“There will be a time limit on how long the interim king can rule, and then there will be a kingdom-wide vote. Every adult member of the Stone Kingdom will say who they wish to be their king. No Alpha is allowed to do violence, and no Beta is allowed to do magic to influence the outcome.” Haley’s voice is sweet, and clear as a bell.
“We can speak with the Stone Kingdom’s magicians to see how they would suggest setting up the vote, and how to make it fair and equitable for every adult citizen,” Khan says slowly. “Omegas included,” he adds with what looks like a wink in Haley’s direction.
He is on our side, yet I still clutch her possessively to my chest. She is mine.
Mine.
“There are no Omegas,” intones a deep voice from the black orb. The Demon King.
“Excuse me.” As well as outrage, there’s a squeak in Haley’s voice. The Demon King unsettles her. Then again, he unsettles everybody. “There are atleastthree.”
“And perhaps soon to be more,” Aurus says. “My magicians tell me a great magic was unleashed at the last full moons. The Stone King brought one Omega through the portal with his stolen magic. Perhaps there were others.”
The orbs around the table seem to glow brighter.
“Is anyone against the proposed plan to rehabilitate the Stone Kingdom?” Aurus makes a show of looking this way and that. When no one speaks up, he asks, “What about you, Hunter King? Does your queen speak for you?”
There’s a pause. I splay my hand over Haley’s flat stomach. “Yes,” I say.
“Then we will wait for your word to see whom you install as interim king.” Aurus rises from his seat. “The Kings’ Council is adjourned.”
Still cradling Haley, I rise and head to the door, bursting through it.
In the hall beyond, there’s a small crowd of gray-hooded Betas and armor-clad soldiers. They all scramble out of the way.
“Mine,” I say, kissing the top of my little flower’s head.
“Yes, I know.” She leans up and presses her lips to mine. Her taste on my tongue is like nectar. “Now take me home.”
Some would say that Omegas should be meek and docile, quiet and submissive. Like Diala. But what Haley just did for me in that council meeting—she can find the words when I cannot. And unlike my so-called advisors, she is on my side. Completely.
As we head back to our transport, I marvel at how my little lysia flower has changed my life. Changed me. I feel a connection, a belonging that was never there before.
She is perfect for me in ways I couldn’t even imagine, giving me things I didn’t even know I needed.
Haley completes me.
TWENTY-TWO
Haley
There’sa crowd on the palace steps when our flying ship glides down. The bell rings out to greet us.
Sian waves to us from the top step. A slight figure stands beside her wearing a veil and heavy robes despite the warmth of the late day suns.
Brokk pushes through a group of Alpha guards. “How did it go?” he demands.
“It went great,” I say.
“Really?” Brokk squints at Hunter. I’m going to enjoy informing him of his new role. Hunter and I talked it out on the ship. Well, I talked and he listened, and when I felt his warmth and contentment in the bond, I knew our plan was solid.
“That’s right. I spoke for Arboron—as queen.”
“You?” a courtier gasps.
“Yep. Me. Omegas are people too.”
On the top step, Sian is nodding and grinning.
