Chapter Thirteen Jalisa
Chapter Thirteen
Jalisa
Iknew the king and queen were devious, but it still came as a shock. They were forcing marriages, so why would I be surprised that they would force claimings? Having more claimed alpha and omega couples in the kingdom only strengthened them.
Ivan kept hold of my hand as we followed the attendant out of the ballroom and down a hall of the castle, off to the right.
We entered what appeared to be a dark sitting room with a red velvet chaise lounge and a lit stone fire in front of it.
Off to the sides were covered windows and other seating.
The attendant bowed and left, closing the door. I heard a click. “Did he lock us in?”
Ivan looked around the room, brows furrowed. “Leaving a lit fireplace unattended seems dangerous, and what do people do in this room? There’s nothing but seats and tiny tables?”
“It’s a sitting room. When one has guests over, they come here to chat and have tea and light bites.”
“Can’t you do that in the living room or kitchen? Nobles are wasteful.”
I let go of his hand and moved to the chaise lounge in front of the fireplace. “That feels like the least important matter right now, don’t you think?”
He followed close behind me, chuckling. “Of course, I was trying to lighten the mood.”
I shot him a death glare. “I don’t think that’s possible.” I flopped down on the chaise lounge very un-lady like and not caring. “Why would they lock us in the room? Do you think they are watching us with some spying spell?”
Ivan nodded. “You’d think they’d have better things to focus on. If they wanted us to be bonded, they could have enforced it at the wedding. Why wait?”
“Because the upper class likes to play games. Everything is a power move for them, and the most satisfying moves happen in increments. That way you can manipulate emotions and minds along the way. Go in for the kill when your opponent is at their lowest point. You use less energy that way.”
Ivan sat down beside me, his face scrunched in disgust. “Do you all get educated in this? Is there a textbook on how to be an asshole to the masses?”
I gave a dry laugh. He was very unconcerned about anyone overhearing him call our court names. He was always unbothered by the elite. It was a trait I loved about him, even if it sometimes got him in trouble. “No schooling. Just life lessons we were always made to hear and witness.”
“So, what do you think was the reason this time?”
“They waited so they’d have a bargaining tool.
Every kingdom wants omegas and alphas to unite.
It strengthens them with that heightened magic.
I wouldn’t be surprised if, ultimately, they were still alright with this marriage because you were an alpha as well.
But forcing a claim, that’s distasteful.
It would make them no better than us Nodoorians and the citizens wouldn’t like that.
Especially with dissenters running around causing chaos.
No need to grow more of those followers.
This way, technically, it was our choice, and they get no blame. ”
“So, they waited for the right moment when we would need them. How do we know they aren’t behind what happened to me so that we would be forced to come to them?”
That thought had not escaped me. However, that felt like too much work on their part.
There were easier ways to make our lives uncomfortable enough to go to them for a favor.
Getting Ivan removed from the military, raising our housing cost, putting Ivan’s family in debt, shunning my family.
We didn’t even have a cure to barter for.
Just a hope that the human realm could help him.
Also, no king or queen would willfully risk the health of an alpha soldier.
That was wasteful. Still, I couldn’t remove the possibility.
Just another set of names to add to our growing list.
However, we didn’t have much time to debate the reasons.
We were on a clock, and I had to wait later to get comfortable with being claimed.
I cared for Ivan, but we had things to work through.
This wouldn’t be a temporary matter, even if the marriage ended.
Still, despite my own doubts, I’d put him in this mess.
He’d gotten hurt because he agreed to marry me.
He was only here, in this city, because of me.
I brought all of this on the moment I broke up with him without telling him the truth.
He could lose everything because he never gave up on me.
Even if claiming terrified me, I couldn’t fight this for Ivan’s sake.
I opened my mouth, not certain what to say, but Ivan spoke first. “Don’t do this out of guilt, Jalisa,” he began.
Had he read my mind? “You don’t owe me anything.
