Текст книги "The Alpha of Bleake Isle"

Автор книги: Kathryn Moon

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 15 (всего у книги 24 страниц)

Chapter Twenty-FourRONSON

“Brother! Halt!"

I paused, my chin raised high, the tantalizing promise of Mairwen's perfume just a thin thread on the air, a trail for me to follow toward⁠—

"Ronson, for the love of flight!" Niall huffed, catching me by the shoulder and shaking me slightly. I glared back at my half-brother. "Don't you dare go into that library," he snapped.

"What on earth—" I tried to shake him off, but he tightened his grip on my shoulder sternly.

"You can lie to yourself if you like, but not to me," Niall said, an exasperated flush spreading over his face. "Dalton is on his way here now."

I glanced at the open door of the library, my mouth watering and teeth aching. "He's not expected for another half hour⁠—"

"If you go chasing after Mairwen right now, the pair of you will be in the nest before ten minutes is up, unless you plan on knotting her in the library."

My body swelled and my eyes narrowed, a growl bouncing off the stone bricks surrounding us. "Niall, I am warning⁠—"

He raised his hand and rolled his eyes. "I'm not trying to be an ass, Ronson. I'm happy for you, but Tylane's tail, you have no focus lately. One whiff of⁠—"

"Ronson?"

I straightened and spun toward the door at the soft call from inside the library.

"Is that you?"

"Damnit," Niall hissed.

Only the fact that my intolerable half-brother was right kept me from charging through the open door. I had been…easily distracted as of late. More like obsessed with your omega, I thought to myself, a smile bursting onto my lips as Mairwen appeared in the frame of the doorway. I took a step toward her, guided by an immediate, imperative to touch the purple mark just peeking out of the collar of her new dress. The mark of my teeth, the bruise she let me refresh each night as we gasped and held onto one another with the endless urge to touch and taste and sate our mutual craving.

"Omega," I purred, wrapping an arm around Mairwen's waist and tugging her to press against me.

"Mairwen—Omega Cadogan," Niall corrected at my snarl. "I'm begging you. Lock yourself inside that library until dinner and do not let Ronson in."

Mairwen laughed as I growled, but she sobered as she realized Niall was serious. I had been late to two meetings Niall had arranged this week so far, it was true, but Mairwen hardly needed to sequester herself.

Except that my head was ducking, cheek nuzzling into her throat, tongue dipping out, and I tried to nudge her back inside the library where we could be alone.

She grinned, pushing at my chest. "I see. I am trying to do my own work here." Her hands caught my face and tipped it up until my vision was full of Mairwen's flushed cheeks and bright smile, her amber eyes glittering with humor and an answering need. "Quit making Niall's job harder than it already is, alpha. I will see you at dinner."

"In our rooms," I rasped as she lifted her face up for a kiss. I would've missed the slight flinch if I hadn't been so close to her already, but it vanished and Mairwen slipped free of my grasp too quickly, her delicately-shaped waist so perfectly showcased in her pretty new dress, making her hard to catch.

"Very well. Our rooms for dinner," she murmured.

I frowned in confusion as she ducked back into the library, shutting the doors quickly behind her. My shoulders hunched as a lock turned, snapping loudly into place, as if baiting me to break it open just to prove I could.

Niall cleared his throat, and I shot him a glare. He was the reason I wasn't currently kissing my omega.

"She's quite taken Cook in hand, you know. Our dinners have seen great improvement," he said, quietly and wisely moving out of reach. "You should consider attending one."

I snarled, but Niall only laughed, marching swiftly toward my office and leaving me to follow sulkily after him.

"I don't believe Alpha Feargus plans to bring his new omega, but there is some…expectation of seeing Omega Cadogan," Ewan said, chin propped on his fist, seated across from me at my desk.

"Torion took an omega straight away?" Niall asked from behind me at the same moment I blurted, "Expectation of Mairwen?"

Ewan glanced between us, and I restrained my growl as he addressed Niall first. "Weeks before any selection ceremony could be arranged, he claimed his right to another dragon's omega. The circumstances… Well, it depends on who you speak to. I believe he may have done the woman a favor. She'll remain at his keep, preparing for the impending rut."

I sat back in my chair, stunned. Was Torion trying to beat me at ill-advised actions? I was incurring the ire of my betas left and right lately, refusing to compromise. But I had never even so much as flattered a local beta's omega. Even my father hadn't gone that far, although there were rumors of extended affairs.

Ewan shifted in his seat and met my gaze next. "Gamesby and Palmer have been spreading information to the other isles, my lord."

"Rumors," I spat out.

