17. Cillian
B efore last night, I often pondered over how my brother Callan could be so spectacularly uninterested in his duties to this kingdom. Knowing what I do now, I understand better in the light of this new dawn: he’s been having sex.
I too would rather be fucking my wife than rushing off to deal with whatever emergency awaits us. Ivy’s glowing smile and hand in mine helps soothe the irritation of the earlier interruption.
Before we enter the throne room, I pull Ivy against my chest, not quite ready to be the responsible royal just yet. Perhaps if I were to have one more taste…
My omega meets my mouth with equal vigor, stealing breath from my lips and offering her saccharine whimpers in return. Truly, she is the most perfect woman in the world—someone I could lose myself in entirely if I’m not careful. But being a good alpha to my mate means I must accomplish certain things in order to protect her.
Things that extend beyond offering her my physical devotion.
With impeccable amounts of self-control, I break away. “You have enchanted me, my darling mate,” I whisper, bending to press one last kiss to her beautiful throat. “I fear I’ll never be the same.”
“Cillian,” she breathes. “Is this real?”
We are of the same mind, she and I. This feels too wonderful—too perfect to be true. After all the hurt and the loss we’ve suffered, can such euphoria truly be ours?
“It feels real to me, Ivy.”
For a moment, we simply allow this unspoken emotion to settle between us. I don’t give a damn if it’s too soon. I love her— will love her for eternity—and when I lay my claim upon her throat, she will feel it for herself. Through the unique magic shared between Fate-blessed mates, she will know every inch of my heart, and I hers.
“Come now.” I sigh as I grab my wife’s delicate hand once more and brush my lips against her knuckles. “Time to face the day.”
When we enter the throne room, I notice Callan, who so gleefully interrupted us, has conveniently fucked off to gods-know-where. I wouldn’t be surprised if he volunteered to fetch me the morning after marrying my scent-matched omega. He does revel in being irritating.
Instead, we find Ciaran and the rest of Ivy’s family waiting.
“Did something happen?” my wife asks. Her concern is not unfounded, given Cal’s insistence we were needed at once.
Princess Rose steps forward, regarding us with a careful eye. “No bond mark…how very interesting.”
The judgement in her voice is apparent, and I wonder what offense I’ve made against her. Winning her approval will be a hard-fought battle, but I’m in this for the long haul. One day she’ll see that everything I do, I do in service of her sister.
“Rosie, that’s rude ,” Princess Lily whispers. Of all Ivy’s siblings, she is far and away the most reserved. In fact, this may very well be the first time I’ve heard her speak.
I mean to thank her, to open my mouth and get a word in, but?—
“Yes, maybe you should worry about your own situation, sister.” This from Aspen, who smirks at the proverbial daggers Rose throws in his direction.
“Anyone care to explain why I was dragged from my marital bed?” Ivy cuts in with an impatient edge. She is likely used to the chaos of seven siblings, and I’m happy to let her handle the situation as she sees fit.
“ Gods . Don’t say things like that in front of me,” Sage groans.
The twins, Daisy and Oleander, on the other hand, break into a fit of giggles.
There are too many of them to contend with—too many quips and opinions this early in the day. I thought being a triplet was nightmarish, but apparently my life with Ciaran and Cal has been a simple one.
“ Enough , all of you,” King Hawthorn barks, the voice of reason. All at once, the room falls silent. Clearly, each of them respect him—well-earned for all he’s done in service to his siblings. I can’t say I would have been able to handle becoming king at such a young age, while simultaneously caring for so many. Not as graciously as he did, anyway.
With a steadying breath, Hawthorn speaks again. “We received a letter from Glenndyre this morning. King Blair is very insistent upon discussing his betrothal to our Rosie and has requested an audience at once.”
“One can only hope he’s come to accept the depths of my loathing and is ready to call the whole thing off,” Rose says, almost triumphantly.
I doubt it. Beyond the obvious benefits to wedding a Lucernian princess, rumor has it the king is very besotted with his betrothed.
Apparently, she doesn’t feel the same.
Hawthorn sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. It seems he and his sister have had this conversation one too many times. I’m curious about Rose’s reasoning. Being twenty-two and without any alphas to help her through her heats is a dangerous thing. I hope for her sake, and my wife’s, that whatever comes to pass, she will be cared for.
