by Zoey Ellis
Emric nodded, but the way he was blinking suggested he was completely shocked by Malloron's instructions.
“Where is Banon?”
Emric suppressed a smile. “He went to check on the chambers.”
“How do you feel about that?” Malloron asked, watching Emric closely.
Emric shrugged. “I'm not completely comfortable with it, but he takes pride in it. So, it makes sense for me to support him so he is happy.”
Malloron nodded thoughtfully. “For now I need him there. But if in the future there is ever another job that he would prefer to do, I would be open to discussing it.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Emric said, somewhat relieved. “I'm not sure that he will do that for me, but if he has the option at least it’s something we can discuss.”
Malloron nodded thoughtfully. If Banon did indeed ever leave the pleasure chambers for Emric, that would be a big gesture. He had been working in that environment for years. And yet, this was the kind of behavior that mates expected from each other. Out of the two of them, Emric's position was more important. Even if Banon was the Alpha, he had to make a decision about whether he was going to stick with what he was doing or leave for Emric's benefit. And Amara had to decide the same thing.
“Thank you for your support with him,” Emric said, his voice low. “I wouldn't have given him a chance without you. I hope I am as happy with him as you are with Queen Amara.”
Malloron snorted. “I'm sure you are happier than we are at the moment,” he remarked.
“I don't think so,” Emric said, a sly grin on his face. “Whenever she talks about you, it is clear how she feels. You just need a nudge, like Banon and I needed.” He hesitated for a moment. “If we decide to have a ceremony for our bonding, do you think you would attend?”
Malloron blinked, his brows lifting in utter surprise. He was speechless for a moment. Something at the back of his mind told him this was an inappropriate question—that members of the royal family should not be invited to their servant’s private ceremonies. But the nervousness on Emric’s face made him push it aside. “Of course I would. I would be honored.”
A spark of joy lit up Emric’s entire body. “Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, thank you.” He turned and headed down the corridor, his giddy excitement clear with every step. Malloron watched him go, a grin growing on his face. He couldn’t recall seeing Emric like that before, and he deserved it.
He turned and headed toward Duke Valinor's cell. It was time to address the things that Amara had said to him about him being capable of ruling. He couldn't deny there was truth to some of the things she said. Everywhere he looked, there was an example of it, even down to what Elion had told him about his childhood. When his mother was happy, her children thrived. And when she wasn't, they didn't. He bore the brunt of that, and although he didn't believe that he turned out worse for it, it certainly made him less desirable to his mate. That could not be denied.
Furthermore, this was the moment he had been waiting for; to rule the entire Lands. And to do that, he had to recognize the failings of the previous system. What was the point in being the king of a hostile and contentious Land where spies could penetrate his home and where many relied on the discord between the ruling powers to get their way? He needed his Land to be different—he needed it to thrive.
When Malloron entered the cell, Duke Valinor shakily got up from his seat. He seemed to have lost his proud edge. He was slimmer, and a haunted look dominated his expression. “You did not need to do that to Brecc,” he said, his voice strained.
Malloron could have laughed. So that's what had him frightened. “Everything Brecc received, he deserved it,” he said. “You do not need to feel sorry for him.”
“He was only scared,” Valinor said, his voice quiet. “He was scared you were taking everything that he was owed. He was scared that you would put his people at risk. He was scared that he would have to end up bowing to the royal family when they had no true power. He did not deserve to have his hands crushed into stumps.” Valinor's eyes lifted to Malloron's. “He didn't deserve to have his tongue pulled from his head.” He turned to look back at the wall of the cell, horror on his face. “He dribbles constantly,” he whispered. “He dribbles blood. He cannot speak, he cannot even open his mouth without blood pouring out.”
“He put himself in that position,” Malloron said sharply. “He could have ruined this entire Land with the energy you allowed him to build. And he learned dangerous magic that could have destroyed us all. He dared to speak and use it to try to tear down my rule so I took his tongue.”
“And his hands?”
“He touched my Omega.”
Valinor gasped. “You have an Omega?”
Malloron inclined his head. “She is the queen.”
Valinor's face stretched in disbelief. “That is what she was,” he rasped. “That is why Brecc was so obsessed with her.”
“Yes. And now he has learned his lesson. He will not survive the week. I hope you won't make the same mistake.”
At that, Valinor swallowed. “I have no intention of taking your Omega, or your queen, or any woman that you want,” he said slowly. “My only concern is my people, and making sure they are not disadvantaged.” He exhaled a slow breath. “I know I haven’t been the greatest ruler, Your Majesty,” he said, his voice low, “but I took on the role of duke to ensure DarRojan and its people remain strong and I still intend to do that.”
“And what if I could support that,” Malloron said slowly. “Would you be willing to support my rule?”
Valinor exhaled heavily and shook his head. “You know as well as I, that has never worked before.”
“What if it could? What if we could find a way?”
“Is it true you own the most popular merchants in every country?”
Malloron stiffened. How the fuck had he known that? He dipped his head in a nod to confirm it. “So you understand that I am being gracious in asking for your support when I could just force it.”
