Chapter 4 - Betrothed

Linus suppressed a sigh as he strode through the lavish halls of his family home.

The walls were hung with grand tapestries and glittering vases sat in every nook and cranny. It was a far cry from his preferred haunts of dark taverns and the cold beauty of a night out under the stars.

Still, you couldn't help who you were born to and he couldn't deny using his privilege over the years.

The youngest son of the King was a prestigious position. Also, as boring as it was stifling.

Linus would have renounced his claim to the throne years ago if his father had allowed it, he had three siblings in line in front of him to keep the line going. He was the backup of a backup.

The King had refused to allow him to cast off his family ties, but it had its perks. It had allowed him the best tutors throughout his childhood without the pressure to conform to the rules.

No one had foreseen him forming a mercenary band, but he discreetly took care of the crown’s dirty work so no one said anything in the rare instances he visited.

Their fee per mission was a veritable fortune and his father left him alone to his own devices until he had a problem that needed to be removed. If the crown suddenly became short on enemies, then there were always feuds between nobility that lords would pay a pretty penny to end in any way possible.

The Silvermist Company was doing well; business was booming and they had nearly amassed enough coins to look at setting up a permanent base of operations.

Yet Linus doubted that was why his kingly father had requested to see him. The royal network of spies had picked up his presence as soon as he walked through the city gates and he had been not so politely dragged off to the palace.

He wasn't as surprised as much as he was annoyed that the prospect of rest and relaxation was delayed.

The grandeur of the palace always set him on edge. It was only a pretty front that hid the intrigue and blood underneath. At least the seedy places he frequented were upfront about their unsavory nature.

The tall alpha nodded to the guards stationed outside his father's quarters and they bowed low in return before one knocked to announce his presence.

“Your Majesty, Fourth Prince Linus Blaise Eli Featherine has arrived."

Linus's eyebrow twitched at his full name and title, and he longed to be back with his men and his simple name of ‘Boss’. They all laughed at the airs nobility put on and would tease him mercilessly if they saw him now.

He prayed that he could make it a quick visit as he strode into the entertainment room his father used for more personal guests.

“Father," he said stiffly by way of greeting before pausing as he scented the air.

Omega?

His father sat in a large armchair as stiffly formal as if it were his throne. The usual robes of his attire had been removed in favor of more casual wear although it would still be enough to warrant a mugging if he stepped out into the slums.

However, it was the black haired omega sitting across from his old man that caught Linus's attention.

The omega’s gaze was fixed on the floor and his shoulders were so tense they almost reach his ears.

The alpha recognized that look; it screamed he was out of his depth and intimidated by the power his alpha father radiated even when at ease.

“Linus," the King returned as he beckoned him forward. “It is good to see you looking well."

“And you," he replied distractedly, trying to work out why there was a young unbonded omega in his father's sitting room.

“How unusually polite," his father said dryly before moving his attention to the young man as well. “Allow me to introduce you to Skye Lavender."

Linus immediately noted the lack of title that symbolized nobility.

A commoner?

Yet he seemed well dressed. His clothes weren't ornate, but they were well made and new, they wouldn't be out of place on a well-to-do merchant.

The stranger’s skin was fair and the alpha in him could smell the soft, sweet tones that told of the stranger’s omega status.

Only few of the working class had the time or money to spend on such luxury as regular perfumes. This one was a natural scent.

“He is to be your mate."

The alpha's head whipped around so fast at his father's words that the muscles in his neck twinged in protest.

“Oh? Surely you did not think my threats all these years in jest?"

“Considering it has been years, Father, forgive my surprise," he replied, struggling to get back the usual aloof demeanour he wore like armor around his family.

“You should be glad I allowed you to dally as you pleased until now. I even took your preferences into consideration," there was a hint of humor in the King's expression that belied the formality of his words.

Of course, he would enjoy Linus's obvious shock. It must be a nice change to the frozen faced courtiers.

“Skye is an Aldean Healer; I trust you remember your studies enough to know what that is?"

Involuntarily, Linus's eyes widened in shock.

Gift of Diyaris were rare and even in all his travels, he had never met someone with one. Yet, before him sat an omega with one of the greatest Diyaris of all.

“A healer who can cure wounds without medicines or herbs. That is a rare gift. A pricey gift," his father replied with a stern look, all hint of amusement vanishing. “I paid his dowry four years ago, then paid for his training in Aldea. Seeing as you still haven't found a mate in that time, he will be your omega. Such a gift will be a boon to your Company, and I don't have to deal with the fall out of a noble left to languish in the capital as you avoid the city, and your familial duties, completely."

The omega- Skye- shuffled in his seat, looking uncomfortable being talked about, but not directly to. He still hadn’t looked up and Linus wondered if it was because he was scared or too unsure of the rules in such a foreign setting.

