Lanlin’s worry melted back into a bright smile. “I didn’t think that you’d do that.”
I shrugged. “Why not? And you’re amazing. Can you show me something else?”
“You think that I amamazing?” Lanlin stared at me, stunned, for a long moment.
Then he grinned.
I felt the sizzle of his magic sweeping over me, dark and primal. The bushes rustled, then a colony of rats swept out like a furry sea.
I yelled, but Lanlin merely laughed.
The rats swept over us both, scampering playfully, as Lanlin rolled between them.
“Your face, dragon!” Lanlin’s eyes glowed from underneath his rodent friends. “Did you think that they’d bite out your eyes? Claw into your soft guts?”
I growled, diving onto him. I was laughing, however, as I wrestled him.
Now, I sink my head into my hands. “On my blood, we will never betray each other. How did the fucker break a blood oath like that? Or did slaughteringmy brothersomehow not count?”
It hurts to think of my best friend.
Now my worst enemy.
I turn back to Five, stroking down her back. “Don’t think I missed that you’ve been slinking out at night to visit your dad…” I cough, blushing. “I mean, Daire. Yet you still return to me for my fine food and soft bedding, don’t you?”
Will it be the same with my Omega?
I roll onto my face on the bed, reaching for my most precious treasures that I have used to line my nest: Freya’s pillowcases, hair ties, and the tunic that I stole from Freya in the early days that she came to live in the palace, when I didn’t want her to know how desperate I was each night to sleep in her sweet rose scent.
I take deep breaths now, burying my nose in her tunic, longing for my Omega’s pheromones.
I sense the glimmering golden threads like spider webs that attach me to Freya and Daire now that we are bonded, despite how far apart we are. Being able to see the golden threads is my talent.
I love that they are no longer fraying or threatening to snap because I have gone through with the bond.
I hate that I know they also extend to Lanlin, connecting all three kings to Freya.
I clutch onto Freya’s pillowcase.
“My Omega…” I sigh.
“Are we interrupting something…?” A voice drawls from the doorway.
Flushing, I sit up. “A smart Omega would pretend that they saw nothing, Luc, unless they want their pretty eyes poked out.”
The silver Omega, Tribune Lucius Atticus, and my chief adviser leans in the doorway not looking at all intimidated.
Lucius is the prettiest Omega in Bael.
He is lean and small, wearing battle armor ready for the ceremony, which hangs off him like he’s never been in a true battle in his life.
He has.
Lucius has silver eyes and honey curls that tumble to his cheekbones.
Lucius has been one of my secret bodyguards since I was a teenager. He is as dangerous with his genius mind and machinations at court, as my second secret bodyguard is on the battlefield — his bonded Alpha.
She is standing at Lucius’ shoulder and is the other reason that he is so relaxed.
