Page 29 of Impaled by His Omega Prince (Reluctant Fae Princes #2)

Lumic

Wake, child.

Lumic yawned and rolled to his side, engaging in a sort of wormlike crawl before managing to slump himself into an upright position. “Me or our little one?”

They are already awake. I wish to speak with you. Let Askara sleep.

Lumic intended on letting him sleep, anyway, but it was nice she thought of it. “Trousers are a little difficult without waking him. Would it offend you terribly?”

Bare, you come into this world and bare, you shall leave it. In between, it matters not. Rise, my Askara’s flame.

The flame jabs had grown a little stale, but the affectation was appreciated. It meant the goddess still held him in her favor.

“As you wish, Mother Goddess.” Lumic rose and tugged at his undergarments politely before reaching for his bedside robe and slippers. They barely fit, his feet swollen and aching, but it kept the cold stone off them.

It is time for you to bless the font.

As she said it, a ripple of tense pain flowed over his belly, the beginning of a practice quickening. The spasms before real labor began. “I see.”

Lumic took a shaking breath and stared out his bedroom window to see the bright, full face of her majesty. She was truly beautiful, in a way that Lumic could appreciate more.

You’ve little time, my candle’s flame. Your wick burns short.

Lumic tightened the tie of his robe and glanced away from the moon and to Askara, who lay curled so sweetly amid his blankets, his lips a beautiful, parted, plump canvas that Lumic wanted to paint with his own tongue. The alpha was his whole world, for the moment. Soon, his world would open to invite a third in their little one.

Stealing away from his lover, he exited his bedroom and out of his hall, startling a dozing guard into jumping to attention. “At ease. Wake Fathers and send for the healers, would you? There’s plenty time yet.”

Lumic offered a sweet smile and tarried down the master staircase, the sweeping curve of it leading him into the main hall that he traversed to the baths and into the prayer room, where salusis would flow.

Against the far wall of the room, the one shared with the baths, he drew himself to the altar. A simple fountain, barren and dry, sat waiting for Lumic to turn the spigot, letting water flow to fill the chambers and pool below until it filled the great reserve, letting a counterweight shut it off.

Moonlight shone perfectly through the windows that had been restored. The face of his mother looked down upon him. Let it flow.

Lumic turned the spigot and let the rich spring water trickle into the first bowl, overflowing into the second, then third, each progressively bigger. He stared into the third bowl as the first splashes of water came down, catching pure moonlight in its stream. “They did well on it.” Lumic resisted the urge to touch the water.

Step into the reservoir.

Lumic winced his way through a light contraction, the pain knotting in his belly, but ultimately listened to his mother, slid free of his slippers, and stepped over the sculpted lip of the reservoir and stood in the sealed mosaic bottom, inlaid with polished cabochons of moon opals in a pretty swirling pattern. The goddess had approved of them but not asked for them. Lumic was convinced she’d have been content with a tap and bucket, but putting forth more effort seemed the right thing to do.

Approach the bowl.

Lumic did so, shuffling one step at a time to the bowl, bare feet appreciating the feel of the coolness.

Dip your hands.

Lumic did so, extending his hands to slide into the water, the final bowl not yet full, not ready to overflow and fill the reservoir.

It was warm, not enough to bathe in, but like the sun had shone on still water. The ache in his hands and tingling in his fingertips that had plagued him half his pregnancy went away almost immediately. He sighed in relief as the pressure in his belly knotted up further, and he hissed through his teeth just in time to feel uncomfortable wetness flood his undergarments and drip down his thighs.

It is as it should happen. Do not fret.

Lumic grabbed for the edge of the bowl to keep himself steady as the first volley of water spilled from the fluted lip of the basin into the floor reservoir.

Like Askara, how his blood and very essence was vitalis, touching the surface of water with prayer creating more, Lumic’s waters spread pearlescent silvery magic through the water, spilling and spreading like frost on a morning window.

Pray.

“Mother Goddess, moon above. Holy is your glow. I give myself to you and take your son as my own, and from our union, give you, our fruit. May the line of Croatens be blessed with the moonborne. May our offerings please you and may our service be just.” Lumic rested his weight against the lower basin and rocked his hips, equalizing the pain and pressure as water pooled silvery and plentiful about his feet.

