Page 23 of Impaled by His Omega Prince (Reluctant Fae Princes #2)

Lumic

It’d only taken a few days for them to start work on the font, tapping into the flow of water that led to their baths. The wall opposite had been a storage room for some time, and before that had been a prayer room. The mosaic glass windows set to take in the phases of the sun and moon. The floor lay covered with rugs that had been eaten by generations of woolymoths, the brown, tatty-winged fuzzy little bastards that loaded their bellies on sugarmoth silk and all manner of fiber. Beneath that lay a beautifully inlaid floor with thalmic sigils inlaid with golden wire in effigy of the goddesses.

Preserving the floors was their first priority, because that seemed right, somehow. Even as Kershai and their craftsmen delicately opened one of the walls to access the pipes, Askara stayed close by and helped, learning his thalmwork little by little as he went. Even Kershai, as uneducated about magic as he was, could help Askara with the little things.

That morning had seen Lumic at the tailors, being fitted for a matrimonial suit. Askara had been fitted the day before, his clothing a little more simple to produce. Lumic’s needed to be ornate. Since he wasn’t showing yet, it was imperative they move fast.

As he stood with an arm lifted, fighting one yawn after another, his omega father crossed one leg over the other and smirked. “Who would have thought you’d have been the first of my young to seek union.”

“Not the first to bring you a grandchild, though.” Lumic gave Pallosar a sneer that his father sighed and rolled his eyes at.

“No, but they are somewhat cute. I do well by them, despite what tradition would have.” Pallosar gritted his teeth and sighed. “But they’ll be leaving with Stamel when we find someone to make an arrangement with him.”

Lumic frowned. “Will Kimbel not be my page?”

Pallosar shook his head. “No. Since Kimbel and Tyran were surrendered to the crown, they go with their father. Maybe he’ll be more involved in their upbringing now.”

“Do tell Kimbel to at least say goodbye to me before he leaves.” Lumic frowned.

“There’ll be a whole party to celebrate their new journey. I’ll see to it.” Pallosar waved a hand dismissively before clearing his throat and waving down the tailor. “Take the hem up and dart that gusset, please. I don’t like how it lays over his seat.”

“My tunic will cover it, Father.”

“And your tunic will be coming off for your mate to witness later—trust me. And I assume the goddesses would like you looking your best.”

The tailor, Hingen, hesitated, eyes averted. Usually, he paid their conversations no mind. He was compensated well for what he did and did his job in silence.

“So, it is true. The goddesses have lifted the curses?” The beta’s dry voice cracked as he met Lumic’s gaze with watery blue eyes.

“As they’ve promised, but it will be seen this fall come harvest. It was due to be a plague year for the crops.” Pallosar offered Lumic a half smile, but Lumic couldn’t stomach the doubt. In his heart of hearts, he knew .

“Askara is their favored child and have given him to me with full blessing. All they have asked we have done. All is coming to fruition, I trust.” Lumic offered Hingen a kind smile that he reciprocated with a beatific grin unbefitting the somber tone he usually bore.

“You do well to keep us from starving. I am honored to be a citizen of Croatens, but the thought of never having to go a winter eating dried meat and powdered eggs would be a blessing. We can trade again, bring food to other nations, and my family’s farm may have a chance yet to thrive.”

It was such a simple thing, a farm not struggling for a year. The crops had a regular failure rate, but the horrid thing was, on every fourth year that the crops would fail, some would survive, and if they planted nothing…the plague would hit the next year instead. The goddesses would not allow their curse to be skirted.

“I’m sorry that the kingdom’s curse has burdened you for so long,” Lumic said, wincing as a stray pin pricked him.

“Pay it no mind. Not in my lifetime or many before has this been the fault of the crown. You are far from luxurious people, and I’ve seen how some crowns roll in opulence as their people starve.” Hingen gave a gesture with his fist to his chest in solidarity to them.

Lumic opened his mouth to reply, but a sharp knock interrupted his train of thought. His father’s page, a wiry middle-aged omega with dark eyes and a shrewd gaze stood in the door. “Your majesties.”

Pallosar turned his head and gestured the male in. “What is it, Sisel?”

