He walks me down a staircase and into a long corridor. The air is cooler here, and it smells like books.
The first door opens to reveal a cozy room with a huge table covered in sheets of parchment. A massive chair hugs the table, facing the door. Behind it there’s a wall with rows and rows of cubby holes, each one holding a scroll.
“What is this place?”
“My study. You would have found it eventually on your wanderings.” Bestian leads me towards the table. As we pass, rounded stones inset into the walls on both sides of us flare to life. The stones glow orange and dark purple, giving off warmth like heat lamps set into a vertical fireplace of some sort. “If ever the door is warded, I’m conducting an experiment and you are not to attempt to enter. My warding spells do not always work on you, and my experiments can be dangerous.” The muscles of his teal arm are tense, as if he expects me to disagree.
“That’s fair. Safety first.”
“Yes. Your safety above all.”
A trio of large orbs is suspended above the desk, each one glowing blue.
“Those orbs.” I point. “Do you use them to spy on people?”
He waves a hand and the center one rotates. There, on the rounded screen, is a familiar bed and pile of pillows—the room where I’ve been sleeping.
I press my lips together. “So you’ve been watching me.”
“Of course. I find you endlessly fascinating.” There’s a chuckle lurking behind his amused tone.
“Your life is very boring and sad.”
“Or you, above all beings in the known universe and beyond, are the one most worthy of study. I will spend the rest of my life learning you.”
Awww, flattery. I’d brush it off, but my cheeks are glowing as hot as the fireplace stones. Something about his voice, his scent, his eyes intent on my face… my heart flutters despite myself. I used to long for a guy to speak to me this way. I bought all the lies my past boyfriends told me—right up to the point where they each broke my heart.
But Bestian isn’t lying. He means every sappy word. And that scares me most of all.
He guides me to sit in the huge chair. I perch on the seat. With my feet dangling a few inches off the ground, I feel like Goldilocks trespassing too far.
“I promised you could talk to Matron. And so you shall.”
“All right.”
“Mywhispshave made ready.” He rests one giant hand on my shoulder and waves another at the central orb. The image of my room disappears, replaced by the familiar, comforting sight of Ma’s fireplace and chair. My throat tightens. I lean forward. Bestian doesn’t hold me back, but his hand slides to the back of my neck, collaring it loosely. My pulse thrums under his fingers.
“Ma?” I call. Her tall, elegant form glides into sight.
“Rose?” Her eyes light up and she breaks into a smile.
“Ma, it’s me.” Even though I just spied on her, it’s good to see her face. Her mauve skin is unmarred, her blue eyes no longer sunken and tired. “You look well.”
“As do you, my dear.”
My shoulders soften. It really is her. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better, thanks to the king.” She squints at me, and I know she’s noticing the king’s hand at the back of my neck. Bestian’s standing beside me, mostly out of her line of vision, but his presence can’t be denied.
“I didn’t make it to the river in time,” I tell her. “The Alphas found me. I ran—and the king… rescued me.”Out of the frying pan…
“I see.” Ma looks calm, but she’s studying me closely.
“I don’t know how it happened,” I lie. I’m not going to mention the illegal potion she’s been giving me, not with the king right here. “Something triggered my estrus. Apparently, I’m actually an Omega. A human one. Who knew?” I force out a chuckle.
“Oh Rose,” Ma murmurs.
“I’m all right,” I rush. “This palace is lit. And I get all the sweet cakes I could ever want.”
