Page 13 of Shrine of Fire

Stefan sighed, his body tensing. “The expectation is that I…will be the only alpha you bond. Traditionally, beta royals will vie for position in the royal pack. Usually, the top choices are picked for political reasons, like they bring with them a strong naval fleet or other resources that will aid the Crown.”

I swallowed hard. Royal packs often bonded for reasons outside of love. Politics was all about power, who had it, who needed it, and what they could give you.

“I wouldn’t expect you to bond with anyone you weren’t in love with,” Stefan said, swallowing hard.

I took a breath. “Your father is aware I have lovers? Hashir is an alpha.”

“He may or may not be.” Stefan shook his head. “Lovers are one thing. He won’t consider Hashir a legitimate contender for our pack.”

“Because I can’t have two alphas?”

“Correct.” Stefan shifted his weight again, finally looking away. “I thought you knew. I won’t expect you to follow these customs. It’s only for a short while.”

“Right,” I said. After a moment, though, I frowned, as I realized the significance of what he was saying.

If I decided that I did want to marry Stefan, his people’s customs would mean that I wouldn’t be able to bond with Hashir.

While I might not want a pack right now, being told I couldn’t, not ever, was a very different thing.

“I can play along,” I said finally. I still needed to bond the Shrine of Everlasting Fire, after all. Once that was done, I would see about telling the Ember King where he could shove his archaic marriage customs. “I’ll let Hashir know, and we’ll keep the ruse going until things have settled down.”

“Alright.” Stefan nodded, and for a minute, he looked at me with a strange expression on his face. He blinked and the pleasant expression was back. “Let me know what you need from me. Whatever it is, I will do my best to assist.”

“Of course. Thank you.”

After that, I changed the topic by asking him about the local islands, and, when Hashir and Aki returned, I smiled at them all. “Stefan is officially part of the team. He’s plotting against his father. We’ll remain engaged for a while longer. It will make bonding the Shrine easier.”

“Right.” Hashir glanced between us. “And it has nothing to do with being attracted to each other.”

“We don’t have to stay engaged because we’re attracted to each other.” I blushed and glanced at Stefan, who was also turning red. “It gives us time to work on the Shrine.”

“Sure thing, love.” Hashir shook his head and gestured at the volcano in front of us. “Now, shall we take a tour of your new home-to-be?”

I stood up, and Stefan offered me his arm. I took it, and we walked up the sloping path to stand at the entrance to the Shrine.

Ilooked up at the jagged mountain, a volcano sleeping through the ages, then stepped through the doorway.

A thousand years ago, when omegas had actually lived inside the Shrines, this had been a home. The area we walked into was a large receiving room directly inside the doorway. There were several bathrooms coming off the sides. I looked in one and it appeared to be comfortably appointed with a basin and toilet. Pipes that led directly into the ocean had been carved out of the obsidian from the lava that had flowed many centuries earlier. There was a lever, I assumed for fresh water, but nothing came out when I tried it.

Beyond that was a long hallway with smaller rooms. The entire first floor was set up to receive guests and make their stay more comfortable.

Winding up the stairs, we found more private rooms. Some of them had shelves built into the walls, and some were empty spaces.

Silently we walked through the Shrine, our steps echoing on the black floor. Once, this place had been bustling with energy, alive with people and purpose.

I shivered, the ghosts of the past haunting my steps.

No wonder Zara was so driven, so determined to fix the world.

“The first thing we can do is bring in whatever furniture you wish for.” Stefan gestured around the room. “The first floor is very clearly set up for guests. I will arrange for a steward to organize to supply beds, whatever is needed for the bathrooms, and to see about getting the water to flow again.”

“Hmmm.” Hashir looked around as we passed room after room. “This second floor has a space that could be a library. There are rooms for maps, supplies for magic, a place for sword practice.”

“We’ll need more trained guards as well,” Aki grunted.

Hashir looked down a short hallway deeper into the mountain. “I assume the kitchens…”

“Should be closer to the center, yes.” Stefan finished.

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