Page 14 of Impaled By His Omega Prince
Chapter Ten
Lumic
Days passed, waiting for the trojan body to be delivered to his father, and days passed where Askara hid him away and fought hard for his masters. The horrid creatures claimed to have been given Askara by his carers, but Lumic understood far more than him. Askara was naïve, and if Lumic knew scum, he could dig up the castle grounds and find Askara’s beta caretakers.
The scent of pitch and torches on the wind drifted into a window, flashpine tar just like they made in Croatens, and Lumic rose from Askara’s bed to drift toward the window and peer out curiously. The waning moon shone a sliver of her face down, and Lumic didn’t tamp down the urge to pray. His father’s army approached.
“Lady goddess, moon above, you have blessed this forsaken omega,” Lumic said aloud as he turned his face up to the dark sky and reveled when the first shouts rang out and bells clanged in alarm.
Lumic had managed to procure clothes by Askara’s effort, the garb worn and marginally clean. A sigil and spell on Lumic’s part had them tolerable, but they were not fit for a prince, nor comfortable. The leather of the breeches stank of grassboar hide, arguably the worst leather in existence. Lumic preferred illix, but he wouldn’t complain.
Shouts and clangs of violence petered on and on as Lumic waited. Without a weapon, he was useless in the fray. And as weak as he’d stayed since his battle lost, it was a testament to how close to death Lumic was when Askara saved him. He’d let his father know.
The scent of fire and bloody smoke lit the keep, and when the final shouts and clang of doors told Lumic they were searching, his alpha keeper Oryn shouted out, and Lumic threw open the door to meet his pale-faced guard. “I found him!”
Lumic couldn’t restrain his emotion when he crashed into Oryn and hugged tight, slapping the alpha on the back. “I live.”
“You do, Prince.” Oryn gripped and swung him by his shoulders until he sniffed and froze.
“Yeah. It’s not been too long. I’ll need nightflower and honeythistle.” Lumic had no shame for his heated rut. Omegas were liberated in Croatens.
“I’ll kill whoever—” Oryn’s snarl petered out when Lumic slapped his shoulder and grinned.
“You’ll do no such thing. The alpha saved me, and it was probably the best I’ve had.”
Oryn shook his head and scoffed. “So, nobody took your dignity?”
“Not really. Had the alpha of the castle show off his pickle dance for me, but when you find Askara, treat him well. He’s the reason I’m alive, and the moon speaks through him.” Lumic parted from Oryn and received a doubtful look but nodded all the same.
“Come. I hope your savior survived the siege. I’ll tell your father. Anything else I should know?”
“He has a sigil that keeps him here. He’s the late Liaberian queen’s son. It should be on the alpha running this forsaken disgrace. Cilan, I believe.” Lumic sagged as if he hadn’t been able to sleep in years.
“Noted. Come. We’ll have you in a carriage with your father in no time.” Oryn escorted Lumic free and marched him through the castle, head held high and victorious. Soldiers of Lumic’s squad cheered at his return, and triumphant shouts rang about.“We drink and celebrate once we’re home. Someone get the boy some nightflower—he reeks of heat.”
A few jeers and snorts earned rude gestures from Lumic as he made his way from the castle. Every few steps, he craned his head, searching for Askara. He wanted the alpha to come with him, to stay. A leaden feeling in the pit of his stomach prayed Askara hadn’t been stricken down—but even if he was, he’d rise again. The goddess promised it.
“Lumic? Lumic!” King Pallosar broke free of a carriage at the gates of the keep and jogged out to greet Lumic with wide arms and a tight hug. “Get in the carriage. Come, speak with me. Your da is a sight with worry.”
Lumic’s alpha father, Kershai, had little to do with royal goings on, and served as less of a servant of the kingdom than aservantto his father’s needs.
“I’m fine. I’ll tell Da when I’m home. I promise. Oryn is seeing to my preparatories, but I’ll regale you with my conquests.” Lumic laughed and his father relaxed, stroking over his son’s head. Lumic didn’t favor King Pallosar with his silvery hair and slender build but had his green eyes. Everything else was pure Kershai’s genes shining through. “There’s an alpha in there, Askara. I have to tell you…”
Lumic’s father’s brows fell as his shoulders stiffened, listening to all the details of the castle, the fights, and the innocent alpha that prayed so diligently and saved him.
“And the corpse we received was his doing?” Pallosar’s eyes darkened.
“I assume you know Stamel’s part?” Lumic cut his gaze and Pallosar nodded once, jaw taut.
“He’s in the dungeons awaiting trial.”
Lumic’s stomach tightened. “Father, you don’t have t—I can leave or move on. He’s rightful heir.”
“No rightful heir of Croatens would do what he did.” King Pallosar rubbed his eyes and sighed. “At the least, he’ll lose his wings. At the worst, the crown passes to you once you’re mated.”
Lumic’s stomach twisted. He never wanted to be king, never considered it. “But what about Ingred?”
Lumic’s other alpha brother had just as much right to the throne if Stamel lost his place.
