Chapter Fourteen
TORION
“You're lucky there are still some mercenary women in the Hills," Francis Keane muttered in my ear as the great hall of the keep roared with activity. "As it is, you've angered every middling lord from here to Gillifenn."
"There isn't a lord without an heir who went slighted by the omegas today," I pointed out. It was a stroke of luck, really, but I was grateful for luck. "And as you mentioned, the richest men came away with a prize as well."
Keane opened his mouth, no doubt to blister my ear with his cautions and warnings and chastisements again, when a rickety old tenor sounded behind us.
"Give it a rest, Francis. We're more likely to see a healthy crop of newborns in the next ten years than we have in a century. The young couples can barely keep themselves from mounting each other here in the hall," Ned McIntyre announced.
I choked down my laugh, and Francis Keane let out a bluster of shock and irritation.
"You should make your rounds, soothe the ruffled feathers. Your omega, while not a wise choice, is certainly doing her part," Francis said, and then left at last without a word to Ned.
"He's a pompous prig. Shows what comes of breeding our stock with Skybern's."
"My mother came from Skybern," I said, smiling at Ned as he took Keane's spot at my side.
"Aye, and look what a mess you've made today," Ned shot back, grinning.
I looked out over the room at the young men and women who were, indeed, snuggled and cozied and in some less polite positions too, all looking deliriously happy at claiming one another.
I also glanced at the "middling lords" who were scowling and clustering together, no doubt plotting against me now that I'd caused this slight to their egos, and at the smug wealthy men who sat with new omegas at their side.
And finally, I let my gaze linger on the slim figure encased in vivid blue, with coiling and gleaming copper running down her back—my omega, who went from one couple to the next, offering congratulations and smiles.
I scanned the room for the hundredth time, searching for Barr.
There were more revelers outside with musicians and dancers by a brilliant bonfire that tossed wild sparks into the air and food stalls supplementing the feast Brigid had arranged in the keep.
So far, Brigid's former beta hadn't stepped foot inside.
I was relieved and suspicious. He'd been chosen by an omega, one who'd been left standing alone on the risers.
The woman had looked young enough to still be prepared to give him an heir, although she'd been plain and had shook hands with Barr like they'd made a bargain between them.
If I could've prevented him from having any woman claim him, I might've, but even in my most frivolous plan, that was too extreme a slight. I could only hope the woman had known what she was getting in her choice.
I wondered now how today would've gone if I'd had no omega.
If I'd been one of the men standing on stage.
I wanted the fantasy that Brigid would've claimed me like the dark-haired young woman had claimed her beta, with a race to the stairs and a cry of joy.
But I knew the truth. Brigid would not have run onto the stage, not for me and not for any other man.
There'd been no omega standing unpaired at the end of the tussle today, but there likely would've been if my omega hadn't already been claimed by me.
Strangely, I found myself smiling at that.
Brigid wouldn't even have left her cottage for the ceremony.
I'd found the one omega in the Hills who'd have taken a one room cottage and a shabby living of caring for others, rather than the company of a male dragon. No, she found me.
And yet… I caught her eyes across the hall, watched her cheeks blush at the heat in my gaze, her lips quirk.
And yet, I'd made her want me. In bed, at least.
"Lovesick fools, the pair of you," Ned huffed at my side.
My smile was half-hearted. "She doesn't love me yet, Ned."
He chuckled and patted me on the shoulder. "I meant you and your father, lad."
My chest panged uncomfortably, as if I'd been hoping he might contradict me. "Ah. You think I've made a mistake today too, I take it."
Ned hummed at that, helping himself to sitting on the arm of my chair, our wings brushing together.
"I think you were wise today. It wasn't just the omegas on that stage who were happy with your boon.
There were young girls in the audience that took hope from you granting their kind a choice, young and old mothers too.
You might have convinced our women not to leave the Hills for greener pastures today. "
I sat straighter at that, and Ned rolled his eyes at me.
"Doesn't mean the betas will recognize as much," he added drily.
I sighed. "I'll take what little victory I can find."
"You rose as alpha, lad. You have an omega. You've not been challenged yet," Ned listed, nodding firmly. "Those are victories. Remember and count them. And here's another. Your lady approaches."
