Page 35 of Impaled By His Omega Prince
Despite this, he composed his posture and ducked his head into the prayer room on his way toward the receiving chambers, catching Askara’s eye. His heart absolutely warmed until onfirewith love and lust with just a peek of Askara’s toothy smile. The alpha had so much charm and innocence.
“There a problem, Lulu? I thought you were getting fitted.” Kershai stopped what he was doing and came out to greet him. Working on a project suited him.
“We have a royal entourage from Liaberos and Drashil here. I came by to get Askara, because they’re his family.” Lumic turned and gave Askara what he hoped was an apologetic look.
Instead of a reticent expression or meekness, Askara’s face hardened, and brow furrowed. He reached for Lumic’s arm and brought his hand up for a kiss. “Alluin is not a nice person. My interaction with him was cruel and the goddess herself has told Alluin I was no bastard, but he would hear none of it. If the goddess couldn’t change his mind, neither will you. So, be understanding that he may anger you.”
Even when things were hard for him, Askara wanted nothing more than to comfort Lumic. But that was why Lumic needed to take charge and be the next in line for the throne that Askara deserved.
Kershai gave Lumic a quick kiss to the top of his head and gestured for them to depart, but Lumic hesitated. Before he could say a word, though, Askara beckoned for Kershai to attend. “If I have to attend, you do as well.”
Kershai raised a single, sculpted scarlet brow and snorted. “I am not sure I’ll be of any value.”
“You’ll keep me entertained if I get bored.” Askara beamed, and Kershai shrugged.
Together, they hurried out and made their way to the receiving chambers. An attendant knocked on the door politely and escorted Lumic, Askara, and Kershai in with a low bow.
King Alluin sat in an armchair, back ramrod straight and expression chastened while a dark-skinned alpha spoke seriously with Pallosar. By his silver-chained horns, Lumic knew he must have been Behran’s son, the new king, Nemiah. So, the svelte omega next to him, pale as a whisper, wrestling a fussy little dusk child, must have been Virion.
Kershai was on excellent ground when it came to babies. He had more nurturing instinct than his omega partner and beamed at the sight. “Is your little one hungry or dirty?”
“A little of both, I fear. I haven’t had an opportunity to fee—” he started, but Kershai only waved him off.
“Come, if your mate permits, let’s find some swaddlings and you a quiet place.” Kershai gave Nemiah a questioning glance and startled when a short little sun fae child stood between Virion and Kershai with a furrowed brow.
Virion stared at Kershai for a moment. “You are Pallosar’s mate? Kershai?”
Kershai beamed. “That I am, and who is this little protector of yours?”
“That is my page, Sima. He’s understandably protective of me and the babe.” Virion stood and gave Nemiah a polite nod. He met Askara’s gaze for a moment as he curtailed Sima, and their shared glance exchanged a lifetime of words that needed said. They could wait for a cleaner, happier babe, though.
“Prince Virion,” Lumic said, giving the omega his greeting first. Liberians were such prudes about decorum, greeting betas and alphas first.
They exchanged a brief nod before Askara accompanied Lumic to sit in the only available armchair. As space was limited, Askara sat on the overstuffed arm and crossed one leg over the other, his silvery eyes locked onto Alluin. The beta king looked as if he’d rather be naked and strapped to a flashpine matron.
“Lumic, Askara, we were just speaking about the arrangement you two have ma—” Pallosar halted.
“I was not consulted on this,” Alluin interrupted.
“You were not consulted because you have continuously contacted us with demands rather than discussions. Now that you’re here, we can speak.” Pallosar tented his fingers and sat back in his chair. The green glint in his eyes was unmistakable for what it was—power and very little patience.
“Your intermediary was such a pain to deal with I couldn’t even get an answer if it was acceptable for us to arrive!” Alluin’s outburst ended when Nemiah raised a hand sharply. “Apologies. I believe the communication between us has been hampered and would do well to be rectified.”
“The communication is as follows— We are taking Summer’s Keep. The castle and its grounds will now be merged into Croaten lands and available to myself and Askara as we please.” Lumic crossed his arms and rested a hand on Askara’s thigh. The comforting weight of Askara’s chain hung over his clothes, where he hoped it glinted menacingly at Alluin. By the slight dip of his gaze, he noticed.
“That seems a little ridiculous—” Alluin silenced when Nemiah raised his hand.
“Prince Lumic,” Nemiah said by way of greeting before turning to Askara. “And I have yet to be introduced to you, but Iassume you’re Askara? Mother Moon has spoken very highly of you.”
Alluin practically seethed at Nemiah’s words.
“It is nice to make your acquaintance, King Nemiah.” Askara let his horns free and dipped his head in acknowledgement, earning a warm smile.
“As I’ve done my own research as to what went on in Summer’s Keep, I’m left a little confused. How did it fall to brigands?” Nemiah kept his hand up in Alluin’s face while Askara explained how Cilan and Arlyth came for a visit before his keepers left without a word.
“I feared them dead, I’ll be honest,” Askara admitted. He’d spoken so innocently of the missing betas as if he thought they’d return, but the candid honesty made Lumic’s heart pinch in his chest.
“I did as well. It turns out, they did survive and fled to my kingdom. I won’t bore you with the details of that mess, but they’re relieved that Cilan and Arlyth have passed.” Nemiah’s lack of an explanation left a myriad of questions unanswered. Not a one of them would make it up with Askara or soothe that hurt. Any excuse for them having fled without notifying Alluin or seeking help couldn’t have been for acceptable reasons. “So, your request for Summer’s Keep is granted on the grounds that Askara has suffered much. Such a property is trivial, is it not, Alluin?”