“We’ll return in a week. Just in time for your coronation,” Prince Sage reports.
Glenndyre is only a day’s sail from Ancaire’s nearest port and is a perfectly safe trip. I must admit I admire Blair for the interesting maneuvers he’s making in pursuit of the princess. It has me curious if perhaps he knows something she doesn’t. Maybe I’m not the only one who?—
“You’re all leaving?” Ivy cries.
I hate the anguish in her voice, and part of me wants to convince the king against his travels simply to soothe her. But my mind is working so quickly, putting pieces together about what this opportunity could bring.
I thought I would have to keep this charade going for weeks, at least, while Ivy’s family visited. But if they were to go…
Wooing my queen, breaking apart what she knows of the world, and exposing her to pack living certainly won’t be easy feats to accomplish in one short week. But if Sloan, Oran, and I are successful, we could present our pack to Ivy’s family sooner than we intended. A public display of their support at our coronation would cause a stir throughout the western kingdoms, but perhaps a little shock is necessary to spark change.
“Ivy, dear.” Hawthorn frowns. “I’m so sorry. But Rose is going, whether she likes it or not, and I can’t very well let the twins remain here. Can you imagine the havoc those feral sirens will wreak on the poor alphas of Cillian’s court? It would be like leaving lions amongst lambs. Not to mention, I don’t want to have to explain to Viggo and Aedan about why their intended omegas are collecting marriage proposals from Namarian lords.”
I laugh then, right from the depths of my gut. It’s been rumored the Bancroft twins are quite the devious flirts. Oleander is a rare male omega. I have no doubt the alphas in my court would line up for a chance to warm his bed. And Daisy, the youngest, is said to be a vicious little alpha-eater herself.
“And the others?” Ivy asks.
“Sage is coming with me, of course. Someone has to help me wrangle Rosie. As for Lily and Aspen, that is up to them.”
“I’ve decided to stay,” Prince Aspen asserts. “There’s much to love about Namara, and so many activities I’ve yet to tire of.”
My gaze swings to my brother as Ciaran sputters aloud at the implication. Gods, they are far too obvious. For a silver-tongued Namarian prince, Ciaran turns into quite the mess when Aspen is involved. I really must speak to him about the way he’s carrying on. I don’t want him falling if no one’s there to catch him.
“We’re all standing right here, you know?” Rose huffs. “Talking about us like we’re problems to be solved is very condescending, you monumental ass.”
“Yes, I’m a monster , Rosie dear. And when you’re the queen of Glenndyre, you’ll have all the authority to wage war against me and my wicked ways,” Hawthorn quips, fighting a grin as rage bleeds red across his sister’s face.
“I will also stay,” Lily says, barely a whisper above the chaos of her siblings.
I do my best to hide the frustrated sigh stuck in my chest. Any other time, I would happily host both Aspen and Lily. But so much rests on the success of my quest that I can’t afford distractions.
Still, it’s only two siblings to contend with. Aspen will be busy tumbling my brother, and I don’t see Lily interfering with my plans. But given what I know of Cal’s affinity for beautiful women, I’ll need to keep an eye on the princess for the sake of her betrothal and my desire to stay in Hawthorn’s good graces.
As long as Callan keeps his paws off her, I think this could work.
Fuck, I’m excited.
This was not the plan. We were meant to woo her, taking our time to show her what being a pack means. But after last night—after this morning and the way Ivy responded to me, I don’t want to hoard that same joy from my packmates.
More so, I would hate to keep Ivy from knowing how much she is wanted, how much we will cherish and adore her together. She deserves to live as omegas are meant to, and the sooner we make our intentions official, the better.
Given she’s now twenty-one, her heat could come any day. Better we establish ourselves as a pack now in preparation. If she will allow us all to see her through it, the risk of her falling ill will be next to nothing. As her scent-matched mates, we can provide her with all she needs, both physically and emotionally, during such a vulnerable time.
The introduction I planned for my court will have to change as well. But, to be honest, now that the moment has come, I don’t give a shite what they have to say.
As Sloan has been reminding me for the last month, I’m the king now. Namara’s future rests in my hands. If I intend to put an end to the archaic ways of our dead and dying predecessors, I must lead by example.