Valinor shook his head and exhaled. “You being a decent ruler to the Western Lands would require you to care about the concerns we have. It would require you to think beyond the throne and the Visant rule. I’m not sure I believe you can do that.”
Malloron pushed down the anger that arose at his words. “Do you think I would put myself in a position to rule, only to ignore what the Lands need?” But as he spoke, he remembered Elion’s future wife, Kyus. She had implied that many things had gone unnoticed in the Lands because the rulers were too concerned about themselves. He was at the center of that because all the rulers were concerned about him—it was the reason she had helped him.
“I don’t know,” Valinor admitted. “You have never shared anything with us about your intentions for the future.”
“And if I did?” Malloron said evenly. “If I shared my vision with you and you ruled by appointment of the Visant family?”
Valinor quietened, his eyes flicking up to Malloron’s, this time thoughtful. “Then I would be open to supporting you. As long as it was possible for me to negotiate for the needs of DarRojan.”
Malloron nodded firmly.
“Also,” Valinor added, “as long as your queen is involved in the negotiation.”
“Why?” Malloron said sharply.
Valinor pressed his lips together, his eye steady on Malloron’s. “She has been honest.”
***
“I’m keen to get back to the Southern Lands. What is taking so long with the restrained?” The shinno watched Malloron from his usual spot on the couch in the middle of his room. This time the room was empty, which Malloron took as a sign of respect.
During the panic of the citizens of the Western Lands, when Malloron was expected to calm them with a broadcast, some of the shinno’s men were attacked and a few killed. The shinno, while being understanding to some degree, especially when it came to the Alpha rut, was still very annoyed about the fact that deaths had occurred, but there wasn'
t much Malloron could do at the time, and certainly nothing that he could do now.
“The restrained have to be reconditioned to follow the instructions of your chosen people,” Malloron explained. “I had been waiting for your approval of them before starting this reconditioning, but they are undergoing it now.”
“How long?”
“Another two weeks at the minimum.”
The shinno nodded. He leaned forward, eyeing Malloron. “Are you satisfied with the way things went?”
Malloron nodded. “Thank you for your assistance, and for allowing me to claim the warriors early,” he said, ignoring the uncomfortable unfamiliarity of the words. “I would not have been able to gain the power I have over the Western Lands without you.”
“I'm interested to see what you will do with this power,” the shinno remarked, leaning back. “From what I've seen so far, you are letting the Land descend into mayhem. I'm confused by this plan of action.”
Malloron swallowed the urge to tell the shinno to mind his own fucking business. “I have only just come to an agreement with a significant ruler of the Western Lands,” he explained, tightly. “I am attempting to ensure that the people of the Lands are safe while we negotiate, and then I will make an announcement.”
The Shinno nodded, and rose from his seat. “Then I assume we will formalize your entry to the Nyek tribe in the meantime?”
Malloron hesitated. “Before I join, I need to know exactly what you expect from me.”
The shinno's face darkened. “I expect everything that you expected from me,” he said sharply. “Loyalty, resources, reliability, skills, men, and anything else it would take to help me achieve any goal I need your assistance with.” He glared at Malloron, a silence building between them. “Is that a problem?”
Malloron was silent for a moment. “I must admit,” he said slowly, trying to come to terms with how uncomfortable this made him, “this is new for me. I cannot guarantee that I will be as you expect me to be.”
The shinno held his eyes. “I am aware of that,” he said. “I accept that you may do things differently here, and that you are not understanding of what it takes to be a good tribe member.” He stepped forward slowly, closing the gap between them. “But just know this, any time that you are thinking that it would be easier to deceive me, any time you wonder if there is any worth in this alliance, any time that you think it would be easier to just dismiss anything I am asking for, I want you to think of what I did for you to get your Omega back. And I want you to know that I would do it again any time you need me to, without hesitation.”
Malloron nodded slowly, the uncomfortable feeling within him trickling away as he recognized the fierce determination in the shinno’s eyes. He had seen it before in Emperor Drocco’s eyes when he was determined he would get his Omega back. The shinno was pledging his allegiance to Malloron, and offering more than just men—he was offering his assistance and constant support whenever he needed it. And Malloron couldn’t deny that felt strangely comforting. He decided to give the shinno a chance—if he disappointed him, it would be cause to break the alliance.
Malloron lowered his head. “I very much appreciate that, shinno Kardos,” he said, his voice low. “I am truly honored to have your support and I offer mine in return.”
CHAPTER TEN
AMARA
Malloron's behavior had changed, but only slightly. He touched her differently and started kissing her again, which she was overjoyed about, but he didn't speak to her. It was as though he decided not to communicate with her at all, even though he had clearly decided to treat her as a mate should. He spent the nights with her, in his arms, and allowed her to touch him and kiss him as much as she wanted to. When she woke in the morning, he was still there, and she found herself delighted by that simple fact. She shuffled with the pillows and blankets, trying to get the right positioning for him, and he let her do it—seemingly amused by her fussing as if it was pointless. When she laid with her back against his chest, she pressed his palm against her stomach, wondering if he could feel the vibration the way that she could. Sometimes it trilled inside her, sometimes it was a slow wave, sometimes it was a busy, buzzing vibration. But she could only truly feel the subtle differences when he was there. When he wasn't, it faded into the background with the other vibrations in her, which she found disappointing.
