Chapter 17 Goran #2
“Yeah,” she replied, letting out a breath. She’d rolled her eyes at the Starlakian vows where the women promised to honor and obey their husbands. I’d told her to make up her own, that I didn’t want us starting out our life together on a lie.
“I, Rada, take you Goran as my husband under the moon and in sight of the Goddess. I vow from now until the end of my days to love and protect you, to be your blade when yours goes dull, your eyes when you can’t see, your friend and lover and partner in crime.
” We both laughed; we’d already committed a few.
“I’ll fight to stay at your side to the end of our lives, until the moon falls into the sea. ”
Then it was my turn. “I, Goran, the Warlord of All Starlak, take you, Rada, as my Warqueen and wife,” I began, letting myself linger on her name. Her real name, the one she’d been given by her dead mother.
She’d asked me not to use it for some reason. She had a suspicious streak, and perhaps she was worried about spies, given her background.
I knew some of her story, but not all. I didn’t need all her secrets yet; the years ahead would be full of chances for us to bare our souls to each other.
Our gazes locked as I finished my vow. “I’ll fight to stay at your side through all of our days, never loving another, my body, soul, and mind devoted only to you, my wife, until the last sword crumbles into dust.”
I leaned to kiss her gently, but her hand landed on my mouth. There was a hint of sadness in her expression as she spoke. “Goran, you know I couldn’t make that vow to you. I’m an Omega. But I do promise not to be with any others who aren’t my mates.”
She hadn’t mentioned other mates directly. “Mates? Do you know who they are?”
“I’ve already met a couple… Well, one male who could be a destined mate.”
I ran my fingers along her jawline gently. “I know that, my Warqueen. I’ve read the stories and spoken with my friends who have stumbled into their own miracles and bonded with their Omegas. All I want is for you to be happy and safe, and for the males you accept to be worthy of you.”
“You think you’re worthy?” she said archly and grabbed my cock, her fingers toying with the small gold bars that stretched from my knot to just under the tip. “I mean, you’re well on your way, but let’s not be hasty.” Then she dropped to her knees, tasting me.
“Twenty-eight!”
Shit. I’d come again when she had, all over the wall. And not just that: I’d cried out.
“Is someone out there?” Kellin called, his voice louder as he approached the window.
“If it’s Lachlan, stab him for me?” she grumbled. “It is him; I can feel the fucker out there.”
I stepped back, turning to run away… and came face to face with Alexios, and not far behind him, Lachlan. They blocked the way to the small stand of pines, the only place I could hide. I swallowed hard, wondering what to do.
Alexios let out a tired breath and beckoned for me to follow him under the trees.
Lachlan called out to his brother. “Don’t stab.
It’s just me, Kellin. I’m gathering some mint for, ah, tea.
” I couldn’t hear the rest of what they said, with Alexios leading me through the woods.
Lachlan stayed behind, though I wasn’t sure where he went.
His features had seemed as tortured as I felt, hearing her.
When we reached my tent in the camp, Alexios stopped at the torch that burned beside the flap.
He gave a short bow, one fist in his palm.
Then he spoke, each word calm but filled with more threat than a viper’s hiss.
“Consent in all things, Warlord. You let her walk away. Your permission to hear her cries, and take your own pleasure in them, ended when you took off her beads and put on another’s. ”
I nodded, but when he began to turn away, I found myself speaking before I could think better of it. “May I use your knife?”
He scowled at the dagger I wore at my waist, but handed me his smaller one. I held out one braid, feeling the crack at the side of the bone bead. I set the knife’s sharp tip beside the flaw and twisted. The bone fell away in two pieces, and I handed them to the squinting Beta.
His dark eyes widened at what I’d uncovered. I knew without looking that it was the largest diamond she’d given me, wrapped in gold.
“You see?” I asked, when he remained silent.
“I have always seen,” he replied after a long moment. His gaze was every bit as measuring. “I saw who she was, and what she means to this world, from the moment we met.”
“You love her.”
He tilted his head. “My mistress and I can never be other than friends, Warlord. Unlike you.” He let out a short laugh. “I find it strange that you had the world’s greatest treasure in your hands and never recognized its true value.”
“I knew she was an Omega from the first—” I closed my mouth as his look changed to disgust.
“That’s the least of who she is. That’s the part that’s held her back the most.”
“Being an Omega?” I scoffed, but wondered what he meant. I’d thought I knew who she was. Loved who she was. “I know that held her back from being Vilkurn’s spy; she complained about that enough times. She left me because I was keeping her from the same thing.”
“Poor Warlord. You still don’t see her, do you? You have no idea what she’s been doing all this time.” He bowed again. “It was illuminating to meet you. May the light of the one I serve fall on you before your last breath.”
It sounded like a blessing and a curse rolled together, and his words echoed in my mind for hours after I lay in my bed, sleep wrapping itself around me instantly, holding me as tightly as she had until the day she let me go.