7. Chapter Six #2
I felt Seb’s eyes on me as I filled my plate with a delicious pheasant stew and freshly baked bread rolls. It smelled divine, and my mouth watered. I realized I’d skipped lunch, hiding from Nial. It needed to stop, and the only one who was able to put an end to Nial’s pursuits was the king.
I looked up, clearing my throat, weighing my words. “Seb, I was wondering…” Seb looked away from Gus, who was holding both babies in his arms.
“Yes, Hal?”
Briar continued to stare at his plate, poking at a piece of meat.
“How is the official policy on…” I licked my lips, then decided to just go for it. “On relationships between employees at the palace? Say, a royal advisor and a servant?”
A gasp flew from Briar’s lips, and now he did look up from his plate, his eyes wild and desperate as he stared at me, then at Seb.
“Why do you wanna know?” Gus blurted, then stuffed a piece of bread into his mouth.
I shrugged. “I was just wondering.” I eyed Briar and noticed he was back to staring a hole into his plate, his shoulders slumped in quiet defeat.
Did Briar like me, too? Hope fluttered in my chest. I couldn’t deny it any longer.
I wanted Briar, and not just as a friend.
My alpha wanted his omega. Nial was attractive for sure, but I didn’t want him, not in the least. I only wanted Briar.
I liked everything about him, and if he liked me, too…
My soul was screaming at me. Mine. Mine.
Mine. If not for the curse, I would’ve grabbed Briar right this second and carried him off somewhere private and kissed those pink, puffy lips until I had no air left in my lungs. Until he’d agree to be mine.
“There are no rules,” Seb proclaimed as he looked at Elias, then at Garreth. Then understanding flashed in his eyes as his gaze sought Briar. “Not if there’s a mutual understanding.”
“There isn’t!” I blurted, thinking of Nial’s unsolicited advances.
“Not one bit,” I added. Sadness poured off Briar’s small body.
Oh gods, this was going all wrong. Briar thought I meant him and that I was rejecting him because of the curse.
Didn’t he know I had no choice? My heart had already decided for me. It wanted Briar and no one else.
“In that case,” Seb sighed, “I will not allow it.”
I needed to do something fast. Looking around the dining hall, I noticed that the servants had all left, with no sign of Nial anywhere.
This was a small, trusted group of people.
I had to be upfront. I couldn’t bear Briar hurting for a second longer.
“Then I shall let him know. Nial. I’ll let him know I’m not interested. ”
Briar’s eyes flew to mine, wide and confused. Sadness battled with longing in the watery green. My chest squeezed when I realized he’d been close to crying, and that it was because of me and my stupid mouth. “Briar,” I whispered, then remembered we weren’t alone.
Seb cleared his throat. “Well, now that that’s settled, Gus has some news I think you’ll be happy about, too, Hal.”
“Yes!” Gus exclaimed, smacking his forehead.
“I almost forgot.” A wide smile formed on his lips.
“Lord Willoughby and Kenneth are arriving tomorrow. They couldn’t stay away from their grandbabies any longer.
” Softness pooled in Gus’ eyes as he kissed first Lumi, then Ember, on the forehead.
It was so sweet how Gus, although he’d been reunited with his omega family, still saw Lord Willoughby and Kenneth as his fathers, too.
“They’re coming tomorrow? Here?”
“Yes,” Gus laughed.
My heart started thumping frantically as a plan formed in my mind. Lord Willoughby and Kenneth were old. I had no idea how old exactly, but they were old. I recalled Seb’s words previously in his office. ‘Well, since it’s a thing of the past, someone older, perhaps? That’s my best guess, at least.’
Someone older. Hope flared to life in my heart. Perhaps they would be able to help me. Perhaps they knew how to break a curse!
“Hal!” Lord Willoughby cried out against my shoulder, his bony body squeezing me to within an inch of my life. “How are you, son?”
“I’m good,” I laughed as I hugged him back, breathing in his familiar scent of home. “I missed you, though. Both of you.” I eyed Kenneth over Lord Willoughby’s shoulder.
“We missed you, too! The farm isn’t the same without you and Gus.”
“That’s it!” Kenneth clapped his hands. “It’s my turn now.
I need a Hal hug.” Reluctantly, Lord Willoughby released me from his hold, and Kenneth scrambled forward, engulfing me in his arms. “Son,” he breathed, emotion evident in his voice.
Son. Although I’d never called any of them father, they truly were, both of them.
“I missed you,” I croaked, then eased Kenneth away from me before my eyes started leaking.
Then it was Gus’ turn, and Seb’s. Hugs and words of fondness were exchanged, and Elias and Garreth were introduced as well.
“Where are my grandbabies?” Kenneth eventually asked, looking around the room impatiently. They hadn’t seen the twins since right after their birth.
“They are currently napping, but you’ll be the first to hold them when they wake.” Seb leaned against Gus’ side, looking tired. “And you can keep them for as long as you like,” he chuckled.
“How long do they usually sleep for?” Lord Willoughby asked eagerly.
Gus groaned, “Not nearly long enough, right, my love?” He pressed a kiss against Seb’s cheek.
Everyone laughed, including Briar, who was lingering at the far end of the room, trying to make himself as small as possible. I hadn’t had a chance to talk to him after dinner last night, since he’d disappeared into his room as soon as it ended.
“Briar,” I beckoned to him, and he eyed me carefully, then stepped closer. “Come.” I wished I could take his hand and pull him with me, but perhaps one day soon. “Kenneth, Lord W., I want you to meet someone special.”
I held out my hand, gesturing at Briar, and he smiled timidly at the two older men.
Lord Willoughby and Kenneth were both shaking with residual laughter from something Gus had said, but their faces softened the second they both saw Briar.
“Hello,” Briar spoke warily, waving his hand in the air.
“Oh my, who is this?” Kenneth sounded excited as he stepped closer, clasping his hands in front of his chest.
Before I could reply, Lord Willoughby rushed forward, his eyes beaming with happiness.
“Hal! Is this lovely little creature yours? Have both of my sons found their mates? Oh, what joy, Kenneth!” He threw an accusing look my way.
“How come you haven’t told me?” He looked just about ready to wrap his arms around Briar and pull him into a fierce hug, but I quickly intercepted him.
“This is Briar! My… friend.” The word felt wrong on my lips, like it didn’t fit. Briar was my friend, but he was so much more. I had a feeling he could become everything to me if it weren’t for the curse. “He’s a royal advisor like me.”
Lord Willoughby deflated a little, sending a confused look in Kenneth’s direction.
“Oh. I see. I just thought… Well, in any case, it’s lovely to meet you, Briar.
” He held out his hand, and Briar carefully accepted it.
I clenched my hand into a fist, my body recalling how it had felt to hold Briar’s small hand in mine.
“Yes!” Kenneth smiled, too. “Any friend of Hal’s is a friend of ours.
” He eyed me suspiciously, but I couldn’t shake the recollection of Briar’s hand in mine.
We’d touched. Although briefly, we’d touched.
Only… it shouldn’t have been possible, should it, with the curse?
It should’ve killed me, only I wasn’t dead.
My mind swam with questions as I watched Briar intently.
The faint blush on his cheeks and the halo of golden hair surrounding his innocent face.
His kind eyes. Something didn’t add up. How could someone this sweet and pure kill someone as big and strong as me?
“I need to talk to you!” I blurted, grabbing Kenneth’s sleeve. “Both of you! It’s urgent.”