“No, I added an extra coin for the show.” Stamel gestured for Seidrik to dress and nodded along as the omega spoke of aftercare and not putting mouths on it for a week. It’d be so hard to wait, but merely knowing the sensitivity and pain he’d be holding during that time made Stamelveryhappy.
The omega nodded, pocketed the coins, and let them see their way out. Seidrik hunched over, arms crossed as if the world could see through his shirt.Glorious.
“Why did you want this done?” Seidrik, only then questioning it, stared him down once they were in the carriage headed home.
“Because I wanted a little something extra to play with when nobody is looking. It’s not enough that you bear my brand inside, but you should wear jewelry on the outside for me.” Stamel rubbed a hand along Seidrik’s thigh, fingers dangerously close to his cock every stroke. Every brush of his fingertips near Seidrik’s groin made him shiver and hiss. No doubt, his nipples were hardening and stinging like the devil.
Seidrik said nothing, holding stock-still until they arrived. He adjusted himself quickly and straightened his tunic as they exited the carriage, cheeks still blushing pink.
“I’m going to visit with Lumic and my niece. You should bid your farewell to Askara before we leave in the morn.”
“Why do you want to see Lumic at all? He stole your kingdom, and you tried to kill him.” Seidrik ran into Stamel’s back as he stopped, mind a storm of negativity. He remembered seeing his brother so filthy and left in that cell. His only thought had been that it was convenient. His mind had been flooded with Oryn’s teasing, his jabs and reports of Lumic’s usurping. All of which hadn’t been true.
“Because I put my trust in one bigoted, sexist old bastard instead of someone who had done no wrong to me. I owe apologies, and I am not owed forgiveness. But what sort of alpha would I be if I refused to see my own shortcomings?” Stamel turned and tilted Seidrik’s face up, locking eyes. The omega’s eyes almost had aviolet cast in their pale-blue shimmer. “I’ll join you for dinner. Askara will likely be at the font.”
Stamel watched as Seidrik excused himself, forebody a little hunched—likely to avoid fabric brushing his sensitive nipples. Stamel had resisted his urge to tweak one before he left.
As he climbed his way toward Lumic’s hall, an attendant cut him off at the entrance, wary gaze holding him. “Prince Lumic isn’t much for company at the moment.”
“I can imagine. Please see if he would allow me to say my goodbyes at a reasonable hour. I’d offer to rock my niece so he could rest a little if I thought he’d trust me.” Stamel bowed his head and waited, letting the attendant scamper off to alert Lumic. His little brother wouldn’t deny him. He was too brash and against the idea of ripping family apart, even if he’d been an ass of all asses.
A shout came by way of greeting, Lumic from down the hall. “Come on in.”
Stamel forged his way in and navigated to Lumic’s bedchambers. The room still had the faint scent of blood and that lovely smell that only new babies had. “How are you faring, Brother?”
“She’s a good sleeper, so far, from what I’ve been told, but for a newborn, a good sleeper is every 2-3 hours. Isn’t it?” Lumic’s bright-green eyes glanced up, a little bloodshot, under eyes dark.
“Unfortunately. Though, the goddess has likely blessed her not to fuss too much.” Stamel eyed the little red-haired child in his arms.
“Here. I’m going to rest my eyes while you talk.” He extended his hands, the bundled babe fidgeting in her swaddle as he did so. She whimpered, and Stamel seized his opportunity to soak in some new baby smell and the little gross noises they made. He cooed to her and paced, letting the little one nuzzle in up under hischin while he patted her bottom. “So, what brings you here, you fratricidal fuckwit?”
“An apology, long overdue.” Stamel paced and bounced Lyrica.
“Oryn can be convincing. After all, he’d sweet-talked dozens of omegas into his bed in my time in his company.” Lumic snorted and lay back in his bed, closing his eyes. He had to be exhausted to trust Stamel.
“Still. I’ve had it in my head you’d take the crown from me since I was young. So many people kept reaffirming it—the nymph, Oryn, comments from random people. It consumed me.” Stamel slumped.
“I’m more pissed that you shoved the crown onto me than I am you leaving me there. The whole fratricide bit? Didn’t Father’s brothers do the same thing?” Lumic opened an eye.
Stamel nodded sagely. “It was a part of the curse? Maybe? I don’t want to blame my misdeeds on a fucking curse.”
“Suuuuure, and all the farmers purposefully fuck up their crops every fourth year to spite us. I’ll advocate for you to take the throne if you can convince Father. I’ve certainly stated my case that I don’t want it.” Lumic placed a hand on his belly as he shifted beneath the covers.
“Honestly, I don’t think it’s my place. Things are happening how they need to, and I believe my place is in Liaberos. With my mate.” Stamel said that last part quietly.
“Mate?” That had Lumic’s attention as he opened both eyes and raised an imperious and fiery-red brow. The expression reminded him too much of Pallosar.
“Three guesses.” Stamel snorted.
“Oh nooooooo.” Lumic covered his mouth with a wide-eyed grin. “I thought he hated you.”
“I’m sure he did, but I wore him down. I have my ways.” Stamel flicked a brow. “Lest anything be said to Alluin.”
“My lips are sealed, but this isjuicy.” Lumic rubbed his hands together. “I must tell Father. Can I?”
“Father may come by and tell you, but my secrets are all coming back to haunt me. Neffa and Tyran aren’t my children by blood. I took them in on the goddess’s whim, and they were politically advantageous. Sir Tynmal and Senior Administrator Lyfus, respectively.”
“Please tell me you’re milking Tynmal more than Lyrica is my teat. That brings me no small amount of joy.” Lumic grinned wide. As much as he rejected being an omega, he did love his gossip.
