Page 59 of Shadowlands Omega

“You can’t take that torch to him…”

“Oh, and are you a medical professional…”

Dorsten looks uncomfortable as he glances back over his shoulder, as if trying to decide whether to approach or retreat. It vaguely occurs to me that I should be annoyed that he’s in my private chambers and that his gaze is focused too heavily on the Omega for my liking as I squint up and look at him. But I don’t seem to be able to muster the energy other than to bark, “Dorsten.”

He jolts. “I was escorting the Omega back from the kitchens. She prepared a meal for you and, as Cyprus is still being tended to by Finn, I wanted to ensure she was not left alone. But I will leave now and see how he progresses and if I cannot get him outfitted today in a red cloak.”

“A red cloak?” Kiandah says, looking at Dorsten before something above me draws her attention. “No, don’t!”

She lunges for Okayo and I laugh gruffly as the male squawks. “Stop it!”

She shouts, “Give me that!”

Dorsten jerks backwards and forwards, looking concerned, clearly trying to decide whether or not to intervene. “Uhm…yes, my Lady. Your…Lord Yaron has decided to give him a red cloak, conditional on his supervision of you until a time that he is no longer needed. At that point, he will be folded into the regular guard, should his training progress normally.”

“You…did?” Kiandah says, the sounds of a struggle have me lifting my head to see Okayo and Kiandahfightingover a small, red-hot poker in Okayo’s gloved fist.

“Good grief, stop this at once. Kiandah! Okayo!”

“Let go!” Okayo shouts.

Kiandah does, but she pushes him hard so that he falls backwards, tripping over the carpet, the red poker in his hand flying from his fist. “Ha!” she exclaims and then runs to retrieve it.

“Don’t touch it — ” Okayo warns just as my flesh jolts under the shredded barrier of my skin. I prepare to lunge for her, worried about her burning herself, but when she grabs the poker, her hand is engulfed in flame. She takes the firebrand easily into her fist and as the blue flames licking at the outside of her palm retreat, so too does the red color at the burning end of the tine.

She tosses it aside when it shines black once again. “You will listen to me next time, Okayo. I know what I’m talking about…” She returns to the bed to lean over me and inspect my back, but as she draws close enough to touch, I launch my right arm out and snatch Kiandah around the waist. She yelps as I drag her onto the bed. In a seat, I lay my head against her lap, nuzzling my nose into her belly. “Dorsten, you are dismissed. Kiandah, would you like to tell me why you are fighting my best healer?”

Kiandah huffs out a laugh and cards her fingers through my hair. “He’s going to burn you horribly if he uses that tool. I have a better idea.” I don’t care what it is, so long as she keeps touching me.

“Okayo, the Lady has dismissed you. Be gone.”

He scoffs, and it would be hilarious if it were accompanied by the sounds of him gathering his equipment and leaving, but it is not. “Okayo,” I growl in warning.

“I am not leaving you bleeding all over the place like this. Why did you take so much of that fucking venom again, my Lord?”

“To make a point,” I say sleepily.

Kiandah and Okayo both scoff. “You made a point, that cannot be denied.” The stupid satin pants she wears now are in the way of me burying my snout between her legs, the sweet scent of her pussy ensnaring all of my focus. I’m distracted by that, so I simply snuggle closer while she and Okayo discuss something…important.

“Okayo,” I have the awareness enough to ask, “did you drug me?”

“I’m listening to Lady Kiandah, my Lord.”

“Okayo…” I start to lift up, but my arms are heavier than they should be and Kiandah is easily able to wrangle me back down while her fingers pick carefully over my back.

“My Lord, I think I can cauterize your wounds myself…with my hands…”

“Your gift is remarkable…but it still seems risky,” Okayo butts in at the same time that I snarl, “Don’t call me Lord, Kiandah.”

They both ignore me. As if I’m not Lord of this castle at all. It’s a rather jarring sensation. I’ve never been ignored. And in another way, it’s quite liberating.

“Nothing can be as bad as that machete you were about to scald him with. Let me try.” She sounds insistent and sure. Her alternate personality is showing and I’m pleased. Normally, she reserves this personality for protecting her family, or ordering me to my knees.

Okayo grumbles, but relents. I feel a cool breeze against some of the skin on my back near my right shoulder a moment before warmth douses it. Warmth. Not scalding heat. Warmth free of pain. I relax against her thighs and close my eyes. Sleepily, I offer, “It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t work, Kiandah. Let Okayo butcher me with his machete. He’s done worse to me than that.”

But Okayo is silent. For once.

“Hm?” I say, rolling into the fleshiest part of her thigh and pinching it between my teeth. She swats the back of my head with her other hand and hisses. “You do that and the scarring will be even worse. Hold still, Yaron. Don’t be a baby. It can’t hurt that badly.”

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