Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 63709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
I’m right in the freaking middle of one.
NINETEEN
Bestian
The orb before me is blinking brightly, signaling an incoming communication. I ignore it for as long as I can, then finally wave a hand to allow the caller to speak to me.
It’s Frex, one of my senior council members. I promoted him because although he’s loquacious, he’s more efficient than the rest of my father’s council put together.
I still do not wish to talk to him.
“What?” I snarl.
“Your Majesty.” Frex squints out of the orb at me, even though his orb should show nothing of my visage. I do not allow my councilors to see me. “I have news. King Aurus sends his congratulations on your new queen. Your new Omega queen.”
I grunt.
“He sent a gift.”
“Let me guess. It was big. And gold.”
“And, for some reason, shaped like a tyrlee.”
“What?”
“A tyrlee is a four-legged beast of burden. Often used to ride upon, especially in the Forest Kingdom, where Alphas ride them to hunt. The tyrlee’s milk is also a good source of—”
“I know what a tyrlee is,” I snap. Ulf give me patience. “Why did Aurus send me a golden statue of one?”
“We have not been able to decipher the reason. The note attached by King Aurus mentioned it was his queen’s idea. We do know that it is hollow.”
Damn Aurus and his mind-games.
The councilor continues, “The Golden Queen also sent along her own gift—a glow orb in a peculiar shape. Her note said it was a lava lamp, and she hoped your queen would appreciate the gift. I presume the giving of lava lamps is an important human custom. Both gifts should arrive at your residence tomorrow.”
“Very well.” Rose will be pleased to have something from her people. Which reminds me, I must set up a meeting between her and the other human Omegas. Maybe this gift exchange will be a good introduction.
Frex clears his throat. “When do you wish to announce the coronation?”
“Never. There won’t be one. There is no need.”
“But the queen—”
“I never had a coronation. And I am still king, correct?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. But the people are curious. It would be—”
“My mind is made up,” I interrupt him. “Now, is there anything else?”
“Surely you plan to at least come to Medea City. So when can we expect to see you here?”
“Never.” None of my subjects will see my face again. They knew me as a prince. As a king, I have always ruled from afar, and I will continue to do so. The sooner they understand this, the better.
“Very well.” Frex sounds sorrowful. “There is one final matter.”
“What is it?” I snap.
“The Red Death. Many have recovered, but we’re getting reports that some are relapsing. We fear the curse might be spreading again.”
No. This is my worst nightmare come true. “Quadruple the number of magicians researching it. There has to be a cure. We will find it.”
“At once, Your Majesty.”
I end the communication, my head spinning. The Red Death has returned. And if people are relapsing, there’s a chance my medicine will no longer help them. Damn the Stone King and his evil magic… tormenting us even after his death.
A small orb displays a copy of my parents’ portrait on my desk. Even here, my father’s eyes are on me, reminding me of his last words to me.
When I am gone, you must take my place as king. Work every day to prove yourself worthy. Rule well, my son.
I wonder what he would do if he’d known the Red Death would come again? Would he have made the same choices, knowing his sacrifice would be in vain?
I flick my fingers and the orb goes dark. My parents’ image disappears.
I long to see Rose but I have work to do. I tried to cure the curse, so far I have failed. But I cannot stop trying. The fate of the kingdom rests in my hands, even if I am unworthy to rule them.
Rose
I'm in my study, which is now my favorite place in the palace. It helps that everything here is a little closer to my size. I feel less like Goldilocks.
Bestian has been incredibly busy lately, too busy to spend time with me. At first, I thought he was giving me a chance to recover from my last, draining cycle of estrus, but now it’s been days since we spent any quality time together. At night, I go to sleep alone, in the morning, I wake up with a still-warm, Bestian sized-dent in the bed beside me. I know he holds me while I sleep, which soothes me somewhat. He hasn’t completely abandoned me. I should be grateful for the reprieve, but it’s left me wanting. I never thought I’d miss his overbearing presence, but I do. When I encouraged him to be more of a king, I didn’t expect him to go from one extreme to the other.