Vor’s mouth dropped open.
Snow’s smile faded. “Does that trouble you? An omega head of state?”
“Naaaay,”Vor said, his shock fading as he frowned heavily at Snow. “More my concern with someone as unworthy as I being mated tothe future king.”
Snow’s smile return.
“I have no doubt that you will be a wise and benevolent king,” Vor added. “Maybe not at first, as there will be much for you to learn and grow into, but you’ll get there eventually.” He caressed the side of Snow’s face. “You vowed to free us from the wizard’s clutches, and you managed that when I thought it next to impossible. Running a sovereign nation? Child’s play for someone as magnificent as you.”
Snow cuddled closer to Vor, thankful his mate would be so supportive of him in his new role to come. “I’ll, of course, need a steadfast, strong leader at my side to help me with difficult decisions.”
“I am no leader,” Vor was quick to say.
“You are,” Snow said. “Even Klaus said you were a natural leader, and he’d been wrong about you.”
“Let me guess—after he thought I’d perished, right? No one speaks ill of the dead.”
“Don’t do that.” Shen rose and laid his head on Snow’s leg, getting comfortable again. “What Klaus said was actually quiteheartfelt. And he wasn’t wrong, either. You might not have considered yourself a leader, but everyone in that cottage knew you were. Everyone,includingKlaus.”
Vor grew quite as Snow watched for his reaction. Snow sensed Vor was again questioning himself.
“You’ve paid for your crime and shown remorse. You’re not that same young man who committed that offense, either,” Snow said. “If anything, your experience will give you empathy and insight in matters I might not have. You can see the humanity in someone who has made a tragic mistake, and I find that invaluable for me as a leader of our country.”
“First he needs to see the humanity in himself—and perhaps allow himself some grace,” Shen said, eyeing Vor.
Vor forced a smile. “I will try.”
“That’s enough for now,” Snow said. He leaned in closer. “How soon can we be mated and plan our adventure?”
Vor hedged. “Actually, Idohave a concern I must mention.”
Snow stiffened. “Nooo.”
“Your father wants us mated quickly—because there’s a chance you could be with child now. Should we wait to see if you’re pregnant before planning our journey?”
Snow scoffed. “As if being pregnant impedes me from travel.”
“We might journey to remote places without adequate medical care,” Shen said. “Vor has a point in being concerned.”
“Then we employ a midhusband to travel with us if I am,” Snow said. “And perhaps a nurse. Once the baby is born, we can add in a manny to our entourage.”
“Entourage?” Vor asked. “I thought it would only be the three of us?”
“There’sno waymy father would agree without me taking my own King’s Guard. And then a cook, of course, to feed us and the men. I’d guess we’d be at least a dozen. No more than two.”
“Twodozen?”Shen asked, chuckling. “This isn’t a simple adventure; it’s a royal tour.”
“Is there something wrong with that?”
Shen snickered. “I’m accustomed to walking, traveling by camel, or horseback. I’ve never been a part of a prince’s pampered parade. Shall we travel by royal coach?”
“We’d have to if I’m pregnant, now wouldn’t we? Even if I’m not pregnant now, there will be other heats to come, so we might as well travel by coach from the start as any month I might wind up with child.”
“And how are we to cross the sea with coaches, horses, and two dozen men?” Vor asked. “You wish to go to Ifriqiya. We’d need to get across a vast sea.”
“Purchase passage on the largest ship we can find?” Snow replied, shrugging. “Perhaps send the royal ship to meet us at the crossing to have them ferry us over.”
Shen shook his head and eyed Vor.
