Page 14 of Ruined by His Alpha King (Reluctant Fae Princes #3)

“Because I put my trust in one bigoted, sexist old bastard instead of someone who had done no wrong to me. I owe apologies, and I am not owed forgiveness. But what sort of alpha would I be if I refused to see my own shortcomings?” Stamel turned and tilted Seidrik’s face up, locking eyes.

The omega’s eyes almost had a violet cast in their pale-blue shimmer.

“I’ll join you for dinner. Askara will likely be at the font. ”

Stamel watched as Seidrik excused himself, forebody a little hunched—likely to avoid fabric brushing his sensitive nipples. Stamel had resisted his urge to tweak one before he left.

As he climbed his way toward Lumic’s hall, an attendant cut him off at the entrance, wary gaze holding him. “Prince Lumic isn’t much for company at the moment.”

“I can imagine. Please see if he would allow me to say my goodbyes at a reasonable hour. I’d offer to rock my niece so he could rest a little if I thought he’d trust me.

” Stamel bowed his head and waited, letting the attendant scamper off to alert Lumic.

His little brother wouldn’t deny him. He was too brash and against the idea of ripping family apart, even if he’d been an ass of all asses.

A shout came by way of greeting, Lumic from down the hall. “Come on in.”

Stamel forged his way in and navigated to Lumic’s bedchambers. The room still had the faint scent of blood and that lovely smell that only new babies had. “How are you faring, Brother?”

“She’s a good sleeper, so far, from what I’ve been told, but for a newborn, a good sleeper is every 2-3 hours. Isn’t it?” Lumic’s bright-green eyes glanced up, a little bloodshot, under eyes dark.

“Unfortunately. Though, the goddess has likely blessed her not to fuss too much.” Stamel eyed the little red-haired child in his arms.

“Here. I’m going to rest my eyes while you talk.

” He extended his hands, the bundled babe fidgeting in her swaddle as he did so.

She whimpered, and Stamel seized his opportunity to soak in some new baby smell and the little gross noises they made.

He cooed to her and paced, letting the little one nuzzle in up under his chin while he patted her bottom.

“So, what brings you here, you fratricidal fuckwit?”

“An apology, long overdue.” Stamel paced and bounced Lyrica.

“Oryn can be convincing. After all, he’d sweet-talked dozens of omegas into his bed in my time in his company.” Lumic snorted and lay back in his bed, closing his eyes. He had to be exhausted to trust Stamel.

“Still. I’ve had it in my head you’d take the crown from me since I was young. So many people kept reaffirming it—the nymph, Oryn, comments from random people. It consumed me.” Stamel slumped.

“I’m more pissed that you shoved the crown onto me than I am you leaving me there. The whole fratricide bit? Didn’t Father’s brothers do the same thing?” Lumic opened an eye.

Stamel nodded sagely. “It was a part of the curse? Maybe? I don’t want to blame my misdeeds on a fucking curse.”

“Suuuuure, and all the farmers purposefully fuck up their crops every fourth year to spite us. I’ll advocate for you to take the throne if you can convince Father. I’ve certainly stated my case that I don’t want it.” Lumic placed a hand on his belly as he shifted beneath the covers.

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s my place. Things are happening how they need to, and I believe my place is in Liaberos. With my mate.” Stamel said that last part quietly.

“Mate?” That had Lumic’s attention as he opened both eyes and raised an imperious and fiery-red brow. The expression reminded him too much of Pallosar.

“Three guesses.” Stamel snorted.

“Oh nooooooo.” Lumic covered his mouth with a wide-eyed grin. “I thought he hated you. ”

“I’m sure he did, but I wore him down. I have my ways.” Stamel flicked a brow. “Lest anything be said to Alluin.”

“My lips are sealed, but this is juicy .” Lumic rubbed his hands together. “I must tell Father. Can I?”

“Father may come by and tell you, but my secrets are all coming back to haunt me. Neffa and Tyran aren’t my children by blood. I took them in on the goddess’s whim, and they were politically advantageous. Sir Tynmal and Senior Administrator Lyfus, respectively.”

