Page 93 of Omega Sanctuary

Nova paused her stirring. "That's horrible."

"It was dark, chaotic days. I've read the diaries of the would-be priestesses." Aalina shuddered. "And it seems Yvenna wants us all to go back to those times."

I handed some oranges to Nikki. "Zest these, please."

He looked at me like I was dumb again. I handed him a small pierced tool. "Scrap the skins."

He began zesting the oranges. The bright citrus scent filled the kitchen as the oven warmed the space.

"So what do we do?" I slid some quick bread into the oven. Two other loaves were rising, and I was about ready for Nova's muffin batter.

"Nothing." Aalina gave me a sharp look. "We will handle Yvenna. You focus on your magic."

Nova glanced up at me and then away. I’d tell Valens about Yvenna later. We have a name and a face now, and a possible motive.

"I don't know how focusing on my magic will help," I muttered.

"It will prepare you," Deja said, coming into the kitchen. She paused and looked at the scene. She frowned and then shook her head. "Zara, you cannot waste a single minute. You need to master your spirit magic."

Nova grabbed a muffin tin. "Priestess, spirit magic is difficult under the best circumstances."

"What do you think I've been doing," I said. "I practice six days a week."

"Yes," Deja said, her tone sharp. "And instead of finding an alpha to bond, you prefer to explore the gardens and buffet table."

"It's not my fault they don't know I'm an omega," I snapped.

Deja stalked closer. "It is when you refuse to let us introduce you."

I sucked in a breath. "I'm not going to let you parade me around like a prize cow at the country fair. I'm not bonding any alpha who wants me just because I'm an omega."

Deja opened her mouth to say more, but Aalina shook her head. "Enough, Deja."

Deja looked at me. "Fine. Make an effort to find alphas in other places then."

"Sure," I said. "I'll get right on that. Maybe Priestess Aalina can embroider me a shirt that says "Unbonded Omega for the Taking."

Deja huffed. "Zaralina. Make all the jokes you want, but this is for your own good. You won't like how your heat comes in if you're not bonded."

I shrugged. "I'm basically miserable all the time anyway."

Aalina shot Deja a look. Deja let out a breath. "Very well. I will see you at Lady Munroe's ball."

Deja stalked out of the room.

The silence was thick enough to cut. I kept baking, refusing to look at anyone else. Luckily no one tried to talk to me. They listened when I asked them to prep something, and in a half hour we had quick bread and butter with our tea.

Aalina took a bite. "Delicious, my dear." She looked shocked before pleasure took over.

"At least I can do something right," I muttered.

Nikki muttered it was good, but he was too busy eating half a loaf to talk. Nova watched her muffins anxiously and squealed with glee when they came out perfectly.

Maybe I didn't know the first thing about spirit magic, but I could still bake.

Nova spent the next week talking me through different ways we could announce my status without being so obvious. If this next ball didn't pan out for me, I knew Deja would press the issue.

Every time an alpha’s gaze slid right over me, it was a knife in my heart, but I was also taking notes. Every nobleman who asked me to fetch punch for Nova, every merchant who made a joke about needy omegas.

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