Page 48 of The King's Omega
That got my attention. “Them? They took more than one mate?”
“Who knows, child? Grandma says in the stories she learned from her own Gran, there were always more Alphas than Omegas. The sums don’t add if they didn’t. Now, off with you. Time for your reading lesson with the king.” Her gap-toothed grin was broad and gleeful. “Pull your chemise down a smidgeon. He deserves a bit of scenery for all the lessons he’s given.”
I blushed, but I might have done just that as I skipped down to the library. Inside, King Rigol was already meeting with a lieutenant. I started to back out, but he stopped me with a hand, motioning me inside. I slipped into my chair and tried to read the book about Omegas, half listening to the muted conversation.
“… could evacuate the city. Might need to, at least the elderly, the women and children, give them extra time to get clear,” Rigol was saying. The lieutenant kept shaking his head.
“Sire, there’s not time. The Verdan forces are only a few days’ march from the western border, a week from Turino at most. Even if General Tarn’s hoped-for reinforcements arrive in time—which is doubtful—Verdan will march straight here to dethrone you, and then Mirren will retreat to protect their own borders.”
“In those few days, we might save some of our people,” Rigol argued, his voice rising. “If we know they’re coming, and we don’t warn them—”
“An announcement will cause a panic,” the lieutenant protested.
Rigol seethed. “Not if it’s done quietly, with enough troops to oversee the process.”
“We need those troops at the front lines, Your Majesty. You know this.”
He shot me a guarded look, but Rigol just nodded. “She’s fine.”
The lieutenant continued, but quietly, so I couldn’t make out all his words. “… word that Lorn met with trouble, and General Asher is returning tonight.”
Axe was returning? My heart skipped a beat.
Rigol rubbed his hand over this face. “We’ll wait until we hear his recommendation. But be ready to fight, or to help our people flee.”
The lieutenant clicked his heels as he bowed, then left, his brow still furrowed.
Rigol poured a glass of amber liquid and stared into the fire. I tucked my book under an arm and walked over to his side.
“It sounds like it’s almost here.”
“Yes.” He sighed. “Axe will be home tonight. I want… I want you to know. If you want to see him. Be with him. I won’t stand in the way.”
My breath caught. “Are you sure?”
“I am.”
We stood silently for a moment, each of us lost in thought. I could tell Rigol’s emotions were swirling: his scent had changed, becoming bitter and metallic. “Come sit down,” I said. “Looking up at you hurts my neck.”
“I can’t help that you’re too short.”
I pinched his side. “You can sit like I said.” He sat drinking the whiskey, and I set down the book and placed my hands on his shoulders. “Sometimes at the Sow, men would come in who didn’t want sex. They just wanted a woman’s hands on them. Some softness. A place to rest their worries. One of the girls taught me something. I’ll show you.”
The king stiffened, but then slumped as my hands kneaded his tight muscles. “Close your eyes.” I let my hands wander over his back, using my fists to pound at the tight, lean muscle by his spine. I felt some knots I couldn’t get to. “Take off your shirt.”
He didn’t speak, but leaned forward and removed the garment. That was better; I could see the knots now. I attacked them again, not too violently, but enough that he groaned softly. “Feels good?” He shifted to give me better access, but remained silent.
His skin was golden brown and flawless except for a few scars on his shoulders. Training exercises taken too far? Or battles? I touched them as well, feeling the ridges in the flesh, massaging out the tension. “You really do care about the people, your people I mean.”
“Yes.” His answer was quiet. “I know you think I’m a terrible king. I haven’t made the best decisions recently—”
“Since the seer and Selene.” His shoulders tensed again, and I manipulated the muscles until they softened. Then I realized he was missing a scar he should have.
He had no mating bite. My heart skipped a beat. I let my eyes scan his form as I massaged.
Nothing.
How could that be? He bore her scent, so he had definitely bitten her. I cleared my throat, curiosity burning through me. “Selene didn’t return the mating bite?”
