Page 39 of Bonds of Hate

The Omega will submit to the sexual desires of Prince Logan and any representatives he designates without exception or delay.

The Omega will yield to whatever punishment Prince Logan deems fit if her behavior is ever unacceptable.

The Omega will not pursue sexual pleasure, with herself or others, outside of that specifically allowed by Prince Logan, or his duly appointed representative.

My vision blurs as I reach a detailed list of sexual acts I might be asked to perform, each more disgusting than the last. The Enclave’s training regimen was exhaustive, so some things I expect, but others push well past my boundaries. Heinous acts. Humiliating acts. The sort of thing not even fit for a back-alley whorehouse, much less the refined rooms of the palace.

Perkins says what I’m thinking before I get the chance, outrage in her voice. “This is not the standard contract template.”

Cillian doesn’t so much as blink. “That is correct.”

“I demand an explanation,” she growls, sounding like a mama bear spotting a hunter near one of her cubs. “This is hardly a mating contract at all.“

“Prince Logan is not prepared to offer anythingirrevocable at this time,” he replies smoothly. “His acceptance of this Omega is…provisional.”

“Provisional?” the head mother repeats, her outraged tone making the word a question. “That was not the king’s edict?—“

“Even our king has no authority over the mate relationship between an Alpha and an Omega. That power lies only with the gods,” Cillian interrupts harshly, face the most expressive I’ve ever seen it. Anger flashes in his gaze, sharp cracks in the sheet of ice, before he pulls himself back and continues more calmly. “Logan intends to obey his father’s orders, but he wants to ensure that Ms. Tantamount is a worthy choice before he offers a more permanent arrangement. If he decides against bonding her and the mating contract is cancelled, then the Omega will be compensated for her time and services rendered.”

In other words, he will ruin me and then cast me out.

Perkins’s cheeks swell as she inhales, her expression practically apoplectic with suppressed rage. “This is not a brothel, beta. I will not have you turn any of my girls into a common prostitute.”

He shrugs, unaffected by the woman’s outburst. “She doesn’t have to sign it.”

“This is ridiculous!”

“Take it up with Prince Logan,” he replies coldly. “Or I could inform the king that you are refusing to perform your duties as a contract mediator.”

Perkins swallows back whatever else she would have said with an audible choking sound.

Cillian’s attention returns to me, ignoring the woman beside me who practically vibrates with indignation.

He holds up a metal stylus pen, balancing it on one long tapered finger. “Which is it going to be, Omega?”

Logan is testing me. He might want me, but he certainly doesn’t trust me. This contract is his way of trying to determine just how desperate I am to be here. Agreeing to his terms without complaint would be all the proof he needs that I have ulterior motives.

I need this to work, but giving up my last iota of power might be the very worst thing I could do.

Taking a single fortifying breath, I decide to gamble. “I assume these terms are negotiable.”

There is a moment of silence so profound that it creates its own pressure in my ears.

“Assumptions are a very dangerous thing around here,” Cillian finally murmurs, raising one pale eyebrow.

“This isn’t indentured servitude or slavery,” Perkins insists, finally recovering her authoritative tone. “The terms are always negotiable.”

“Not this time.”

She crosses her hands primly in front of her, but her expression is resolute. “Then you should return to your master like a good guard dog and inform him of your failure as his representative. As her appointed advocate, I cannot allow this Omega to sign such an unfair contract.”

My heart sinks as he snatches up the tablet. I’d overplayed my hand and now I’m going to be dumped at the palace gates with nothing to show for my trouble. Maybe I could convince Viladi to give me a partial refund if I return the dress.

But no amount of money is going to fix my problems…

Cillian taps the stylus once on the screen without bothering to look at me. “What did you have in mind?”

It takes a moment for my mind to catch up.. “You don’t have to ask Prince Logan?”

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