Seidrik returned as Alluin’s body was carried out by confused staff as two guards stood by Stamel. They believed him fully, but they needed Seidrik’s statement after taking Nemiah’s and Pilkie’s. Come morning, they’d have the goddess’s word that Alluin was gone by her command.
Seidrik watched the body on a stretcher as it passed, a white sheet draped over and from the thump and bump on the way out, they paid no mind to the late king’s comfort.
“There’s the next king of Liaberos.” Stamel smiled as Seidrik shrugged.
“You’re the next king. I am merely a high prince, as an omega.” Seidrik stuck out his tongue and melted into Stamel’s arms. “But I’ll write discourse and sit on the throne as I please.”
“Should we have everything removed from Alluin’s wing and burned, then renovated?” Stamel flicked a brow.
“I think I’ll happily stay in my wing or move to the consort’s wing. Perhaps one of Virion’s children, maybe Ahran, will not have those tainted memories.” Seidrik followed Stamel through the castle as the guards followed.
A quiet clearing of a throat distracted Seidrik from the banter and he turned to face one of the guards, a young alpha that had shown some promise. “Prince Seidrik…”
“Yes?” It didn’t escape Stamel the purposeful choice not to address him asblessed.
“What will you change? Now that you’re king.” He bowed his head anxiously, and Seidrik blinked, mind racing as Stamel rested a hand on his shoulders.
“I plan on doing away with most of the taxes. Property taxes and import taxes on the rail will likely be adjusted to maintain affordability within the country. That’s to start. There also needs to be some investigations into the southern portion of the country on the state of our people.” Seidrik cleared his throat.
“And omegas? What are your plans?” The guard had no problem addressing Seidrik as such and it was more for desperation than it was disrespect.
“I think I spent much of my life hiding who I was to protect myself. I watched my brother be abused by my father, my sister, and myself. I think it high time that omegas are given equality. Gender will be choice. Mandatory education will include omegas. And they will be permitted to own property, have inheritance, and require no alpha or beta governors. I shall liberate women, too. Father didn’t oppress them as much, but they still deserve the same rights as everyone else.” Seidrik held his chin up and the guard smiled.
“My mate will be thrilled. My liege.” The guard bowed his head and Seidrik’s tense body relaxed.
“For now, my mate and I need to convene. I support your need to keep witness over us for the time being, but do be aware, it is our wedding night.” Stamel gave the guard a grin that stretched his cheeks wide.
Stamel wasn’t intent on having sex with Seidrik that night. They’d outed him as omega to the kingdom,his brother had been poisoned, and Father had been taken to the abyss.
So, when they arrived at his quarters, they stripped their shirts, Seidrik wearing a lovely tunic that Rekai had embroidered for him, the sugarmoth silk delicate and almost cold to the touch. The embroidered fibers, the same white as the garment, reflected differently, creating a gleaming pattern. He hung his shirt reverently on a rack and without a word, let his wings free, rustling them in that way that made them sound like coins clinking amid crinkling paper. The light they threw from a candle’s flame created a shine that drew Stamel to him.
Letting his own wings free, the bright red of a blood dove, he wrapped Seidrik in them, sharing warmth and sacred space. “My husband.”
Seidrik smiled as those two words brushed his ears. “Husband dear. My king and alpha. Mate of mine. Chosen for me by the goddess.”
They strode together to the sitting room and opened the glass doors to the balconet as the urge consumed him to take Seidrik to his chest and fly far away, to live a life together. The second he heard the gentle sound of jewelfly wings clattering, he thought better of it, reminded of their purpose and promises. From their selfishness needed to come selflessness and change. If not for them, for their son to come. Stamel drew his wings away and reached to Seidrik’s hips, letting his thumbs trace the front of his abdomen. He’d lost that painfully thin and svelte shape just below his navel, a gentle fullness beginning. None might be able to tell with him wearing clothes, but Stamel could. There, before the moon as witness, he fell to his knees and Seidrik’s breath hitched.
“Not outside.” His whisper made Stamel chuckle.
“Not outside, what?” Stamel leaned in to kiss Seidrik’s belly. Their little one within would know hewas loved and wanted from the day he was born. He’d want for nothing and he’d be surrounded by love eternal.
“Don’t suck my cock where everyone and the goddess can see.” Seidrik’s cheeks emblazoned red in the moonlit night, but the slight tenting of his trousers said he could be convinced.
“If you wish, later, in the privacy of our room, I might. Right here, I wish to thank the moon for her intervention, for the child you carry. I wish to show you how much I love you, and how much I relish the day everyone can see your belly, to know what I’ve done to you. I told you I would carve a niche in you so well that no other alpha could fill, but I’ve done so much better.” Stamel kissed again. “And I must let you know, that I look forward to seeing you with a belly full of child, chest swollen with milk. The vision in my mind is consuming. I must have you that way.”
Seidrik whimpered at the admission and tensed as Stamel kissed again.
I have been thanked. You are welcome. Either you two put on a show for me, or go to your marital bed.The moon’s voice swept by them, and Seidrik whimpered in shock before scampering back inside, muttering soft apologies to the goddess.
Stamel stayed for a moment, staring up at the face of her. A smile pinched his cheeks as he did so. “Are you mother or lady to me, my goddess? What is your preference?”
I am merely a meddlesome aunt. Liara will be mine in time, as I will be with the future king. Beros will be the land the sun begins anew.
“Auntie goddess, moon above, sister to my dearest mother, I pray before you this night. I look upon your beautiful glow and see perfection. In your face, I see the echo of the sun’s shine. As your father the sky created you to balance light from dark, to break thevote and govern the stars, I acknowledge your sovereignty. And to your father sky above you, who takes no praise nor prayer, who dabbles not in the affairs of men, I speak to you as a father, now. May all the wisdom of your daughters pour into our kingdoms. May we not anger the blessed ones. May we always be pleasing. And for the many stars in the sky, I shall name our son. We will call him Astra, for you and the sun will govern him.” Stamel bowed his head and could swear he heard a hum of approval in the night breeze.
From there, he stood and entered his bedchambers, letting his wings and horns glamor once more.
Seidrik sat on the edge of the bed, his cheeks flushed and body bare for Stamel.
