Epilogue
Deep in the vast desert of North Ifriqiya…
Snow White pushed open the flaps on their tent, squinting against the burning sun above.
He waddled towards the small oasis they’d camped beside and knelt at the edge of it, under the shade of a massive palm tree.
Their guide told them the water there came from a deep underground aquifer and was of the best quality.
After sliding his hands under the cool water, he lifted them to his lips and drank, sighing at the clean taste.
Vor had claimed it tasted salty, but Snow didn’t taste that at all.
For most of his last pregnancy and this one, he’d craved salt the entire time, so perhaps that was why it tasted so incredible to him.
He lifted another palmful to his lips before lying in the soft grasses growing amid the sands of the desert.
A bellowing goat awoke him from a nap he’d not even realized he’d taken.
He opened his eyes, face-to-face with said goat.
Sitting up, he smiled at the young, chuckling boy who was a part of the tribe who lived along that small oasis.
When he eyed the boy, he thought he saw bits of his papa, and it made him smile.
The boy spoke to him in the local language Snow knew little of. He was learning and getting better every day, but the boy’s rapid words made it hard for him to keep up.
“Aibti,” Snow said, repeating it a few times when the boy charged ahead without slowing. “Aibti.”
Slow down. Slow down.
The boy shook his head and giggled, no longer speaking at all. He walked closer and stopped directly in front of Snow. He lifted a hand and gently caressed the side of Snow’s face. After he was done, he opened his hand. Resting on his palm was a small diamond.
“That’s lovely,” Snow murmured, smiling at the boy. He lifted his hand and used his fingertip to turn it from side to side. Along one side were sand crystals stuck along it, but most was crystal clear and stunningly beautiful.
“For you,” the boy said, his accent heavy. He dropped the gem into Snow’s hand and backed away.
“No, no,” Snow said, trying to hand it back, but the boy ran away, turning to wave and smile at him. His goat remained behind, too interested in drinking to notice his master was gone.
Snow forced himself to his feet, which was hard at such a late stage in his pregnancy. He didn’t want the boy to give away such a precious treasure. “Come back,” he called, urging the boy to return with a wave of his hand.
“Don’t return his gift,” one of Snow’s newest Guardsmen said, his heavy French accent belying his Ifriqiyan heritage. “It would be a dishonor.”
Snow hadn’t noticed the man standing so close.
He turned to fully eye his newest Guard, a bit shocked to notice how much they resembled one another.
The Guard’s tight curls were much shorter, and his eyes were hazel, not blue, but the similarity was rather striking in Snow’s opinion.
He stood for a moment, trying to remember what the captain of his Guard had told him about the man.
Born in North Ifriqiya but schooled in Tavaria and Francia.
Snow hadn’t yet spoken with the man, but he was suddenly curious.
A conversation of sorts was overdue. He wandered closer, remaining far enough away to remain in the shadows of the massive palms. “I can’t take something this precious from him. It’s a diamond.”
“A desert diamond. They’re not true diamonds, but quartz created by the weight of the shifting sands. The dunes near here are rife with them. He likely has a pocket full, so have no worries about keeping one.”
“You’re sure?” Snow asked, frowning.
“Positive,” the Guard said.
“Did you hear any of what he said to me?” Snow asked. “I couldn’t keep up.”
“His chieftain told the tribe last night that your ancestors come from this desert—and that you will someday be a king in Germania. The boy wanted to give you a diamond for your crown.” The Guard smiled to himself.
“He also said you were the most beautiful omega he’s ever seen and understands why the gods chose you to be a king. ”
Snow blushed. “Looks have nothing to do with my ascension. Nor does ability to rule, for that matter. I just happened to have the right parents. Luck led me there.”
“Fate led you to where you are,” the Guard corrected. “The fact you are curious of your ancestry and came here to learn more gives these people hope. The kings from your part of the world have not always been kind to those who live in Ifriqiya. Perhaps you will do better.”
“I hope to,” Snow said. He opened his palm and turned the small desert diamond over a few times, smiling at the thoughtfulness of the boy’s gift. He lifted his gaze and saw the boy peeking from one of the tents across the oasis. He waved and smiled. “Shukran!”
Snow searched his brain for what to say after ‘thank you’. He eyed the Guard. “How do I say, ‘I will treasure this gift always’?”