Ned and I both rose, but he beat me to greeting Brigid, taking her hand and bowing lower than I would've guessed he could manage. "Sir Edward McIntyre, my lady," he said, shockingly gallant.
"Ah, you match my mother's description exactly, my lord. She spoke very highly of you in her journals," Brigid said.
I watched, awed, as Ned stood taller, his cheeks bright with a blush. "Ah. I am surprised she mentioned me. I was well beneath her notice. You take after her. Beautiful women, true to the Hills."
"I don't believe you're beneath anyone's notice, Sir Edward," Brigid said, smiling and still holding Ned's hand.
"Quit flirting with my omega," I teased Ned, delighted when he reddened further.
But he shot me a sharp glare. "Mind you not give the lad too much leeway. He's a foolish pup, no matter how fine his taste in women is."
Brigid laughed as Ned stomped away from us, and then gasped as I caught her hand and tugged her against me, drawing her into my lap. A few cheers from nearby dragonkin went up, but I ignored them and turned Brigid's face to mine.
"This is the finest feast the keep has ever seen," I said, my voice low and private.
Brigid sighed, leaning into me, and some of the mask she must've been wearing slipped to reveal her weariness. "I'm glad it pleases you."
"Even the men who can't stand to look at me tonight are enjoying themselves," I added.
Brigid glanced in the direction of the slighted betas. "How serious is the damage?"
"I don't know, and tonight, I don't care. When can we retire? We have an early morning tomorrow." And I'd been considering a few ways we might touch tonight that wouldn't prove too tempting to give into the rut.
But Brigid frowned and looked down at her lap. "I was thinking I ought to stay here at the keep while you attend the Flight."
"Stay here?" I echoed.
"I haven't finished building the nest and—"
"Brigid, your place is with me."
She stiffened in my arms, and I swallowed hard, wondering why the words bothered her and what I could do to change that.
"I know that's true, but with all of the other alphas?" she asked with a demureness that set my teeth on edge. Where was my bold witch?
"Those with omegas will have them in attendance," I said.
Her eyes winced, and she turned her face to the room at large, conjuring a smile, pretending to be enjoying herself here on my lap. She should be enjoying herself, or at least that was what I wanted for her.
"It just sounds…oppressive," she said through her teeth.
"Oppressive." Why did I keep repeating her?
"All those alphas together at once," she whispered.
I found her hand in her lap, some of the unease softening as she tangled our fingers together without hesitating.
"Do you find my company oppressive then?" I asked, trying to keep my voice light, teasing.
She huffed and turned back to catch my eye. "No," she said, her tone impatient, like I ought to have known better. I sagged a little with relief, but she continued, "But you certainly can be overwhelming at times."
With her on my lap, there was hardly anywhere else to look but at her, but I focused my gaze over her shoulder, doing my best to keep my expression blank.
"Not in a bad way, necessarily," she murmured.
Necessarily.
"Torion," she coaxed, and it was clear she knew she'd injured me.
Which somehow made the injury feel worse. I reached for her face with my free hand, drawing her mouth down to mine for a slow kiss. It lacked our usual heat, a gesture meant to console one another.
"I'll leave tonight then," I said.
"Tonight?" she asked, eyes widening. "Torion, I only— I didn't mean—"
"It's not that," I rushed, because I didn't want an apology for her honesty. "Since I am co-hosting the event, it will be best for me to be there in the morning to help prepare. I just didn't want to fly you through the night."
She frowned, her fingers fiddling with mine in her lap. "Are you sure?"
I nodded, pulling her chin—stubborn, sharp, and proud, like her—back for another quick kiss. "I'm sure. Stay here. Prepare the nest."
Her hands framed my face, and it was difficult to meet her eyes at first, and then painful as they caught mine, saw too much, told me too little in return.
"I will look forward to your return, Torion," she said, slow and simple. Honest. She meant the words.
But I could be honest with myself too. Brigid would not have chosen me if I'd stood on that stage today. Not if I'd stood tall in the sea of other betas. Not if I'd stood there all alone.
I groaned, stretching in the tent reserved for myself and my company—company I hadn't brought with me to the mountain flight. Because Brigid had asked to remain at the keep and I didn't trust a local beta well enough yet to bring one as my second.
Canvas fluttered, and I glanced up, sighing at the sight of Seamus. "Had enough of harassing Cadogan and his omega?" I asked.