Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Void Pyramids, Blood Kingdom
Freya
I clasp Daire’s hand, as we climb together up the rocky path toward the Void Pyramids. The cool night breeze slices across my cheeks.
My bare toes curl on the satin red carpet that snakes up the slope, which has been placed there in our honor. I truly feel like a royal, when even my queenly bare feet are no longer permitted to touch the dirt.
I am glad that Lanlin never witnessed how ragged and filthy I was when I grew up as a servant, scrubbing floors in Orm. I didn’t just walk on the dirt; I spent most of the time with it ingrained under my fingernails and smeared over my cheeks.
To be fair, that was also because I escaped to climb trees in the forests, scramble up cliffs, and explore forbidden caves in a way that no Omega was meant to.
But then, I have also learned to become a thief, cadet, dragon rider, and spy like no Omega before me.
Daire hisses in pain, when he stumbles to the side of the carpet, stubbing his toe on a rock like he didn’t see it. “May the Shadow Devils damn you to hell.”
“I was actually looking forward to you fucking me.”
“Sorry, love.” Daire hops, while I steady him. “I was talking to the evil rock. That blue lotus wine must have been more potent than I thought.” He winks at me. “On the holy fae, I can’t wait to spend this rut with you, as long as I don’t fall off this cliff first.”
He whistles for his ravens, which are circling above him protectively.
A raven caws and flutters down, almost like it’s now leading him as a guide. Its tail feathers brush his forehead.
Maybe the priestesses’ blue lotus wine hits Alphas harder than it does Omegas.
I can sense my triggered heat in a pulsing desire between my thighs for an Alpha’s knot, the slickness between my thighs, and the sweat dripping down my forehead.
But it’s still a background noise that I can ignore. I know that it will soon build to an uncontrollable, desperate need for my two Alphas.
Lanlin, on the other hand, looks like he didn’t drink the potion at all.
He is regally leading the way as cold as a moon god. His moths and bats fly above him in a grand procession. He looks untouchable.
I can’t believe that I am married to him. He is mine. And soon, I will be the first Omega to be knotted by him.
The moonlight glints off the diamonds in his hair. His shoulders are stiff, and his expression is unreadable.
I smile, but almost instantly, it fades.
I am now a Queen of the House of Sin. But has Lanlin forgiven my betrayal?
I haven’t survived this long in any kingdom of these Shadow realms without remaining wary of Alphas. I am already bonded to this dangerous King. My body is starting to shake with the need to knot him, and I have been desperate to share that with him for weeks.
Yet it’s the night of the Blood Moon.
Will Daire have the strength to control the cursed mask?
I glance at Daire.
The silver dove mask is still firmly on his face. The moon is pale, however, rather than transformed to a blood red, as the myths talk about.
Despite the coming dangers, joy still floods me at the memory of Lanlin transforming into a giant bat after the ceremony. Then Daire and I had become his bat riders again. He flew us away before the feasting could begin to our special wedding nest.
Lanlin luxuriated in the night sky, circling on the night breeze. Like he wanted to give us an aerial tour of the kingdom that we now reigned over, he swooped low over Blue Lotus Palace and Shuet, before wheeling out over city walls.
Daire whooped at the thrill.
I grinned, allowing myself to enjoy the exhilarating freedom, as Lanlin glided over stretches of farmland, while Shadow Humans with glowing eyes of torches bowed in worship to their dark god.
Now, Daire casts a glance at Lanlin. “Oi, Bat. Why is your nest all the way out here?”
“It’s not a mere nest. It’s the Eternal Royal Nest.”
“Lovely, but why at the Void Pyramids?” Daire presses.
“Tradition,” Lanlin replies without looking around.
“A lot of cruel practices are explained away because of tradition.” Lanlin appears uneasy. I squeeze his hand. “Wasn’t your Hunt with the Shadow Humans one of them?”
My expression softens.
Of course.
This is where the Hunt happened. All I know is that Daire was returned to me in a beaten state, while his Omega friend Barnabas was murdered.
I sent Lanlin to save Daire that night.
What would have happened to my soulmate if I hadn’t?
My lips pinch.
I glance up at the limestone silhouette of the three silent pyramids. The moonlight gleams off their edges and giant flanks, turning them silver. They rise from the stony plateau like the fangs of a sleeping god.
A darkness, as if there is an abyss just beneath the surface of the pyramids that will reach out to devour me if I stare too long into it, makes me hurriedly drop my gaze.
Why is Lanlin worshiped as the Void Vampire?
Finally, Lanlin stops.
There is a long moment when I don’t think he will answer.
His shoulders are stiff.
