Page 33 of Omission: Part 2

Just as cheap as the one in between my fingers.

“Princesse, you’re back!” A squeal calls my attention to a woman I’ve known all my life. The keeper of the best-spiced chocolat in the world. Chef Ninon is smiling at me, eyes flicking between me and the imposing male against my back. “Is he your…?”

“Nosy.” It’s a playful admonishment, one she giggles at. You’d never know by looking at her that this far female is well over nine hundred years old when her appearance is that of a gorgeous forty-year-old woman. “But yes. This is my mate, King Leonardo Moore.”

“Your Highness,” she says with reverence, no malice or distrust. “Thank you for accepting our Anaya. She’s an innocent in?—”

“She is my world.” A simple sentence, but the meaning is deep. Honest. “My queen.”

“Beautiful.” Ninon curtsies, a tradition I’m not the fondest of, but understand it’s done with respect. “Please let me design your binding cake. It’d be my greatest honor to.”

“Thank you.” Without thinking twice, I hug the woman. She’s been in my life—my mother’s life—all these years and treated us as people and not commodities. “But I’m going to need something else from you. Can you help me?”

“Oui.”

“Then get me into Larue’s office without detection. I don’t want to be seen yet.”

“I’ve already visited with our chef, and a few maids, and even had words with the newly appointed general, and he recognizedmyauthority at once. Pledged his allegiance to me.” Tapping the worthless rock on my chin, I pretend to think. “Why is that, Grandfather? What’s defective in you?”

“You’ve used dark magic! You’re marked by that Wiccan—” He doesn’t get to finish as my closed fist connects with his jaw. I have to jump a bit to do so, my height barely reaching his chest, but the impact has its desired effect. Grandfather swings to attack as my male puts him in a chokehold from behind and holds him still so I can yank that offending amulet off him.

It falls somewhere to our left, shattering upon impact, and Grand-Père’s legs give out. He’s wobbly, disoriented at once, and then passes out.

His labored breathing is the only sign of life left.

12

ANAYA

“They might win against me, ma princesse, but not you. You are stronger and fiercer than what you believe and will one day rule more than one kingdom with a male as pure-hearted as you.”

That theory’s been tested over the last week as my family arrived and the military from each kingdom took control of all entry points of the city. Vampires, Werewolf, and Wiccan guards have all descended upon my territory by invitation and are working with newly appointed General Francois and his men who are loyal to me.

All others have been dismissed from their charges. Outraged, those of a past, high-ranking status have hurled insults my way and spat at my feet but have been smart enough to do so from a distance. They won’t come near me; to do so would be a sure death sentence. An elder learned that the hard way coming out of my grandfather’s hospital room.

“Wiccan whore,” he hissed at me, eyes narrowed in disgust. “You’ve brought great shame to your people. Your father would be alive if it wasn’t for the despicable family you’ve spread your legs for. I’d be doing the world a great service if I ended?—”

The old man never finished his sentence, and his entrails were later displayed outside the palace entrance, a clear message to all that this queen has a true king. Leonardo cut him open from his lower back to his neck with the use of a sword he’d taken a fancy to, and General Francois was all too happy to gift it to the Wiccan ruler two days after our arrival.

Mother’s opal dagger sat embedded in the elder’s skull until his body was carried out the back door, displaying the grotesque image for all to see. Only then, at the threshold, did my male remove the knife, brain matter dripping from the tip, and then smiled at the group of Larue sympathizers who watched.

Fear. Ire. Disgust.

They hated us, but always from afar. Not one is brave enough to come close and incur his wrath.

It also burns them how many have rejoiced over the end of a tyranny that should never have been. Those of a lower ranking have given me their heartfelt acceptance and pledged their loyalty, cursing the very existence of the man they still worship and revere as if still alive.

It’s sickening how low some will fall to stay within a position of power because the coffer is large, but greedy are the hands. They will fight tooth and nail to subjugate their fellow man, no matter how wrong it is. No matter the pain inflicted upon innocent people who just want the right to live in peace and share a prosperity that benefits everyone.

The world would be a better place if people remembered that to give is to receive.

That good intentions and equality are the literal signs of prosperity.

“Would you like something to drink, Anaya?” Isabella asks from my right, pulling me from my thoughts, her hand in mine as we sit vigil inside my grandfather’s room. He’s been twitching all morning, groaning as the strange fever that held him captive for days finally breaks. “Are you hungry at all?”

“No. A little nauseous, to be honest.” That causes a raised brow, maybe a bit of surprise in her expression, but that’s it. Nothing else. I bump my shoulder with hers. “Don’t think I didn’t notice your lack of appetite either, Luna. You okay?”

“I will be. Just adjusting.”

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