“Please tell me you’re milking Tynmal more than Lyrica is my teat. That brings me no small amount of joy.” Lumic grinned wide. As much as he rejected being an omega, he did love his gossip.

“Absolutely.” The ease of which the truth came from his lips satisfied him far more than he anticipated, or perhaps it was the babe at his chest. A slight but familiar eruption from the babe made Stamel wince.

He gave Lumic a side glance before sighing. “Where’s the swaddlings?”

Lumic gestured toward a bassinet by a small table, the surface lined with linen towels.

Stamel didn’t glance back, for fear of receiving that self-satisfied smirk.

A careful unbundling, a drop of sugar water on her tongue, and a quick swap, wipe, and bundling had the duty done as he disposed of the soiled garments in a lidded pail.

The little one’s soft cries kicked up the moment she lay on his chest again, but not before she rooted around in search of a nipple.

“And that’s your papa’s territory.” Stamel handed her back and slumped into a chair as Lumic made no fuss about opening his robe and letting the child feed.

Some alphas and betas found the act unseemly, but it didn’t register to Stamel as any different from an alpha shirtless, and all manner of creatures ate .

“I appreciate the apology, Stamel. Would have appreciated not having the throne, more. Are you certain I cannot abdicate to you?” Lumic whined hopefully.

“I have a different future ahead of me. We all have orders from the goddesses.” Stamel snorted and rubbed at the back of his head.

“Yours just involves plugging King Alluin’s precious beta son.” Lumic snickered.

With an easy shrug, Stamel sat quietly, unsure of what to say. “I won’t ask your forgiveness. I only seek to apologize. Nothing can make up for what I did.”

“Consider us civil. I don’t think you’d actively try to harm me or my loved ones again, but I do agree that we shouldn’t reside in the same place. Your guilt and my mouth will eventually be the end of us.” To his credit, Lumic could be very insightful when he wished.

“I can see that.” From where he sat, staring at the floor seemed the best option. Stamel’s heart ached.

“And Seidrik kept his ass out of the font, right?” Lumic raised a brow.

“Because we’re still not sure what all salusis does.

And if it detoxifies or heals the right way, it may counter nightflower.

That’s what Jori was saying, anyway. Then again, you’re smart enough to know to avoid a begging night. ”

Stamel could honestly say he’d never been sober enough with Kimbel’s father, Tauna, to remember what a begging night was like. He’d been black-out stupid, but a trickle of dread settled in his gut at how voracious Seidrik had been after visiting the font; despite saying he’d not partaken of it.

“Oh, law’s graces,” Lumic said and winced. “He did, didn’t he?”

“He said he wanted to, but the moon stopped him.” Stamel fidgeted and cleared his throat.

“So, he says .” Lumic sighed heavily. “Keep him on his nightflower and honeythistle and hope for the best. It’s too early to tell, but screechwasp honey can be a preventative if done before quickening…”

Stamel waved his hand at Lumic. “I trust him.”

“No, you don’t.” Lumic switched sides of his chest, letting the little one feed.

“Yeah, you’re right, but he had a genuine story after.” Stamel shrugged. “Lying to me would be a bad start to our mateship.”

“Of all people the goddess would slap you with. Him? You two deserve each other.” Lumic patted his baby’s back and stuck his tongue out.

“Yeah, the goddess said as much.” Stamel stood and stretched. “And at that, I’m out. Farewell, Brother and Niece. I will miss you, but I shall make use of the telecon and visit when I can.”

Stamel strode across the carpeted floor, eying all the details he’d overlooked in bygone days—the lack of ostentation, the plain tapestries, wall hangings, and solid-colored bedding.

Lumic never wanted the fineries. He loved his freedom and simplicity.

He should have seen it ages ago. He bit down his urge to apologize again.

“At least you’ve got Liaberos to look forward to usurping.” Lumic’s quiet comment made Stamel freeze in the doorway.

“Conquering, more like.” And at that, he left in search of food and his mate.