Page 27 of Ruined by His Alpha King (Reluctant Fae Princes #3)

Stamel

Seidrik and Virion had become thick as thieves in the days leading up to their wedding.

They’d been scheming and Stamel wholly approved.

Watching his mate have goals and working toward them made something warm nestle in his belly.

And he owed Nemiah and Virion so much for the kindness they did for him by lending their healer.

Stamel’s fathers, brothers, and Askara had sent a message they would arrive on the thalmway, and should have been there already.

Stamel had been too busy seeing to wedding preparations as Seidrik did his best to stay out of everyone’s way.

Especially Alluin. The stupid beta couldn’t utter a kind word if his life and kingdom depended on it, and Virion had, understandably, become very protective of Seidrik despite their quarrels.

Either that or he really hates his former attendant. The wispy tow-headed female, Pilkie , he believed, kept milling about in their hall, finding reasons to snoop in their things. Couldn’t even fuck for her constant barging in, and Tyran was absolutely afraid of her.

“She looks mean!” Tyran had whined and cried when she cropped up unexpectedly.

Stamel finished the final touches on his outfit, tucking his tunic and chains into place as he made his way into Seidrik’s room.

For his part, he’d donned a set of chains under his clothing for something more festive afterward.

Hopefully Pilkie would fuck off or get the offense of a lifetime. He would not be denied a consummation.

He turned in place, hands fidgeting. “Father is absolutely angry. ”

“Not our fault word got around. I think he’s spinning it as you having a late manifest and trying to allude to the goddess having her reasons.” Stamel winked at Seidrik and earned a blush. When his cheeks went pink, it was his favorite. “But you’re beautiful.”

“I won’t be able to…you know. I don’t think I can hide things much longer.” Seidrik glanced toward his belly and back up. “Virion says he cannot tell, but I can. Someone will figure it out.”

“Let them. We’re a mated pair. Mates have sex. Sex makes babies.” Stamel waved his hand about, hoping to bring Seidrik relief. Judging by his face, it did nothing.

“Come, my jewel. We’ll have this thing done with and feast then retire. And Virion will be drinking juice, so swap cups with him when you walk around and nobody will know you’re abstaining.” Stamel grinned and Seidrik’s flush eased.

“I was worried about that. Thank you.” Seidrik pushed onto his toes and exchanged a soft kiss with Stamel and they headed off together.

The ceremony was a nice one, family gathered on either side as they stared at the two with boredom on Seidrik’s side, with the exception of Saria who bore a nervous and suspicious demeanor, protected heavily by her two mates—far away from Alluin.

For Stamel’s part? His family seemed genuinely pleased—and he wondered what they’d say when they found out that Seidrik was carrying.

Ingred would tease him relentlessly. Pallosar and Kershai would sigh in exasperation, and Lumic might be happy for him.

Probably. Askara would, at any rate. He didn’t know better.

Before the windows of a noonday sun, they raised their wings and horns before the crowd, earning gasps and looks of surprise and wonder.

Seidrik didn’t know just how gaudily beautiful his wings were in his regalia, how his horns shone in the sun, and how his hair had paled since they’d returned. He was beautiful .

Alluin sat in the front row, arms perched stiffly in his lap as the high priest of the temple performed the rights. The goddess didn’t speak, as she’d already united them in private, but she did flare her light of approval for them.

“Mother Goddess, sun that shines and brings life. We gather here today to unite Blessed Prince Seidrik Merrimar of Liaberos with Firstborn and Third Mighty Prince Stamel Taras of Croatens.” The priest held his hands up.

The mighty designation meant alpha and blessed meant omega. Stamel had never heard Seidrik called that before, and Virion was right. It was like announcing him by his ass first. He did well to hide his severe distaste.

“As all light that shines brings change, shall we all see light shine upon our couple, blessed genders uniting under the sun’s graces…

” Stamel tuned the prattle out. He had his relationship with the goddess already, and it was built on mutual favors.

His obedience and her promises went far.

“I now pronounce you mates before our goddess and witnesses, who require no proof of consummation other than a kiss.”

They leaned in to one another, lips pressing. The soft and gentle performance of a kiss brought him much satisfaction. It cemented things as the priest passed a cup of vitalis to them to share a sip of to cement their union.

Like damned foxcane sugar water and static. Stamel did his best not to make a face.

