Page 8 of Ruined by His Alpha King (Reluctant Fae Princes #3)

Stamel

The morning chimes rang through the halls, telling him to wake, but that morning, a new sound accompanied the chimes—the groaning of a frail voice. “Morning, my jewel.”

Seidrik gasped and frantically raced out of bed, grabbing for his clothes as he scampered out, fretting over smelling like sex, how everyone would know, his wings whirring in a tizzy.

“Put the wings away.” Stamel rose and stretched, enjoying the glide of soft flaxwool sheets over bare flesh. “Unless you want someone to find out sooner than I want.”

“They won’t find out at all if I have any say about it!” Seidrik panicked and dunked a cloth into Stamel’s washbasin, soaping it up before scrubbing at his skin with obsessive gestures, leaving pink streaks in its wake.

“They will. When I decide.” Stamel slid from bed and snorted as he took the rag from Seidrik and aided him in washing up. “Gentle. Your ass is sore.”

Seidrik fought the attentions, shoving at Stamel until the gentle circular motions laved over his flesh in such a way, disarming him.

This was a male that hadn’t allowed anyone to touch him, bathe him, or dress him since he was young, and in a way, Stamel wanted to undo that hurt.

But in a selfish way, it made him happy to know he was the only one who could.

“Why would you have any say in it?” Seidrik’s voice went sharp, but he didn’t stop Stamel from rubbing gentle circles down his back.

“Because we both have a wish, and I think I know how to grant both of our wishes.” Stamel leaned over Seidrik’s shoulder, brushed his hair away, and kissed his bare, unmarked flesh.

A little healing magic at the forefront had seen to his marks fading quickly.

In the future, it would be fun to hide them.

Without any protest, Seidrik stilled. “I’ve intrigued you. ”

“I’m listening.” His breathy voice, barely a whisper, had a touch of his reclaimed arrogance. Like he hadn’t been a slavering mess on the end of his cock hours ago.

“What did you wish for?” Stamel wrapped his arms around Seidrik’s front and washed down his stomach, over his cock and sparse hairs, as light of a blond, pale as any omega of his line.

“I wished for a throne. The goddess, you heard her, I suppose.” Seidrik’s breath caught as his cock perked up.

“I certainly did. And she had orders for you. A name for their child. What name do you hold precious?” Stamel kissed over his neck. “Can’t imagine you being the type to hold onto a name.”

“For the longest time, I made myself believe that I really could be beta. That I could father a child with a woman, have a mate, a marriage. I wanted a little girl so I could name her after Mother.” Seidrik stared at the floor, avoiding Stamel’s affections.

“It’s not outside of the realm of possibility for the two to have a girl child. Certainly, uncommon for a holy pairing. But Askara was born from a beta union.” Stamel ceased his kisses. “I suppose we know what they’re expecting, then. Will you disobey the goddess?”

“It’s an alpha’s seed that determines gender. I will have no female children unless I pair to a beta male or beta-born alpha. That presents its own challenges, too, as beta-omega pairs have difficulty conceiving.” Seidrik huffed.

“There will be no beta in your future. Not for my plan to work.” Stamel chuckled, nosing through Seidrik’s fair locks, relishing the day that Seidrik would allow the darkwash to fade.

“And what plan would that be?” He spun in Stamel’s arms and stared up, his face a sneer, that mask that Alluin had crafted so well for him.

Seeing Seidrik’s father in him made Stamel unreasonably angry. With a flurry of movement, Stamel snatched Seidrik’s hair, pulling his head back sharply. “As the goddess is my witness, by the sun that shines and the moon that rises, as I am owed a debt, I claim it now.”

Seidrik froze in place. “What do you claim as your life debt?”

“I claim you. Seidrik of Liaberos, first in line to the throne, succession broken, inheritor of Berat.” Stamel drew a struggling Seidrik across the room and toward a window. Morning sun shone upon them, and Seidrik’s heart thundered under Stamel’s grip.

“Stamel!” Seidrik choked as Stamel held fast, but he didn’t stop him, not that he could.

“Mother Goddess, sun that shines. Scorcher of earth and holy fire. Brightest light and purveyor of life,” Stamel called out.

Tears welled in Seidrik’s eyes. “Please.”

I listen. I grow bored. Ask.

“I ask your blessing, Mother Goddess. I ask to be mated, for your approval in this bond for all time.” Stamel forced Seidrik’s head up to look into her light.

A natural conclusion to your dilemma. It is done. Alluin need not know he is omega until things are beyond words. Be gone with you two, and when time comes, soon I think, you shall give that name you have spoken.

Seidrik cried out but silenced himself, breath audibly catching. Stamel, for his part, relished the blessing. “Thank you, goddess. ”

And to tether your souls. I think blood shall suffice.

Stamel didn’t have to be told twice. He bit his tongue, turned Seidrik’s head to face him, and brought their lips together.

Seidrik did not reciprocate, tense and shaking at first, but sank into the kiss with a shivering breath, wincing when Stamel bit his lip.

At the first taste of Seidrik’s blood, Stamel hissed under his breath and shuddered. “Thank you, Mother.”

Seidrik’s breath sped up, panting huffs that darted between their faces until they settled and the kiss prolonged. Acceptance? Vulnerability? It didn’t matter.

Of all my children. You two deserve one another the most. And for now, do as you will. I will call for you when I need. We’ve no business until then.

Stamel pulled away, expecting anger, disgust, anything but the teary-eyed confusion written all over Seidrik’s face. With a shuddering breath, he spoke. “You meant it.”

“I did.” Stamel drew a finger along Seidrik’s jaw, mesmerized by the male’s features. How anyone could stare at him and not know he was omega made him irrationally angry. It was so plain. “I’ve wanted you since I saw you in the clearing that day. And with you at my side, I will be king.”

“But I will not…” Seidrik choked on a soft sob.

“You did not wish to be king, my mate.” Stamel took Seidrik’s lips in a sweet kiss. “You asked for a throne, and I shall have one finer than any made for you. Will you obey me, as my mate? Will you follow the word of your alpha?”

Seidrik blinked, tears trailing his cheeks as he pulled away. “I have to.”

“You don’t. It will make things easier if you do, though.” Stamel laughed, and Seidrik buried his face in Stamel’s chest .

“To Askara and Lumic, I give Lyrica’s name for their daughter.” Seidrik breathed deeply. “And to you, I surrender myself.”

“Good. Because I intend on ending Alluin in whatever way possible.” Stamel stared his mate down as he blinked in confusion.

“Why?” Seidrik’s response held no reticence or defense. Merely curiosity.

“Because if he were a decent fae, listened to his goddess, and not abused his family, you and I would be wed already. We’d have been arranged since that day in the clearing.

You’d have been free to be yourself, not hoarding away nightflower like a duskrat and sobbing.

Virion wouldn’t have claimed power on behalf of Drashil.

You’d have not had to lie, and you’d be here with me, readying to lead while Askara readied to take the throne of Liaberos.

” Stamel tilted his chin up. “Will you stop me? Do you disagree?”

“My only regret will be if Saria doesn’t get to witness it.” His muffled voice against Stamel’s chest cemented a plan. “But why would Father approve our union?”

“You cannot sire an heir, and why wouldn’t he want blood ties to Croatens to work in his favor? If the goddess approves, it must be. After Saria’s mishap, he’d tolerate anything.” Stamel rubbed a hand up and down Seidrik’s back. “I promise to help you get that throne.”

Seidrik didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. Because everything would fall neatly into place at Stamel’s hand. “Just give it time.”