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Chapter 6

Consciousness came in waves.Lars heard the Alpha's booming voice, furious and demanding, though he couldn't understand what he was yelling about, or he was just unable to maintain the memories. He saw the concerned face of the stranger who'd defended him.

He could feel Phoenix's presence and his touch. It reached into him, finding him in the dark like a beam of fiery sunlight cutting through murky water. Lars saw him sitting at his bedside, Phoenix’s gaze fixed on him like a watchful guard.

He impatiently dismissed the healers attending to Lars as soon as they were finished with their basic duties, not wanting anyone to be around his Omega any longer than necessary. He insisted that he would be the one to change his bandages; no one was to touch Lars other than him. He applied the healing salves himself, cursing under his breath for allowing this to happen.

Lars heard and felt it all, though none of it really stuck. All he knew was the feeling of security when Phoenix was there, like a warm blanket on a cold day. Then he felt Griffin's presence and knew he was there, too. His body reacted immediately, like it was suddenly connected to a source of healing energy. He could hear the wavering call of a royal warbler.

Where was he?

The haze surrounding his mind began to clear. And for a brief moment when he fully regained consciousness, he thought he was back in his room at the royal residence. Then the illusion quickly faded and reality greeted him. He was in the bed in the banquet hall's VIP suite.

Grimacing, he slowly raised his head. The first layer of thin drapes were partially pulled closed to diffuse the bright sunlight, but the window was ajar and they fluttered softly in a cool breeze. He heard the sound of the warbler again. He managed to sit himself up. Griffin stood by the window, his hands clasped behind his back. Next to him, inside a large birdcage, was a bright blue royal warbler.

The Alpha turned around, sensing him come to. "Lars," he said, walking over to kneel by his bedside. "How do you feel?"

"What happened?" Lars asked weakly. Complete lucidity had still not returned.

"You were badly beaten by three Xyletian soldiers," Griffin said. Fury flashed crossed his face. "Ambassador Longfang witnessed it all, including the situation with the rations."

"Your army is full of wild beasts," Lars muttered. "They have no control. It pains me to know that this is happening across Ekdol. Across the world."

"There's no room for such behavior in my army," he said gravely. "My brother agrees. I promise you, this will not always be the way it will be."

Lars laughed and turned away, a sharp pain shooting through his chest from the effort. "That doesn't console me."

Griffin used the back of his hand to caress him, gently brushing Lars's hair and shoulder in a way that felt surprisingly affectionate, and it made Lars freeze. His body wanted to open up to Griffin, to melt into his touch and soak in every moment of it, but his mind and heart were muddled with suspicion.

Affection? It couldn't be. And even if it was, he wouldn'twantto receive affection from the man. Or, at least he shouldn't want to.

Griffin left the bedside and returned to the window. "You'll be glad to know that an example has been made of them. I pulled the trigger myself."

"I'm not glad," Lars said, but it was a lie. It filled him with a sick glee that he'd not known before. "You seem to enjoy murdering your own men."

"I will not hesitate to dispense justice on those who deserve it. Nor will I fail to reward those who demonstrate their loyalty." Griffin looked like a statue. He reminded Lars of one of those towering statues he used to admire in the Hall of Heroes. Dominating. Powerful. Intense. "I brought this back for you," he said. "An Ekdolian Royal Warbler."

Griffin brought the cage over to Lars's bedside. The bird hopped around on the perch, pruning its sapphire feathers.

"Why?" Lars asked, genuinely perplexed by this gift.

"You are my Omega," Griffin said plainly.

The door opened and Phoenix burst in, filling the room with his fervid energy. The warbler, startled, fluttered around the cage.

"This was my error,” Phoenix said. “I should never have let you out of my sight."

Griffin's tone was calm and even. "Brother... You should—"

"No, Griffin. He should never have been allowed outside. I told you it was not wise, and look what happened? He was nearlykilled." His eyes were full of flame. He crossed the room and kicked the door, slamming it shut and knocking a painting off the wall in the process. It fell to the ground, the glass smashing out of the frame. Lars watched Phoenix’s rage with a mix of awe and slight terror.

"Phoenix," Griffin said.

"I would raise them from the dead to kill them again. I’d punish them for eternity for what they did to our Omega. Are you not angry? He will never leave my sight again. He willnever—"

"Phoenix,"Griffin boomed. He wasn't shouting, but his voice filled the room, dominating everything. This seemed to knock Phoenix back to reality. He stammered, unable to get any further words out.

"This isn't your fault," Griffin said, his voice mellowing. "Nor is it his. Don't punish yourself, and don't punish him. He's not our prisoner, he's our Omega."