This could have happened if we never broke up and were back in Nodoor.
An omega unclaimed would never last for long there.
You can say no, and we can just figure something out right here in the realm. ”
Those green eyes looked so sincere when he spoke.
There was nothing false; he really would give up his health for my comfort.
That just made me feel guiltier. He was good.
When it came to me, he was always good. I needed to get out of my own way about being claimed.
“No, I want you to claim me. If I have to be claimed, you are the best alpha I could be with. The only alpha I would want.”
He smiled widely, as if I’d just given him the realm’s best compliment. Eyes squinting, dimples popping. He was kind of adorable. “Thank you.”
He lessoned his smile and leaned toward me, but I flinched. Why? Why had I done that? I knew why, and I hated it. My head would never let me forget. The memories haunted me when I least expected them to. “I’m sorry.”
He leaned back, worry now replacing the happiness once on his face. “I was just going to kiss you on the cheek. Did I do something wrong?”
I shook my head, quickly. “No, you didn’t. I thought you were about to bite me. I wasn’t ready.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, rearing farther back. “Gods, no, love. I would never claim you like that. I want you to feel good. We should tell them to fuck themselves. We don’t need to do this.”
I grabbed his hand. “No. I can do this. I just, need a moment.” I absentmindedly touched the area where that alpha had tried to claim me.
My stomach knotted at the memory of him slamming me against the couch.
He’d been so strong. It was only by luck I was able to get away.
I shivered, thinking about where I would be now if I was claimed by him.
There would be no hiding from him. I’d be drawn to him no matter what my mind wanted.
I rubbed at my chest as if it would soothe the discomfort and tightness. It did not.
Ivan growled and stood up. “If I ever meet that alpha who assaulted you, I will kill him on sight.”
“How sweet.”
He let out a breath and moved in front of me, dropping to his knees.
He then grabbed my hands, kissing each palm before speaking.
He was being so tender with me, and I could feel my anxiousness slowly residing.
He always had that effect on me. I missed it.
“I would love to be bonded to you, but not if it’s going to cause you physical or psychological pain.
There are ways we can get around what’s happened to me.
Maybe have someone else go to the human realm and find a cure for us.
We’ll figure it out. And I was kidding about saying you can’t talk about this marriage not being,” he looked around the room as if checking for the magical listening device he suspected was here, “what I wanted it to be.”
I twisted my lips to the side in disbelief. “You were really joking?”
He gave a boyish, lopsided smile. “Okay, no, but the point is, I’m not pushy. I have patience, and I’m sure we can turn this thing around. I love you, Jalisa.”
He was amazing. It was silly to deny it now.
I still loved him after all this time. The emotions came tumbling back when I first saw him and remained in place when we sorted out what really happened that night.
Everything since then was me moving in denial.
I was beginning to really want this marriage.
He spoke so hopeful, that I thought maybe we could survive this, despite the many threats to our happiness.
Perhaps being claimed would be helpful to us both. Who knew, maybe it would even cure him.
“I love you, too,” I replied in a soft voice.
Ivan straightened up, shuddering. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear that. I think my hearing must have been affected as well.”
“Lies.”
“You’re no fun.”
“At times, yes. Now let’s get this over with before the attendant comes back.”
“You sure know how to set the mood with your sweet words,” he replied with a deadpan face.
“Alright, well let me say it in a different way.” I leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. “Let’s get right to it.”
He tilted his head from side to side. “That kind of sounds like the same thing, but let’s go with it. So where do you want my mark?”
I smiled, leaning back. “You decide.”
He wiggled his brows. He then pulled at my gown, gathering it up over my legs and over my knees. “Do you trust me?”
I nodded.
“Good. Close your eyes.”
I wanted to argue. It was in my nature to fear relying on others, but I would let down my guard for once. With him. And so, I closed my eyes and rested my back against the chaise lounge.
“Good girl,” he whispered, and my core fluttered at that tiny bit of praise.