Polite clapping preceded the playing of the thalm organ, and they flew together, Seidrik’s wings whirring in the air, throwing a light show of rainbow sparks from the way sunlight danced on their papery surfaces.

Stamel’s hard strokes lifted him, and they bathed in her warm light for a moment. And so, it was done.

They were wed, and none could tear them apart.

The party moved from the chapel to a great hall in the conservatory rather than the castle’s dining hall. It had a more public affair theme in the conservatory, just shy of how commoners would celebrate.

Citronelia wine flowed from attendants pacing the room, and Seidrik took Stamel to mingle with Virion and Nemiah, their page watching dutifully as he minded Tyran with the help of his nursemaid. Stamel had been insistent his child be there.

Seidrik and Virion exchanged glasses as attendants swept by, filling them easily until Tyran grew fussy, demanding Seidrik pick him up. Seidrik relented, hoisting the little one on his hip and losing his footing a little, accidentally spilling his juice, a similar color to the wine passing about.

Virion finished his juice and got another, quietly swapping with Seidrik again as an attendant brought him another glass.

Stamel took a quick sip to make sure there wasn’t a mix-up and continued on with his best smile.

He took Tyran for a hug and sent the boy off with his governess and Sima to go have cake once they cut it.

Alluin hadn’t sprung for a feast, so dessert and wine with appetizers it was until the sun set on the beautiful night.

Virion, a usually pale creature, seemed a little clammy, his pallor taking on a gray hue that escaped Nemiah’s notice but not Stamel’s. “Nemiah?”

The night fae caught Stamel’s gaze as Virion fanned himself and took a seat at a nearby table. “I do not think my mate is accustomed to drinking. It’s been a long time since he’s imbibed,” Nemiah whispered .

Stamel nodded, but flinched when Virion clenched his jaw and Nemiah turned his attention sharply to his mate. “Sugarmoth?”

Virion waved him off as he sat his glass down and leaned over. “Perhaps we might leave. I don’t think the juice agrees with me.”

Virion took Nemiah’s hand and they made their way toward the exit, being polite as they moved along. Stamel glanced at Seidrik once more, ready to tell him how absolutely handsome he was in his attire when a scream broke the din of chatter.

People rushed about, crowding toward the exits, and Stamel’s heart skipped a beat.

His blood ran cold as someone announced that Virion had collapsed.

Stamel took Seidrik by his hand and forced his way through the crowd in time to catch Nemiah’s stone-cold gaze as he carried Virion out, lips wet with bile, and crimson soaking down his pants.

Seidrik stared at his drink and then glanced up, his face going white. “No.”

“I’m going with them. Go check on Tyran and Sima. They had the juice, too. I’m fine.” Seidrik bolted after them, and Stamel glanced around until he caught the little panicking sun fae under his arm.

“Come with me, child. It’ll all be fine.

” As Stamel ran toward his quarters, he passed Alluin who stood frozen with a horrified expression and milling attendants flustering about in a panic.

Many of the guests cried out that the wine was poisoned, all of them afraid they might have consumed—but Alluin didn’t have that panic.

Stamel stored that thought for later as he bolted through the castle and toward Seidrik’s wing, up the stairs, and into their quarters where a Tyran sat with his governess and a book, completely unharmed. “Tyran! ”

“Da?” The little one lifted his arms and Stamel picked him up for a tight squeeze.

“Are you okay? Are you feeling well? Did the juice taste funny?” Stamel patted over Tyran.

Tyran shook his head.

“Where’s Sima?” Stamel glanced around and the little boy stared up at him, lips pursed. “You feeling okay?”

The child nodded, brows furrowed. Too serious of an expression for a child.

“Your uncle Virion is very sick right now. He drank or ate something bad.” Stamel rested his head against the little one’s and pulled back as he fidgeted and dug something from his pocket. A small vial with a clinging smear of black ichor inside.

Stamel stared at it as his heart skipped a beat, blood rushing in his ears.

“Is it ’cause of the medicines Miss Pilkie put in Seidrik’s juice? Uncle Virion wasn’t supposed to drink it…” Tyran let go of the vial, sticky with icing from his fingers, and let it fall into Stamel’s open palm.

Seidrik stared, eyes wide. His color drained.

Stamel’s heart seized. Screechwasp honey.

He whirled around to stare at Tyran’s governess. The timid, plump woman with bright eyes and dark hair recoiled as she saw the vial. “I didn’t see him do that, but Tyran was saying he spilled Seidrik’s medicine…”