Seb pulled away from me, his green eyes fiery and determined. “Don’t tell me what to do!” he whisper-yelled, his gaze dipping to the babies. “I am still your king.”
“Of course you are, my love.” I nodded as I tried my hardest not to laugh. He was just too cute.
“I was waiting for the right moment, that is all.” He frowned. “It’s not like I’ve ever said it before. To anyone. It’s…” he trailed off.
“I know, Little Omega.” I leaned in and pressed a kiss against his forehead. “You were never really allowed to want anything or anyone for yourself, were you? An entire kingdom at your feet, Seb, but you weren’t allowed to decide your future for yourself.”
“Gus,” he breathed as more tears fell from his eyes. “See? That is why I love you. Why I will always love you. You see me. You truly see me.”
“Because you let me, my king.” I brushed my nose against Seb’s, then found his lips.
A loud clang tore through the room as metal collided with the stone floor. “Ugh, that’s it! I’m never falling in love!” Hal groaned from by the fireplace. “It’s too bloody exhausting. All that talk-talk-talk! Ugh!”
Kenneth looked like he’d seen a ghost when we entered the kitchen, Seb holding Lumi in his arms, while I cradled Ember against my chest. Lord Willoughby, on the other hand, nearly tipped over in his chair.
“Your Majesty!” Lord Willoughby rose, bowing exaggeratedly, while Kenneth continued to stare between Seb and me, his mouth agape. “Kenneth!” Lord Willoughby hissed. “Bow to Your Majesty!”
“Yes, yes, of course, Albert. I mean, My Lord,” Kenneth stammered, then bowed politely.
“Lord Willoughby,” Seb started as he handed me Lumi, too. Steering toward Lord Willoughby, who was still bowing, he held out his hand. “Please, my lord. No need for such formalities. I believe we were interrupting your breakfast.”
“By no means, Your Majesty,” Lord Willoughby objected. “Please come in and take a seat.” He pointed at the table, and my stomach instantly growled at the sight of food. After the strenuous birth yesterday, both Seb and I had fallen asleep almost immediately, but now hunger was catching up with me.
When my stomach growled a second time, Seb chuckled, “Do sit down, Gus. Eat. I have matters to discuss with his lordship.”
I nodded, then stared at the babies in my arms. After Seb had nursed them this morning, they’d both gone back to sleep. Kenneth seemed to read my mind right away, but something held him back. He was an alpha, after all, and just the idea of an alpha helping with babies was unheard of. And these were royal babies.
“Kenneth, was it?” Seb gestured for Kenneth to approach us.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Kenneth carefully stepped forward, his gaze focused on the floor.
“Kenneth, will you be so kind as to assist Gus with our babies while we take our breakfast?”
Kenneth and Lord Willoughby gasped at the same time as they looked at each other, with clear surprise on their faces.
“Your Majesty, surely you cannot—” Lord Willoughby started.
“I do,” Seb cut him off. “If my alpha mate has no issue with it, then neither have I.” He turned to me, smiling softly. “Gus, my love, do you have any issues with Kenneth tending to the babies while we eat?”
At that moment, I couldn’t have loved my little omega more. I knew he would always stand by me. He would never let me be anything less than what I was: his alpha and the man he loved. The father of his heirs.
“Not at all,” I croaked. Stepping to Kenneth, I smiled reassuringly at the old alpha. “They should sleep through breakfast, Kenneth, but if they start fussing, then just give them back to me.” Kenneth gaped at me, then nodded slowly as he opened his arms. I carefully handed the babies to him, and they remained fast asleep, smacking their lips contentedly.
“Very well then,” Seb clasped his hands together, then squeezed Lord Willoughby’s shoulder. “I’ll need to borrow a carriage, and we’ll need Hal to accompany us, too. I have important matters to attend to at the palace. You will, of course, be reimbursed accordingly, My Lord, for any inconvenience on your part. Gus, as my royal consort and father of my heirs, will obviously need to be relieved from his duties at your estate, but if you require assistance in hiring a new farmhand, I’m at your disposal. Hal shall return when possible.”
Damn, I loved when my little omega went into bossy regent mode. It was so hot the way he took charge and seemed to know exactly what he wanted. My dick took notice too as it thickened in my overalls. I knew it would be a while before Seb and I could be intimate again, but that didn’t keep my body from reacting to him.
“Gus, why aren’t you eating?” Seb tilted his head as he stared at me, a knowing smirk on his lips. “Close your mouth, my love, and sit down. Eat.”
“Yes, Litt—I mean, My King,” I mumbled as I pulled a chair from the table and sat down.
“I really don’t see why I had to come since his lordship lent you his carriage,” Hal moaned for the umpteenth time. We were one hour into our journey back to the palace with one hour left to go. I was sitting in the front next to Hal, who was holding the reins, skillfully steering the horses down the bumpy country road. Melancholia was tied to the rear of the carriage, trotting along obediently.
“Because you are my best friend, and I trust you with my life, and therefore also with my children. If we meet any resistance at the palace, I’ll need you with me, Hal.” I kept my voice low. Seb was in the back, sound asleep with Ember and Lumi. My mate would need all the rest he could get before he had to face his advisors and confront them with what he’d learned about his father’s fate and the lack of magic. From the little contact I’d had with his advisors while staying at the palace, I was under no illusion that they’d let go of their power without a fight. Although the guards were alphas and would obey Seb over his advisors, I still felt more comfortable having Hal by my side, too.
“You are my best friend, too, Gus,” Hal sighed, wiping at his forehead. Then he laughed.
“What?”
