Page 14 of Omission: Part 2

There are no kisses in public or open displays of affection for your mate. Even the act of holding hands for too long is seen as whorish of the woman. You are tempting the male and bringing shame to your home. My father’s rules keep men in charge. They hold all positions of power, while the women are there to serve, pleasure, and take care of the home.

To raise the next generation of warriors or maids.

Because that’s what all women—outside of Silla—were to him and Ruben.

Maids. Submissive servants.

It’s a decree given to me the day I turned thirteen summers, and I was reminded of every birthday after. My mother was given the task up until her death, and then my father took over. This time, though, with the promise of my upcoming nuptials to his favored general.

When in public,a woman’s place is three steps behind her husband.

You look at no one but him or the ground.

Do not speak out of turn.

He is the head of the house, and no one comes before him.

His word is law, and you must obey. Never question his decisions.

You will remain untouched until the day of your wedding.

“Explain, precious one.” Leo turns me toward him and then cups my face, tilting it until I’m looking into those beautiful blue eyes. “I don’t understand what you mean by scent. Who are we talking about?”

“Chiara Rossi.”

Behind me, there are two hisses at the name, sharp and loud, and two large guards step into the room. The men bend at the waist, their necks bared in a gesture of respect for all in the room, and they nod at each of us.

“Your Majesties,” Tero greets the room, slipping between the vampire guards. His body is half-shifted. From the waist down, the large albino body is coiled to strike the nonexistent threat inside the room. “We are at your service.”

“I’ll need your help locating two witches.” It’s not Theodore who speaks, but Leo, his voice reverberating throughout the room. Tinged with anger. Hatred. “Chiara and Lena were last seen in Paris after running from my coven. Both women seem to have gone underground; they’re the last remaining Rossi clan members.”

I catch on to the emphasis he put on the wordlast.

The day I left the Wiccan kingdom, Leo had his suspicions. Neither of us trusted those women, the way they showed up and claimed their leader was missing while both Ruben and Brice miraculously escaped. Coincidences don’t exist, but precisely executed opportunities do.

You wait for the right time. You move and never apologize for the manipulation.

I learned that from my father. From years of watching him create celebrations in his name without ever dirtying his hands, and yet, if you heard the man speak on his accomplishments, you’d think otherwise.

Roi de cons. He was the king of idiots.

“Why were they on the property, Leo? That family cannot be?—”

“Christopher is dead,” Isabella cuts Gabriella off, and my male confirms with a nod. “Those two murdered him, but they had help. Vampires, at that.”

“How many, Isa?” Theodore’s voice thunders, striking fear into his subjects, and the two guards drop to their knees while Tero lowers his head. “More than those already in my custody?”

“Get a head count of all military personnel. You’ll have your answer.”

“I’ll get right on that, my king. I’m confident I’ll sniff the Rossis out and escort them here within a few days, but first, I’ll get that count for you,” Tero says, dragging the letterSeach time. Theo nods at him and all three of his men begin to exit the room, but the constrictor pauses beside us. “Give me an hour and I’ll be ready to leave. I’ll have an accurate count and names of the missing by then.”

Leo inclines his head. “I’ll wait for you on the training field, and Augusto will be expecting you back home so you can pick up the lingering traces of their scents. The cabin they used has been untouched since they ran.”

“As you wish.” Flicking his eyes toward me, the serpentine shifter gives me a gentle smile. “Congratulations, young one. May your mating be blessed and happy all the days of your life.”

“Thank you, Mr. Tero.” With another bow, this time to both Leonardo and me, he heads out and begins giving orders to the two accompanying him. And once their voices become low and their footsteps near nonexistent, Isabella clears her throat.

“He’s right, you know.” All heads turn in Isabella’s direction, yet her eyes are on me. So much knowledge in that stare, but the weight of it sets off alarm bells. “You’ve been deceived all your life, Anaya. The truth has always been within reach, and nothing is stopping you this time from claiming what’s yours by birthright. One of two surviving héritière.”

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