Page 32 of Omission: Part 2

“You are the rightful queen, my love.”

“But Maman is?—”

Turning me so I’m straddling him now, he cups my chin with his large, warm hand. “To save you, she forfeited her right a century ago. The magic within her, the aegis, no longer sees her as the owner, but a familial relation to the true heir.”

“But what if it doesn’t? She deserves to lead her people the way she never got the chance to.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, and I hope the dream you walked through showed you just how much.” Seeing the confused expression on my face, Leonardo kisses my nose and then lips in the softest of pecks before pulling back. “Your mother sacrificed everything to ensure you could take the crown someday, Anaya. She loved her people so much, she gave them the greatest gift in you, and I’ll be with you every step of the way. Your people will rise again with you as queen.”

“But what about my role here? My relationship with you means more to me than any?—”

“There’s nothing you can’t do, my little wonderous fae.”

“You give me a lot of credit, Leo.”

“And you’ve earned more than trust to do so.”

“Okay. We figure this out together.” My fangs drop at the endearment, my lips ready to devour his, but stop just as I embed my fingers in the back of his hair. “How did you know I ‘dream walked,’ as you call it? Why did that happen?”

“Because my parents have a way of showing their loved ones the way when all seems lost. Something in your reactions yesterday drew my mother’s gift, and she guided your mind to see what you’d missed in the past. There was something in that memory that needed?—”

“The amulet.” There’s no doubt in my mind. The way it glowed like Larue’s ring.

“What amulet, Anaya?”

“I’ll tell you when we get there.” Lowering my face to his, I kiss my male with all the love, devotion, and my promise to never stop worshipping him. It’s a little sloppy, and the tang of his blood mixed with his unique hint of chocolat causes an explosive frenzy inside of me. I want him—the slutty side of me he brings out by simply breathing—is hungry for her mate, but now isn’t the right time.

We have somewhere to be, and it isn’t going to be a fun trip. Many hate me there.

Slowing the kiss, I rub our noses together and smile. “Come, King Moore. It’s time I show you my kingdom.”

“Good girl.”

* * *

“You’re not welcome here, traitor.”I hear his voice before I see him, the prior king’s voice thundering across the throne room where all grievances are heard. This is one of three in the palace, the false king demanding to separate the commoners from the elite, and this change was the start.

No longer a single fae court, but now segregated by monetary value. One more important than the other.

Yet this is the original.

My people’s history is embedded into every wall. Into every golden pillar.

“An assumption no one asked you to make, Grand-Père. Although it’s lovely to see another lackey doing his lord’s dirty work.” My voice is steady, not belying my nerves at seeing him. Needing to test my theory, one my male is aware of and waiting in the shadows, to react if needed. He wanted to take charge and protect me, but I needed to stand on my own two feet.

Show them all I’m not scared anymore.

“You are a failure like your moth—” Grandfather shakes his head profusely then, hard from side to side.

“Go on. I’m a failure like who?”

“Amelia let everyone down when she…what the hell?”

I take a step closer, then another, not stopping until I’m inches from him. Well within arm’s reach. “Hurts, doesn’t it?”

He’s blinking hard, shaky hands running down his face before realizing just how close I am. His features harden and his fangs drop, a clear sign of aggression.

“Why did it take you so long to find me? I’ve been waiting for three hours, even grabbed what I came for.” From my pocket, I pull out a stone just like the one around his neck hanging from a thick, golden chain. It falls to just below mid-chest and is duller than I’ve ever seen it.

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