“Why? Betas are fine the way they are. That’s the moral.” Seidrik scooted over and Stamel slid into bed, reaching for him to pin against the mattress.
“That’s an edict from the moon. You overlook the real meaning.” Stamel leaned down and gave Seidrik a kiss, gentle at first, then punishing, earning a whimper of pleasure.
Seidrik pulled away with a shuddering breath. “My cock aches. Don’t rile me up.”
Stamel pulled his face back, touching their noses. “I’ll rile you up when and where I please. The moral of that story is that omegas shouldn’t worry about achievements or great things. They focused more on him being incomplete and learning as a way to pass the time because he didn’t have a husband.”
Seidrik pursed his lips. Virion had said something like that a long time ago. But he didn’t listen. He kept repeating to himself that betas were perfect as they were. They were ideal. They didn’t have the hang-ups and the burdens of the omegas and alphas. “Oh.”
“What is your ambition, Seidrik? Mine is to be a king. What is yours? You didn’t seem put off by being denied right of succession.” Stamel brushed fingers over his mate’s cheek before pulling away. The way Stamel gave him space, like he understood the need Seidrik had to breathe for a moment.
“I always felt like I wanted to be in control, but I thought that came with the title of king. I suppose I’ve been fighting my whole life to have control over myself, but I think I have it, now. When you and I wed and do as the goddess says, I’ll not be held back anymore.” Seidrik sighed heavily as Stamel kicked his trousers off and pulled Seidrik atop him.
“What now?” Stamel brushed thick fingers through Seidrik’s hair.
“I don’t know if I’m smart enough to invent something great as Virion. I’m not ambitious enough to forge trade negotiations as Saria has done. She’s the only one I know who could convince her way into a triad with a noble and a commoner.” Seidrik scoffed. “Would be nice to meet her daughter.”
“Why haven’t you?” Stamel continued his gentle strokes.
“Father forbade her from returning. I dare say that’s why he’s scrambling on your offer with Croatens and not scheming against Drashil. She’s going to rob us blind on tariffs and negotiations in retaliation. So, perhaps my goal for her will be to repair what my father has done. Make amends with Virion.” Seidrik turned his head and rested it against Stamel’s chest. The way his mate was so hot and cold with his affections, loving one moment, pushing boundaries thenext. Seidrik couldn’t hate it, though. He liked the thrill. As he had all those years ago. Stolen kisses were worth more than those given willingly.
“What a prick.” Stamel’s deep voice vibrated his chest.
“Are you just now coming to this conclusion? Father is a right prick, a half-hard one, at that.”
“Why a half-hard one, specifically?” Stamel lifted his head and frowned, catching his gaze awkwardly.
“Not hard enough to fuck with, not soft enough to even piss. Useless. Not even impressive.” Seidrik snorted, the laughter catching in his chest.
“What if your goals are more omega-like than you realized? You put a lot of emphasis on righting wrongs. What if you righted wrongs and did right by your own children, despite Alluin? Raised a new generation of leaders, alpha or omega.”
“What about beta? You carry the potential for betas—as Kimbel—” Seidrik pressed his lips together as Stamel raised a brow. “He’s an alpha, isn’t he?”
“He’s a late bloomer. Most manifest before six or seven, but strong alphas take their time. I didn’t manifest until I was about eleven. He’s only nine.”
“Back when we first met?” Seidrik stared him down.
“A few months before that, yes.” Stamel laughed and rolled over, smushing Seidrik into the covers. “Gave you my first kiss.”
“And I gave you my first everything. Only kiss,” Seidrik said, sighing. “My first kiss, my first…you know. My first child.”
The words hung in the air with damning silence.
“My goal is not just to be king. My goal, right now, is to make sure you and our little one are safe and happy. I promise you.”
And that was all Seidrik could ask for. “Thank you.”
“Come morning what will. I—I love you.” Stamel rolled off Seidrik, and, because he was a brute, had to reach over and give Seidrik’s ass a good swat.
“Love you, too.” The words on the tip of Seidrik’s tongue sent warmth swimming through his belly. He knew it would be okay.
Chapter Sixteen
Stamel
They’d woken that morning and made their way downstairs, joining Alluin for an early breakfast as the king nursed the mother of all hangovers. He muttered as he glanced over the marriage agreement he’d signed, pending the goddess’s approval.
“Still can’t imagine the goddess actually approving this.” Alluin scoffed as he finished his bellflower gruel. Seidrik prodded at his, liberally scooping a spoonful of foxcane sugar into it.
