Page 44 of The Dragon Warlord

“You’re doing the best you can with what you have, Alpha. I’d never ask for more than that.”

He wouldn’t ask for anything and that’s the problem, but I don’t want to think about that right now. There are too many other things that need my attention and the first thing I need to do is learn how to shift my focus away from River—at least some of the time—or I’m never going home.

By the time the dragon lord returns, River is back to himself and I’m ready to make an attempt, knowing I’m in for worse than when this debacle began. How long have we been down here? Has it been hours or days?

Getting to my knees, I bow my head and try to think about how Strobavik would have wanted me to apologize for misbehavior. He had similar notes to Phari … that I wear my heart on my sleeve. Sometimes it’s an attribute and other times it’s my downfall.

Schooling my face, I take a breath. “Greetings, Alpha. I apologize for my lapse in behavior—twice. I’m ready to accept whatever chastisement you have planned.”

He’s going to test me with something awful. I know it and brace for it to come.

“I guess we’ll see. I am pleased that you figured out how to remove your bonds and rescued your omega—every omega’s dream.”

Is it? Good Gods. Is that what River, a fully capable dragon warrior, wants too? This dragon stuff is confusing.

“We all know that I live to please you, Alpha.” I can’t help toeing the line. I know I’m in big trouble and about to have my arse handed to me, but it’s never a bad time to be charming.

“I’m sure. In any case, I’m a big believer in rewards and so I’ve opted to give you a choice. You’re going to receive one hundred lashes for this transgression, naked to teach you some humility. Those two things are non-negotiable, but you may choose between a small audience of my choosing in this room or a public one in the place we perform public punishments in The Tower.”

I must have missed that area on the tour. Both options sound horrible. The first is probably worse for me. With a more intimate audience, I’ll see people’s faces and know who was there. Full public, I’ve been through that before. It wasn’t fun, but the faces were nameless when done that way.

But I already know I’m going to choose the first. Keeping it private will be better for River so that he doesn’t have to watch as many eyes watching me.

“The first, Alpha.”

His eyes gleam, intrigued by my answer no doubt, but he doesn’t ask. “As for your second punishment, you’ll be waiting another month to meet your army.”

I guess I should have seen that one coming. “Yes, Alpha. Do I get to know which punishment was added for my lack of compliance?”

He shakes his blond head. “Sorry, Omega. That is something you’ll have to figure out as you get to know me, but all you have to ask yourself is what pisses me off more? Tantrums or disobedience?”

“Disobedience,” I say without thinking.

“Hmm. Am I becoming too predictable?”

Yes, he’s sarcastic. No, I don’t think he’s funny.

* * *

“Small audience of his choosing” turns out to be all his husbands, Lady Amira, and a few others that have to be more of his children—and therefore River’s siblings—and River with my permission. They form a circle around me, and the general feel is not as grave as I think it should be, but joyous.

Either this is a room full of sadists or they believe something good is about to take place.

I’m in my kneeling position with my head bowed, waiting for the dragon lord to carry out my sentence. This has a different feel than the time Alrik strapped me in front of a crowd, but I recall our conversation about how much I needed physical retribution. Alrik understood that about me. Does that mean he could handle the dragon in me? Since my conversations with the two wizards, it’s been on my mind. Even with the little dragon experience I have, I know I’m going to need men who understand what to do with me.

“Undress, Omega. Everything. For this, you’re not permitted to shield anything from us,” the dragon lord says for the crowd’s benefit.

I’ve been an Elf for long enough that being naked in front of people doesn’t bother me, but this is different. The shame burns through me as I remove my clothing and I’m glad to be looking at the jade ground.

Once everything is removed, I resume my kneeling position. The hard ground cuts into my skin.

“Someone tie up his hair. I don’t want it getting in the way.”

“Alpha, if I may?” I interrupt. Maybe I can have a small bit of fun during this after all. He nods for me to go ahead. “Chop it off.”

Wow.No one likes that. By no one, I mean River and the dragon lord. River is quiet, but his disapproval is thick in the air. I almost laugh at how adorable he is and get to look forward to seeing his disgruntled face later.

I’m surprised by the dragon lord’s reaction. I didn’t expect him to care about the length of my hair.