AllFreeNovel
Share Us
To a man, we surge out of the tent and into the snowy forest, where a warrior with a bloody nose tries to tame a young woman. She wears form-fitting black leather armor on her curvaceous form, while her long red hair spills wildly over her shoulders like a fiery mane.
“Who the fuck is that?” Alfred demands, hands on hips as he glares at the source of the interruption. “What is wrong with you that you cannot manage one tiny female?”
“Sire! The lass has training. She disabled five warriors before we could subdue her.” The warrior thrusts the lass at his companion before pinching his bloody nose. “We caught her riding in the forest. She is a spy!”
The lass tosses her head, sending her red hair shimmering, and glares at the warrior. “Ha! It was a dozen. Had my dagger not become wedged, I’d have taken down a dozen more.”
I chuckle. I don’t mean to, but, well, she is a slip of a lass. Although, once I recognize her, I’m confident all she says is true. “This is Penelope,” I offer.
Alfred shifts his frown to me with an obvious effort. It did not escape my notice that he was doing more than glaring at Penelope.
“The princess,” I elaborate.
“Eh?”
The lass has broken his brain, for sure. “The princess of Pershore. She has a reputation for being a brat and disobeying the king’s orders. I don’t believe she was spying. Probably just up to mischief. Also, they speak true. She has been an apprentice of the Raven Guild since she was a child. They are skilled shadow warriors, and she has been trained in their ways.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Alfred mutters. “Bind the lass and put her somewhere until this is over.”
“She will get out,” I offer.
The lass smiles sweetly at Alfred. “I will get out. Then I will slit your throat in your sleep for daring to put your hands on me.”
Alfred grunts. “I have not fucking touched you.”
“Yet,” she says smugly, tipping her pert nose in the air. “You cannot trust your men, so you will be compelled to deal with me yourself.”
Someone snickers. I think it might be Jack Ralston, which is confirmed when the alpha king steps forward and puts a hand on his counterpart’s shoulder. “She is all yours, Alfred. I’ll go and speak to Axton and the centaurs, bring them up to speed.”
“Our meeting is adjourned.” Alfred cracks his knuckles, and a glint enters his eyes. “Looks like I have a brat to tame.”
ChapterSeventeen
Freya
“Sire, the omega is here.” The servant bows low as he announces me to the king when I enter the gilded drawing room.
The omega. That is what I am now, a nameless possession to be discussed as though I do not have thoughts or feelings.
The king turns and smiles. He is younger than I expected—a handsome beta with red hair and bright green eyes. He cuts an imposing figure in his dark blue jacket with silver embroidery at the cuffs and lapels. “Please come and have a seat, Freya.” To the servant, he adds. “See that we are not disturbed.”
The door closes behind me, and I still do not move.
Louie is one of many kings in Hydornia, all of whom bow to the high king who lives far to the south. His wealth is substantial. From what I have heard, he is one of the closer allies to the high king. I never thought about it much beyond my father being part of his army that served all of Hydornia at the borders to the north. I definitely never thought I would meet him. I still wish I hadn’t.
I’m an omega, valuable, and now I will be traded like some prize breeding stock.
“Please, Freya. Take a seat.”
What choice do I have? None. He has asked to talk to me. I should feel honored that he gives me this much courtesy before he hands me over to his favored lord or knight. At least it won’t be Marshal. It is a small bright glimmer upon the horizon that the corrupt lord has fallen from grace.
Bowing my head in subjugation, I walk over to join him. The crimson gown I wear is the finest silk and whispers around my legs in a perfect bell shape. The bodice is clinched perfectly to my frame courtesy of the skilled seamstress who modified the gown to fit my figure. Who it might have belonged to, I cannot say, but it is undoubtedly the most beautiful piece of clothing I have ever worn. I still want to rip it off, and would, were someone to offer me a simpler dress.
Louie holds a chair out. I sit gracefully at the inlaid mahogany table before the broad feature windows. Beyond is the city, a sprawling network of homes, towers, and steeples in cream and gray brick covered in a light dusting of snow. “Wine?” he asks, taking the seat opposite.
I nod, needing something to steady my nerves.
Another bowing servant emerges from the shadows. He fills two crystal glasses from a decanter for the king and me. I accept it with thanks, sipping the golden liquid that tastes like summer fruits and delivers a simmer as it hits my empty stomach.
