Page 39 of The Omega's Unexpected Bounty
I bit my lip and thought about one concern. “I can ask that you keep your Ryba guards. Youarean Omega.”
He chuckled. “Caan, I don’t need you to tell me that. I’ve had a reminder even when I tried to forget. Men, if you could call them that, reminded me for twenty years. I can handle myself.”
I nodded that I heard. Later on, in the evening, I would have wished I did things differently. There were things I should’ve done, give a tentative hug, and promise to check in on him. Maybe even ask if he needed anything. Instead, I spoke with no emotion and gestured for Tiny to follow me.
“I think we should go our separate ways after this.”
***
Chapter Twenty-One
CAAN
The next week was settling into a routine and making sure I was familiar with Augo culture. Hence my presence while the citizens aired their grievances to the King. Arguments about waterways, requests for new buildings, and worries about leaving andnotleaving filled the royal chambers.
My gaze darted to a small, tanned man with almost yellow hair. His hands moved excitedly in the air, then pounded on his purple flecked chest while he spoke about an upcoming Ryba celebration. His deep voice faded into the background while I thought. The first few days here were a change. Ceremonies, meeting new people, sleeping with a guy, ‘physical sessions’ in the dojo and in our underwater bedroom. Memories of his sweaty forehead, while blue light drifted over him, filled my mind and I smiled.
Careful Caan.I didn’t need to voice it, but that ‘thing’ at the end of my mind was a dangerous thought. It would turn me into something I fought against.
So different from what I came to expect.Earlier if you asked me what Omega or Femeni did, I would’ve said ‘follow their mates like pets.’ Balo’s man fit that mold. I sensed no cruelty toward Taleen, but Balo was the main man in their relationship. To the little guy’s credit, he seemed to be okay with it. From what I was told, he came from a poor family with no connections. Married into royalty was like winning the lottery for him and his family. Femeni and Omegas could technically do almost anything, but there were always expectations they provide children.
There were a few women and guys back in New Texas that like the subservient role. If it weren’t for the ‘stink’ around Balo, I wouldn’t worry so much.Hell, it’s not my place. If the little guy’s happy with it, that’s on him.
A few times I wondered if Graden expected me to be like Taleen; have him decree something and then have me follow. A few times out of spite or to test the waters I randomly requested we do other stuff or pick a spot on the ocean, the mountains or even to the floating cities to visit. Every time he did it without complaint.
A familiar warm hand squeezed my shoulder. Graden’s voice whispered from behind. “You smell curious.”
I inhaled the smell of leaves, and he was right. “Wondering where we’re going today.”
“Another random spot.” I smiled and wondered if he sensed it.
The man left, and King Delius sighed long while his hands slapped together. “What would you have done in this case, Caan?”
Oh hell, what was he talking about?My jaw muscles tightened while heat flashed over my face. “I’m not familiar enough with Augo politics,” I said.
He gave a dismissive murmur. “Is that it, or were you not listening? Royalty must always know the needs of the people. Otherwise, you won’t know to apply the Boot or the Hand.”
“Sorry, I was preoccupied with uh, I thought we all would be here.”
“Balo and his mate have already attended these services. With both sons in line for the throne, I thought you would embrace this opportunity. Volardi society is built on redundancies, and one must plan for the future, yet you stand with nothing to offer.” His eyebrows pinched together, and steady purple eyes bore into me. “Perhaps if there was something that involvedclawsand a saloon instead?”
In my side vision, I saw Graden’s neck tighten, but I mouthed a soft ‘no.’ He would come to my defense but not everything needed to be a fight. Delius was a calm king, but so is the ocean until it gets riled up.
Quick approaching footsteps grabbed my attention. There’s a saying on New Texas, that if you speak the Devil’s name, he’ll come. I didn’t believe in the supernatural, and Volardi legends said they killed their evil spirits, but Balo stepped through the golden archway and looked up to his father on the throne.
My expression dropped. I barely knew the man, but I recognize the swagger. Plenty of men in New Texas had it, and it’s a subtle tell. Some men strut, but it’s all an act. There’s the quiet confidence of someone who knows how to fight. They’ll stand still and wait for you to make the first move.Then there are men like you Balo.Sometimes they were terrible poker players, or they knew life was good and wouldn’t hide it.
“First Father,” he proclaimed loudly. “Dear brother, even my newest family member, Caan!” Balo stepped to the side his white-haired mate – Taleen – entered. His teeth looked as white as his hair when contrasted against his dark skin. The little guy wasn’t imposing, most men his size couldn’t be. From the way he walked especially in front of the King, it was as if he was the tallest man in the room. His hand clasped Balo’s who then sputtered, “We are with child!” he said.
King Delius’s stoic face turned into a full, wrinkled grin. He slapped his hands together quickly, then hurried to them both. He first wrapped his arms around Balo. The scent of acidic ammonia – worry – wafted off Graden. He would never rule, not now. Even if I wasn’t using Tiny’s birth control, Taleen had a head start. The kingdom would breakaway, and they would know Graden as the Soturi who couldn’t impregnate his own mate.
“I suspected earlier,” said Balo. “However, I wanted to make sure.” He started at Graden as he said it. “We’ve updated the royal files.”
“This is usually done with family. The archives don’t require secrecy,” said Graden.
“No, but some will do anything for power, even harm a relative.”
Speaking about yourself or someone else?
