“Just your face itself,” I replied. “Come along.”
I had no goal in mind except to stay away from the palace until evening. Rourke followed obediently, taking in the sights and sounds and smells of the upper quarter. Omegas and their alphas bustled, shopping and gossiping loudly with one another. Betas bought freshly baked bread, the scent of it filling the streets. Though these streets were my everyday life, it was all new to Rourke. Part of me hoped he was enjoying himself. Then I realized that was silly, as if he was some kind of tourist and I was his guide.
Get a hold of yourself, Sebastian. You’re being ridiculous.
“Whoa, what’s that?” Rourke asked, looking at the courtyard ahead.
“I’ll show you.”
I led him towards it as people practically threw themselves out of our way, whether from respect or fear or both. I’d grown used to my subjects parting to make room for us by now, but I did notice that they eyed Rourke with less outright wariness and more appreciation and dignity. I smirked. No doubt his fine clothes were the reason for it. We must have looked like quite the pair.
The courtyard all but cleared upon our approach after a round of respectful bowing to acknowledge me. Rourke approached the fountain and the grand statue in the center. There was an almost childlike curiosity in his eyes.
“Is this…?”
“The God of Fertility,” I said. “Supposed ancestor to us all.”
“I guess I’ve only heard stories. I’ve never actually seen it depicted before.”
“He, not it.”
“Sorry. He.” Rourke nodded. “Right. Because he’s the original omega, right?”
“That’s what the tale says, anyway,” I replied.
“But…” Rourke frowned in confusion. “He’s a werewolf?”
I sighed. Another leftover from his crude upbringing. “The term is Therianthrope. Nobody says werewolf anymore. It’s not accurate. The God of Fertility could change his shape at will. He was not bound by the moon, as some people claim.” I paused, then waved a hand. “Of course, it’s all fiction, in the end.”
“Huh.” Rourke scratched his head. “Back in the outskirts, we call them Weres. In stories and stuff, I mean.”
It miffed me to hear him speak of the God of Fertility in such a nonchalant, almost offensive manner, but then I reminded myself that he was right. It was all a story. There was no reason for me to be upset. Still, I couldn’t quite get my mind off it.
“Do you know any stories about his counterpart?” I asked.
Rourke nodded slowly. “Yeah. Now that you mention it, Pa used to tell me about the God of Fertility having a mate. The God of Virility, right? They were special, though. Not just any couple. Fated mates, I think that’s what he called it.” A smile spread over his face. “I dunno why, but I always liked that story as a kid.”
To be honest, I had never given the God of Virility—the alpha of the pair—as much thought as his omega counterpart. Alphas weren’t very important in our society, so I supposed it made sense that a fictional one wasn’t particularly memorable to me either.
But now, standing here with Rourke, I found myself thinking about it. Why was it that the God of Virility did not also have a statue? I couldn’t recall a single depiction of him existing anywhere in Lacehaven, aside from pictures in books. He sat collecting dust on a shelf while the God of Fertility was the centerpiece of this entire courtyard.
Because the God of Fertility is an omega,I thought.The God of Virility is just an alpha. An alpha doesn’t deserve an entire statue.
But for some reason, that idea left a bad taste in my mouth. I almost wished I had never thought about it so deeply in the first place.
I was so absorbed in thought that I didn’t hear the rapid approach of footsteps behind me, and I didn’t know anything was wrong until a heavy force shoved me violently to the ground.
14
Rourke
The suddensnapof the collar at my neck jerked me into alertness.
It happened fast. A figure ran at us from behind, but I noticed it too late. Any other time, I would’ve been vigilant. I cursed myself for being distracted. I’d been so caught up talking with Sebastian that my senses had dulled.
The man—omega, middle aged—had pushed Sebastian. It was the kind of shock that rooted me to the spot for just a split second. Sebastian was the prince. He was about to rule this entire kingdom. The assailant was an upper-ring omega. What possible issue could he have had with Sebastian? Why would he throw away his whole pampered life just to assault him?
The omega loomed over Sebastian, face twisted in fury. I felt a vague flicker of recognition that I was too busy to explore it right now. My body moved on its own. As the omega reared—to kick Sebastian maybe, or to pick him up and shove him again—I snatched his arm. He cried out as if I’d struck him even though it wasn’t more than a firm grasp.
