"We always speak of the value of an omega to an alpha, but I hadn't considered the full scope. From managing the home to the...well, body," I said, hissing as I stepped into the water. "Haven't I gotten as much in the way of you remaining in your cottage as Barr would have?"
"No," she rasped harshly, ducking her face away from my stare as I sank into the water. "That is... The cottage was not my only concern."
"Did he hurt you?" I growled out, and my hands tightened around the rim of the copper tub as she remained silent. I could ban Barr from taking another omega. Iwouldif he posed a danger to the Hills' women.
Then Brigid sighed, leaning into the tub and meeting my gaze with a weary smile. "Not in the way you mean. Lean forward. Let me wash your wings."
I rested my chin on my knee, my arms looped around my legs, and listened to the rustling of her skirts. My eyes shut, and a rough purr rumbled in my chest as she gently spread one wing, her hands sliding along the top spines. Her touch was confident, and I ignored the jealous throb of understanding that she had done this before for another man.
"I...I enjoy my independence," Brigid said softly.
"I don't mean to take it away—" I started, but she cut me off, using the now soaked cloth to sluice water down the expanse of my wing.
"But I like helping others. I want to be a helpmeet to you."
I blinked, the words on my tongue to tell her that this was the first time I'd ever purred for anyone. The sensation was pleasant, vibrating through my chest and out my limbs. I wondered if she liked it too.
And then her hand rested on my back, and she let out a soft sigh. I leaned into the touch, my own heart pounding in my ears, the purr growing louder. It wasn't the only reaction I had to her touch, but I didn't plan on drawing her attention tothat, at least not just yet.
"My things arrived this evening, thank you," she said.
I cleared my throat as she went back to work on washing my wings. "It's nothing." And then, thinking of her words, I twisted to catch her eye and added, "I would be your helpmeet too, Brigid."
She froze in place, her hand clenched around the washcloth, water dripping down my wing as she stared back at me. I reached for her hand, holding her gaze, but she stirred with a deep breath, rising up on her knees and leaning in. Her scent dizzied me, clear but full of nostalgic memories, wild heather and rainy days of flying around the hills, chasing little downpours. Her face neared mine, knowing and serene, and her hand landed on my shoulder, stroking slowly over my chest.
"Show me how to please you, alpha."
The words were heady, and for a moment my head spun and my eyes shut, purr roaring through my chest. My cock jumped in the water, eager to greet the woman so boldly touching me. But the picture of Brigid that appeared in my mind was stepping back, eyeing me warily, refusing to flinch from Malcolm as he railed at her. As much as every cell in my body wanted to arch toward her—and many already were—my head called out a brief warning.
I rested my wet hand over hers just as it reached my stomach, which twitched beneath her palm, but I noted the way her fingers trembled. "You don't have to do this," I rasped, my eyes opening and tongue going numb as I found her just a bare inch away.
And then several inches away, all at once, her hand yanked from beneath mine as if I'd scorched her with dragon fire.
"Of course, my lord," she murmured, folding her hands over her stomach and rising.
I gaped, the sudden cold of the room surrounding me, and she made it a few steps away before I realized my blunder. "Brigid, wait, I—" I scrambled to rise from the tub, but the water was slippery from the oil she'd added and my foot skidded out from under me, my ass landing hard and my words interrupted by a rough grunt.
"I'll leave you to rest. It's been a long day."
"Brigid, I only meant—" Water sluiced down from my body as my puzzling omega all but ran for the door, her braid drumming against her spine. What had I meant? Only to besurethat she was acting out of desire rather than duty. And now, at the slightest question, she was disappearing. I paused, and she stopped with one hand on the door handle, glancing back at me with a soft smile and a shrouded gaze. She waited for a moment, and I realized I was standing naked and half erect, but the pause of considering my nudity wasted the second she granted me.
"Goodnight, Torion."
I caught my breath, raking a damp hand through my tangled curls as she slipped out of the door, shutting it silently behind her.
"Goodnight, Brigid," I huffed out.
Chapter Seven
BRIGID
Iwinced as I opened my bedroom door and found the alpha in the hall. He was smiling broadly, but it faltered at the first glimpse of me, and I considered slamming the door in his face.
You're embarrassed. Get over it. You can turn tail and run back to the cottage, or you can see this through.
"Good morning," he said, smile stretching once more. He moved suddenly toward me, and I jumped back in place, the pair of us freezing and staring at one another.
He was too handsome. It made me want to tear my eyes right out of my own head, just to spite the effect his alluring looks had on my good sense. It made me bold and nervous, trying and failing to seduce a man who'd offered me charity in a moment of impulse. Malcolm would've laughed right in my face last night and then let me fumble my way through giving him a cheap release. Torion had simply dismissed the notion entirely.