Then he turns around, and there is something in his earnest gaze that I wish I could understand. “This is where the ritual must be completed, my dears. I don’t wish to hurt you by reminding you of—”
“Barnabas’ death?” Daire drops my hand and slinks closer to Lanlin. “How I was forced to stare into his eyes…powerless…as his own Alpha drained the blood from him? Is that what you intend to do to me?”
“Daire,” I gasp in shock.
“You know what I intend,” Lanlin calmly replies. “Also, don’t you remember how that night ended? I caught and claimed you. We made a deal.”
“A fae never forgets a deal.” Daire raises his chin like a challenge. “And he never breaks one.”
“Then we are in agreement, Raven.”
What the fuck is going on?
I rush forward, pushing myself between my two kings. “That blue lotus wine really does turn Alphas into posturing Alphaholes who think with their knots. You’re going into rut, and it’s making you…”
“Dominant and possessive?” Lanlin suggests.
“Hard and horny?” Daire adds.
I put my hands onto my hips. “Assholes.”
Daire chuckles. “Fair. Okay, we need a nest and a fuck.”
Lanlin’s jaw clenches. “Then follow this red silk. How about we make it a race? The first Alpha to reach the nest gets to knot the Omega first.”
“What if I reach the nest first?” I retort.
Lanlin’s eyes glitter dangerously. “Then you will be rewarded by being knotted by us both at the same time.”
My eyes widen.
Fuck.
I’m running without even thinking about it.
I sprint up the slope. I scramble closer to the shadows of the three pyramids.
My heart is racing. Adrenaline pumps through me.
I am grinning.
I can feel my inner wolf clawing to be freed to win this.
I can’t see my two Alphas.
Am I in front? Am I going to win?
Then I see the Eternal Royal Nest, and I stumble.
The nest rests on the stone plateau directly between the three pyramids. Although it is dwarfed by them, it is still the largest and grandest nest that I have ever seen.
Gold glimmers amongst the folds of linen. Lapis lazuli flashes between cushions. Moonlight pools upon alabaster and polished stone.
I slow, walking closer step by step as if it is a mirage and will disappear if I blink, especially the smug vampire who is already sprawled in the center of it.
No wonder Lanlin suggested that bet. I should have remembered how fast he can move.
My core throbs, and I can’t hold back the whine.
My mind is becoming hazy with the draw of my heat. My skin sparks.
I want his knot and I want it first too.
Lanlin has been touched to cause him pain too many times in his life. I want to touch him to bring him pleasure. I need to see him undone, as he experiences knotting for the first time.
Lanlin’s bats and moths circle the nest.
Daire stumbles into my back, resting his hand on my shoulder. “Did you win, love?”
“Were you trying to let me win? Bad Alpha, you should have been faster than me.”
“Hey, you know how much I love fucking you at the same time as another Alpha. Your pussy feels incredible stretched around two cocks.”
I blush. “I must do for you not to try and win something. But unfortunately, Lanlin is already in the nest. Come on, your dirty talk is making slick drip down my legs.”
Daire pushes a strand of hair behind my ear, before he leans closer. “And you say I’m the one with the filthy mouth.”
I try to push him away with a laugh, but he grabs my hand.
Together, we walk toward the nest.
Daire waves at his ravens, and they settle close on the path behind us like the red carpet has transformed to black.
Golden incense lanterns line the winding path to the bed, their lotus-patterned sides casting pools of honeyed light across the ground. Fragrant tendrils of blue lotus and myrrh smoke curl from their crowns, perfuming the air.
“Did you build this yourself?” Daire’s expression has become flat in a way that I don’t like. He glances at me. “How can I compete with a nest that is fit for a queen? But I always tried my best for you, aye?”
My heart aches.
When Daire built me his first nest, he only had a simple blanket. He tried to make me more comfortable with his wings. He’s done everything that he can to provide for me, especially when we were in the Shadow Military Academy.
I don’t care about the wealth or power of my Alpha.
The actions that Daire has taken to protect me mean as much to me as any grand gesture like this one.
I stroke the pinion feather that Daire plucked from his own wing, which is in my hair. “You gave me part of yourself. I don’t need more than that.”
Daire’s expression softens. “Thanks, love.”
Lanlin sits up straighter, suddenly becoming shy. “I have been working on this nest since you returned to this kingdom with me. I made it out of your favorite colors, textures, and scents. I hope that it is an acceptable gift…?”
I smile, my chest warming. “It’s perfect. I love it.”
I love you.
I hold back the words.
There is just…something…in the air that makes me hesitate.
Uncomfortable, I glance around myself. “These pyramids…I can feel their magic…primal and ancient. It presses down on me. Bad things have happened here.”