“Sa-a-tazzu bi-ha-tha da-i-man,” the Guard replied.
Snow repeated the phrase once for the Guard. After he got a nod, Snow turned and called out to the boy, adding a bow when he was done. The boy stepped out of the tent, beaming, and returned the bow. After the boy disappeared back inside the tent, Snow turned to the Guard.
“I fear this is too small to fit into a crown.” He lifted it towards the sun between his forefinger and thumb, enjoying the glinting light sparkling through it.
“I hear the next town we travel to is relatively large. Might I find a jeweler there that could affix this to a ring or a necklace? I’d much rather have that anyway.
Then I could wear it every day—unlike my crown. ”
“You probably could find a jeweler but realize there is little value to these little quartz crystals. The mount would have more value than the stone.”
“It was a gift,” Snow said, pressing the stone against his chest. “Which makes it priceless.”
The Guard eyed him, a hint of a smile curling at his lips.
Snow sat back down on the soft grass of the oasis and watched as the Guard continued to unload the camel he’d apparently just returned on. “I was told you studied in Francia but were born here in Ifriqiya. I was curious what led you to study in that part of the world and remain after.”
“I was sent to study there to aid my father in understanding the leaders in your world. To assist in trade agreements. After I finished my education, I worked for several lords, learning all I could.” His smile faded.
“While I was away, my father was assassinated. As his heir, I cannot return home for fear of the same happening to me, so I remained in Francia for some time and took a few positions in Germania, as well.” He looked around the sands.
“This is as close to home as I’ve been in a decade. ”
“I’m so sorry,” Snow said, frowning.
“It’s okay,” the Guard murmured before clenching his jaw.
“It’s not, though.”
The Guard’s hazel gaze returned to his.
“I understand loss like that. I lost my papa quite young, which shattered my world. Later, my step-papa tried to have me killed and I had to run away to save myself. Of course, I was only gone a fortnight before my father found me.” Snow hissed.
“And now I sound silly for attempting to compare your story to mine. It’s just that…
I didn’t know that I’d be able to return.
I thought I’d lost my home, my father, everyone I cared about…
my entire life there. I mourned and it was difficult to accept that I’d have to rebuild everything.
” Snow paused. “I suppose what I’m trying to say is—I know the grief you’ve endured because I had a small taste of it myself.
All I can say is how very sorry I am that you’ve experienced that. ”
The Guard bowed. “Shukran jazilan.”
Thank you very much.
You’re welcome.
“Afwan,” Snow said, bowing in return from his seated position. “I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t recall if I was told your name or not. I hope you can forgive me if I ask.”
The Guard bowed again. “I am Aldara Ben-Nasar. Most call me Dara.”
Snow held out a hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Dara. I’m glad to have you here with us.”
Dara shook it, smiling to himself. He fought a grin.
“What’s so funny?” Snow asked.
“You remind me so much of another omega I protected in my last position. He wasn’t a king or a prince, but he did end up a Prince Consort. Not too far from your home in Kleeve-Burgh, in fact.” The Guard smiled softly. “I liked him very much. I hope to be able to say the same about you.”
“Which Prince Consort is this? I know some of my neighbors, though, some through reputation alone.”
“Beau de Beaumont-Belleterre. I was a member of the Prince Consort’s Guard. Briefly.”
Snow frowned. Would Dara’s role be fleeting on his Guard, as well? “What made you leave a prestigious position on a Royal Guard?”
“The captain of said Guard did not trust an outsider to protect the Prince Consort. He made it known that he would find any means necessary to remove me from my post—no matter that the king had chosen me himself.”
“That’s horrid,” Snow said.
“Yes. Quite,” Dara murmured.
“Belleterre…” Snow frowned. “It seems almost familiar, yet I can’t place it.”
“I understand that few visited over the last decade or so. Royaume de Belleterre,” Dara replied. “To the southeast of Fuelders and due east from Kleeve-Burgh—in Francia.”
“Ah,” Snow replied, trying to visually see where Dara spoke of from the maps in his head. Suddenly, he realized what it could be. “Is this the place they call Terre Maudite? The cursed land ruled by a beastly, cursed king?”
Dara chuckled. “I have heard tall tales of a curse on both the land and their ruler, but I don’t know how much truth there is to any of it. What I can say is King Lucian was nothing but fair with me, even if he is rather ferocious looking at times.”