Blessed son, my flame, my child. As you have chosen to follow me, as a descendant of my moonborne long gone, I forgive the sins of Croatens. May there be no more brother killing brother. May crops grow as plentiful as the weather permits, for even the moon cannot control the wind and sea. May even in bad weather, my blessings provide. I promise this, as you give me a new child of the night, I give you my word.

“Thank you, Mother Goddess. If I survive this, my life will belong to you.” Lumic hung his head, for it was not always certain that an omega would whelp and live. Vitalis only went so far.

With salusis, no omega need die. It is my gift to bearers. Take of the water and live.

Lumic glanced down, the tinged fluid trailing his thighs made him cringe a little. “I’m not drinking that…”

He could have sworn he heard a laugh in the ethereal light of the moon.

The waters of life begin with the waters of a bearer and the blessing of a mother. Bear well.

Lumic sighed as the presence of the goddess seemed to drift away. As he looked up, turning toward the door, he met Askara’s gaze, his wide, silvery eyes locked onto him with worry. His gaze drifted down. “Lumic.”

“Salusis flows.” Lumic offered his brightest smile as he shuffled from the water and walked over to his slippers, his gait unsteady.

Askara scooped him up in a rush, the worry spreading to pure panic as he drew Lumic back to their hall and room. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

“The goddess didn’t wish it so. Perhaps she wanted you well rested to care for our little one, or wanted this moment to be private?” Lumic adjusted himself, hoping to ease Askara’s load. It wouldn’t matter, though; Askara had always carried him as if he weighed nothing. As if his muscular bulk were nothing more than the featherlight waifs of Liaberos.

“I’ll trust Mother’s judgement, then. But I do wish to have seen the magic. You were beautiful standing there in the font.” Askara climbed the steps, one foot after another, drawing Lumic toward his room as the wetness that had started, continued soaking his robe with nowhere else to go.

“You’ll see more magic this night, I promise.” Lumic laughed until his belly firmed up, drawing taut and leaving him breathless.

“When I see you smile, holding our little one, that will be magic.” Askara approached the entrance to Lumic’s wing and walked past a readied guard.

Their bedchambers had been left open, the healer already there. It made Lumic beyond happy that their healer was an omega, because far too often, beta males and other healers didn’t understand or attempt to understand the nuances of birth. Pallosar had insisted they have omega healers for that reason, despite many kingdoms not condoning it.

On the end of the bed, Jori, their healer, stretched out some absorbent linens before looping a sheet over the end of the bed, bracing it so that Lumic could balance and squat when time came, if he wanted. There was also an option to birth on the bed or on his back despite that being one of the more painful and inconvenient ways to whelp. Lumic didn’t know what he’d prefer, but sitting down sounded like a great idea.

“Where’s Father and Da?” Lumic settled on the edge of the bed, grumbling as he worked to get his robe off, to drape him in a loose dressing gown and slide his soaked undergarments free. Lumic would have lamented their ruin, but the undergarments the tailor had made for him in his later months were blatantly unattractive. Not that Askara would notice.

“They’re in the sitting room with tallroot milk. Ingred, Stamel, and Seidrik are there, too.” Askara leaned in to give Lumic a kiss as he breathed through a contraction. “Seidrik wishes you well.”

“And I wish him to know my pain!” Lumic snarled and tensed up.

“Unless he puts something where it doesn’t belong, he will never know, my love.” Askara chuckled at his own joke, and Lumic grabbed for his shirt, pulling him in to rest their foreheads together.

“Still. Fuck him.” Lumic breathed through it and groaned when the healer shooed Askara away.

“Your waters broke and you’re in labor. I see that, but how far are you?” Jori gestured for Lumic to stand and for Askara to brace him. With one hand on his belly and the other up his gown, Lumic tried to ignore unwelcome fingers entering his channel and feeling a depth in him that had never been touched before. His womb was open. “Not quite yet. Keep yourself comfortable, hips moving. That should progress things.”

Jori withdrew his hand and wiped it on a rag before letting thalms burn over his flesh, a flash of quick fire that he claimed killed the tiny animals living in filth on skin that festered and bred rot. He had a good case, all things considered. None of his patients ever died from putrefaction, so Lumic trusted him.

“And Master Jori’s told you what to expect, right?” Lumic gave Askara a pointed look.

