Page 81 of Bonds of Hate

“Even better, you’re mostly not an asshole.”

I roll my eyes. That sounds closer to the Saffron I know. “Thanks.”

She bumps me gently with her shoulder, a rueful smile on her face. “It doesn’t hurt that I made a point of talking to every Omega who showed up for the interviews. You’re the only one I didn’t want to strangle with her own hair.”

“I’m flattered,” I reply with a rueful chuckle.

Thanks to her warning, I’m not surprised when Nikolai abruptly stands and offers his hand to me.

“One dance, brother. I promise to bring her back without anyone else’s teeth imprinted on her neck.”

He has already swept me away before Logan has a chance to stop him.

“You’ve done very well so far,” Nikolai comments idly, propelling me through the crowd. “This dress was a good choice. I don’t think it will take much more to push my brother firmly over the edge.”

Nikolai holds me at a respectful distance as he leads me through a waltz.

The crowd is thick enough around the dance floor that I quickly lose sight of our table. If Logan has already torn off after us, then I have no way of knowing it.

A distant shout is barely audible over the music.

“I think we’ve got about five minutes,” Nikolai chuckles. “But I’ll try to make them worth it.”

Saffron might have convinced me of her own reasoning, but Nikolai is more of a wild card. He is older, almost by enough to be Logan’s father himself. If he isn’t the oldest of the princes, then it’s a close thing. He must have been born prior to Leopold claiming Midale, his mother one of the harem betas.

But I amsettled by his presence in a way that surprises me, which is why I ask the necessary question without heat.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Logan has always been a selfish, spoiled little shit.” Nikolai guides me in an effortless turn that brings us closer to the center of the dance floor. “He is also the only one of Midale’s son to see this kingdom for what it is, but also hasthe ruthlessness required to make the changes that will soon become unavoidable.”

“And you truly don’t want to be king yourself?”

He gives me a small smile. “Some days, I don’t even want there to be a kingdom at all.”

Dangerous words. I raise my eyebrows, unsure how to respond to them.

“The last uprising might be over, but peace is more fragile than it has ever been before. King Leopold united mortal enemies with very different views of the world, all with the promise he would finally be the one to give them what they craved.”

It doesn’t take a political tactician to figure out what he means. “Omegas.”

He gives the barest nod, expression grim. “The response to Leopold’s call for interviews might have made it seem as if we’re simply drowning in them. But several princes were unsuccessful, unable to find a match or refused even by Omegas they made offers, and that’s without even including the Alphas of status here in this room who have to watch the spectacle but aren’t close enough to the crown to be included.”

I open my mouth to ask what he thinks Logan can do about a contingent of unhappy Alphas when we’re interrupted by a low growl.

Logan’s arm wraps around my waist, yanking me back against the solid wall of his chest.

“I’m cutting in,” he snarls.

“Of course you are.” Nikolai gives a graceful bow, completely unfazed by Logan’s aggression. “I assume you didn’t leave my Omega alone.”

“Poe and Ares are still with her.”

Logan’s grip tightens painfully as Nikolai walks away. I can’t help the small whimper that escapes me.

“Did you enjoy that?” Logan’s voice is deceptively soft. “Making me look like a fool in front of the entire court?”

“Not all…”

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