Page 23 of The Omega's Unexpected Bounty
“I already told you, it’s hard to explain, and we don’t have time. The event’s starting soon.”
“If you didn’t turn me off, it wouldn’t be an issue. I’m supposed to protect you. I can’t do that when I’m deactivated.”
“TechnicallyIdidn’t turn you off. My–”
I blinked fast as I searched for the right word. Technically Graden was my mate, but that word didn’t seem correct or wrong either.
The overhead white crystal lights in my, our bedroom dimmed then resumed their brightness. Usually, Graden would be here, but he wanted to give me time with Tiny – even as he thought caring about a sim was foolish. Still wasn’t sure how alive Tiny was, but it couldn’t hurt to be polite. After all the times he’s saved me, I figured I owed him that.
He offered me time with Nate, but that was a problem for another time. He was with his aquatic Ryba guards, and I had no idea what he was up to, beyond staying out of trouble.At least there’s that.Keeping him around was a problem, and we didn’t discuss options yet. If he were the same person from twenty years ago, his freedom would’ve been cruel to any innocents. Either he learned his lesson or discovered to hide his nature. My lips pursed into a frown as I walked up the stairs and wondered if there was another reason for keeping him around. I never got along with my father back home. I was an embarrassing reminder of what he did to Nate. Most people think of themselves as decent, and a sheriff was no exception. One afternoon, he ‘indulged’ and had his way with a prisoner. If it weren’t for the Volardi, Nate would have tried to forget about it, and my New Texas father would stay a ‘decent, upstanding member of the community.
I wouldn’t be born either.I jumped over the first step and nodded my head to a thickly haired red-head. The implant told me his name was Rodion, he was head of security and Graden’s friend. From his hard muscles and purple chest flecks, he was Soturi. Somewhere in that messy mop of hair was his purple stripe. Deep purple eyes stared, down, and I had to ask myself if I liked how he looked at me even if his face was without emotion.
Maybe that’s how it is with royalty. Don’t show what you’re thinking and you can’t insult them?My forehead furrowed.Shit. That’s me. I’m royalty now.
***
Within a few minutes Rodion and I made our way to the silver bubble craft in the center of the landing pad. The top part melted down until it was nothing more than a wide ‘saucer’ big enough for two people. Once we were on it, it reformed upward with continuous ‘click-clack’ sounds.
I looked away to the cloudy blue sky and felt Rodion’s purple eyes on me. Without looking, I spoke. “Yes?” It was an invite for more questions, but I didn’t wait. “You’ve been eyeballing me from the shadows. I can feel your gaze.”
I turned and looked up. His red-freckled face was free of expression. He said nothing, but his lips quivered slightly.
“Spill it. I won’t tell anyone.”
He blinked once then spoke. “You would keep secrets from your mate?”
“Everyone has secrets. There’s a difference between lying and withholding something.”
His fingers quickly went over the glowing control panel, and we lifted with a soft jerk.
“Do you know how you two met?” he asked. I did and gave a quick breakdown of the situation. “No, that’s how youthoughtyou met. Graden asked me to find him someone. The only criteria were he be Femeni or Omega and thus could technically be his mate.”
I felt my eyes narrow for a second. I was looking at the other man responsible for my one-year ‘visit.’
“There were others, but they and their Soturi refused to relinquish their claim on their Femeni or Omegas. Even with the lottery, there are deals one can make, if one is so inclined.” He breathed in deep and developed muscles I’ve sure helped his security chief duties tightened. “Graden is my friend. It’s my sworn duty to protect him and help. Despite your unique background, you are not a terrible match.”
“Thanks,” I said.
“There was no insult. Graden is good to those he cares about. He’s not a bad man, nor are you.”
“The point?”
“Look at what the universe has provided. You may find Augo is your home, instead of a prison to endure. Do you know of my people’s belief?”
There were several: Volardi were the warriors of the galaxy, use the ‘Boot and the Hand,’ but I guessed his thoughts correctly.
“Serendipity?”
He smiled. “We used to call it something else, but it sounds better in the Earthling’s tongue. Something unlikely that ends in a benefit. Your presence was by fortune and my hand. Sometimes the universe will give you something valuable if you only let it. Do not seek to fight, simply because you can.”
His neutral expression took over, and we flew out then down into the flat blue. White bubbles and foam enveloped us, and we dove into the blue-black. After a short while, I saw shimmering white lights around a canyon. In the middle were a lit green dome and a castle over a lake in a circular city. Around the dome were rainbow coral cliffs and long swimming snake-things that looked tiny from a distance but I’m sure they had to be huge. Intellectually, I knew a city underwater invited a whole set of engineering problems. The dome could crack, it was under immense pressure, and it would have been easier to have it on an island. The Volardi claim they’re practical, and mostly it’s true. I suspect this was to show theycoulddo it and let any enemies be in awe.I suppose there is practicality in that.
Back on New Texas, I revealed my claws early for some fights. If I wanted to kill someone, hiding them until the last moment would be the best move. Instead, I let them extend and stood there. Most people wouldn’t try anything, and I wondered if that’s what they were doing – preventing a fight. ‘Don’t fuck with the Volardi’ as the expression goes. Nate now understood that. I killed two and got pressed into this arrangement.And what exactly is ‘this.’ Staying here, sure.Rodion seemed to think there could be more.Is there?
We got closer, and I saw a dome within a dome. The outer portion melted open, and we floated or flew through. I turned around and saw it re-seal. My inner ears popped slightly while white-blue lines of sunlight from the waves overhead danced over us.
We floated over a clear lake that covered half of the white-beige castle. The top had a ‘ball’ for a room with towers around it. I suspect that was our destination. Inside were delegates from the surrounding kingdoms and where I would officially announce I was Graden’s mate.
