Page 48 of The Omega's Unexpected Bounty
His normally stoic, wrinkled face reddened as he shouted. “Enough, I have known my son for over twenty rotations. Whatever failings he might have, he never abused a Femeni or Omega. You, however, have hurt and killed Soturi.”
In the background, Taleen floated his chair to Balo who used it to steady himself as he stood. His thin-lipped glare flicked to Graden then settled on me.
“Graden, go near your mate. What do you smell?
Graden walked backward from Balo, and the redheaded security guard then turned and leaned in. He backed up quickly, and his eyebrows pinched together. The motion repeated before smelling my hair and cheeks.
King Delius’ flat voice carried through the Royal Chambers. “On your honor as a Volardi, Soturi and member of this royal court, what do you smell?”
Graden’s eyebrows pinched together, and I quickly shook my head no. His eyes shone. “I smell sulfur, First Father.”
“The smell of betrayal,” said King Delius quietly. “And I would ask who you betrayed Caan, but the answer iseveryone. You are a guest in my home, and you come to me with lies. Taleen has attempted to befriend you. An attack on Balo is against him as well. You accuse my son of grievous crimes. When our empire needs children, you tell us he would attack you. You even betray your mate with your lies.”
“Father,” said Graden.
“Your mate states he was abused by Balo who didn’t have ample time to perform this heinous attack. There are no bruises, and his smell gives off his deception.” His hands gripped the throne rests until his knuckles turned white. “Lest you think I am severe, consider this. Had you struck your brother harder, you may have injured him beyond our science.”
His hateful glare lingered on me. “Was that your intent? Lie so your Soturi would defend your honor?” He said the last word as if it were a slur and I suppose it was.
To King Delius side, Balo grinned as he rubbed at his face.
“He’s laughing at you.”
It was less than a heartbeat before they all turned to Balo’s blank expression.
King Delius frowned. “We listened and gave you the opportunity to tell your testimony. Instead, you speak lies. You embarrass us in front of our Ryba partners and your mate. If these were the old days, exile–”
Graden sputtered. “Absolutely not.”
“You are my son,” said King Delius. “I will take the love I have for you and what you feel toward your mate in consideration. He can no longer have full reign and will be monitored at all times.”
My jaw tightened to the point where I could feel the dull ache. The old Caan, well he would’ve done something besides sit here. Jumping out of my seat and picking up the king then shaking him until he saw the truth was a satisfying image. However, I was on a Volardi world with Soturi guards and Balo. It’s always been me against the galaxy although I had Tiny. If I didn’t deactivate him, I would’ve had a witness. Graden stood by my side even when all the evidence said he shouldn’t. The dank water smell that wafted off of him broadcasted his frustration. I was his mate – at least for a while – but he was royalty and torn between two duties.
The old me would have been able to do something smart with my fists and claws. Instead, I was in a body that was both mine and wasn’t. Even if I was willing to risk myself, my child couldn’t agree to that. I did the only thing I could do, lay in the chair pregnant while I avoided Balo’s and Delius’ hateful glares but also Graden’s empty stare.
***
Chapter Twenty-Seven
CAAN
My hand went to my hard and very out and oval stomach. With the other, I grabbed Graden’s wrist. “Feel.”
His gazed widened before he grinned. He said nothing, but his intense purple eyed look was enough to convey the sense of wonder. I let myself smile to join in and to push away the bad thoughts.
Balo’s attack from two weeks ago was well in my mind and my dreams. I didn’tneeda man who would fight the world for me. I could do it myself – well at least before. I expected him to dosomethingeven if I wasn’t sure exactly what. To be honest, the evidence against mewasoverwhelming. Sometimes when my eyes flickered open from insomnia, I half wondered if it really happened. It did, but there was just a sense of unreality to the situation. I suspected Balo didn’t care for me when I met him. Everything after confirmed it.I didn’t expect that level of hate.The stomach gurgles told me I should concentrate on something else. I didn’t know if the baby sensed my emotions but why take chances? He kicked again, and Graden laughed.
“Finally,” I said. “The doctor said I’d feel him soon. It’s been two months. My eyebrows rose as I thought about my next statement. “One more month and we see him for real,” I whispered. “Wow.” Despite my hanging belly that both went out and to both sides, I couldn’t believe this was happening. In a month I’d have a child, I wondered what that meant beyond the obvious. Technically I would be legally Volardi since my child was.
There must’ve been something in my expression because Graden spoke softly. “Rodion is under my direct orders to watch you. He has access to every place and technology I do and can protect you.” I fought the urge to say ‘I don’t need protection’ but I did – especially while I was carrying another life. I appreciated the gesture. Instead of calling me a crazy, lying Omega, he made sure I was protected and spent more time around me.
Despite the fights we had after Balo’s attack, Ididlike having him around. I swallowed hard and cursed the Omega hormones which threatened tears with every emotion. They made my nose fill with mucus, made my chest tender and… turned me into this sensitive thing.
What happened to the guy who spit on the saloon floor and stared down the Johnson boys?All I did was imagine me holding my child, and the tears came out.As if on cue…
Graden’s finger traced over my cheek before I jerked again as I felt another kick. “It’s so weird.”
“What does it feel like?”