“A royal entourage has arrived,” the page, Sisel, said near breathlessly. “Drashili and Liaberian.”

Pallosar tensed and rose to his feet, but Lumic raised a hand. “It is not as if we weren’t expecting it. Please, welcome them and I’ll have Hingen find a stopping point.”

Hingen, for his part, glanced Lumic up and down, marking a few places with chalk. “I’ll have you in your best in minutes, my prince.”

Lumic nodded and Pallosar rose, following Sisel as they went to greet the royal retinue.

When Lumic managed to get into his former clothing and out of his dressing room, the tailor went his own way, running down the hall so that he might finish Lumic’s clothes in his shop across the city.

None of his clothes felt right, all of the fabric itchy and uncomfortable, fitting fine as ever but unpleasant to wear.

Despite this, he composed his posture and ducked his head into the prayer room on his way toward the receiving chambers, catching Askara’s eye. His heart absolutely warmed until on fire with love and lust with just a peek of Askara’s toothy smile. The alpha had so much charm and innocence.

“There a problem, Lulu? I thought you were getting fitted.” Kershai stopped what he was doing and came out to greet him. Working on a project suited him.

“We have a royal entourage from Liaberos and Drashil here. I came by to get Askara, because they’re his family.” Lumic turned and gave Askara what he hoped was an apologetic look.

Instead of a reticent expression or meekness, Askara’s face hardened, and brow furrowed. He reached for Lumic’s arm and brought his hand up for a kiss. “Alluin is not a nice person. My interaction with him was cruel and the goddess herself has told Alluin I was no bastard, but he would hear none of it. If the goddess couldn’t change his mind, neither will you. So, be understanding that he may anger you.”

Even when things were hard for him, Askara wanted nothing more than to comfort Lumic. But that was why Lumic needed to take charge and be the next in line for the throne that Askara deserved.

Kershai gave Lumic a quick kiss to the top of his head and gestured for them to depart, but Lumic hesitated. Before he could say a word, though, Askara beckoned for Kershai to attend. “If I have to attend, you do as well.”

Kershai raised a single, sculpted scarlet brow and snorted. “I am not sure I’ll be of any value.”

“You’ll keep me entertained if I get bored.” Askara beamed, and Kershai shrugged.

Together, they hurried out and made their way to the receiving chambers. An attendant knocked on the door politely and escorted Lumic, Askara, and Kershai in with a low bow.

King Alluin sat in an armchair, back ramrod straight and expression chastened while a dark-skinned alpha spoke seriously with Pallosar. By his silver-chained horns, Lumic knew he must have been Behran’s son, the new king, Nemiah. So, the svelte omega next to him, pale as a whisper, wrestling a fussy little dusk child, must have been Virion.

Kershai was on excellent ground when it came to babies. He had more nurturing instinct than his omega partner and beamed at the sight. “Is your little one hungry or dirty?”

“A little of both, I fear. I haven’t had an opportunity to fee—” he started, but Kershai only waved him off.

“Come, if your mate permits, let’s find some swaddlings and you a quiet place.” Kershai gave Nemiah a questioning glance and startled when a short little sun fae child stood between Virion and Kershai with a furrowed brow.

Virion stared at Kershai for a moment. “You are Pallosar’s mate? Kershai?”

Kershai beamed. “That I am, and who is this little protector of yours?”

“That is my page, Sima. He’s understandably protective of me and the babe.” Virion stood and gave Nemiah a polite nod. He met Askara’s gaze for a moment as he curtailed Sima, and their shared glance exchanged a lifetime of words that needed said. They could wait for a cleaner, happier babe, though.

“Prince Virion,” Lumic said, giving the omega his greeting first. Liberians were such prudes about decorum, greeting betas and alphas first.

They exchanged a brief nod before Askara accompanied Lumic to sit in the only available armchair. As space was limited, Askara sat on the overstuffed arm and crossed one leg over the other, his silvery eyes locked onto Alluin. The beta king looked as if he’d rather be naked and strapped to a flashpine matron.

“Lumic, Askara, we were just speaking about the arrangement you two have ma—” Pallosar halted.

“I was not consulted on this,” Alluin interrupted.