Ewan hummed and shrugged. "Not…rumors so much as, well, the general opinion of local dragonkin on your choice of omega." I bristled in my seat, but Niall set his hand on my shoulder.

"Mairwen's made no real public appearance since you claimed her," Niall said.

"There hasn't been time," I muttered. And I had firmly banished Mairwen's old clothes, making it next to impossible for her to leave the castle. Not that I really wanted Mairwen leaving the castle. I barely tolerated these extended periods of tackling business and politics without her.

"Palmer and Gamesby have exaggerated her unsuitability, I suspect," Ewan said, waving a careless hand.

I stiffened, glaring across my desk at the Skybern spy who had served me well for many decades. He blinked, hands stilling on the arms of his provided chair as the air around me shimmered with restrained fire.

"No doubt," Niall said, calm where I could not be.

The next person who made any remark regarding Mairwen's suitability as my omega was going to meet my dragon's claws.

"Bring my omega here," I said, voice low and stony.

"I'm sure that isn't⁠—"

"Ronson, honestly," Niall sighed.

I twisted toward my brother. "Go to the library and bring her here to meet Mr. Dalton."

Niall's eyes just barely resisted rolling, but he left immediately, Ewan Dalton shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

"My lord, I meant no offense."

"I am aware of the general misconception surrounding my omega, Dalton. I only wish for you to make your own opinion. Meet her, and then share whatever gossip you like."

Ewan Dalton shrank in his seat and nodded. "Of course, my lord."

Niall must've flown down the halls, because it took him very little time to return. Perhaps he understood the risk to Dalton's neck if left alone with me for too long. The door to my office creaked, and Niall stepped aside, holding it open to make room for Mairwen's entrance.

"Omega," I purred, rising from my seat, Ewan hurrying to do the same.

Mairwen could not have responded better if she'd been trained for this moment. The call of her rich, hypnotizing perfume slowly filled my office as she approached. Her cheeks and chest were flushed, and she'd undone the long braid of her hair so that silken strands swayed against her back as she walked. She'd chosen one of the less rigid stays to wear under her dress, but had foregone the lacy fichu, leaving the swell and curve and shadow of her breasts exposed above her collar.

I held out my hand to her, only sparing a glance for Ewan Dalton when Mairwen rounded my desk, her thick lashes batting shyly against her blush.

The beta looked stunned, his nostrils flaring, one hand braced against the back of his chair. I didn't know what nonsense he'd heard filtered down from Gamesby and Palmer, but I was sure it bore no resemblance to my omega.

I'd been an idiot not to see the jewel Mairwen was right from the start, but I would admit privately that the subtle changes she'd undergone since I'd claimed her would make a significant impression on those in her acquaintance. The presence of her perfume alone would likely set Gamesby back on his heels.

"Mairwen, this is Mr. Ewan Dalton of Skybern," I said, wrapping one arm around my omega, stroking my other hand from the tip of her chin down her throat, the flush increasing at my touch, more perfume blooming eagerly. Mairwen blinked at me, her pupils growing wider, and it took her a moment to tear her stare from mine to notice the stranger.

She leaned back in my arms for a moment, shrinking. Then, as if catching herself, her shoulders and spine straightened, and she offered the dazed man a steady smile.

"How do you do, Mr. Dalton," she greeted, a pristinely creamy and delicate hand raising in offering.

I met Niall's gaze as Ewan stumbled closer, accepting Mairwen's hand and bowing low over her knuckles. Niall's lips twitched, and he nodded to me—a concession.

"Omega Cadogan, an honor," Ewan rasped.

I cleared my throat in warning, and the man jumped back, his legs hitting the seat of his chair. Mairwen looked back up to me, eyebrows slightly raised. I brushed my thumb down the line of her spine, wanting to dismiss Ewan immediately and reward her for…for being her, really.

"Mr. Dalton arrived with news of an impending Flight of Alphas," I explained. Mairwen's eyes widened, and she glanced between us, her breath catching and pressing her breasts to strain against the squared collar of her dress. "I think Mairwen ought to join me at the Flight, don't you, Dalton?"

The man huffed out a laugh, still gazing in shock at my omega. I twisted my arm tighter around her, tugging her chest to lean against me. He'd stared quite enough for my taste.

"I absolutely agree, Lord Cadogan," Ewan said, ducking in respect to me. I swallowed my growl as his gaze darted to Mairwen's round hips.

"I'm going to say something I think you won't like to hear."

My steps scuffed over the stone floor, and I shot an exasperated glare at Niall. We were on our way to dinner, which I had sent word to Mairwen would be in the dining hall, doing my best to ignore my brother's goading look.

