Page 65 of The King's Omega
“You can’t. There are two gates and a door—”
“I said I’d get you out. I didn’t say it would be easy.” Suddenly, I felt the unmistakable coolness of a sharp blade at my neck.
“And who might this be?”
“Roya, don’t,” Vali whispered. “He’s a friend.”
“No man is a friend in this palace.” The knife’s edge parted my skin. “Not to us.”
“He isn’t from this palace,” Vali breathed, so low no one else could hear. I was glad; I knew of at least one spy for Milian who worked inside the Omega Suite.
The girl, Roya, removed the knife. I found myself admiring her—and not for her ethereal beauty. It had been more years than I could remember since someone had taken me unawares. That this girl had done so as a child was marvelous. I had to fight not to compliment her stealth.
“From your country, then?” Vali nodded. “Hope he has a plan to save you. Otherwise, you’ll be a bride and a corpse in one short evening.”
“I do have a plan,” I murmured low, drawing them both around a corner, so no one could see us speaking. “I can get Vali home within the week.”
My kitten’s eyes welled with tears. “Truly? We need to warn Rigol. Selene came from here. She’s a poisoner, Vilkurn. Milian says she’s his best assassin.”
“I learned that recently, and unfortunately, I’m sure Rigol already knows.”
“How would he?” Her voice was harsh.
I didn’t answer; I couldn’t bear telling her about the poison. “He’s not an idiot.”
She tightened her grip on my hands. “Yes, Vil, he is. I know that better than anyone. He’s not mean, like I thought, but he’s so stupid around women. And about women.”
I fought back a shout of laughter. She wasn’t wrong. “Let’s not argue. Our most urgent task is to get you out of this palace and back into Rimholt,” I said. “But I’m afraid I’ll need you to marry Milian first.” I slipped a hand gently over her mouth as she sucked in a breath to yell at me. “Now, now, kitten. You know I would never let him hurt you. But I need you to take the throne he’s offering.”
Her eyes gleamed. “That’s what she said.”
“Who?”
“The woman in the dungeon. The one with the white eyes. She said, ‘Take the throne that is offered, young queen.’ I thought she had gone mad.”
“She is the seer who predicted you,” I breathed, sending a mental apology to the Goddess for mistreating one of Her servants. “Remind me to free her when we return. Now, about the throne at hand.” I explained the plan I had formulated, Vali’s eyes growing wider and wider as I spoke.
The girl, Roya, chortled at the end of my explanation. “That’ll only work if you have inside help, you know. And someone in the Suite has shared more than one thing with His Majesty. The king executed one of my friends three weeks ago for conspiracy.” She took a shuddering breath. “It was Valerie’s lover, a beautiful woman named Melina. That’s why she was willing… she’s hoping he kills her, so she can join Melina with the Goddess.”
As tears ran down the girls’ faces, I asked the pertinent question, “do you know who the leak is, Roya? There may be more than one.”
“The servants, for sure. I suspect one of our own, but no one else will believe me.”
Vali growled softly. “No one believed me when Selene was hurting me. She was so pretty. Why do people equate beauty with goodness? They’ve got it flipped all the way around if you ask me.”
“Valerie was beautiful, and she saved me,” Roya replied. “I wish I could be half as brave and save my friends.”
My kitten enfolded Roya in her arms, rocking her. “You are brave. You’re all so exceptional, Roya. They call you broken, but you’re not. You all are the strongest women I’ve ever met. If I can get out, I swear on the Goddess’s name, I’ll come back for you. I’ll free every single Omega here.” My love’s heart was as vast as the sky. I had no doubt she would find a way to do just as she said.
But I had a sinking feeling she might endanger herself in the process.
“I know you’ll free us,” Roya said calmly. “You’re the real King’s Omega. You’re going to save everyone. Except Milian.” For some reason, they both smiled at the same time. The expressions sent a chill up my spine.
Then the girl turned back to me. “Here’s what we need to do for your plan to work.”
* * *
Vali sat glumly in a chair,with three female servants, Roya, and another young Omega hovering around as they worked on her hair, ironing the curls flat for some reason.
