Page 21 of Impaled by His Omega Prince (Reluctant Fae Princes #2)
Lumic
The first rays of sunlight kissed his temples and warmed him far more than the body curled into his chest. Where Lumic had always been told he’d be cradled and held dear by an alpha, it seemed Askara was perfectly content to be Lumic’s little spoon.
“Mff—” Askara yawned, stretching from beneath the blankets as he drew Lumic to a full stir. “Morning, Mother. Morning, Lumic.”
His bare chest shone such a silvery-ashen color, lighter than a dusk and inundated with an almost glow. Lumic couldn’t remember how he mistook him for dusk blood.
Good morning. A voice Lumic hadn’t heard before traveled on the edge of sunlight. It pierced his mind much like the rays of light pierced his lids.
Gathering a blanket, Lumic sat up and wrapped himself before shuffling toward the bedroom window. It wasn’t designed to praise the goddesses, but the small balcony welcomed them, set above Pallosar’s prized citronella garden. Though, at that time of year, the plants were little more than curled vines and withered leaves. Merely a few weeks before, they’d be waking up, spreading bright leaves with blossoms, not just the common orange of sunrise but vivid pinks, reds, and purples from years of careful breeding. Much of it Kershai’s doing. His alpha father loved to make Pallosar smile.
Askara shuffled up behind him, having procured his robe from the bath the night before. Firm fingers rose and rubbed over Lumic’s shoulder. “Say good morning to her.”
Lumic had a hard time imagining there being someone that could intimidate him and make him worry. No male ever had, that was for certain. The goddess, though?
“Mother Goddess, sun above. Holy is your light…” That was the extent of what Lumic knew. Being agnostic in a world where the deities themselves spoke with people didn’t quite sit well. Croatens had been abandoned by religion for years.
Better. Have you two become well acquainted? Is he fit for you, Askara?
“Very acquainted, and he is more than fit for me. I fear I may not be fit for him.” Askara bent his head down, baring his horns for the goddess. The way the morning sunlight bounced off the sheen on his horns made Lumic’s heart flutter.
“He’s perfect.” Lumic’s breathy response caught in his throat. “I don’t deserve him. Not after what my ancestor did to your blessed one.”
All is forgiven. Now, you’ll have no problem baring your form for me, omega, will you?
Lumic did as he was told and bore his frost deer antlers. His wings, he let the blanket slide down his back to let them flit free, the papery rasp of them comforting, almost as much as the warm hand that slid down his neck and traced along his wings. Lumic dared not look away from the goddess, no matter how much he wanted to see that look of awe plastered to Askara’s face like he did every time he fondled his screechwasp wings.
You are a strong and opinionated omega. Your heart is hard, but inside, you bear a softness that needs care. Askara will hold your heart, Lumic. And as the moon has claimed your family’s line, the sun will bless your line. Bite your tongue, Prince Lumic. Draw blood for your alpha.
Lumic bit down on his tongue until the coppery taste of his blood filled his mouth. And before he could say another word, there Askara was, his lips budding with a tinge of golden light, shimmering on the surface of his midnight-black blood.
They embraced one another and kissed, and every thalm of Lumic’s heart burned with pleasure, the heightened moment of bliss and hope cascading through him until the charge of power from Askara’s thalms fueled him more.
Weeks of exhaustion faded away, the sore muscles of his recent flight melting into his flesh like it never was there. A soft whisper of pleasure escaped Lumic’s lips, a breath that he stifled. Their mixed blood tasted lovely together, a taste he’d never experience again, pure power. The lingering aftertaste of thalms, though, would always be with him.
Have whatever ritual the moon demands. Thalms will bind at her insistence. So, I have blessed your union. Your souls had entwined far better than I could have hoped, so I bind your lives to one another. I bind your hearts. And what’s more, I bless your little one with good sleep, contentment, and love. I curse them with your own stubbornness, omega. For as much as I love Askara’s sweetness, I trust him little with a crown. He trusts and loves far too easily. Treasure him, Lumic.
“Thank you, Mother Goddess. I will do as the moon has commanded and erect a font. I shall open the borders to fae wishing to bring the temples here.” Lumic took a deep breath and sank into Askara’s chest with a gentle lean. As energized as he was, a new kind of exhaustion settled over him, one that demanded his closeness to his mate. “What would you have me do for you?”
Convert one of the old temples into a sanctuary in my honor. Let the priests come and allocate a fund to care for omegas that were not as lucky as you. Whose mate never returned, or whose alpha never wanted a child.
“It will be so. I have a feeling that between Askara and my alpha father, they can find great purpose in developing it.” Lumic rested a hand on his belly and imagined the shame of a bastard, the shame of loss, or worse. And were he not a prince? He shuddered to think of what would become of him. Would the healers deny him care? Would he be able to afford the life or afford the medicine? It sickened him.
“I would find great joy in it.” Askara beamed and drew Lumic’s face up to stare upon him with his bright smile, dusky skin stretching wide. The sun framed his head, making him glow as they kissed one more time.
This pleases me. One more thing…
Her words made Lumic’s lips curl into a wicked grin. “It would be my utmost pleasure, my Mother Goddess.”