"Have you considered not saying it?" I answered dryly.

Niall grinned. "Almost since the beginning."

I sighed and scuffed a hand over my face, wondering if I was about to come to blows with my brother. We'd done it plenty as young men growing up together. My father had even tried to set us against one another, although that had generally failed, for we were never enemies of one another more than we were enemies of him.

"I worry your regard for Mairwen will make her a target," Niall said, hands clasped behind his back, hidden under his tucked wings.

I blinked and continued walking. "Ah."

"I am happy for you, Ronson. And as you know, I said from the start that she was⁠—"

I shoved at Niall's shoulder, and he laughed as he bounced off the wall of the hallway.

"You think I shouldn't have introduced her to Dalton," I said.

"Not exactly. I trust Ewan's interest is in our favor. And I do think it's about time to correct misconceptions about Mairwen's suitability as your omega. But it isn't just tales of her remarkable perfume he's left here with. He'd be a fool to have failed to notice your response to her."

"He seemed awfully busy with his own response," I grumbled.

Niall shrugged. "Perhaps. But if it'd been Gamesby in the room today⁠—"

"I would've made Mairwen a target. Yes, I know," I rasped. We were nearing the stairs down to the dining hall and I slowed, shaking my head. "I wasn't expecting…" It was unfair to admit what I'd thought of Mairwen in the beginning. "She is…"

Niall reached for my shoulders, gripping me by the arms. "What she is to you, brother, is plain to see. All I'm saying is that perhaps you should attempt to make it slightly less so when around men we don't trust."

I frowned. Mairwen deserved to have me making a fool of myself over her in front of all of dragonkin, not just the isle. But Niall was right. I wanted her safe at my side for many years to come, not in the arrow sights of one of Gamesby's plots.

What if there is an heir? What if she didn't drink the tea? What if…

We reached the bottom of the stairs, and I stopped still. Mairwen was smiling, her arm wrapped around Beatrice's, the pair of them laughing softly. She twisted, glancing over her shoulder at me, eyes bright and welcoming, and my entire body lurched in her direction at the rough tug from within my chest.

She is mine.

I would do what I must to keep her that way.

OceanofPDF.com

Chapter Twenty-FiveMAIRWEN

“My lady."

"I have been wondering if perhaps the cream sauce and the souffle won't make the meal too rich after all," I said, chewing on my lip as I hovered over Cook Guinney's great tome. The pages open revealed a shocking collection of scribbles from my edits.

"Omega Cadogan," the older woman snapped.

I flinched and glanced up, and Cook sighed, gently prying her book from my clammy grip.

"There will be no more changes made to tonight's dinner, Omega Cadogan," she said with rare patience.

"I just want⁠—"

"It to be perfect. So you've said." If I wasn't mistaken, there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "And I will do my best for you, Mairwen. But you must leave my kitchen. Please," she added with a roll of her eyes.

I fidgeted, and her eyes narrowed. My lips parted, and the human woman made a not un-dragon-like growl.

"Yes, Cook Guinney," I relented with a sigh.

"Find your alpha, girl," the woman muttered, marching away, and I wasn't sure if she really meant me to hear the words. "Surely he can keep you out of my hair for a few more hours."

My lips twitched, and I twisted and wove through the busy staff of the castle. Her suggestion was not a bad one. Ronson had wrestled me back into bed when I'd tried to rise before the sun, and while Niall had caught him for a quick question earlier, I knew Ronson's aim today had been to soothe my nerves.

Which were rioting.

One would think I was preparing for the Flight of Alphas, not the simple dinner planned for my parents' visit. Except that I knew what to expect from my parents, and that was so much worse than the prospect of the unknown.

"There you are."

My breath caught and I gazed up the stairs to find Ronson at the top, his wings blocking the light from the windows behind them.

"More dresses from Miss Pettyfer arrived. I thought you might⁠—"

"Would you take me flying?" I called up to him.

He was quiet for a moment, and I caught a glimpse of his handsome profile, so strong and sharp. "It's chilly today…but yes, a short one. You wouldn't rather see the dresses?"

I hurried up toward Ronson. I was more used to the excessive climbing and walking this castle took now, but the flights of stairs still left me breathless. He caught my waist before I'd reached the top of the flight, and I laughed as he lifted me the rest of the way, clutching me to his chest.

"There isn't much I'd rather be doing than flying with you, if I'm honest," I said, looping my arms around his neck.

Ronson took me for morning flights when Niall wasn't dragging him to business straight away. I'd grown addicted to the wind against my skin, the view from high above the isle and the water, the touch of morning rays on my cheeks.