“You were not consulted because you have continuously contacted us with demands rather than discussions. Now that you’re here, we can speak.” Pallosar tented his fingers and sat back in his chair. The green glint in his eyes was unmistakable for what it was—power and very little patience.

“Your intermediary was such a pain to deal with I couldn’t even get an answer if it was acceptable for us to arrive!” Alluin’s outburst ended when Nemiah raised a hand sharply. “Apologies. I believe the communication between us has been hampered and would do well to be rectified.”

“The communication is as follows— We are taking Summer’s Keep. The castle and its grounds will now be merged into Croaten lands and available to myself and Askara as we please.” Lumic crossed his arms and rested a hand on Askara’s thigh. The comforting weight of Askara’s chain hung over his clothes, where he hoped it glinted menacingly at Alluin. By the slight dip of his gaze, he noticed.

“That seems a little ridiculous—” Alluin silenced when Nemiah raised his hand.

“Prince Lumic,” Nemiah said by way of greeting before turning to Askara. “And I have yet to be introduced to you, but I assume you’re Askara? Mother Moon has spoken very highly of you.”

Alluin practically seethed at Nemiah’s words.

“It is nice to make your acquaintance, King Nemiah.” Askara let his horns free and dipped his head in acknowledgement, earning a warm smile.

“As I’ve done my own research as to what went on in Summer’s Keep, I’m left a little confused. How did it fall to brigands?” Nemiah kept his hand up in Alluin’s face while Askara explained how Cilan and Arlyth came for a visit before his keepers left without a word.

“I feared them dead, I’ll be honest,” Askara admitted. He’d spoken so innocently of the missing betas as if he thought they’d return, but the candid honesty made Lumic’s heart pinch in his chest.

“I did as well. It turns out, they did survive and fled to my kingdom. I won’t bore you with the details of that mess, but they’re relieved that Cilan and Arlyth have passed.” Nemiah’s lack of an explanation left a myriad of questions unanswered. Not a one of them would make it up with Askara or soothe that hurt. Any excuse for them having fled without notifying Alluin or seeking help couldn’t have been for acceptable reasons. “So, your request for Summer’s Keep is granted on the grounds that Askara has suffered much. Such a property is trivial, is it not, Alluin?”

Alluin, for his part, only nodded, his fists tightening on the chair’s arms.

“As for your status—I have to offer apologies, as I—I was mistaken. You are hereby acknowledged as Prince Askara. I was— Lyrica tried to explain. She was so weak after and—” Alluin cleared his throat. “It’s not very widely known that vitalis cannot help those in childbirth always.”

“I see. At least I have a better opinion of you on why she died, Father .” Askara’s tone remained small and polite, but the emphasis he put on that last word gave even Lumic the chills.

The tone didn’t escape Alluin, and he raised his shoulders a fraction of an inch, tensed and defensive. “I admit. I have not been kind.”

“No. You were cruel, but you allowed me to live, even if the goddess had to intervene to grant me that much leniency. So, yes, I will take Summer’s Keep, as I understand it was Lyrica’s castle to begin with, since her family originally owned it. Was it not a gift for your marriage?” Askara sat up straighter.

Alluin didn’t deny it and nodded. “I secede.”

“It will be a gift to my mate for our union. Present it as such.” Askara folded his arms.

Alluin didn’t hide the detest on his face but nodded all the same. “I know the answer, but I have to ask. That sigil, is he still under your control?”

“Until he can control his thalms, yes. Nobody ever thought to teach him.” Lumic sneered. “Though feel free to ask him any question you like. He cannot lie, and I’ve done nothing to manipulate him.”

“I see. And the mating. I assume it was to obtain the keep?” Alluin cleared his throat.

“The mating is because I love him so dearly that I would walk away from every farst of salicate to see him smile. He was kind to me when I was held prisoner by his captors. He saved my life a dozen times.”

Askara glanced over at Lumic, swallowing with a little blush that darkened his cheeks in a way that Lumic had only then become able to recognize with any reliability.

“You knew?”

“How many times did I have to wake with the taste of vitalis on my tongue only to realize Cilan had none?” Lumic took his hand and squeezed his fingers. “And he is an excellent conversationalist.”

