It’s my turn to tug my beard and rub my face. What in Ulf’s name are the advisors good for if they can’t take on unpleasant tasks for me? Like this one? I growl even as I nod.
“I will set up a court appearance, my king.” Brokk steps back and bows like a Beta courtier.
I force my shoulders down when they’d otherwise hunch. If I had my way, Brokk would not call me king. I have no friends, but if I did, he would be one.
I brush past him, knocking him off balance so he steps out of his bow.
“Go on then,” he calls. “I’m sure you want to get back to your Omega. Ulfdamn your luck.”
I mock snarl at him but he’s laughing. I spin around and lope towards the palace.
My little lysia flower is waiting. The ghost of her perfume fills my lungs. I cannot remain away from her for a moment longer. Her scent is all I can breathe, and my heart beats in echo to hers.
TWELVE
Haley
The bathing chamberis filled with a floral-scented mist. I lie in a stone tub that could hold five people. The tub filled up once Sian turned on the seven faucets. The water gushing in was a weird green color but it smelled divine, and when I stuck my hand in, it was warm.
Sian left me to it, and I luxuriated in the water until the knots in my neck and shoulders melted away. She reappeared holding several bottles in different shades of blue and teal, which turned out to be different bath soaps, scrubs, lotions and salves.
I insist on washing myself, but Sian is sitting and chatting beside me while I relax under the bubbles.
“Here, try this.” She dumps some pink liquid into my palm. It foams with a delicate, jasmine-like scent.
“This smells amazing,” I say.
“Doesn’t it? It’s another recipe I found in the archives. Very popular with the former queen. It's too bad Omegas have all but died out.”
“There are none I can talk to?”
“There are none left around here. There were a few a generation ago. But none have been born in my time.”
“It’s just so weird.” I lean back against the edge of the tub. The smooth, rounded stones are perfect for lounging. “Did any of your doctors or, uh, healers and magicians look into it?”
“Of course.” Sian folds a large cloth that looks like Turkish towel, propping it close so I can reach it without stepping from the bath. “It’s all Alphas talk about sometimes. Alphas are obsessed with Omegas.” She gives me a pointed look, and my cheeks grow hot.
“Yeah, I got that.” I let bubbles sift through my fingers. “At least, they’re obsessed with claiming one.”
“Well, yes. But you should be proud. The Hunter King is like no other. He is a skilled warrior, but he prefers to be alone. He disappears into the forest for days at a time. Does the bare minimum to act as a king. But he's still a good leader,” she says.
That doesn't mean he'll be a good mate.
Sian excuses herself, and I play with the bubbles with pruny fingers. After god knows how long in the forest, sleeping in a cave, peeing behind bushes, and washing in a river, soaking in a warm bath feels almost as good as sex.
Almost.
Nothing compares to sex with the Hunter King. My inner muscles are sore from taking his knot, but just thinking of him, a warmth blooms in my core.
I rub my shoulder with a cloth to distract myself, and a twinge makes me wince. The bite mark on my neck is still tender. I turn my head and there he is, strolling into the bathing chambers, parting the mists from the hot bath. He’s in his usual attire of breeches and a bare chest. Water droplets lick down his bare pecs, adding a sheen to his green skin. The snake-like copper markings ripple on his skin, and the vivid flower tattoo stands out starkly, drawing my gaze like a magnet.
In a dreamlike state, I lift my hand and beckon.
His eyes hold mine as he shucks off his clothes. He steps into the bath, the broad head of his cock pointing right at my face.
I don’t think. I scoot forward, and close my mouth around my Alpha’s cock.
* * *