As such, the pregnancy began to excite her. It made her think about Cailyn and whether she had given birth to her child yet. It made her think about the Mothers and her upbringing. It made her think about Victoya and Taherah and all the other Omegas she had known growing up. She wanted her children to have a happy and joyful life, free from pain and suffering… and that brought her back to Malloron. If she could convince him of the importance of family, maybe she could still have all the things she dreamed her children having. But she didn't know how to do that. All she could do was try to convince him that she would be a good mate to him.
So she indulged in him, and encouraged him to indulge in her. He was inside her all the time. He took pleasure in sucking on her everywhere he pleased. And she took pleasure in his pleasure. Hearing him orgasm was one of the most erotic sounds she had ever heard, and his grunts and growls as he pinned her open, taking pleasure in the deepest core of her, could make her orgasm alone. Something was different between them now, more heightened, and she wasn't sure whether it was the pregnancy, the bond, or just the fact that they were finally in her nest as they should be. She couldn’t completely ignore everything that was unsaid between them but she also didn’t want to upset the delicate balance they’d found.
One morning, she lay in his arms as he stroked his hand through her hair.
“You said there were a lot of different vibrations happening inside you at the same time,” he murmured. “Apart from the soul-bond and the babies, what else is there?”
Amara chewed her lip for a moment before answering. She had never told him that she could feel him with the tenebris, but there was no point in keeping it from him now. She explained the process of connecting and disconnecting from him, and that when she was connected, she felt him inside her.
He silently digested the information. “And you can no longer disconnect from me?”
“No. It's very difficult to even pinpoint that vibration separately from the others.”
“So everything is the same as it was before?”
“No,” she confirmed. “Whenever you are with me, the babies’ vibration feels stronger, more defined. But when you’re not they fade away into the others.”
Malloron said nothing more and Amara lifted her head. “Please tell me what the tenebris is,” she murmured, staring into Malloron's eyes.
He growled and grabbed the fleshiest part of her ass tight. “Why are you so obsessed about that?”
“Because it’s inside me, Malloron,” she said, trying to explain. “I want to know what is inside me with my babies and my bond with you.”
He squeezed her ass harder, until it hurt, but he didn’t speak.
She stroked his chest. “I cannot trust you until you trust me, Malloron.”
“I already tried that, Amara,” he said, sharply.
She nuzzled her nose into his neck, trying to ignore the pain of his grip. “Let’s try again,” she whispered. “Please. Let’s try.”
The Alpha exhaled gruffly and he released her ass. He rubbed it to soothe it for a long moment, and then spoke. “The tenebris is the childrens' magical energy.”
Amara frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. The tenebris is the energy that comes in the children's ability to use magic—their Talent.”
Amara gasped and lifted herself up from him. “But children can't use magic.”
“Not true,” Malloron murmured. “Children shouldn’t use magic. But they can if they are taught.”
Uncertainty began to flutter around Amara, and her heart sped up. “And did you teach them magic?”
“No.”
A heavy sigh of relief escaped her. Teaching children magic was illegal in the Western Lands and frowned upon in the East. It shortened their lifespans and made them crazy at a much earlier stage than if they learned it when they were older. It was basically a death sentence, and almost every single society that she was aware of looked down upon it and condemned those who did it. Not only did children have a wilder and more vibrant Talent when they did learn it, but they usually had no self-control and could be dangerous to both themselves and others.
“So who taught them?”
“Usually it's their parents,” Malloron explained. “Sometimes if they are desperate for money, they teach their children the Talent so that they can swindle others or create some kind of entertainment that people pay for. There are those who get sexual gratification from watching children wield magic, or more commonly, watching children have sex with magic.”
Amara contorted her face in disgust. “Sex with magic?”
“Yes,” Malloron said. “That used to be a frequent practice in the Western Lands when my grandfather ruled. As you know magic can create shape and form, and as you know, this Land likes to experiment with new sensations.”
“So how come this didn't continue?”
“Because I didn’t let it. It would have made magic too prevalent in the Lands,” Malloron said. “It was already starting to happen. Magic was privately being distorted and experimented with in all kinds of ways to satisfy the need. And if I was going to become the best Talent-crafter, I couldn't have anybody else using it to that degree.”
“So that's why you created the pleasure chambers,” Amara finished.
“That is one of the reasons,” Malloron agreed. “Not the only reason, but it did help to solve the problem.”
Amara was silent for a long time. She could barely believe that people were doing those kinds of things with magic, let alone with children. “So you use that energy of the Talent in the children? And they don't die or go insane,” she murmured in deep thought. “So you’re helping them really?”