Page 32 of A Hal for my Heart

“Briar… What makes you think that—”

“I know you, Hal, and I know that kind of work makes you miserable. Your adventurous tasks with Gus make you smile so wide with longing whenever you tell me the stories. You love being outdoors. You love animals. Wouldn’t you rather be working with Adrian at the stables?” His words stunned me. The way he saw right through me, all the way inside my soul. “I love being with you and working beside you, but it would be selfish of me not to let you be just as happy as you’ve made me.”

“I am happy!” I rushed out.

He nodded solemnly. “I know, but I still want you to be fulfilled in your daily work, and I don’t think being a royal advisor does that.” He was right. I hated it. I missed the farm and the animals. I would never leave the palace because Briar and Gus were here, but I did miss working outside with my hands, with animals.

“I guess it’s only fair.”

“What?”

“That I’m honest with Seb if I ask you to be.” I winced. I had to admit I was still a little scared of Seb. I took Briar’s hand in mine. “Will you at least make sure I have a proper burial if he kills me?”

“Seb?!” Briar snorted. “He won’t kill you,” he giggled. Briar flexed his thin arms. “He’ll have to go through me first!”

“Uhhhhh,” I shuddered, kissing him. “My fierce little omega.”

Chapter Fifteen

Briar

Elias and Seb were waiting for us in Seb’s office. I knew they were eager to see me after my heat, but sadly, the morning would start with me telling them my biggest secret and hoping they wouldn’t treat me differently afterward. Hal’s hand was in mine, a constant comfort as I entered the room first. Elias and Seb looked up from the desk, documents scattered in front of them, stacks of papers everywhere, piling up.

“Briar!” Elias beamed, then gave Hal a welcoming smile, too. “So good to see you.”

“Did you get plenty of rest this week?” Seb scrutinized me, ever the caretaking king. “If not, you can take more time off.”

I smiled gratefully, tugging Hal fully into the room, then joined them at the table. The urge to climb into Hal’s lap again washed over me, and Hal, too, looked a little lost now that I wasn’t clinging to him. I squeezed his hand, and he smiled reassuringly. “We’re doing fine, and honestly, I need to get back to work; it feels weird not working.”

“I get that,” Elias chuckled. “The routine helps me stay focused and not get distracted by my sexy alpha and adorable son.”

I could only nod at that. I knew about the sexy alpha thing, but the son part would have to wait. Although I’d begged Hal to breed me during my heat, I was glad now that he hadn’t. I wanted children, longed for them, but I wanted to be stronger first, both physically and emotionally.

“Everything okay?” Seb asked, tilting his head. “You look nervous? Or are you feeling sick?”

“Are you pregnant?!” Elias exclaimed, making Hal choke on air.

“Would be pretty impressive alpha seed Hal carries around if they knew that already,” Seb drawled, staring at Elias like he’d lost his head.

Elias smiled sheepishly. “I got excited! Don’t judge me.”

Seb laughed at that, his attention returning to me. “Tell us, is there anything we can do?”

“I, um,” I began, rubbing my thumb against Hal’s under the table, gathering strength. “I need to tell you something. Something I’ve kept secret for too long.”

Elias and Seb both sat up straighter, their eyes filled with worry.

“I’m cursed,” I said, feeling a weight lifting from my shoulders just from saying it out loud. They both gasped, hands flying to their mouths, but they let me continue. “My father told me about it when I was a teen. That the curse would come into effect once I turned sixteen.”

“What curse?” Elias whispered. He looked equal parts sad and afraid.

I blinked back the tears threatening to spill, the familiar feeling of shame invading my chest. “I kill any alpha I touch.”

Both their eyes turned to the very alive Hal next to me, their heads tilting with confusion before they returned their gazes to me.

“Hal is… different,” I explained. “The exception, I think. I don’t know why. I can’t explain it.” I sucked in a breath, shaking, and Hal wrapped his huge arm around me and kissed my temple.

“It’s okay, sweetness. You’re doing good. I’m here.”