Anxiousness rolled off of the omega in waves, but the Prince ignored it in favor of rounding on his father angrily.

“I don't want-"

“I do not care what you want.”

He was immediately cut off by his father. 

“You have one duty in life and that is to produce a legitimate heir for the royal line of succession. Few are so lucky to be able to do what they want while still doing their duty."

“I have three older siblings," Linus protested, reopening an argument that had been reoccurring every time he visited since his early teens. “That were all bonded and also had their own children. What does it matter if I choose to stay unbonded?"

“And I was number six of nine in line for the throne, yet here I am, the King, with only one sibling left. Don't underestimate our enemies or their cunning. Of all my children, you at least, are likely to survive any attempted takeover. That is if you survive your mercenary career, which is why your chosen omega is an Aldean Healer. This is not a discussion. I do not make idle threats and you've had plenty of time to choose your own mate."

Linus opened his mouth to issue another useless protest but the cold, unyielding look in his father's eyes stopped him.

It seemed like it was time to pay the price of running away from his family problems all these years.

Glancing back to the omega, he frowned. He didn't want to force a bond but the fact that he sat there willingly suggested he knew what was coming.

“You should be glad I’m not asking you to bite him now," the King continued. “I wouldn't put it past you to worm your way out of the commitment if left on your own. However, there are better ways to complete such things. Your uncle will accompany you tonight and I expect a report back about your mating mark tomorrow."

The King waved to a servant hovering near the door and the woman ducked out wordlessly.

“No need for a ceremony that will only upset you both, but I trust you are man enough to do your duty?"

Linus bristled at the slight but was interrupted as the door swung wider to allow another alpha through.

His uncle must have been notified of his arrival in the palace and been waiting outside.

The friendly alpha smiled at Linus as he stepped into the room, at ease in his older brother’s intimidating presence.

“I hear congratulations are in order and I get to be the lucky one to preside over the evening!" Keigo mockingly exclaimed, clearly in on the proceedings already.

Linus grunted in reply but held his tongue. He knew all too well how far his quick temper got him with his father and the case was closed long before he walked into the room.

There had been years to change his mind or find his own bride, yet here he was, lumped in an arranged bonding with a petite male omega. At least his healer abilities would be useful to his ragtag band.

“Make sure the deed is done by morning. I want the matter settled once and for all."

He wasn't sure if that statement was aimed at himself or his uncle, but Keigo was the one who responded.

“I'll keep a good eye on the new couple, don't you fret. Now, come along nephew, I'm sure my brother has other things to do beside scolding you. And to my new nephew, welcome to the family," Keigo’s voice gentled as he addressed the omega, the young man finally looking up.

His eyes were the brightest silver Linus had ever seen.

So strikingly bright that he could see the colour even standing a few paces away. They were alive with expression and intelligence, and he idly wondered if it would be possible to drown in the intensity of them.

Raven hair and eyes of silver with a small, lithe frame and delicate fingers.

A beautiful combination that would put many of the court dandies to shame.

“Come, come," Keigo cajoled as he helped Skye to his feet. “If you don't already have lodgings, I would happily put you up for a night as a bonding present."

“It's fine," Linus replied distractedly as he got another whiff of sweet omega filling his senses. “We are staying at our usual place."

“Is that really a suitable place?" his uncle questioned as they strode from the room. “I understand that there is to be no ceremony but even so."

Linus didn't look at his father or acknowledge his leave unlike the other two who bowed before leaving.

“He will have to meet the men sooner or later and that's the kind of place we stay when we travel. The Midnight Watering House might not match the sparkling views of the palace, but few places can. There are even fewer places around that won't send you broke just for a night's stay while keeping away the bugs and the rain."

Keigo huffed out an almost frustrated laugh. “Ever the practical one, hmm? Remember to spare a thought for your poor mate once in a while, yes?"

Linus's gaze flicked back to the omega trailing behind the two towering alphas, looking even smaller than before.

He seemed lost, and he tripped over his own feet when he looked up to find Linus's eyes on him. On instinct, the alpha's arm shot out to steady the omega.

“It's better than staying amongst the snakes of the court, Uncle," he replied.

Idly, he considered staying close to his soon-to-be mate, an arm around his waist to guide him would be expected of him, no doubt. Get them both used to being close to each other before the evening's activities.

The alpha in him screamed out to do so but he pulled away, uncomfortable with the thought.

It was too sudden, of all the things he expected from today, it was not this.

“And their top rooms are surprisingly comfortable."

“I'll take your word for it," Keigo looked between them, standing a careful distance apart and no longer looking at each other, then sighed. “Come on then, I could use a drink as I'm sure you both can."