"I think you'd rather see the dresses," I teased.

"It's not the dresses themselves so much as you putting them on and taking them off again," Ronson said, grinning.

My right hand reached automatically for his cheek, studying the swell of his smile against my palm. I love when he smiles. I brushed the thought away before it could carry on, growing into something uncomfortably large and achingly heavy. I'd had to do that more and more often since the rut had passed and Ronson and I had become…

Still hungry for one another, sometimes shockingly so. But more than that too. We'd become friends. And I'd never had a friend who laughed when I was dry and sarcastic, who read books with me, who offered compliments and praise.

Certainly not one who made me tear at my bedsheets as I cried out their name, I thought wryly.

"Mairwen, if you keep looking at me like that, our flight will be very short indeed," Ronson purred, gazing up at me with hooded eyes.

"Flight first," I murmured, kissing Ronson's lips. "Seduction after."

He continued to purr as he carried me to the nearest balcony.

"My goodness, Mairwen, you will drain the alpha's coffers, putting on dinners as extravagant as this one," my mother trilled, pushing her pork nervously around her plate. She batted her lashes at Ronson at the far end of the table. "You really mustn't let our little mouse run amuck with your pocketbook, my lord. She does know better."

"Please, Lady Posy. Don't discourage Mairwen. She's made a world of difference to all our tastebuds," Niall laughed.

My mother's answering sound was uncertain, a small squeak of nerves as she caught Ronson's glowering expression.

The dinner was not going well.

Ronson had been calm to start, calmer than I, despite his best efforts to exhaust me in bed after our flight. He'd laughed as I changed my dress thrice, and growled and distracted me when I tried to lace one of my new corsets too tightly.

He'd greeted my parents warmly, shaken my father's hand, kissed my mother's cheek, guided them on a tour of the castle, which my mother had never visited before.

And then it began.

"Dear Mouse, with all these stairs, I'm quite surprised to see you're still so plump. You mustn't just laze about, you know."

Ronson had stopped dead on the stairs, glaring down at my mother, and it had been up to Beatrice to lead us on. She'd chosen the library.

"Mairwen's favorite room, of course," Ronson had said, stroking a hand down my back and resting it at my waist.

"Too curious for her own good, as usual, I expect," my father had bantered, laughing. "But I doubt Lord Cadogan has many of those silly novels you waste your time on, does he, Mouse?"

My tongue tied in my mouth, and my head ducked to hide my flush, Ronson's hand sliding away as he'd stepped in front of me almost like a shield.

"Mairwen and I read together nightly."

"Don't let her bore you with that drivel, my lord. Mairwen knows a man's interest doesn't extend to those trivial stories," my mother had cooed, taking my arm and drawing me to her side. "Goodness, Mouse, what are you wearing?"

Niall and Beatrice had tried their best, making up for my awkward silences and Ronson's souring mood, managing to get us all around the table. But even Cook's divine efforts at dinner hadn't distracted my parents, and the flavors I'd been so excited to arrange were now ash on my tongue.

Ronson cleared his throat, and my mother's nervous laughter died away, the entire table turning towards his words, forced out through almost clenched teeth as they were. "In every respect, Mairwen has exceeded my expectations of what an omega might be to her alpha."

For a moment, all the little slights and subtle chastisements of the evening melted away. Ronson's eyes caught mine, and the vision of him blurred slightly through grateful tears. I sat up in my chair, wanting to soar over the long table and into his lap.

"Very generous of you, Cadogan. Very kind indeed," my father said.

My eyes blinked, and I swallowed the stone in my throat, finding the food on my plate nearly untouched.

"Sir—" Ronson growled.

"You have been very good to us," my father continued. "I considered myself quite lucky when Mr. Evans stepped in and could be persuaded to take on our little mouse. But it was an exceptional honor, and quite a surprise, I might add" —he chuckled here and my mother laughed delicately in agreement, their eyes flashing fondly in my direction– "when you claimed her for yourself! And very considerate of you to settle things between Gryffyd and me."

Ronson's knuckles were white around his silverware. I'd left my own abandoned on the table, my appetite ruined for the night.

"I wonder, my lord, if you would be open to discussing a proposal I brought you some years ago," my father continued.

"Darling," my mother cautioned lightly.

My eyes narrowed, stare bouncing between them, and Ronson shifted in his seat, brow furrowing.

"A proposal?" my alpha repeated.

Niall was frowning now too, staring at my father.

My father chuckled again, but the sound was reedy and tight, not earnest. "Not long after you took the helm of alpha from your father, in fact. When you declared indentured servitude unlawful."

