“If I have my way, once the two are wed, Ingred can put her in charge of the guild or find better representation. I refuse to oust Rekai, though.” Stamel braced himself and stared Pallosar down.
“Croatens has never been regarded highly. It’s not unusual to have a bastard or two running about—for an alpha.” Pallosar sighed and pushed the box back toward Rekai. “I am disinheriting Neffa from the crown. This is his payment. He’ll hold the title of lord and be stricken from the family record as is right. Nothing will be said publicly. So, we’ll treat this as you requesting his inheritance and be done with it. I still expect to visit once in a while and see my grandson, as it were.”
Stamel visibly deflated, and Pallosar glanced from him to Seidrik. A moment passed before Pallosar stood and brushed his clothes off. “Rekai, I am not pleased that there was deception. However, you acted on a prince’s command. And I’ll have the tailor come by with an order soon. I do so love the new embroidery. Perhaps you should make a garment for Seidrik as well. I’m thinking something white.”
Seidrik sat up straight and tensed, face burning.
“Whatever will piss Alluin off the most. I trust you, Stamel. Do you at least like one another?” Pallosar strode toward the door, pointedly avoiding them.
“From the moment I first saw him.” Stamel’s voice went soft as Pallosar turned and stared Seidrik down.
“I find myself unable to avoid him. He’s rather persistent.” Seidrik cleared his throat.
Pallosar leaned in and whispered to Seidrik’s ear. “You’re not fooling me, and the fact that your ass of a father doesn’t know is highly amusing.”
“H-how did you…” Seidrik swallowed hard.
Pallosar looked him up and down and snorted under his breath. “You’re far too catty and belligerent to be a beta.”
And he wondered just how obvious it was.
Stamel rested a hand on his shoulder. “Rekai, that is an excellent idea. Please do make him some wedding garb fit for a beta. I’ll have it sent over on the thalmway.”
Rekai glanced Seidrik up and down before nodding and slipping off. He returned with a tape measure and said nothing as Ingred walked around nosily.
“I’m impressed Father took it that well. Seemed almost proud of you.” Ingred examined a few skeins of thread on display before glancing over his shoulder. “Tynmal, next?”
Rekai’s shoulders pinched. “I delight every time I hear him suffer.”
“The abyss has no punishment like an omega’s scorn.” Ingred snorted and waited patiently, all the while Seidrik did his best to keep quiet.
Chapter Ten
Stamel
Lord Tynmal practically signed his approval for Amarie’s marriage on the spot, the moment he saw Stamel in his office. The color drained from him, and the ruddy red of his hair did seem more like Neffa’s than Stamel’s own.
“And I want a case of nightflower and honeythistle water.” Stamel kicked his feet up on a desk, sending papers askew. The alpha had a way of consuming the space around him and making everything look small in comparison. He was as impressive in personality as he was in body.
“Absolutely. I feel that’s—” Tynmal choked as he scrambled to pick papers up. “Amarie won’t be told, will she?”
“It’s not my business. Is it yours, Ingred?” For his part, the male sat straight and prim beside Stamel, his face bearing Pallosar’s cold smile.
“As long as the discussion does not need to come up. I see no reason to bring up things that would trouble Amarie. I want to give her a wonderful life, after all. It would be my duty as a husband to shelter her from things of this nature. In our own marriage, I would do so simply by keeping my dick out of people outside of my marriage.” Ingred leaned back and crossed his legs. “Does that seem fair to you, Father-in-law?”
“Absolutely. Yes. I do see it that way.” Tynmal cleared his throat.
“Ingred will be passing on communications to me and holding you to your word. People will be checking in on Rekai.” Stamel brushed off the knee of his pant leg and glanced around. He’d left Seidrik downstairs inthe store part of the warehouse. Whatever he wanted, Stamel would be sure to pay for.
Once they’d finished, they left the office and walked downstairs, and he found Seidrik sitting unattended by the door on a bench where shopping parents often relegated their children.
“Why aren’t you shopping?” Stamel gestured toward the rest of the storehouse with items out, display cases, and more.
“I’ve never shopped before. Usually, things end up in my wardrobe picked for me by Father or are gifted to the crown and make their way to me. I don’t carry much coin on me, really any at all.” Seidrik stared at the floor and pity made him want to bring the omega into his chest for a soothing kiss, but such displays were not for them in public.
“If you really want a treat, ask the sales attendant to take you in back where they have a selection of…implements.” Ingred waved them off and left on his own, leaving the two alone.
“Implements?” Seidrik glanced at Stamel who swore under his breath.
