Page 34 of Sweet Omega
“Is that a question?”
“No,” Ludiin corrected softly. “Thank you.”
“Good,” Tarymn said, then continued down the path.
They wandered the paths of the garden, light spilling across blooms that glowed under the night, but when they circled back to the double doors Ludiin still couldn’t summon the will to return. His stomach twisted at the thought of stepping into that room again.
“There’s a door at the back of the house,” Tarymn said as if he’d read his mind. “You can use that instead.”
“You don’t think it’s rude that I don’t go back?”
“You’ve reached your limit,” he said with a shrug. “They’ll understand once I explain.”
A relieved smile tugged at Ludiin’s lips until it bloomed into a joyful laugh, he couldn’t hold back. “Thank you.”
Without waiting, he darted around the side of the house. The door swung open just as he reached it, and a maid stepped out, nearly colliding with him. Her eyes widened in fright.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you,” Ludiin mumbled as he slipped inside before she could say anything. The cooking station blurred past as he rushed through, then he was up the stairs, heart racing, until he closed his bedroom door behind him with a sigh of sheer relief. He sagged against the door for a moment, gathering himself, before pushing off and heading to the washroom.
He cleaned up quickly, changed into comfortable clothes, and finally made his way up to the sanctuary of his den.
Tarymn appeared a few minutes later, his presence filling the space with ease. “I knew I’d find you in here. You shouldn’t make too much noise. I told your brother you were too tired to stay up.”
“And he believed you?”
“Yes. I can be convincing when I want to be,” he said, stopping right in front of Ludiin. He reached into his back pocket and pulled something out. “This is for you.”
Ludiin blinked at the small silver object resting in his palm. It was a multi-tool. A very expensive one. Ludiin stared at it. Not moving.
“Aren’t you going to take it from me?” Tarymn asked.
“You shouldn’t have,” Ludiin said, remaining still. The air between them grew taut. Hard to breathe.
“I wanted to,” Tarymn said simply.
“I didn’t expect… a gift from you.”
“Why not?” Tarymn asked. "You accepted Hym's gift. Why are you rejecting mine?"
“Because you’ve already done enough,” Ludiin murmured.
"Hasn't he done enough?"
"He has, its just…"
"What?"
Tarymn’s gaze lingered on him, making Ludiin shift from one foot to the other, heat creeping up his neck. Then Tarymn leaned in, his intoxicating scent flooding Ludiin’s senses, rich and overwhelming. Ludiin froze, holding his breath. When Tarymn’s fingers closed gently around his wrist, sparks shot up his arm, sharp and dizzying, leaving him trembling.
What was he doing?
"I'm your stepbrother too, Ludiin."
"I know. I…"
“Don’t reject my gift. You’ll hurt my feelings.” He gently placed the cool metal into Ludiin’s hand, curling his fingers around it. “The beta who sold it to me swore it’s perfect for students.”
“It is,” Ludiin managed, his voice thick as tears suddenly pricked hotly at his eyes. He forced them back, unwilling to let them spill in front of Tarymn.
