Page 37 of Impaled By His Omega Prince
“For all intents and purposes, Alluin, you are an unpleasant fixture in my life. My interactions with you will be only as the goddess commands. Your guilt, if you have any, will be your own to bear and not mine to soothe. Be that your burden.” Askara squeezed Lumic’s hand back. “Give me my title and bless my union. You can at least help me keep Lumic’s honor after what happened.”
“If he’s already with child, my blessing won’t stop rumors.” Alluin’s voice didn’t bear the sourness of one who held hate in his words. “It’s not advisable for alphas and omegas to dally about.”
“We didn’tdally about.” Lumic made air quotes and sighed heavily. “I was held captive in the keep for so long that my nightflower wore off and it was either die, let an alpha I didn’t want access my body, or Askara. I chose your son.”
Alluin winced at the last word.Son.
“I see. In a way, the child is a victim of my poor actions, too.” Alluin leaned his head to the side, resting his face on his fingertips. “Anything you ask, I must give. By the demand of the goddesses. Even if you call for my throne.”
The room went silent.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Askara
“Anything you ask, I must give. By the demand of the goddesses. Even if you call for my throne.” Those words out of King Alluin’s mouth put a cold silence on the room that stretched far too long.
“He won’t be asking for that, fortunately,” Lumic said, glancing up at Askara with a sweet smile. “Besides, that throne, isn’t that Seidrik’s?”
Alluin’s face twisted. “Seidrik will sire no heirs. The goddess has spoken. He cannot take the throne if he will not produce an heir. Saria is in a complicated union that will leave uncertainty as to the lineage. The only blood that will seat the Liaberian throne will be Virion’s…or yours.”
Lumic raised a brow. Other than that, his face remained neutral. “That will remain to be seen. The Croatens throne mates for love.”
“So, it is love between you? This is not because he was with child?” A touch of relief lay in Alluin’s voice.
“It is,” Askara beamed. “I could not have asked for a better partner.”
“And how can he contribute to the kingdom if he’s not been educated like a prince?” Alluin’s body sagged more into the seat, defeat plain on his face.
“I have been given the appropriate education. Fortunately, Father Ruvaen and Mother Miree were gracious enough to have me educated well. They were kind to me.” Askara rarely gave them those monikers save for in public but putting it in context to Alluin spared him more of his lament. He was correct in that Askara would never offer him respite. There was no port in the storm of his emotions in Askara’s world.
“Will you be able to perform your duties? Is he competent?” Alluin glanced to Pallosar.
“What duties? The consort of the king’s only duty is to the king. As long as Askara can behave himself, he need only make Lumic happy. He has chosen to perform duties for the goddess as a tribute for the crown. That may be something you can allocate funding for and cooperate with us on.” Pallosar waved dismissively.
“Funding for what?” This time, Nemiah spoke, genuinely curious.
“Croatens is a neutral nation with no extradition. We intend to stay that way officially. If it’s a criminal, I’m sure we can part—but we will offer refuge to omegas, and my mate and Askara have promised the goddess their best service toward the project. So, omegas wishing to flee with their children, or with child, dishonored or broken—send them. Put them on the trains and send them to us.”
Alluin’s face softened and before he could say something, Virion returned with Kershai, the large alpha cradling the small dusk child in his arms. “Such a precious little one. I cannot believe he’s so sweet!”
Virion watched Kershai with a smile as they strode in and took his place by Nemiah. “It’s all fine.”
Nemiah leaned over to give Virion a kiss and pursed his lips when Kershai grabbed Askara with his free arm and gestured him toward the door, the babe still in his arms.
“What am I missing?” Pallosar glanced up, brow furrowed.
“Lumic’s going to be busy with the crown and Askara is going to learn how to dress and swaddle. We’ll be in our family den for a little while.” Kershai grinned as Askara released Lumic’s hand and followed obediently.
Lumic turned in his seat, watching him stray. “Am I to be worried?”
“I ask the same question,” Nemiah said.
Virion shook his head. “Sima is with them, as well as one of the beta guards. It is imperative that a kept alpha learn to tend his child.”
Nemiah’s brow furrowed as he stared Virion down.
“No offense taken, dear. Kershai did most of the child-rearing.” Pallosar laughed and Alluin blanched but held his tongue, but guilt still held his gaze until Askara entered the hall and followed Kershai.
