Page 14 of The King's Omega
“From whore to queen in one day. Quick work even for her,” I muttered as the men stood, straightening their clothing. I glanced quickly at Axe’s trousers. There really was no way he could hide that impressive thing.
He clucked his tongue, catching my gaze and glaring. I shrugged, not at all repentant. Then he held out his hand to me, indicating I should rise. “I’m not going.” Ignoring my protests, he grabbed my arm and dragged me. I barely had time to stuff Mischief back in my pocket before we were at the head of the table, facing a curious king and a placid, smiling Selene. When she saw me, her eyes narrowed the tiniest bit.
I shivered and tried to hide behind Axe. I knew what that look meant, and there weren’t enough bundles of rags to cover me when Selene got in that mood. I discreetly rubbed the wounds on my stomach that she had inflicted earlier. I wondered if I could hide in the castle somewhere.
“I want to introduce your future queen,” the king intoned, his hard stare landing on his men, while skating over me with a slight curl of his lip, as if I were a fly in his wine.
Tarn frowned. “It’s very sudden, Your Majesty. Perhaps a longer engagement?”
Lorn nodded. “A royal wedding, some time to get to know her before making this decision.”
Axe’s fingers flew, but he kept glancing at me.
The king slammed his fist down on the table. “We don’t have time for doubts. This is the only way.”
“I will be the very best queen I can,” Selene said, pitching her voice to carry down the table. “I know you vigorous men, and many others here, will help me learn the ins and outs of bearing the crown. I look forward to getting to know each of you, my future subjects.”
I struggled not to roll my eyes.Ins and outs?Ha! With all those vigorous men she was looking forward to spending time with, it was a good thing the king could afford his own herbalist for cures. She’d give him crotch rot within a week.
Trying not to laugh, I realized the men were all watching me now. I ducked back behind Axe’s tree trunk legs.
“What is she doing here?” the king demanded.
“I invited her.” Lorn smirked. “I hear you met earlier today. Something about asking Axe to decapitate her?”
“I did no such thing,” the king began, and I pretended to be overcome with a fit of coughing. A few of the coughs might have sounded like curse words.
“What’s wrong with her? Is she ill?” He stood abruptly, but paused when Selene’s hand landed on his forearm.
The sight of that hand touching his muscled forearm made me want to grab a knife from the table and remove each finger slowly and painfully. Selene should not be touching the king, or spending any time with him at all. The thought of them together in his bed…
Someone was growling, a small, higher-pitched sound than the one Axe made.
The men turned to scrutinize me, their eyes penetrating.
Suddenly, all four men’s hands were flying, their sign language almost a ballet, the gestures filled with meaning and emotion. I watched the king’s hands and eyes as the other three all leaned into him, silently willing him to understand something.
But what? I let out a frustrated grunt, and they all stopped, peering at me. Sniffing the air.
“Your Majesty?” Selene’s shrill voice broke through the odd tableau. “Can you please have her removed? I’m afraid she’s not well. She has fits and goes… something close to feral.” She pulled up the sleeve of the dress where my blood had fallen. “She clawed me just today. She may need to be kept in a small room, or a cage.” Selene’s eyes glittered.
I snarled back. At the Sow, she had threatened to cage me in her bedroom, claiming she needed me close at all times. But Madam had refused, stating she didn’t trust me not to let Selene off her chain. She was right; I would have done anything to get rid of my nemesis, and not because I wanted to help her escape. I just wanted rid of her.
“She clawed you?” the king asked, making a few more gestures. “May I?” At Selene’s nod, the king leaned over and licked the cloth where the blood was. Licked it and moaned. He lapped at the fabric, leaving it wet. The sight revolted me. Why would he do this to her in public? In front of me?
“Y-your Majesty!” Selene let out a breathy sigh, and listed over in a perfect, rehearsed faint, her dress falling over his lap as if blown by a wind. All the generals sniffed the air again, shaking their heads afterward.
I hoped they were smelling the cat pee on her stockings. I made the sign forcatand pointed at her leg when Axe glanced my way.
The king stood, his face cold. “Selene will be my queen,” he announced to the entire hall. “She is my Omega and fulfills the prophecy to save Rimholt. She is our salvation, and you will treat her as you would me.” His glare landed on Axe, who frowned but dipped his dark head.
After a moment of silence, all the diners stood and applauded. In the commotion, I watched the skinny man wearing black slip out a servant’s door. I wished I could follow him, but Axe held me fast.
The king’s voice dropped, and he spoke only to the generals. “We will mate tonight. Axe, you will guard the chamber inside.” His stony gaze fell on me, and I trembled. He shot a glance into the shadows behind his chair and gave a last command. “Vilkurn? Take this unruly child down to your dungeon and show her what happens to a servant who attacks her future queen.”
Before I could take the first step to flee, the shadows wrapped around me, and whisked me through the wall itself, a hard hand over my mouth so tight that I saw stars, then bright white, and finally utter blackness.
Vali