Tiernan tells me others at court would support this move. He should know; he and Fiona are living a secret life of their own with my captain of the guard. As some of my oldest friends, and the only other scent-matched pack I know, I want this for them as much as I do for myself.
Settled in my resolve to put my plan into action, I chime in for the first time. “When do you depart?”
Hawthorn turns toward Ivy and me. “Today…now. Your staff kindly prepared our carriages while you were, ah, asleep.”
“This is horrid!” Rose screeches. “We can’t leave Ivy so soon. Besides, Blair doesn’t get to order me across the sea. He is not my alpha.”
I chuckle, understanding that while the princess doesn’t have much choice, she won’t go quietly.
Good for her.
“I promise your sister is in very good hands, Princess,” I tell her, well aware this is not the true heart of her protestation. “As much as we will miss your company, I’m eager to show my queen her new home. Then maybe we can see about the lack of her bonding mark, as you so kindly pointed out earlier.”
Ivy’s perfume is as instantaneous as the blush blooming on her cheeks, and I’m half a breath from whisking her back to bed.
“ Ugh—no! That’s it.” Prince Sage throws his hands in the air. “Your Majesty, thank you for the hospitality, but I must leave before I’m subjected to one more mention of my sister’s private activities.”
My omega deflates a little, and I’m quick to take her hand in mine. I kiss her knuckles, drawing her close to me. “All will be well, my heart. They will return soon. Besides, you and I have much to do in the meantime.”
Ivy’s eyes are glassy with unshed tears, but she offers me a tentative smile. “I know, alpha. I’m very happy to be here with you. I just?—”
“Thought you had more time with them,” I interject. She doesn’t need to explain herself to me. “As much as I wanted to kill Cal this morning, I would be similarly distraught if he were to leave me behind.”
Ciaran and Callan are second and third princes to a small kingdom. Unlike many of Ivy’s siblings, neither of them will ever sit on a throne. In fact, it’s already been decided that their intended spouses will come live in Namara after their weddings.
I will never experience the pain of being taken away from them, but I can be there for my mate as she navigates her conflicting emotions.
“Thank you for understanding.” Ivy sways in my arms, reaching up to press a chaste kiss upon my lips.
I’m but wax over an open flame for this sweet omega—melting over the easy affection she offers, even when her heart is hurting.
“Go on, darling. Say your goodbyes. Perhaps take a walk through the gardens afterwards to lift your spirits.”
Her brow crinkles at this suggestion. “You won’t join me?”
Shite .
I hate to leave her after all that’s happened this last day. But I must inform the others about the recent developments. We only have a week—every moment will matter.
“I need to attend to some things, but I’ll join you this evening for dinner. Then you and I can spend the entire night together.”
Ivy sighs, looking at her still-bickering siblings. “Is it foolish to say I’ll miss you?”
“Why would it be? I’ll be missing you as well.”
More pretty pink blooms upon her precious cheeks.
“I want to do very wicked things to you when you blush like that, omega,” I whisper, so only she can hear.
“What kind of things, alpha?” she returns, sultry and smirking.
“Be good today and I’ll show you when we’re alone.”
“I’m always good,” she rasps.
Goddess . She is going to be the death of me. I’m blissfully untethered to sanity with each breath she takes. “That remains to be seen, little terror.”
“Ivy! Stop flirting with your pretty alpha and say goodbye,” one of the princesses—perhaps Daisy—calls. Who can say for certain when I can’t keep my eyes off my queen?
“Tonight then, husband.”
“Tonight, wife.”
Before taking my leave, I wish the Bancroft royals safe travels. I also give assurances to Hawthorn and Sage that Ivy, and their other two remaining siblings, will be in the best hands here at Castle Ancaire.
Those hands will not be my brother Callan’s; that’s for certain.
He will be dealt very strict instructions to stay far away from Princess Lily. If I thought him capable of being responsible with her feelings, I would take no issue with them carrying on. But I know my brother’s habits all too well. He’s quick to move on to new conquests with little regard for the mess he leaves behind. I’d rather avoid conflict with my mate’s family at all costs.
But for now, I must find Oran and Sloan. We have much to do to win our mate’s heart, and little time to accomplish it.