Valgar
“The earl is not the natural born alpha son of the previous earl, is he?” he suddenly realised. He had studied the genealogies as a child, but he only remembered them vaguely.
“No,” Quincy confirmed. “He is the oldest alpha in his generation with the high gift. Only fire mages may rule us.”
The more he learned, the worse his own actions looked.
“Well, we will be honoured to have you amongst our people. I believe there are a few animals speakers in my employ, and they will most certainly help you train if you so require it.” He tilted his head towards the door. “Although perhaps I should ask if you could train them instead.”
Quincy’s lips pursed together, but there was a ripple through the bond Valgar hoped could be amusement.
***
HE MUST HAVE BEEN DOING something right because only an hour later, his omega asked him for something for the first time. “May I walk outside with them?”
Valgar straightened. “Is anything the matter?”
“No!” Quincy said. “I just... I would feel better for some fresh air. And I will not get in the way.”
Knocking on the side to signal at the driver for a stop was the work of a moment. He opened the door himself but stopped Quincy before he jumped out. “You are not used to these temperatures, wear my cloak.”
Quincy’s own was a southern affair, more decorative than useful to Valgar’s eye.
A flurry of something he could not decipher came through the bond, but the omega took the proffered cloak, huffing a little at the unexpected weight.
Valgar smiled. “It’s fur-lined,” he explained, and was allowed to secure the upper clasp at his omega’s throat. It was oddly tempting to touch him there, as if part of him wanted a reminder of the mark he’d left, covered as it was by a tightly secured scarf.
Quincy would have allowed it, he knew, but that was all the more reason to restrain himself. He nodded, and despite the chill, he kept the door open to watch as his new mate stepped down with the heavy red garment around himself, sighing a little at the second-hand pleasure of it.