Chapter 19 #2
"Smart," Ivy nods approvingly. "Get your answers. Clear the air. Then let him care for you through this heat, because your body is going to need him whether your heart is ready or not." I stand, trying to summon courage.
"I'll go speak with him. Demand my truth. And then—" I pause, uncertainty flooding through me. "And then I'll figure out what comes next."
"Good plan," Ivy says. Then her expression shifts, becoming almost apologetic. "Though you should probably know... Lady Isla from the Neutral Territories arrived shortly after your dramatic exit. She's currently seeking a private audience with your Alpha husband."
The words hit me like a physical blow. "What?"
"Tall, curvy Beta, looks at Shadow Boy like he's a particularly delicious dessert?" Ivy says carefully. "She arrived with some political pretext, but her intentions were pretty obvious."
Something hot and possessive coils in my stomach, making my light magic flicker dangerously. The image of another woman touching my Alpha—because that's what he is, isn't he, regardless of how angry I am at him—makes something primal and violent rise within me.
"I see," I manage, my voice colder than I intend. "And where might they be?"
"Last I heard, she was requesting a tour of the Shadow Observatory," Ivy says, watching me carefully.
"But Sera—don't let jealousy be the only thing driving you.
Go there because you need answers. Go there because you need to fix this bond before your heat hits.
Be possessive if you want, but be smart about it too. "
I'm already moving toward the door. "I'm going to speak with him now."
"Good!" Ivy's relief is palpable. "And Sera? When you find him, maybe get the Julia answers first, but don't forget to mention the imminent heat situation. Kind of important. You know, for your survival and all."
I pause at the door. "What should I say?"
"How about 'I need answers about Julia, and also I'm going into heat in the next few hours and despite being furious with you, my biology is going to demand your knot whether I like it or not, so we should probably sort this out before I lose the ability to form coherent sentences'?
" Ivy suggests. "Might be a bit wordy though. "
Despite everything, I almost smile. "I'll... figure something out."
"Just don't let your pride kill you, okay?" Ivy calls after me as I stride into the corridor. "There's no shame in needing your Alpha during heat. It's biology, not weakness."
I stride through the palace with purpose, servants flattening themselves against the walls as they catch my scent—unmated Omega on the edge of heat, possessive fury, and determination all mixed together. The entire court will know by morning. Let them talk.
When I round the corner leading toward the main reception halls, I find them. Malakai escorts Lady Isla through the corridor, the Beta woman practically clinging to his arm.
She gestures animatedly at architectural details, but her attention remains fixed on him. Her scent—vanilla and amber, pleasant but wrong—makes my jaw clench.
My Omega recognizes immediately: she's Beta. No threat biologically. She can't give him what I can. But she's touching what's MINE, and that's enough of a threat.
My Alpha appears politely attentive but maintains a controlled distance. Still, there's something in his posture, a subtle amusement, that suggests he's not entirely immune to the attention.
"Lord Malakai," I call, my voice carrying down the corridor with authority I didn't know I possessed.
He turns, surprise flickering across his features before settling into that familiar controlled amusement.
But I catch it—the way his nostrils flare as he scents me, the way his pupils dilate.
He knows. He can smell the heat building in me.
"Lady Seraphina," he acknowledges, his voice dropping into that Alpha register. "I was just showing Lady Isla the architectural highlights of our home."
Our home. The possessive pronoun sends a thrill through me despite my anger.
"How thoughtful," I reply, my smile sharp. I position myself between them, forcing Lady Isla to step back. "Though I believe you and I have unfinished business, my lord. A matter of some... urgency."
Lady Isla's smile doesn't waver, but something in her posture stiffens. "I'm sure whatever it is can wait until our tour is complete," she suggests, her tone honey-sweet but her eyes sharp as daggers. "After all, I'm certain your... instincts... must be quite overwhelming right now."
The subtle condescension toward my Omega designation makes my light magic flicker dangerously. I take another step closer, letting just a hint of golden energy dance around my fingertips.
"I'm afraid not," I counter smoothly. "Matters between bonded mates take precedence over...sightseeing."
Malakai watches this exchange with barely concealed amusement, his shadows writhing with what I suspect is anticipation. There's something almost feral in his expression.
"Perhaps we could continue tomorrow, Lady Isla," he suggests, though his dark eyes never leave mine. His voice drops into that Alpha register that makes my knees weak. "I do have other obligations that require my immediate attention."
The dismissal is polite but firm, and Lady Isla's composure cracks slightly. She looks as if she's swallowed something sour, but recovers quickly.
"Of course, Lord Malakai," she says with forced brightness. "The Neutral Territories understand the...demands of your position." She casts a dismissive glance in my direction. "Until tomorrow, then."
She departs with measured steps, her back straight with wounded dignity. I wait until her footsteps fade before fixing Malakai with a steady glare.
"You owe me a truth," I state without preamble, crossing my arms.
His eyebrows rise fractionally, shadows coiling more densely around his feet. "Do I?"
"Three truths from me, one from you. That was our bargain before you..." I pause, heat rising in my cheeks as I remember exactly how our encounter ended. "Before we were interrupted."
A shadow of something—discomfort, perhaps regret—crosses his face. "And you've chosen to collect now?"
"Unless you're too busy giving private tours to eager diplomats," I reply with false sweetness.
He studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. His nostrils flare, scenting me. Then his mouth curves in that dangerous smile I've learned to both fear and anticipate.
"Come," he says, gesturing down the corridor. "My chambers will provide the privacy this conversation requires."
Without waiting for my answer, he strides toward the familiar wing that houses his rooms, shadows flowing in his wake like eager pets.
I follow, my heart racing with an emotion I'm finally ready to name.
Whatever happens next, I'm done pretending I don't want my Alpha.
Even if he screamed another Omega's name while inside me.
Even if his heart belongs to a ghost.
He's mine now. And I'm going to make him remember it.
This time, I won't let him walk away until I'm satisfied.
This time, I'm claiming what's mine.