Page 71 of The Omega's Unexpected Bounty
Chapter Forty
CAAN
The silver, circular ship streaked over the ocean as we raced back to our kingdom. It was another ten minutes before Matros’ people could make their way into the collapsed hallway. I suspected they could do it faster, but took it slow to make sure nothing happened to us. I hope our escape from death included Peter. He was groggy when we left. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Delius. He did horrible things, but he was Graden’s dad. Losing him might shatter his spirit.
There are plenty of options we could’ve taken. Contact ahead or stay in Matros’ kingdom. As Graden said, “We are Volardi. We do not run.” We didn’t, but we weren’t returning to the safety of our homes – maybe. There were plenty of possibilities, and most of them weren’t ideal. I hugged Nathan Junior tight and wondered what situation he was going into. I didn’t feel like arguing, but we needed to talk, to do something during the short trip. “I ran, you know. Technically floated fast with this chair.”
“Considering your condition and your limited options, what you did was clever. Like with most things, it’s a general rule. We aren’t rigid in our beliefs. You can make exceptions and still be Volardi.” That much is true. I’m a tall Omega with a nullified criminal record. If it weren’t for Graden’s flexibility, little Nathan wouldn’t be here.
“Is Peter expected to–”
“–recover? Yes. He’s young, and his sim wasn’t a combat model. Less neurological connections, unlike the one my father used.”
What he said made sense. That was one reason I made Tiny small; to minimize the feedback if he ever shorted out, but it still nearly took out my Pa.
“I wish we could have taken Nate back... uh, the original,” I said as I played with my baby’s dark hair.
“Matros is an honorable man, and he’s given his word despite his injuries. My father attacked his mate indirectly, and Nate attacked him decades ago. Now is not the time to make demands. Wewillget him back. That ismyword to you.” I opened his mouth as if debating words. “He is too injured and should not be moved. It’s best for him to receive immediate care as to not aggravate his injuries.”
A low hum took me out of my daydream, and a shimmering holographic video appeared over the crystal control panel. The normally stoic look of Rodion was gone. Instead there was a thin-eyed frown. He looked behind us, and I saw a hint of a smile at my son before he continued. “Graden, I’ve received your message and congratulations.” Graden said nothing and waited for the rest. “Taleen has given birth, and it wasbeforeCaan.”
My mate’s shoulders rose, and his back muscles flexed. “My father? Any change?”
“No, so…” His voice faded out. We knew what he would say, but Graden finished the rest. “Per the Sacred Scrolls, Balo is king.”
Graden and I both looked at each other then to our son. We did all this… the deal, the one year on Augo, and more to allow Graden to get the throne. Yet, when I looked at my child, I didn’t see a failure. Something unexpected, but in a way we won.
Still, our kingdom has a new king, and it’s not Graden.
We had five minutes to process the information and think if notworryabout the upcoming changes. Chances were bad Augo would splinter. Delius planned to leave, and Balo felt the same. Emotionally I remembered a man who showed me how much of a ‘weak Omega’ I was, or so I thought. The ‘Balo’ that slapped me and smeared sulfur on me so I smelled of betrayal was a Volardi sim, but the fake lesson lingered.
We landed on the same circular landing pad I used over three months ago. Graden stood up tall, and despite the situation, I smiled at Taleen as the ship’s top melted down. He was in a similar hoverchair, and his baby was in silver cloth. From a distance, I couldn’t tell the sex, but it didn’t matter. Any child was precious, but this one more so to them. He wasn’t only a son, but a throne and all the power that came with it.
Taleen’s smile lingered on me, and I’m sure it was genuine. He was a simple man but not stupid. Our group reached for power – perhaps too much – and overall were denied. Former King Delius was king no more. My desire to live a non-Omega life didn’t happen, and despite myself, I found my happiness. Graden’s plan to take the throne failed. Taleen had a simple desire – be a ‘good Omega’ – and he got it. No matter what I could think about Balo, I’m sure he cared about Taleen and his son.
The same son that may fight for control of his kingdom. Maybe against one of mine.That day was in the future. For now, it was Balo’s and Graden’s moment.
***
Chapter Forty-One
GRADEN
The fresh mossy scent of satisfaction wafted off my brother along with the betrayal scent of sulfur. Those smells rarely mixed, but they did now. Each step was crisp and precise yet disconnected as if I were in a simulacrum.
“Walk with me to the right,” said Balo. His tone and speech were of someone ordering a subject because it’s precisely what it was. Within a minute, we strolled into a white room with an open door to the ocean. The constant, dull crash of the surf filled the room. It wouldn’t penetrate the purple force field around my comatose father. Perhaps later they would open it up. There’s an Oma tale about the ocean healing the sick. For now, he’d stay immobile. Volardi science and old folklore did nothing except keep him ‘alive.’
Muscles that were still impressive for someone of his advanced years slumped flat against the bed. His purple eyes were open, but I saw no hint of recognition; only a steady fixed gaze on the ceiling. Several medical orbs floated around, and I gazed to a holographic readout.
“His heart rate is steady,” I said. My lips thinned when I saw the other line barely move. “His brain activity is low; almost non-existent.”
“Yes,” said Balo. “Perhaps it’s a kindness.”
I choked out my words. “Is that what you call it?”
“First Father betrayed us both, his people, and his position and yet if his brain was active…”
I got the implication. He might be trapped within his own body. No father has ever done anything like this. Had he survived unscathed, there would be questions on what punishment would be appropriate. I would never intentionally inflict anything like this on him, but the situation kept a son or sons from having to punish a father.Perhaps Balo is correct: a kindness.