The precious alpha tilted his head in thought. “Don’t ask you for sex for at least two moons. Even then, accept no . You may make any number of ablutions during the birth, but I’m supposed to pretend you didn’t. No matter what, I tell you that you’re beautiful. The baby is going to look strange because it takes a few weeks for them to get cute chubby cheeks. Hmm…”

“And your duties?” Jori gave Askara a stern look.

“I am to get the babe and bring him to you for feedings. I will change all swaddling for at least the first week. And I have to remember that Lumic’s body may be different for a while or permanently. Which, I do not mind. You’ll always be you, and I’ll have to remind you how much I love you.” Askara offered his widest smile, and the genuine adoration in those silvery eyes made Lumic want to both kiss him and smack him. How he let such a sweet and chipper alpha take his heart… It had to have been an act of the goddesses.

“And if I say this is the last child we ever have?” Lumic breathed through his teeth as another contraction tore through him, putting pressure down onto his pelvis.

“Then it is so.” Askara held Lumic’s hand and rubbed the small of his back in slow circles, moving to squeeze his hips as Jori had taught him. Lumic loved him so much.

Lumic stood with Askara’s hand holding him steady and paced as he’d been told, rocking his hips as he did so. Their little one squirmed occasionally, and that reminded him they were fine.

Jori, for his part, watched Lumic with a jaundiced eye, waiting for some sign or change in his posture that he wasn’t aware of. Births took time, so when Lumic continued pacing for a while still, nobody raised alarm.

A polite rap on the door interrupted Lumic’s pacing as Jori rose to see to Lumic. Askara approached the wood panel and opened it a crack to find Pallosar there, eyes full of paternal concern. “Things aren’t moving yet?”

“Hopefully soon. Jori says he’s nearly there.” Askara glanced over his shoulder and earned a nod from the healer.

“And does he want me there with him?” Pallosar nervously twisted his hands.

“Father, I love you dearly, but I will not permit you to witness this,” Lumic’s hoarse voice barked out.

“Fine! Fine.” Pallosar’s placative tone retorted as muttered polite words went back and forth. His father had never insisted on attending the birth and hadn’t put pressure on him in the least. He’d never wanted his father to attend Stamel’s birth. They’d been long passed by the time Ingred and Lumic had been born, a victim of their own greed and pride. Maybe it was the fact that Pallosar accepted vitalis, or that he’d stopped trying to punish people for their beliefs or cheat the system of plagues.

“Thank you!” Lumic felt it was best to be polite, in any case, even as Jori slid his hand where he never wanted it again. Jori moved his fingers deeper, spread them, and the sensation was probably the least fun he’d ever had with a finger up his bottom. “Shh-fuck!”

The urge to double over and push as immense pressure ground down against the floor of his pelvis rose. While that happened, Jori removed his hand and coaxed Lumic to grip the sheet he’d looped over the bedrail. “Squat down and let your mate hold your hips.”

Lumic didn’t have to be asked twice and stumbled a few steps over, squatting down with his hands knotted in the sheet.

Askara did as he was told, bending down to support Lumic’s hips, pressing counter to the squat. “I’m not looking, I promise.”

Lumic groaned as his muscles shook, and the first real push rode the tail of his contraction. “Don’t care anymore. Your fault if you look.”

There was a long few moments of silence as Lumic caught his breath and braced his arms again, grateful for Askara’s support. “You looked, didn’t you?”

“I did.” The way Askara’s voice trembled made Lumic almost want to laugh.

“You’re in pain. I wish there was something I could do.” Askara leaned his head forward and the comforting curve of his horns pressed into Lumic’s back. A vibration in his thalms trembled through Lumic’s body, magic he’d never felt before.

“Whatever it is you’re doing, keep doing it.” Lumic cried out as another contraction rose. The space between them grew thin as the burning sensation magnified then muted. Something about whatever Askara did, made the pain lessen.

“Thank you,” Askara whispered, not to Lumic. The reverence of his words was the tone he used with their Mother Moon.

The thalmic hum vibrated harder, pain still present but duller. The only thing Lumic had to worry over was the strain and exhaustion he faced as he pushed, relented, and pushed again while Jori barked orders and kept Lumic in an ideal spot. The way he had to crawl to his hands and knees, reaching forward to check Lumic must have been tiresome, but Jori knew best.

Sweat trailed Lumic’s face, soaking the collar of his dressing gown, making it cling to him in odd places. And again, he pushed, shouting over Jori’s orders, riding through it as tears flowed over his cheeks.

