Page 39 of The Gold Dragon Prince
Prince Obi’s question was cut off as he and everyone else in the room, save Argus, Selle, and me, suddenly froze.
“Very fancy,” I told Argus with a smirk. “Stopping time is a braggart’s way to show off.”
“It was necessary,” Argus said. “It truly isn’t time for Prince Obi and I to join together. We need to end this and return things to the way they are supposed to be.”
I frowned slightly. “And how do you suggest doing that?”
Argus shrugged one shoulder. “Memory magic is difficult, but it is one of my strengths.”
“You plan to convince everyone that none of this ever happened,” Selle said, sucking in a breath.
Argus grinned. “Your mate truly is intelligent.” He turned to Selle and said, “None of this was supposed to happen. Saoirse has been flirting with magic that she does not understand in her attempt to take what she wants. Because of that, it should be an easy thing to change the memories of everyone who was present today, including your father.” He grinned, then added, “Including my adorable fated mate as well.” He glanced amorously at Prince Obi. “I would hate for him to see me in this ugly old form and think a withered old man is the one he’s destined for.”
“You can erase his memory, too?” Selle asked.
“I can do a great deal,” Argus said with a wink.
“Enough boasting,” I said. “I will take Saoirse back into the magical world and bring her to Mother. Selle will come with me and return with our egg to our lair.”
“What about my brothers?” Selle asked. “I have to make certain they’re safe.”
I huffed out a breath, as impatient as Rufus to have my mate question a solid plan.
“Let your love see to his brothers,” Argus said, as if he could sense my feelings on the matter. “They have a way to get into our world, thanks to Emmerich. You can meet up with them all in a bit.”
I didn’t like the plan. I didn’t ever want to be separated from my omega again.
“Please,” Selle said. “Once time is unfrozen, we might be able to help recreate a plausible memory that will help Father to forget any of this happened.”
“Clever and strategic,” Argus said, smiling at Selle approvingly.
“Very well,” I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face. “But do not delay in rejoining me. I have plans for you.”
Selle blushed as the heat of those plans washed over him. It would take many long, enjoyable hours in bed with my omega to wash away the anxiety that the whole ordeal had left me with.
“Are you ready?” Argus asked.
When Selle and I both nodded, he waved his hand.
“—mean,” Prince Obi finished his sentence. He then blinked as if he had no idea what he’d just said or where he was.
“What is the meaning of—” King Freslik started, equally confused. He spotted Saoirse, who had come out of her trance and was shaking her hands again, and growled. “Guards! Arrest that woman and take her to the dungeons! She has attempted to kidnap my sons!”
I glanced to Argus, who wore a self-satisfied smile. He was already at work changing the narrative of what had happened in the throne room.
“At once, Your Majesty,” I said, pretending to be a guard and grabbing Saoirse’s arm.
King Freslik didn’t seem to have the firstidea that I wasn’t a guard. He disregarded me entirely as I marched Saoirse off toward a small door that I hoped led somewhere we could slip back into the magical world without being seen.
“And you lot,” King Freslik turned to the omega princes. “How dare you leave your room? Who let you out? I’ll have them thrown in the dungeon as well.”
“You called for them, Your Majesty,” Argus said, his voice wavery and old once more. “When the illness swept through the room, laying your courtiers low, you called for them all.”
“I did?” Freslik asked, frowning.
I didn’t get a chance to hear the rest of the alternate memory Argus was spinning. Saoirse and I reached the door. When I opened it, I conjured a doorway of my own leading into the magical kingdom.
“Your grasp for power is over, Saoirse,” I told her, feeling as though I’d done my duty at last. “It’s time to face Queen Gaia.”
