Chapter Fourteen
TORION
“You're lucky there are still some mercenary women in the Hills," Francis Keane muttered in my ear as the great hall of the keep roared with activity. "As it is, you've angered every middling lord from here to Gillifenn."
"There isn't a lord without an heir who went slighted by the omegas today," I pointed out. It was a stroke of luck, really, but I was grateful for luck. "And as you mentioned, the richest men came away with a prize as well."
Keane opened his mouth, no doubt to blister my ear with his cautions and warnings and chastisements again, when a rickety old tenor sounded behind us.
"Give it a rest, Francis. We're more likely to see a healthy crop of newborns in the next ten years than we have in a century. The young couples can barely keep themselves from mounting each other here in the hall," Ned McIntyre announced.
I choked down my laugh, and Francis Keane let out a bluster of shock and irritation.
"You should make your rounds, soothe the ruffled feathers. Your omega, whilenota wise choice, is certainly doing her part," Francis said, and then left at last without a word to Ned.
"He's a pompous prig. Shows what comes of breeding our stock with Skybern's."
"My mother came from Skybern," I said, smiling at Ned as he took Keane's spot at my side.
"Aye, and look what a mess you've made today," Ned shot back, grinning.
I looked out over the room at the young men and women who were, indeed, snuggled and cozied and in some less polite positions too, all looking deliriously happy at claiming one another. I also glanced at the "middling lords" who were scowling and clustering together, no doubt plotting against me now that I'd caused this slight to their egos, and at the smug wealthy men who sat with new omegas at their side. And finally, I let my gaze linger on the slim figure encased in vivid blue, with coiling and gleaming copper running down her back—my omega, who went from one couple to the next, offering congratulations and smiles.
I scanned the room for the hundredth time, searching for Barr. There were more revelers outside with musicians and dancers by a brilliant bonfire that tossed wild sparks into the air and food stalls supplementing the feast Brigid had arranged in the keep. So far, Brigid's former beta hadn't stepped foot inside. I was relieved and suspicious. He'd been chosen by an omega, one who'd been left standing alone on the risers. The woman had looked young enough to still be prepared to give him an heir, although she'd been plain and had shook hands with Barr like they'd made a bargain between them.
If I could've prevented him from having any woman claim him, I might've, but even in my most frivolous plan, that was too extreme a slight. I could only hope the woman had known what she was getting in her choice.
I wondered now how today would've gone if I'd had no omega. If I'd been one of the men standing on stage. I wantedthe fantasy that Brigid would've claimed me like the dark-haired young woman had claimed her beta, with a race to the stairs and a cry of joy. But I knew the truth. Brigid would not have run onto the stage, not for me and not for any other man. There'd been no omega standing unpaired at the end of the tussle today, but there likely would've been if my omega hadn't already been claimed by me.
Strangely, I found myself smiling at that.
Brigid wouldn't even have left her cottage for the ceremony.
I'd found the one omega in the Hills who'd have taken a one room cottage and a shabby living of caring for others, rather than the company of a male dragon. No, she found me.
And yet… I caught her eyes across the hall, watched her cheeks blush at the heat in my gaze, her lips quirk.
And yet, I'd made her want me. In bed, at least.
"Lovesick fools, the pair of you," Ned huffed at my side.
My smile was half-hearted. "She doesn't love me yet, Ned."
He chuckled and patted me on the shoulder. "I meant you and your father, lad."
My chest panged uncomfortably, as if I'd been hoping he might contradict me. "Ah. You think I've made a mistake today too, I take it."
Ned hummed at that, helping himself to sitting on the arm of my chair, our wings brushing together. "I think you were wise today. It wasn't just the omegas on that stage who were happy with your boon. There were young girls in the audience that took hope from you granting their kind a choice, young and old mothers too. You might have convinced our women not to leave the Hills for greener pastures today."
I sat straighter at that, and Ned rolled his eyes at me.
"Doesn't mean the betas will recognize as much," he added drily.
I sighed. "I'll take what little victory I can find."
"You rose as alpha, lad. You have an omega. You've not been challenged yet," Ned listed, nodding firmly. "Those are victories. Remember and count them. And here's another. Your lady approaches."
Ned and I both rose, but he beat me to greeting Brigid, taking her hand and bowing lower than I would've guessed he could manage. "Sir Edward McIntyre, my lady," he said, shockingly gallant.
