Page 13

R umors of an illness that had swept through the castle during one of King Freslik’s audiences spread throughout the kingdom within hours of the supposed event happening. No one was entirely certain what had happened. Despite the number of courtiers who had been present that afternoon, few people agreed on the specifics of what had made so many people sick. Even the nobles who had become ill didn’t quite remember how.

A few people insisted that a great, golden dragon had appeared in the throne room, but they were discounted at once. Everyone knew there was no such thing as dragons.

One thing everyone agreed on was that King Freslik took to his bed and stayed there for a day and a night, and then most of the next day. When he finally woke and dressed and determined that he should go about the business of ruling his subjects with an iron hand and extracting as much gold as he could from them, one of his first orders of business was to visit his captive omega sons.

“Have you learned your lesson yet?” he demanded of them as he marched into their bedchamber without being announced. “Are you ready to succumb to my wishes for you and marry noblemen who promise me?—”

He stopped and stared at his sons, who were sitting in the cluster of chairs in the center of the room, playing some sort of card game.

There were only four omega princes there.

“What is the meaning of this?” he asked, turning and peering around the room, as if the fifth omega, the one who wore glasses, was hiding somewhere. “Where is Selle?”

“Selle?” Prince Rumi asked, sitting straighter and blinking in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Where is Prince Selle?” the king demanded, marching right up to his sons. “There were six of you, and then that brat, Tovey, disappeared. Then there were five, but now Selle is nowhere to be found. Where are they? Where are you hiding them?”

“We’re not hiding anyone,” the youngest prince, Obi, said.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Father,” Prince Leo said.

King Freslik growled and clenched his fists at his sides. “You are all wicked, selfish, ungrateful brats and whores. I do not know how you are escaping, but the rest of you will never escape.”

The princes continued to stare at each other, shrugging like they had no idea what their father meant.

“You think I do not mean what I say?” He glared at them. “Guards!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Two of the door guards jogged into the room.

“The omega princes are never to leave their bedchamber again!” the king declared. “the doors will never even be opened. I want a slot carved in the bottom of the door. Their bread and water will be pushed through that daily. They will not see nor speak to anyone else until they reveal the location of their brothers and do as I demand!”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the guard said.

“That will teach you obedience,” the king growled.

He turned and marched out of the room, fuming. His sons didn’t look penitent at all. In fact, they didn’t look like they cared that he’d just made their prison tighter. Something was most definitely afoot with the omega princes.

I hope you’ve enjoyed Selle and Gildur’s story! I have to admit that Gildur started out with a slightly different personality when I first dove into this story, but as I wrote, I was so moved by the feelings that I know I’ve felt when I haven’t done as good a job at something as I feel like I was supposed to do. Of course, like Gildur, a lot of that has been self-imposed perfectionism and not a real fault. I think that’s something we’ve all experienced! I just wish I had someone like Queen Gaia to tell me it’s okay and everything will be alright.

So if you happen to be like me and need reassurance, I’m telling you right now, it’s okay, you’re doing your very best, and everything is going to be alright!

Up next is the story of Leo and Diamant! Gideon dropped a few hints about this story in Their Alpha . He is a particularly big fan of Leo and his courage. What will Leo do when heat strikes just at the moment when he’s needed to be a hero? Will he thank Diamant for taking him away or battle with him? Find out next in The Diamond Dragon Prince !