Page 15 of Ruined By His Alpha King
“Need I go speak to Lord Tynmal about your flirtations with his daughter?” From what Stamel had said, the old bastard was indebted to him. They’d gone to visit the omega that bore his child once and confirmed Stamel’s whisperings. The omega thanked Stamel dearly for what he’d done and had givenSeidrik a beautiful box of embroidery thread, as if he were an omega sitting about doing stitchery.
But he was an omega, and had never learned stitchery. Saria, though, would love the gift, and he’d told the omega so, how the princess would adore it. It made the omega smile.
Ingred gave Stamel the fickle finger and silenced, folding his arms almost childishly.
Seidrik, for his part, slipped out.
He’d become obsessed in such a short time with the font. Collecting a little water surely wouldn’t hurt him. The goddess had said not to consume it, but it wouldn’t hurt to take some. But, he would be healed… It was a silly notion.
Seidrik veered from his route away from the promenade and down the old wing of the castle by the baths where salusis flowed.
Seidrik stepped into the room, guilt flooding his conscience. If he were to be healed of his omega nature, what would that mean for Stamel? Their bond? But hadn’t Lumic been here not minutes ago? The water, flowing gently, held a faint glow to it, a shimmer not unlike that of vitalis.
Omega prince of my sister’s ilk. What are you doing in my domain?
The voice was different. The moon, he assumed. The guilt that swam in his belly intensified.
“Probably something I should not be, sister of my goddess.” Seidrik had never been taught how one addressed the moon.
At least you admit it. Come sit by my font and speak, omega. Why is it that you, who have betrayed my sister’s beloved child and driven him into my arms, who has given kindness to our blessed Askara, come to my font?
Seidrik approached and sat, forgetting about stealing the vial, filling his nightflower glass with the blessing he did not earn.
“I had hoped it would heal me of my flaw.” Seidrik dared not speak his ailment aloud.
It would heal you, but what is wrong with you may not be that you are omega, or it could be. Who knows? I certainly hold that power, do I not?The goddess laughed in the way a spirit’s voice could, a vibration in the air itself, caressing his mind with it.
“I wouldn’t know, but I assume you do, as alpha and omega are your holy genders.” Seidrik stared into the waters, how the light danced on the surface, reflecting the light of the moon. “I sit here distracting you from a child born in your name. I do apologize.”
It is nothing. You seem like you need me more. Why is it you do not take the salusis, anyway?
“If I am cured of being…what I am, what would that do to Stamel?” Seidrik had an urge to stick his fingers in the water, feel the flow of it as he’d done with vitalis on occasion, feeling the love of a mother in it.
Probably the first selfless thought you’ve had in your life.
“Probably. Mother did teach me better. I turned out like my father, though.” Seidrik cleared his throat as his eyes stung with tears.
What is it that you would wish of me, then, nephew dear?
“I wish to… Honestly, I have many selfish wishes that my m-mate promises to make come true, and I believe him. I believe the sun that she will provide.” Seidrik stared at the water’s surface, finding the moon so much easier to look upon. “I wish that I was someone Mother would be proud of. And I wish that Askara could have known her.”
The goddess was silent for a moment, perhaps thinking or offended. As each second ticked by, he grew more tense, ready to turn and leave, deterred from stealing the salusis.
How about I make a deal with you?
“As long as I do not incur my Mother Goddess’s wrath, I will listen.” Seidrik wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and took a deep breath.
My sister and I can bring your mother from the beyond for a moment. She can see you right now, if you so wish. And in return, I’ll only ask that you disobey my sister, drink of the font.
Seidrik stared at the water and swallowed hard. “I do not deserve to be healed, nor do I deserve to see my mother again. Askara was never able to meet her, and… If I drink of this, will you let her meet him, then, once? See her granddaughter, her namesake?”
The goddess chuckled.For that alone, I will not ask you drink. Your tears you shed, give them to my font. Lean forward to let them flow. I will take them from you, pull bitterness and poison from your veins, and you will not drink of salusis, not now. One day, though.
“But would it not heal me?” Seidrik did as he was told, letting a single droplet trail the side of his nose, beading at the tip. The drop fell, catching moonlight in a glint before disturbing the gently rippling surface.
I’ll ruin my sister’s trickery for you. Partake of the water and all the fine work you did to accustom yourself to Stamel’s ravaging would be undone. If you wish to have another night of being taken raw as a virgin, drink freely.
Seidrik stared at the water as his tears ceased, the final drop falling from his eyes. “I appreciate the warning and I believe I’ve accustomed myself enough to…it. I do not wish to have to heal all over again from that.”
