Chapter 26 #2
An Omega who I would have never expected to be caught up in this, and which if she is, will solve my wedding problems later today.
I have plotted several bloodier ways to escape from marrying Liviana, but this way is neater.
I point at Aquila. “You’re still not telling me everything. I want to know about why you’ve been secretly meeting with Liviana.”
Immediately, Ignatius drops Aquila’s hand.
To my surprise, Aquila bursts to his feet like he can intimidate me. “Leave Livvy out of this.”
Finally, I am seeing more of the real Aquila. He has been taught to act and play a role which he is good at. But he is as sharp as a blade underneath.
I snatch him by the neck and pull him onto his toes.
When I hear Ignatius try to stand, I order, “Stay where you are.” Then I shake Aquila, and he chokes. “I’ve been more than patient with you, disgrace of a dragon rider. Last chance to admit why you’ve been seeing someone behind your Alpha’s back.”
“Livvy is innocent,” Aquila bites back, as his feet scrabble against the marble. “She doesn’t know about the assassination. She’s a pawn of her parents like I am. She’s been forced into everything.”
“You’re lovers…” Ignatius gasps like the words are being torn from him. I glance at him. He is bent over with his head in his hands. “I’m a fucking fool. You never loved me. Why would you? You were in love with her.”
Aquila’s eyes widen in horror. “No, no, we’re only friends. Best friends. But I don’t love her. I would never cheat on you. I’m just trying to protect her like you protect me. Surely, you’d expect that of me? I don’t know what the right thing to do is. I’ll be betraying someone whatever I say.”
I hurl Aquila back down to the floor, and he grunts in pain.
When Ignatius crawls to him, Aquila watches him warily like he expects to be struck.
Instead, Ignatius simply grazes his thumb over his Omega’s bruised neck and then firmly takes his hand again. “You say the truth. Then we face the consequences together.”
Aquila takes a ragged breath. “I was raised by my Omega mother in a village to the south. It was a poor village, and she and I would care for the villagers as best we could, visiting them when they were sick with extra food and herbal remedies. I knew that someday I would need to leave and attend the Shadow Academy. So, I studied hard, but Mother still allowed me to live the rest of my life outside in nature. I rarely saw my father, who spent most of the year at the Shadow Court. He would visit the village in summer, however, usually with his friend, Decima, along with her daughter, Livvy.”
“But how did she become your best friend?” Ignatius asks.
“Because she stayed with me every summer for as long as I can remember, and she didn’t know anyone in the village but me.
She was older than I was, but she was fun and kind, unlike her mother.
My father is a violent man, and I soon learned that we were both trapped with parents who we feared.
The only freedom Livvy experienced was that month she spent each year with me.
We made up wild plans to run away together.
We knew that as silver elite Omegas, however, we’d be hunted and brought back. ”
Ignatius washes his pheromones over Aquila in comfort. “You’re safe now.”
“I’m not. I’m admitting that my treason began as a child.
Father trained me to make sure that I knew when I arrived at the academy, I must spy for him.
When I bonded you, and he told me that I must now betray my own Alpha, I refused.
He took Mother hostage. He said that he would rip out her throat if I didn’t obey.
I’m fucking sorry but I was torn between my Alpha and my mother. What could I do?”
I take a step back.
By the Shadow Gods, I understand how tough that choice would have been.
It must have been agonizing for any Omega to have been put into that position.
Aquila had a duty to his family and the loving mother who raised him.
No wonder he didn’t know what to do.
Yet despite the danger to his mother, he still didn’t act against his Alpha.
If this was a test of loyalty, then Aquila may have faltered, but he ultimately passed.
At least, he will pass it, as long as he goes along with my scheme.
“In a moment, you will write down your mother’s name and her village, as well as anyone else you wish to be brought to safety,” I command.
“Then I will have loyal soldiers bring them to one of my secret estates. I will keep them under guard, until things are more stable. I won’t allow them to be harmed. ”
Aquila studies me like this is the first time that he has seen me. “Why would you do that for me since you’re going to execute me?”
“Did I say that?” I quirk my brow. “And I’m doing it because you’re my cousin’s Omega. We’re family, and I protect my family. But remember that I don’t give second chances.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Aquila turns to take deep breaths of Ignatius’ scent.
Ignatius looks up at me in awe.
Uncomfortable, I shift from foot to foot.
I’m not used to people looking at me like that. I’m not Daire. Ignatius’ gaze reminds me of the one I catch on Lucius’ face sometimes.
“Don’t stop your story,” I order, gruffly. “What happened with Liviana?”
“One summer, she started to cry. She told me that King Tarquin was courting her.” Aquila keeps his face against his Alpha’s neck.
I ball my hands into fists. “My brother wouldn’t force himself onto an Omega.”
“But her mother would force Liviana into a marriage to gain political power, then use her daughter to spy on the King just as she intends to do with you.”
I’d known it, but hearing that the same trick had been planned on my brother, hits me hard.
“Liviana has been playing this game at court for years,” I snarl. “How do you know that she hasn’t been playing you too? Seeing you secretly was a major risk for both of you. Why take it?”
Aquila finally raises his head. “Liviana invited me to her bedroom. She’s alone and frightened. She knows that you love your other mates and don’t want her. Yet she’s been forced into this situation. She’s been playing a role, as I have been.”
“This is Maximinus’ plot backed by the fucking Council.” My eyes become molten gold, as rage roars through me. “Decima and Cato are behind this, and they’re the fuckers who are going to pay. The penalty for spying, treason, or attempted assassination…any one of them…is public execution.”
I tower over the couple, as they stiffen their spines, barely daring to breathe.
I let the moment hang between us.
Then I tap my lip. “I could be merciful and simply exile you…”
Aquila throws himself at my feet, clasping my ankle.
“Your Majesty, don’t part me from my Alpha.
I would be in agony during my heats, and it wouldn’t be fair to punish Iggy during his ruts.
It would be kinder to kill me. Whip me or throw me in the dungeons.
But don’t take me away from the only Alpha who has ever seen me as worthy. ”
Aquila may have been a spy but he’s not smart. Lucius would never have walked into this trap.
I grab Aquila by his hair, dragging him to his feet.
“Then I’ll offer you a third and final choice because I am especially merciful today.
Redeem yourself by playing a role for me, as you’re so good at it, one final time.
Act like I tell you to, and all will be forgiven.
Get dressed. Let’s visit your dear friend, Liviana.
I know that it’s bad luck on the wedding morning to see your bride, but I’m prepared to risk it for the chance to capture Decima and Cato for treason.
Bael will have never witnessed a ceremony like mine. ”
I smile, darkly.
Then finally, I allow Hadrian out to play.