Page 128 of Omega Sanctuary

"Thanks," I repeated.

He went through each book he brought, telling me why I should read it.

I gestured down the small hallway. "I converted my second sitting room into a small library and asked them to stock it on ancient lore and spirit magic, if you want to look."

"Alright." Nikki bustled into the room, looking at the small library I created for myself.

The window was almost blocked out by the bookshelves, and sometimes it was the only room I could stand to be in when I had a headache.

An overstuffed couch was crammed into the corner, and a small end table. Everything else was books or bookshelves. I sat down on the couch and pulled my legs up.

Nikki went through the library, pausing on my romance novels. He held one up with a smirk. "And this?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Research of a different sort."

"Right." He coughed, kept going through the books, and started rearranging them.

I wanted to ask why he was here, why he bothered. My feelings were buried deep under a layer of ice. I needed that coldness if I was going to protect my heart.

"These are okay, but there's some better volumes." He frowned. "I'll make a list and give it to Priestess Aalina."

I searched for something to say. I came up blank, and then decided he could keep the conversation alive if he wanted to.

He shifted his weight, trailing his hand over some of the spines. "Well. I'll let you get back to your quiet evening."

I shrugged. "You're welcome to read here if you want."

He eyed me. "I know you're mad at me."

"I'm not mad." I shrugged. "You were right."

He waited for me to keep talking, but the lump in my chest was back, and I couldn't give him any more. I had already opened myself up to more heartache than I could handle.

Nikki watched me, like he was looking for something specific. "Who knows, maybe you'll talk the priestesses into letting you bond an omega and alpha who are already bonded."

"Maybe." I kept myself still. "Hopefully I can figure out if that's what I want before I get moved."

"I don't know for sure they're going to move you," Nikki started. "Maybe you'll stay here awhile."

"Maybe I won't." The lump crept up my chest, making it harder to breathe.

Nikki closed the distance between us. "I was an ass. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," I said immediately. "You were right."

"Damn it, stop being so reasonable." Nikki huffed. "You were ready to tell the rest of the Order to go fuck themselves last week for giving you a hard time about that bonded omega."

The lump jumped into my throat, and I looked away. "It's not like I planned on getting attached to people they didn't approve of." I grit my teeth. "They put me in room after room of jerky alphas, and then expected me to say no to someone who actually gave a crap about who I am."

"You're right," Nikki said, his voice soft. "It sucks. Listen, even if you get moved, your alpha's a merchant. He's probably got like ten dozen ships. You'll just crook your little pinky, and he'll sail over to you."

I laughed, some of the tears pricking my eyes leaking out. I could see Rayth doing just that.

Maybe I wasn't doomed after all.

"Hey." Nikki leaned over and brushed the tear off my cheek. "I'm an asshole. I'm sorry. I was jealous and I was worried you were going to get hurt."

Warmth curled inside me, something deeper than the pure lust I'd felt before. Heat coiled, working its way through my legs, my stomach, my chest.

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