Page 66 of Dark Company

With a nod of her head, the queen summons Reniford to step forward. “Well played, diplomat of Stanlion. Stories of your city-state led us to believe that none would can match wits with us. If your Alpha is up to the burden of leaving his home, we will balance the scales with the mated omega.”

Before I can answer, to plead with them to reconsider, Leon also takes a knee and bows his head. “I accept.”

“Leon!”

He turns around and smiles, his eyes misting up for just a moment. “There is nothing for me on Stallion. We are obsolete. At least with Karis, you have a future. Here, I can train in a new way, learn things I never had the chance to before. I choose this, not only for me, but for you. Find your happiness. Grab it and never let go.”

“Done,” the king bellows, rising to stand. “The matter is finished. Karis is free to go; you may take her home.”

As soon as his words leave his mouth, Eletransis walks forward as the other Alphas stand in between Leon and me, cutting us off. “Wait!” I scream out, racing forward.

Two other Alphas intercept me and hold me back, dragging me from out of the throne room. I thrash about as I try to break free, but they hold strong, barely budging when I push forward.

“Leon!”

“Go in peace, brother.”

The doors to the throne rooms slam shut, cutting us apart. Once the other Alphas let go, I sink to my knees and slam my fists against the thick door. They let me get out my frustration for a few moments before Eletransis kneels beside me and lays a hand on my shoulder.

“Do not fear for him. We are as close as a family. He will never want for anything. Come. Your omega awaits.”

Sorrow slams into my chest as I slide my fingers down the cold surface. Besides Karis, Leon was my life. He was the one that pulled me up when I was too weak to stand on my own, and like that, he’s gone.

Chapter 18

Karis

Ignatium runs her hand down my back in soothing motions, but there’s something more, another presence in the room. Someone my soul cries out for. Turning away from her shoulder, I stare up into Altris’s eyes. They’re a turbulent green as he stares at me.

Wrenching free, I throw myself at him, needing to know that he’s actually here. When his arms wrap around me in a warm embrace, that’s when the last of me breaks free. I cry as if my heart’s breaking, allowing him to take on the burden of my tears. His soft voice murmurs in my ear as he holds me tight, refusing to let me go.

Only when Ignatium pulls me away does he finally relent. I stare up at him, noting the pain in his eyes. I want to soothe them away, to take on whatever is hurting him, but he’s keeping that part from me. Though deep down, I want to fight and scream, demanding he tell me. I now know that’s not what he needs. I have the clarity to know our bond can’t take anymore.

Pain erupts over my skin as Ignatium pulls up the covering, but the moment it’s free, it’s as if the pain never existed. Walking over to a nearby mirror, I stare at the mark, stunned to see that it’s almost completely healed. The scar no longer pulls at my shoulder. Instead, it moves with me, fluid, as if I were born with it.

Reaching up, I drag my fingers over the tissue, marveling at the feel of it. From behind me, Altris slides up and wraps his arms about my waist and runs his lips over the spot, sparking a different type of heat pooling in my body. Slick gathers as I watch his tongue darting out to taste me.

The last thing I need is for my aunt to realize how much he’s turning me on. Red engulfs my face as I turn away from the lurid image and force myself to get back under control, but it’s no use. Just having Altris’s hands touching me is enough to make my blood race.

“My dear Karis. It is time for you to go home. Your transport is waiting.”

I turn, my heart sinking, but this time, Altris is there in the bond, holding me, supporting me. It hurts, but not nearly as badly as before. I know now that she’s not abandoning me, but for some reason, I thought I’d have longer to stay.

Without saying a word, she hands me a small jar full of green liquid. “Take this when you feel you’re losing your way. Your diplomat will have a way of contacting me if you run out. Now go. The longer you stay, the more our world is put out of balance.”

She leans down and brushes her lips over my brow and pulls away to leave the room. Once it’s just Altris and me, I look up at him as confusion floods my brain. “It’s okay, my love,” he whispers as he pulls me close, hugging me tight.

This time, it’s not just me needing the support; it’s him too. Something happened, something that’s cutting him deep. As best as I can, I lend him my support, giving him as much love as I can muster. His tears fall hot and heavy against my shoulder as I let him find comfort in me.

I’m not ashamed that he’s crying like I thought I would be. Instead, it just makes me hurt all the more for him. Nuzzling into his chest, I hold him tight and pepper his skin with kisses. When he eventually pulls away, his eyes are different, full of lust instead of sorrow.

Bending down, he captures my lips with his, sliding his hand behind my head to hold me in place as he darts his tongue in between my lips. This time, I open, allowing him in, gasping as his tongue sweeps into my mouth, conquering it as his own. Heat builds between us as I rub my body against his, feeling a desperate need to feel his skin upon my skin.

A soft cough interrupts us, forcing Altris to drag his mouth away, but his eyes promise a continuance. Ignatium comes back into the room, her arms laden with a pile of clothes. “I thought you might like to have something other than a nightgown for your trip, especially since your diplomat is a male.”

Altris growls, and he yanks the clothes forward, as if he completely forgot about my state of dress. A laugh pours out of my mouth as I take in his disgruntled face, feeling free for the first time since I can remember. Altris watches me, his eyes narrowing as I put on layer after layer, as if to ensure that I’m as covered as I can be.

Once I’m to his liking, he wraps his hand around mine and leads me out of the door. A slight pang of sadness floods my system as I turn around, giving my aunt a final wave goodbye. I allow a few tears to roll down my face as Altris leads me through the city and to the loading dock.