"Ah, you match my mother's description exactly, my lord. She spoke very highly of you in her journals," Brigid said.
I watched, awed, as Ned stood taller, his cheeks bright with a blush. "Ah. I am surprised she mentioned me. I was well beneath her notice. You take after her. Beautiful women, true to the Hills."
"I don't believe you're beneath anyone's notice, Sir Edward," Brigid said, smiling and still holding Ned's hand.
"Quit flirting with my omega," I teased Ned, delighted when he reddened further.
But he shot me a sharp glare. "Mind you not give the lad too much leeway. He's a foolish pup, no matter how fine his taste in women is."
Brigid laughed as Ned stomped away from us, and then gasped as I caught her hand and tugged her against me, drawing her into my lap. A few cheers from nearby dragonkin went up, but I ignored them and turned Brigid's face to mine.
"This is the finest feast the keep has ever seen," I said, my voice low and private.
Brigid sighed, leaning into me, and some of the mask she must've been wearing slipped to reveal her weariness. "I'm glad it pleases you."
"Even the men who can't stand to look at me tonight are enjoying themselves," I added.
Brigid glanced in the direction of the slighted betas. "How serious is the damage?"
"I don't know, and tonight, I don't care. When can we retire? We have an early morning tomorrow." And I'd been considering a few ways we might touch tonight that wouldn't prove too tempting to give into the rut.
But Brigid frowned and looked down at her lap. "I was thinking I ought to stay here at the keep while you attend the Flight."
"Stay here?" I echoed.
"I haven't finished building the nest and?—"
"Brigid, your place is with me."
She stiffened in my arms, and I swallowed hard, wondering why the words bothered her and what I could do to change that.
"I know that's true, but with all of the other alphas?" she asked with a demureness that set my teeth on edge. Where was my bold witch?
"Those with omegas will have them in attendance," I said.
Her eyes winced, and she turned her face to the room at large, conjuring a smile, pretending to be enjoying herself here on my lap. Sheshouldbe enjoying herself, or at least that was what I wanted for her.
"It just sounds…oppressive," she said through her teeth.
"Oppressive." Why did I keep repeating her?
"All those alphas together at once," she whispered.
I found her hand in her lap, some of the unease softening as she tangled our fingers together without hesitating.
"Do you find my company oppressive then?" I asked, trying to keep my voice light, teasing.
She huffed and turned back to catch my eye. "No," she said, her tone impatient, like I ought to have known better. I sagged a little with relief, but she continued, "But you certainly can be overwhelming at times."
With her on my lap, there was hardly anywhere else to look but at her, but I focused my gaze over her shoulder, doing my best to keep my expression blank.
"Not in a bad way, necessarily," she murmured.
Necessarily.
"Torion," she coaxed, and it was clear she knew she'd injured me.
Which somehow made the injury feel worse. I reached for her face with my free hand, drawing her mouth down to mine for a slow kiss. It lacked our usual heat, a gesture meant to console one another.
