Page 45 of Impaled By His Omega Prince
“So much better.” The pure love and adoration in Lumic’s eyes seemed near bottomless as he handed the child back to Askara. “Now go play withpwinsand I’ll go speak with the parents!”
Lumic passed the child over to Askara and rubbed at his back gently. He’d been a little distracted the past few months and Askara couldn’t blame him, nesting and decorating one of the spare bedrooms in his wing to be the nursery while also making sure that they had a bassinet and everything they needed in their bedroom.
Askara leaned down to let the little one run about with the others and bleated in surprise when a little omega jumped up, grabbing his horns to swing for a second. Once over the shock, he laughed and dislodged the child, much to the horror of the omegas gathered, which there seemed to be a few extras, and an unfamiliar sun fae beta.
The beta folded his arms behind his back and surveyed everything, pacing along the building as Lumic ignored him. Askara gave him a lingering stare before going back to the children.
“Askara, was it?” The beta returned after a few moments, staring Askara down.
He stood to his full height, returning his cold stare. Something about him made Askara want to punt the male across the small courtyard. Or maybe fly up and drop him from a parapet. “It is. Who do I have the pleasure of meeting?”
“Seidrik. I believe we are brothers, as my father has told me. You’ve met Virion.” The blond hair and cool eyes held so manyfeatures similar to Alluin. It was no wonder why Askara had an urge to do violence.
“I believe we share parents, yes.” Askara kept his attention on the children, but Seidrik insisted on lingering, his posture stiff. “Is there a reason you’ve come without announcement, Seidrik?”
Seidrik’s stiff posture buckled as easily as his father’s. “I’ve come to collect Stamel. I understand he may be staying to see his nephew born before he leaves, but I am rather curious about the salusis that the goddesses have given you.”
“The goddesses have entrusted us with salusis. Once our child is born, she will bless the springs.” Askara stood, straightening his back as one of the little ones ran off to play with the others. “Why would you be interested in it?”
“I was… I thought perhaps that maybe I could be healed of my ailment if I were to try it.”
“If the goddesses have said you are to not sire an heir, then you will not. Unless you find some way to change their minds. Trying to circumvent things with an unwarranted blessing may anger them further.” Askara grabbed another child and held their hands to swing them gently.
To Askara’s surprise, one of the kids approached Seidrik and held up her hands, demanding to be swung, too. Without much hesitation, he took the child’s hands and swung. “I did this for Virion a lot while we were young.”
And so, they played until Lumic returned, his steps labored and breath short. “I’m so ready to be home and put my feet up tonight.”
Askara bid the children farewell as they ran back to their parents and accompanied Lumic back to his carriage. But for his part, Seidrik seemed lost and followed them with downtrodden posture.
The bumpy ride back to the castle ended with Pallosar’s page waiting for them at the front, his arms crossed and face a mask of worry disguised as anger. “Your father nearly fainted when he heard you’d sailed off the parapet and flown out to law knows where!”
“I wanted to see the thalmway and heard the telecon was arriving.” Lumic sighed heavily. “I was with Ingred, and he had to depart because some of the omegas didn’t want to leave with a strange alpha. I was never alone without supervision.” Lumic sighed heavily, and the admission mollified Sisel. Somewhat.
Askara gave Sisel a bright smile and escorted Lumic in, making their way inside and down the halls with Seidrik in tow. “And we have royal guests. Not a word to the palace!”
“I’m not here on royal business. I’m merely here to escort Stamel to Liaberos and make pleasantries.” Seidrik followed Lumic and Askara, his posture as stiff and formal as ever. Even if he’d loosened a bit with the children, he was too formal with what would be considered his family. Though, Askara could understand if Seidrik didn’t view him as such. After all, they were raised apart and, in a way, it was Askara’s birth that was Lyrica’s undoing.
Sisel gave Seidrik a long stare before gesturing him to follow. “He’s constrained to his wing of the castle, but we weren’t expecting him to leave until after the birth.”
“That is fine. Show me the way.”
“Would you like us to have accommodations set up for you in the guest wing?” Sisel gave Seidrik a curious glance. “Prince Seidrik.”
“A bath, and I will take quarters in Stamel’s wing. I should get to know him better, but I will join Askara for meals if that’s alright. I’ll also be showing Ingred how the telecon works.”
Satisfied, Sisel escorted Seidrik off and Askara offered Lumic a peck on his cheek before they wandered off to findPallosar and receive yet another admonishment for Lumic’s impatient wanderings.
For his part, Askara knew better than to try and confine his omega.
“Lumic,” Pallosar’s sharp tone cracked out.
“Father, please. He was with me and took a carriage off to see the telecon arrive and escort Askara home. I happened to want to visit with Amarie and it suited me for him to be chaperone.” Ingred strolled in from outside, offering Pallosar a wan smile. The two regarded one another for a few seconds, Palloar’s anger at his lackluster performance still present. “He flew very little. I ensured it. What would you have had me do? Stop him? Lumic is a force of nature. One might as well cage a flashpine matron.” Ingred waved at Lumic dismissively. “Besides, I cannot command the next in line for the throne.”
Pallosar relented, momentarily placated. “I’m a little wary, Ingred, for reasons you understand.”
“Father, I have zero desire for the throne. If I thought Lumic were in any danger, I’d be begging you and Father to try for a fourth son.” Ingred sighed heavily. “And I have my own agenda from the sun goddess.”
Pallosar raised a brow and nodded once. He’d learned to not doubt the intervention of the goddesses.
