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He was quiet for a moment or two before he answered. “On paper, yes, she is our collective leader. There have always been small tribes outside the collective, ones who are governed by their own people—nomads, wanderers. But over the past one hundred years, some of those smaller groups have joined up, wanting change. Titus is a big world, Princess. It just doesn’t make sense to be led by one alpha who is rarely seen, thousands of miles away for some.”
“That makes sense.” Still, I felt something other than distance being an issue. “So, you are leader of the Dega people?”
He smiled. “Dega is my family name, as Trajan is to the queen.”
“Oh, my apologies. My ignor—”
“Not at all, Princess. Outside of the Ongahri, I would assume the same. But, yes, I am leader of House Dega.”
“Was—are—your parents royals?”
“Royal line of Trajan? No.”
I was confused and showed it, apparently.
“As I said earlier,” he explained, “larger groups formed from smaller ones, each leading their own people. Mine just happens to be the largest outside House Trajan. Houses are tribes with their own traditions, ranks, and sometimes laws.”
“Ah. Now I understand.” We came to the rise, then, the one I had spied our riding companions riding up the last time I’d seen them in the distance. “It sounds very fascinating, the Ongahri ways of life.”
He chuckled again. “If you say so.”
I grinned at him, realizing that I was enjoying our conversation, not only because it had taken my mind off of everything, but because, like I told him, I loved learning. “I do! I wish to know more during my time here.”
“Well, while I’m here, I’d be honored to be of service. You ask, I’ll answer. And I think you’ll be surprised at how… different House Dega is.”
“Oh? In what way?”
We were both swaying in the saddle as our mounts took on the steep decline. I shortened the reins to steady my mare and to keep my seat.
“Not as rigid, I guess you could say,” he answered dryly. “As long as everyone is doing what they should be doing, I‘m a pretty relaxed leader.” I made a face that said I doubted him, and he laughed. “What, you think I’m more of the dictator sort or the by-the-book kind?”
I thought about how I saw him. He had an aura of danger, a wildness about him. He was intimidating and controlled, and I had a feeling he didn’t suffer fools. “I think you know what you want and you’ll find a way to make sure you get it.”
“And there’s that bright flame burning.” He inclined his head. “I’ll admit the shoe fits. I’d say I’m a pragmatic man. My eyes are always on the future and the prize. No pomp, no nonsense.”
“And what is the prize?”
We were now on flat ground, and in unison our horses paused, waiting for their masters’ directions. “Freedom, Princess. Whether it will come from having power, a political move, or learning more about a new trade, whatever will grant me the most freedom, that will be where I cast my net.” He urged his mount forward with a squeeze of his muscular thighs and charged out into a gallop.
I followed, spurring my horse on.
Lucius was an interesting man, I thought. What I had perceived as intensity was more than likely his Alpha—I remember feeling the same way when I’d met Fadon. Lucius was way more intelligent than I had first believed, and I had no doubt that he led his people with a steady hand and a strong will, and that those people, those Ongahri of House Dega, respected him.
What would he do if he were to find out about his adviser, Cornelius? Would he step aside and just allow his adviser to be executed? Being a leader, I assumed he’d have no choice, would maybe even encourage the enforcement.
The wintry air kissed my cheeks as I rode, but my heart was no longer in it. The scenery only reminded me that I was caged, I wasn’t free. Lucius had said freedom was his motivator. I’d always thought it was mine as well. But I was a woman. A promised one, signed and sealed and delivered.
If only I were a man, where I would have choice. Agency. Freedom. Plant my flag and announce to the world “this is what I am going to have. This is who I am.”
Instead, my life depended on one.
I wondered where my betrothed was. I wondered what, if anything, I’d do about my situation. I wondered if I’d be able to live with a man like Lysander and be somewhat content, destined to be in a long, lonely marriage, living with a man whose taboo was a death sentence and who would always carry the burden of heartache.
I honestly didn’t think I had the strength for it.
Chapter 40
Sierra
