And tantalizing.
The realization struck like physical impact. Despite everything… despite the years of conditioning, despite the careful lessons in servitude, despite being taught that my body existed for another’s use rather than my own pleasure… I wanted them. All three of them. Not out of obligation or expectation or biological imperative, but out of genuine desire.
For the first time in my life, my body was truly my own. My desires were my own. And what I desired, against all logic, against all caution, was the three men standing before me in perfect formation.
"I want you," I said, the words escaping before I could reconsider them. Their impact rippled through our small circle.Prince Kael’s eyes darkened to near-violet, Prince Rhex’s breath caught audibly, Prince Silas’s lips parted in uncharacteristic surprise. "All of you," I clarified, suddenly desperate that they understand. "Together. Not separately. When I’m with just one of you, it... it destabilizes everything. Makes each of you too much of what you already are."
"Together," Prince Rhex repeated, the single word carrying enough heat to warm the entire room. "Always together."
Something about his ready agreement, about the intensity in his gray eyes, emboldened me to voice the fear that still lingered beneath desire’s surface.
"But I need..." I hesitated, searching for words that wouldn’t offend, that wouldn’t reveal the depths of my inexperience. "I need gentleness. I know Alphas can... I’ve seen how they can be. How they take what they want, however they want it. And I can't—I don’t think I could bear?—"
To my shock, it was Prince Rhex who moved first, closing the small distance between us with a step that somehow managed to be both powerful and carefully restrained. His hand lifted, hesitated, then settled against my cheek with such unexpected gentleness that tears sprang to my eyes.
"Never," he said, the single word carrying more weight than any vow I’d ever heard. "That's not what this is. Not what we are together. You’re not just something to be taken, Nyx. You’re... everything. The thing that makes us whole. The only thing that ever could." His thumb brushed across my cheekbone, the touch feather-light despite the calluses that spoke of a lifetime of combat training. "We want to care for you. To give you everything you’ve been denied. Not to hurt you. Never to hurt you."
The sincerity in his voice, in the careful way he touched me despite the raw power coiled beneath his skin, undid something tight and defensive inside me. Something that had been bracedfor pain since the moment I understood what being omega meant in this world.
Prince Kael stepped forward next, his movement deliberate, his expression solemn. "My brother speaks for all of us. You will receive nothing but respect from us, Nyx Ashborne. Despite appearances," he added with a glance at Rhex that carried unexpected fondness, "despite reputations, none of us would treat any omega with cruelty. Least of all, you."
The vial pulsed once more against my throat, warm and affirming. I looked between these three men… Kael with his perfect authority now tempered with consideration, Rhex with his raw power channeled into startling tenderness, Silas with his calculating mind now focused on mutual understanding rather than advantage… and felt something settle into place inside me.
Not resignation. Not surrender. Choice.
"Alright," I said softly. "Tonight, then. The ceremony. Whatever comes next, we face it together."
Their responses weren’t spoken aloud. They didn’t need to be. I could read them in the way Prince Kael’s posture eased fractionally, in the barely perceptible exhale from Prince Rhex, in the slight curve of Prince Silas’s lips.
Balance, where before there had been only separate strengths working against each other. Unity, where before there had been only fragmented power. Completion, where before there had been only potential.
Prince Rhex moved with such unexpected swiftness that I barely had time to register his intent before I found myself lifted into his arms, cradled against his chest like something precious rather than merely necessary. The transition from standing to being held happened in a heartbeat, my body suddenly weightless, supported by strength that could have crushed but chose instead to cradle. I gasped, my hands instinctively finding purchase against his shoulders, fingers curling into thefine fabric of his formal attire. Prince Silas nodded once, a slight movement that somehow conveyed both approval and expectation, while Prince Kael moved to lead our procession from the dining room.
The watching nobles and servants parted before us like water around stones, their expressions ranging from undisguised curiosity to poorly concealed alarm. I felt their gazes against my skin like physical touches, calculating what my presence in Prince Rhex’s arms might mean for the delicate balance of court politics. But for once, their opinions felt distant, unimportant compared to the steady heartbeat beneath my ear, the careful way Rhex adjusted his hold to ensure my comfort without sacrificing security.
"They’re going to talk," I murmured, more observation than concern as we moved through corridors that seemed to empty before us, staff and visitors alike pressing themselves against walls to allow our unimpeded passage.
"Let them," Rhex replied, his voice a rumble I felt through the chest pressed against mine. "They’ve been talking about us our entire lives."
The journey to my chambers… our chambers now, perhaps? I had no idea how this would turn out, passed in a blur of polished marble and curious eyes. Prince Kael led with the easy authority of someone who expected paths to clear before him, while Prince Silas followed slightly behind, his attention seemingly divided between our surroundings and the way Rhex carried me. I caught his gaze more than once, analyzing my position, comfort, and responses with that uncanny perception that missed nothing.
When the familiar door with its mother-of-pearl inlay appeared before us, I felt a strange mixture of relief and apprehension twist through my stomach. What happenednext would transform everything. Another threshold crossed, another version of myself left behind.
The moment we entered the chambers and the door closed behind Prince Silas, I squirmed out of Rhex’s hold, suddenly desperate for space, for the grounding sensation of my feet against solid floor. Well, cushy carpet anyway. He released me immediately, no resistance, no attempt to maintain contact against my wishes. The simple respect of that gesture, of acknowledging my desire for distance, eased something tight in my chest.
I backed away several steps, not in fear exactly, but in a sudden overwhelming awareness of my own inexperience. What did one do in this situation? What was expected? Lady Morvane had provided no education beyond threats of violence. The drugs had sedated to the point of not remembering any of the contracted sessions. Nothing about... whatever was happening now.
"I don’t..." I began, then stopped, uncertain how to articulate the gap between desire and knowledge that yawned inside me.
Prince Silas moved forward, his steps measured, his expression softening from its usual analytical detachment. "Relax, Nyx," he said, my name carrying unexpected warmth in his voice. "We’re going to take care of you. Focus entirely on your pleasure. There's nothing you need to do except allow yourself to feel."
The simplicity of his instruction, to feel, just feel, sent a shiver down my spine. Years of training had taught me to suppress, to contain, to minimize my presence and my reactions. The permission to simply experience felt more transgressive than any specific act could have been.
Prince Kael approached next, his movement carrying the same deliberate grace that characterized everything he did. He extended his hand, palm up, an invitation rather than a demand."Come," he said, the word gentle despite the natural command in his tone. "The bed will be more comfortable."
I placed my hand in his, allowing him to guide me toward the nest-like expanse I'd slept in for two days. The covers had been turned down, the pillows arranged in an inviting abundance that spoke of careful preparation. Had they planned this? Expected this outcome even before our conversation in the dining room?
"Beautiful," Prince Kael murmured as I sank onto the edge of the bed, the word carrying such genuine appreciation that warmth bloomed across my cheeks. "You’ve been denied so much, for so long. We want to give it all back to you, Nyx. Everything that should have been yours by right."