"Father." I sat up sharply, but only Ronson spared me a glance, not that my voice had come out more than a whisper.

"I understand your position, of course, my lord," my father said, waving a hand. "But if you recall my proposal—an amendment, if you will—to better those humans' conditions, provide some token payment⁠—"

"Father!" This time, there was no ignoring my voice. My mother called my name, but I ignored her, ignored the stares from everyone, even Ronson, as my father turned cooly in my direction. "Not only is this not the time nor place for you to propose business to Lord Cadogan, but on such a topic? I know it was your trade once⁠—"

"Mairwen," my father began.

"—but it was an immoral and cruel practice. You said yourself the terms were never designed to benefit the humans. There is no civilized society now that still abides by servitude, so how precisely would you propose finding⁠—"

"Mouse, you know nothing," my father snapped, a rare fire in his tone that set me back against the spine of my seat. "That trade you think so little of was what built the roof you resided under for nearly twenty-seven years!"

I wet my lips but couldn't find the words. Not before the alpha spoke.

"Omega Cadogan."

I blinked, looking at Ronson, but it was my father he was staring at with narrowed black eyes and fists clenched upon the table.

"My lord," my father murmured, ducking his head. "Forgive my daughter's temper. Our Mouse is softhearted and knows little of these matters."

"No," Ronson said, voice heavy and the word clipped. "Her name is Mairwen. Or Omega Cadogan. Not Mouse. And in fact, Lord Posy, your daughter—my omega—knows quite a lot. Not least of which is my position on indentured servitude. I am aware that the restrictions I placed on the flesh trade impacted your own investments, but no bond between us, no matter how precious," he said, eyes flicking to me and words rasping sweetly, before facing my father once more, "will influence my decision on that matter. I recommend, sir, that you listen to Mairwen's advice on this and drop the subject."

And with that declaration, coldly given and yet leaving me warm from head to toe, dinner resumed in silence.

My mother hummed as she sipped the second small glass of sherry I'd poured her and shot another hopeful look toward the parlor door. Beatrice had retired just a few minutes ago after carrying the lion's share of our after-dinner conversation, and I knew we were both only waiting for one thing at this point. For Niall, Ronson, and my father to join us, preferably only to say our goodbyes for the evening. My head was pounding and there was a tight ache at the back of my neck, and I must've been right that the dinner menu was too rich, because I'd only taken a few bites but my stomach had been turning ever since.

"I do worry for you, Mou-Mairwen," my mother stammered, carelessly tripping over my name.

I blinked at her, baffled that Ronson's sharp words at dinner had made enough of an impression for her to even try and correct the slip of the nickname.

"Worry?" I repeated.

Her eyes were watery, but they often were and the tears rarely spilled over. The implication of her sentiment was enough for my mother. "It's a terrible burden for a girl like you, Mouse, to be the alpha's omega. Everyone will be waiting for you to produce another alpha. And oh, my darling girl," she gasped out, leaning forward and clasping my hands in her feverish grip. Her voice trembled, and this time a tear, a beautiful one, did trickle down her cheek. "They are such terrible births. My mother lost a sister to the last alpha, you know. And so many other families lost girls too."

I swallowed hard, biting down the confession that itched at my throat. My loyalty was not to my mother now. It was to Ronson, my alpha. My omega knows quite a lot.

I straightened, squeezed my mother's fingers, and breathed slowly in and out, trying and failing to expel the ragged pain in my head. It didn't work, but it did make my voice steady when I spoke.

"Gryffyd Evans has lost a number of omegas in births as well, Mother. Many women are lost to dragonkin with every match." I searched my mother's lovely, smooth features as her brow furrowed. Did you drink the tea, Mother? Is that why there was only ever me?

"It's-It's true Mr. Evans was not what we might have wanted for you⁠—"

I pulled my hands free from my mother's grip, giving her a simple pat. "Things will turn out as they will. Ronson—Lord Cadogan—he isn't careless with me."

"He's very severe," my mother murmured, shaking her head and saying more to herself than me, "and you are such an unusual sort of omega."

I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw open the windows of this pretty parlor—one I met with Cook in to organize meals and took tea with Beatrice in, but still felt as though it belonged to someone else—and leap from the windows and take flight over the sea. Not forever, not like Francesca longed to leave the isle and seek adventure, but at least until my parents had loaded themselves into their carriage and returned home.

But I need Ronson to fly, and he was⁠—

A rumble of male voices approached from the hall, and my composure gave way, sinking me back into the cushion of the chair I sat in and drawing a sting of relieved tears to my eyes.

Please let this night be over, I thought, even considered shouting, as the door opened.

OceanofPDF.com