“Apparently, he’s good at more than that. I apologize about having to break the news so bluntly, but Lumic is with child. Askara’s. Whether you wish it or not, our kingdoms are linked by blood.” King Pallosar leaned onto the arm of his chair and stared Alluin down as if daring him to rebut.

“It appears that our children are far more liberal with their bodies than I ever was. My daughter bore a child with her mates not too recently, far too soon after their own ceremony.” He cleared his throat. “It was an unexpected union, but the goddesses blessed them.”

Pallosar didn’t change his expression but flicked his gaze to Nemiah. As a Liaberian, Alluin was far more accustomed to meek and understated omegas, but Lumic’s masculinity and Pallosar’s dominance seemed to leave him at a loss of how to address and respond.

“I hope congratulations are in order? I am afraid all the gifts I bear have alcohol, but there will be a shipment coming along soon on the rail, that is, if you negotiate a route.” Nemiah’s sweet offer made Pallosar smile.

Alluin, for his part, stiffened and stared, wide-eyed.

“I was hoping so, because getting flashpine to you is becoming burdensome.” Pallosar nodded but turned his gaze back to Alluin. “And congratulations are very much in order. Askara is a wonderful child. He bears his dragon’s horns like my own mate, but more subservient and less aloof. He is certain of what he wants. I am proud to have your blood with my son.”

Pallosar’s wicked grin made Alluin squirm. Lumic wished he could gain half that brazen ability by the time he seated the crown.

“I wish to add one more condition.” Pallosar glanced from Lumic to Alluin before sighing raggedly. “My son Stamel needs to be removed from my kingdom. I do not wish to strip his title, but he has lost my faith, and I would like for him to find a mate and not be confined here.”

“He’s educated in war as all your sons are?” Alluin stared Pallosar down until he nodded. “Then I’ll bring him in to train my guards. We have precious little in the way of protections. The grace we’ve had for ages runs thin.”

“You’re being remarkably amenable…” Pallosar tented his fingers and stared Alluin down.

Lumic squeezed Askara’s hand.

Alluin, who had been a pale male in his prime, was a different sort of pale than the pure sun fae that Liaberos touted. While his hair was a steely black, not with age but in the spectrum of whites common in the crown, where Virion had gotten his paleness from, the rest of him mirrored Askara in form.

“Speak, Alluin. Forgiveness will never be earned from you, but peace can be given.” Nemiah turned his head to address Alluin but did so with intent, directing his speech back to Lumic, Pallosar, and Askara.

Alluin’s jaw ticked when he clenched his teeth. “I won’t ask for forgiveness. It’s abundantly clear that I cannot apologize enough for what was done. I’ve done poorly by all my children, most of which was you. Summer Keep is yours. The rail will come through without tariffs or fees for Croatens, as per Nemiah’s insistence. I will open my supply of vitalis to Croatens without question.”

Askara sighed. “Father, I do not need vitalis. The blood running through my veins, all the water in my body, it is all vitalis and bears the blessing. The moon has decided that Croatens will bear her healing blessing. Salus omni, which she has called Salusis. Vitalis can heal injury, where salusis will cure illness. There will be no opening of supply, but a trade.”

“By her name…” What little composure Alluin had fell from his face as tears glistened in those pale blue eyes of his.

“For all intents and purposes, Alluin, you are an unpleasant fixture in my life. My interactions with you will be only as the goddess commands. Your guilt, if you have any, will be your own to bear and not mine to soothe. Be that your burden.” Askara squeezed Lumic’s hand back. “Give me my title and bless my union. You can at least help me keep Lumic’s honor after what happened.”

“If he’s already with child, my blessing won’t stop rumors.” Alluin’s voice didn’t bear the sourness of one who held hate in his words. “It’s not advisable for alphas and omegas to dally about.”

“We didn’t dally about .” Lumic made air quotes and sighed heavily. “I was held captive in the keep for so long that my nightflower wore off and it was either die, let an alpha I didn’t want access my body, or Askara. I chose your son.”

Alluin winced at the last word. Son.

“I see. In a way, the child is a victim of my poor actions, too.” Alluin leaned his head to the side, resting his face on his fingertips. “Anything you ask, I must give. By the demand of the goddesses. Even if you call for my throne.”

The room went silent.