“Your loyalty is admirable.” Snow considered his next question carefully, not wishing to change Dara’s good impression of him, but his curiosity won out. “Is it true… that King Lucian is literally a beast and not a man?”
Dara opened his mouth just as Vor shouted Snow’s name from inside the tent, a baby’s cry reaching his ears a second later.
“Saved by the belle bébé, no?” Dara asked before grinning broadly.
Snow sighed. “I deserve that for asking you to gossip about your former employer, I suppose. I wouldn’t want you to do that to me.” Snow waved to Dara. “Thank you for the help, Dara.”
“Anytime, Your Highness.”
Snow waddled as quickly as he could across the hot sands below the even hotter sun.
Sweat broke out over his forehead and nape before he could return to the relative coolness of the tent.
He found both Shen and Vor attempting to wrangle a bare-bottomed eleven-month-old so they could get him into a fresh diaper.
Konrad preferred the coolness of not being diapered—and who could blame him?
Walking over to the chaise where Snow spent his afternoons napping, he sat down and lifted his linen tunic, baring Konrad’s lunch. It didn’t take long for Konrad to notice. He raced over to the chaise and climbed into Snow’s lap. Head down, he latched on with ease and soon nursed heartily.
“Get the diaper on him now,” Snow murmured, drawing whisper-light circles over their son’s forehead and eyelids, urging him to calm and take his nap.
Shen and Vor did a haphazard job getting the diaper on Konrad, but given the odd position, he couldn’t be too judgmental.
He eyed the slight swell of Shen’s growing stomach and wondered how they’d ever be able to maintain any control when there were as many babes as there were adults.
He was due in only two more months. Shen would give birth about three months later.
Vor sat on the edge of the chaise and stared at Snow. “Where were you just now?”
“I snuck out to have a sip of water and ran into our newest Guard. I believe his last post was with the Beast King of Terre Maudine.”
“It was,” Vor said.
“And you never told me?” Snow demanded.
“I knew you wouldn’t be able to help but ask about Lucian,” Vor murmured. “That man has been through enough. He needs to be left alone.”
Snow tilted his head. “You know the Beast King?”
Vor leaned in close and kissed Snow on the lips.
“Are you trying to change the subject?” Snow asked.
Vor grinned. “Mmm-hmmm.” He leaned in for another kiss, this one longer and more languid.
Snow sipped at their dominant’s lips, a hint of need rising. “You do realize I’m very, very pregnant, right? This won’t be easy.”
“Noooo,” Vor quipped. He stole another kiss. “That didn’t stop us when you were very, very pregnant with Konrad.”
“We didn’t have a nearly one-year-old when I was this pregnant with Konrad,” Snow whispered.
“A one-year-old who will soon be napping,” Vor said before nibbling on Snow’s neck, just under one ear. He lifted his head. “But if you’re tired, we don’t have to.”
“I didn’t say that,” Snow replied, grinning. “You just might need to offer me extra incentive.”
Vor’s smile grew mischievous. “What is it that you want?”
“I’d rather watch you and Shen together. If you two turn me on enough, perhaps I’ll join you.”
“It’s a bit hard to get your juices flowing when I can’t knot either of you,” Vor said.
Snow pouted. Seeing Shen’s belly extended when Vor was planted deep and knotted was one of his favorite entertainments, but knotting either of them could cause harm to their unborn children. “A few more months and I’m all yours again.”
Vor waggled his eyebrows.
Shen reappeared from the tent’s other room, carrying a tray laden with three cups of light ale, dates, figs, and apricots. He set it beside Snow’s chaise and offered him a tender kiss. Shen then pressed a kiss to Konrad’s forehead.
“We’ve been asked to entertain,” Vor murmured to Shen.
Shen fought a smile. “Such a burden.”
They awaited Konrad’s nap, feeding one another the luscious, fresh fruits they’d found during their travels.
As soon as Konrad was fast asleep and Snow’s nipple had slipped from his lips, Vor carefully lifted the boy and carried him to the adjoining tent where one of the Guards would mind their babe while he napped.
Once Vor returned, he found a naked Shen bent over and ready to take him deep. Snow shivered at the sound of Vor’s deep growl. He reached into his linen braies and stroked his cock, delighted in seeing his two alphas enjoy one another so thoroughly.
He’d never tire of watching… or sharing them both forever.
That was Snow’s happily ever after.