Page 34 of Ruined by His Alpha King (Reluctant Fae Princes #3)

Stamel

Sixteen years later…

“Astra!” Stamel called out, glaring down at his son. The omega had a head full of fluff when it came to paying attention to things around him. He was always lost in a book or in his studies, so much like his uncle.

“Solas! Look at the thalmograph!” Seidrik corralled his oldest into staring at the contraption that Virion had finished.

“Oh, for the goddess’ sake, get your finger out of your nose, Peleus!” Stamel corralled another child and lined them up as Virion chased a little one about who refused to be contained.

“Azar! Get your ass over here right this instant!” Stamel shouted at a little alpha who had started climbing a headless statue in the back courtyard, what had once bore Alluin’s image.

“Has anyone seen Lyrica?” Askara glanced around as Saria and her three children stood by in a prim line, as well behaved as little saints.

Lumic and his three were their own handful, and Virion also had three.

They’d all done their duties and had heirs and spares, but Stamel didn’t feel his family had finished.

Neither did Seidrik, it seemed. They’d had six children, and he was pregnant with what they’d recently discovered was seven and eight.

“Can we please stand still for this before Rian and Zeta join us for the photo?” Seidrik pressed into his back and stretched, pushing out his rounded belly. Their second set of twins. He had a feeling that Seidrik would be done after that, wanting no more.

But the surprise of it all was Pallosar, holding a little one as he watched the commotion.

Their little brother was only six months old and had his father’s white hair and stared out at the world with fearful eyes full of concern.

Kershai doted on the little one. Ingred and his wife stood by, a few adopted children milling about their feet.

They’d not had luck having their own, but the healers were working with them.

Maybe they would, but they seemed happy with their two.

Nemiah whistled through his fingers and clapped his hands. “Everyone! Here, now, or we’ll be having porridge for dinner!”

Nobody liked that idea, and all the children and adults lined up with wide smiles to take the first group thalmograph.

As the flash of thalmic light went off from a beacon placed before them, the omega operating the mechanism conferred with Virion and Nemiah while their oldest son, Ahran poked about excitedly. Tyran and Kimbel wandered up to inspect it with interest and traded hugs with their uncles.

“Today’s the day they break ground to restore the Beros capital castle. I want this recorded in history. We’re keeping the throne warm for you, Ahran.” Stamel preened as the young alpha beamed up at them.

“Mother Goddess is very insistent I study hard to do well. I thank you for all the hard work you’re doing. It will be a kingdom fit for a new age, and I will be keen to finish all that you’ve started.” Ahran gave a genteel bow, and Stamel clapped his shoulder.

“None of that nonsense. We’re family. The only thing we can ask of you is to do your best by the people. And if you ever have a question, we’ll be there to hold your hands, Crowned Prince of Liaberos, Ahran Lune of Drashil.”

The young male, nearly a man at that point, stood tall. In five or six years, he’d be ready, but until then, only the goddess could decide what came next .

“By the way, what happened to the head of Father’s statue?” Virion asked as he stepped by, staring up at the icon of shame.

Seidrik shrugged. “I let the nymphs have it. They hollowed out the head to use as an ashtray for sunderleaf.”

“Fitting as anything. How goes the negotiations?” Virion stared hopefully as Stamel shrugged.

“They’re warming up to the idea. It’s against tradition, but Queen Aster sees cause to permit the lost ones to come home again. The world is changing. I think they’d enjoy meeting with Ahran to discuss this.” Stamel nudged the boy’s shoulder.

Ahran sighed heavily. “Come on, Tyran. We need to go visit Auntie Aster and Catpaw to pay respects.”

Tyran, who’d grown into a fetching young omega, perked up and chased after. “Sure thing! I’ll go get some honey for them.”

Stamel eyed the two warily.

“They’re not up to anything,” Virion said with a sigh.

“I know Ahran isn’t, but I know the omegas in my family.” Lumic snickered.

Despite the omega not being blood related, he had grown up as liberal and catty as Lumic and Pallosar ever thought of being.

Seidrik strode over, resting a hand on Stamel’s forearm. “Things will happen as the goddess deems fit. Nothing more, nothing less.”

A whisper on the wind came from the sun as they glanced skyward.

All the same. Send a chaperone.