Page 209 of Dream Mates
“So’s Evan.” I drained half the cup, then added more coffee. Plopping into the chair next to Brennan at the table, I sighed as I took another sip.
Brennan looked over and closed his laptop. “Are you okay? We were worried. Yesterday must have been really scary for you.”
“It was. I had no idea what I was going into, what to expect. I… I was so afraid.” All these emotions swirled inside me, ones I was able to keep at bay because I was too busy being loved. But now, awake and still, the reality of what happened yesterday settled inside me, smothering me like a too-heavy blanket.
I could have died for reasons I didn’t even understand.
“I’ve got you.” Brennan pulled my upper body to him.
I rested my head on his shoulder as I started to cry. Sob after sob wracked my body as Brennan’s hand ran up and down the back of my neck, as I started to finally process everything.
“We’re all right here. Wes should be back soon, but I’m not above texting Jett to drag Wes’ ass out of the pool, or asking Spencer to leave his golf game. Why is that man even golfing?” Disapproval tinged his voice.
“Because I said that I was fine if he did. It’s a pretty important game that has been planned for weeks. They’re brokering a big contract that’s going to lead to a bunch of jobs.” My voice choked with tears as my head continued to rest on his shoulder.
Spencer and I originally planned on flying home after a post-golf lunch.
Brennan’s phone buzzed. With his free hand he texted something.
“I’m fine,” I mumbled into his shoulder. That was probably one of them asking the group chat if I was okay.
“I know you think you're fine, you always do. It’s okay to not be. If I was pulled away for testing I’d be unsettled. Not to mention everything else that’s happened to you,” he said softly, playing with the hair at the nape of my neck.
“It’s just that I can’t wrap my head around the whole genocide thing,” I sniffed. “Or not letting carriers have kids.” Remembering Lark’s attitude, I looked up at him. “Or how polarizing it is. My health class didn’t cover this. Executing people for their genetics is frowned upon where I’m from.”
“Oh. Yes, you literally didn’t have that assembly. One of the things they do is talk about people from those designations that have done horrible things throughout history to help put it in context. But you don’t know the history here, so that wouldn’t mean anything to you. We’re talking about everything from killing millions of people because of where they were born, to bombing skyscrapers, to using the charisma of their dynamic to perpetuate hate,” he explained. “It’s the idea of sacrificing one for the many.”
“It doesn’t mean theyallhave to die. They killed Thora,” I started to sob. “She hadn’t even done anything. She was a pianist. I didn’t even get to know her.” I was going to cling to what the professor said about her being good, smart, and funny. Especially since the woman who raised me was none of those things.
Brennan rubbed my neck. “I’m so sorry. She played the piano like you?”
“That’s what the professor said,” I sniffled. “He showed me a picture of her with a trophy. Who’s Theodosia? That’s apparently my middle name. When I asked the professor about it, he laughed and was likeYou play the piano and don’t know who she is?”
In hindsight, that sort of hurt. I didn’t like being laughed at like that. But then he had no idea where I’d grown up.
“Well, that wasn’t nice. Theodosia was an omega that masqueraded as a beta in Golden France and became a renowned composer and pianist that played for leaders all across Europe. She was known not only as a prolific composer, but as a prolific lover. Many of them were patrons who helped her to keep her secret. It was only after she died that the truth came out. This was a time when omegas had very little freedom and it angered people that an omega dared do such a thing and they tried to erase her.”
“Omegas couldn't create art?” In the few conversations I’d had with adult omegas, who’d grown up knowing they were omegas, they’d all studied the arts. Kilroy’s mom played in the symphony.
“Oh, they could. They’ve always been encouraged to learn music, dancing, painting, and such. It’s being serious about it.Contributingto their field the way she did. Not to mention all the unchaperoned trips and concerts. Oh, and not finding an alpha and having lots of babies.” He grinned. “So scandalous.Even worse, she gave omegashope.She’s considered an inspiration for omegas who want careers.”
“That sounds like a good namesake. Are her pieces nice?” I asked.
“They’re very lovely to listen to–but a bitch to play. While in theory they’re not as technical as say, Volkov or Kirkokov, it’s all in the execution, which takes skill and maturity. Nothing sours a recital quicker than a beginner trying to play one of her pieces. We can find some if you’d like, either to listen to or play,” he soothed.
“I’d like that. Apparently Thora didn’t like Volkov. I… I do.”
“And that’s fine. You’re right, science should be able to find a better way. They just have to get past the fear of the people first.”
“I suppose if I had the historical context I could grapple with it better. I don’t even know what it means to be a sigma or whatever.” I put my face back into the crook of his neck and inhaled his pine scent.
His hands ran up and down my back in a way that was relaxing. “It’s a lot I’m sure, discovering you’re from a family with illegal designations.”
“That doesn’t change anything, right?” Fear shot through me. “You’re not going to kick me out of the house.”
“Never.” His head leaned on mine, his pine scent continuing to envelop me. “And not just because the house would revolt.”
His words soothed me and my body relaxed into him.
