to speak and had to swallow first. “I don’t understand. You’re the emir. You have to live—”

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