Jori busied himself and Askara jerked. Lumic’s body jostled, but he wasn’t turning his focus from his child. He pushed, nothing more. He pushed until his hole stretched, burning for long drawn-out moments until his insides collapsed, everything falling away from him as Jori and Askara spoke, their words nothing but chatter over the ringing in his ears.

Just a little more… Lumic focused on the emptiness and the weight of something still attached to him, pulsing. And then it too was gone.

His ears rang, the voices sharpened, and the only sound that mattered was the weakest little cries. It was nowhere near as loud as Virion’s babe. It was hoarse and sweet. Words wouldn’t come, but the world moved as linens and cleansing water brushed against him.

When the world came back into focus, Lumic saw the plump face, a little scrunched and smeared with something whitish. By instinct alone, he reached out to take the babe. He didn’t remember laying back in bed, or covers being placed over him.

“Lumic.” Askara drew his gaze before sitting at his side. “Look at her.”

The babe’s little hands balled in the blanket they’d wrapped her in.

“Her…” Silvery skin more akin to Askara’s felt strange under Lumic’s fingertips. It’d feel better once she’d dried out. “A female.”

“Mm-hmm.” A shock of crimson hair stuck up at all angles as Askara reached forward to stroke over her scalp.

“She’ll be the first queen Croatens will have ever had…” Lumic’s whisper choked out in his throat.

“A female. Well, it was a little more likely since Askara was born from a female as well. Still uncommon.” Jori wiped his hands on a rag, casting that fire magic he did often.

“I’ve come from six generations of holy couplings, alpha-omega pairs.” Lumic laughed and stroked her cheek, delighting in how she turned her head toward his touch, mouth open. Jori didn’t waste time in helping Lumic unbutton his gown and position the child against his chest to feed. Virion had made it seem so easy, but their little one shook her head back and forth, mouth open with little grunts of frustration. Jori grabbed Lumic’s chest with one hand, squeezed, and nearly roughly poised the babe at his nipple where she latched on after a few clumsy tries. She aggressively sucked and squirmed until Lumic ran dry and he shifted her to the other side. She lasted barely a minute on the other side before a trickle of pale milk leaked down her lip and she pulled away, limp.

Askara didn’t move, didn’t say a word, only stared for long minutes. “Lumic. What do we name her?”

“I never planned for a girl.” Lumic glanced up as Jori left, returning a second later with Pallosar and Kershai.

“It’s a girl,” Lumic said in disbelief.

Kershai and Pallosar stared in surprise, but it was Pallosar who spoke first. “Our first princess. Do we have a name for a female?”

“I don’t know,” Askara said, reaching forward to stroke his child’s face again. His fingertips trailed her tiny lips, full cheeks, little ears. Hair so red. That color so beautiful.

Seidrik stood by the door, Stamel at his side. Neither entered nor asked to. Ingred, for his part, waltzed in uninvited and flopped unceremoniously in one of Lumic’s favorite chairs. “I have a suggestion from the goddesses. . Probably will piss Alluin off, though.”

From nowhere, Ingred had procured a wind apple and bit into it with relish. Lumic would have killed for something to eat, his stomach aching. “Speak your mind, brother.”

Jori glared at him while Kershai seemed poised to kick him out.

“Lyrica,” Seidrik answered for him from the doorway, staring in with haunted eyes.

“Lyrica…” Askara said the word, and his face didn’t show the pain Lumic had come to expect.

“Is there any reason not to?” Lumic glanced at his fathers and Askara, and it felt right. “Lyrica it is.”

When Lumic looked up, Seidrik was gone, as was Stamel.

It was no matter, though. Jori brought a vial of silvery liquid and sat it on the side of the bed. As for vitalis, Lumic didn’t need it. Askara leaned in and their lips touched. A peek of tongue, a lingering hum of contact, and the honeyed taste of vitalis spread through Lumic.

Drink. The moon spoke her peace and Lumic eyed the vial.

He’d said he wouldn’t.

But when Askara brought it to his lips, he did as he was told. It was better he not know, anyway.

“Mother Goddess, moon above, thank you.” Lumic handed the baby to Askara, and he strode to the window to hold the child forward into the moon’s glow. Her soft cries of protest lasted only as long as it took to settle.

My beautiful daughter. Bless you.