Omega’s Gamble by Claire Cullen

Chapter Twenty-One

The meal went betterthan Darien had hoped. Raine was more relaxed, chatty even, talking about things that were a little more personal than the bland topics he normally stuck to. He seemed genuinely interested in his new home, and Darien was surprised to find he’d read several books on the history of the island. It was an easy topic to get stuck into.

“Thorne is the real expert. Liable to talk your ear off about it if you give him a chance. Everything I know that’s not found in a book, I learned from him.”

“Like what?” Raine asked.

“Well, for a long time, we believed the original settlers stayed on the coast. Which made sense since they were sailors and fishermen. But more recent discoveries have challenged that belief. One of the oldest settlements we’ve discovered is right in the center of the island. It really threw our historians when it was found because it suggests so many possibilities.”

“Like what?” Raine asked, his eyes lighting up.

“Well, the arrival of the settlers over a thousand years ago coincides with the exodus of the western kings from the old kingdom. We’d always assumed that we were their descendants. But it’s beginning to look like the island was inhabited before this. Were the original population gone before they landed? Or did their arrival lead to them being wiped out? An even more intriguing possibility is that the two populations intermixed, and we are in fact descendants of both. Most of our historians flatly deny that last possibility. They put a lot of stock in our being directly descended from the western kings. But there is one, Linet, who dissents. Years before the settlement was discovered, he theorized that we were a blend of two civilizations.”

He had Raine’s rapt attention, their food forgotten.

“How did he come to that belief?”

“He compared the characteristics of our modern population with that of other populations descended from those western settlers. There are divergences, more than can be accounted for just by separation and time. For one, our language has a lot of words not found in other groups. You must have noticed by now. We also have peculiarities in our writing—sentence structure, grammar. And we have a second written language. It has almost completely fallen out of favor. The other historians long believed it was a language of the elite among the western kings, carried here in the boats, but they’ve never been able to find other examples of it outside this island. Then there’s the physical characteristics. Normally, colonized islands are derived from a small number of settlers. There’s a tendency towards homogeny—hair color, eye color. Other western descended islands have very similar traits in similar proportions across their populations. Not so us.”

“Then who were they?” Raine wondered. “These… natives?”

“That’s the question, isn’t it? Who were they, how did they get here, and what, ultimately, happened to them? Did they, as Linet believes, intermingle with the western settlers and become one people? Were they the ones who…” Darien trailed off, realizing he’d almost said too much. His father hadn’t yet given him permission to share the secrets of their kingdom, so no matter how much he longed to excite the omega’s thirst for knowledge, he had to bite his tongue.

“Maybe I could see it one day? The settlement?”

Darien grinned, relieved that Raine wasn’t hounding him about the things he couldn’t yet talk about.

“Of course. I’ll take you there myself.”

“But today, the gardens?”

“Today, the gardens. We’ll let the food go down and then swing by to collect Ferno before we head out.”

Raine’s eyes widened.

“Ferno?”

“He likes to go outside, doesn’t he? I think he’ll love the gardens.”

“Are you sure?”

“Most cats love the outdoors, don’t they?”

“No, I mean, are you sure about bringing him with us? You didn’t seem very fond of him before.”

“I actually like cats a lot,” Darien said. “The bigger the better.”

“Really?” Raine looked bemused. “You don’t strike me as a cat person.”

Darien thought of the variety of cat forms he could shift into. If only Raine knew.

* * *

It tooksome coaxing to convince Ferno to come outside with them. But the lure of the outdoors overcame the cat’s aversion to cold weather, and soon the three of them were traipsing toward the royal gardens, wrapping up warmly in as many layers as they could don. Even Ferno had a little coat of emerald green that one of the seamstresses had made for him.

As they climbed the stairs to the gardens, Darien couldn’t fail to see the stricken look on the guard’s face. This must have been the one who’d denied Raine permission to enter the gardens. He looked suitably chastened as they approached, so Darien didn’t do more than fix him with a stern glare as he escorted Raine through the gate and inside, with Ferno pushing past them.

They stopped a few feet past the gate to give Raine a chance to get his bearings.

“The outside paths follow the outer walls. They link up together on the other side of the gardens. They’re the best way to go if you just want to meander around. If there’s somewhere specific you had in mind, this path here goes right through the center of the gardens, with branches left and right leading to different places.”

“Which way do you recommend?” Raine asked, peering in every direction with fascination.

“It’s a lot to do in one afternoon, especially in winter,” Darien conceded. “There are a few places I’d particularly like to show you, if you’re amenable?”

“I want to see anything and everything. But it doesn’t all have to be today.”

“The days stretch out ahead of us,” Darien agreed. “We have plenty of time for you to grow to know and love these paths as much as I do.”

Raine gave him a shy smile. “I’d like that.”

They strolled down the center path, and Ferno trailed behind them. Darien took a risk and slipped his gloved hand into Raine’s. Raine startled a little, and then linked their fingers with a pleased smile.

“Which part of the garden is your favorite?” he asked.

“I’m saving that ‘til last. Here, this garden has some of the best winter flowers.”

They roamed from garden to garden, meeting no one. The king had been true to his word—they had the place to themselves.

Ferno disappeared and reappeared at regular intervals, pouncing on the occasional suspicious-looking leaf. He never strayed far, nervous perhaps in this new environment. Or not wanting to miss his chance to return to the warmth of the castle.

“What’s that?” Raine asked. Darien followed where he pointed, grinning. Right on schedule.

“That is the solstice garden. It was a gift to my great-great-grandfather from the island nation of Hailea, on the equator. They have the sister garden.”

He led Raine to the gate, using his handprint to open it. It was spelled so only those of the family could gain entry unless someone else let them in.

“Hailea has a garden of perpetual winter. We, on the other hand…”

He stepped inside and held out his hand for Raine to take. The omega took it eagerly and let himself be guided inside. Ferno streaked past their feet, tripping him, and Darien had to move fast to catch the omega. The gate shut behind them as he steadied Raine. The omega let out a gasp, grabbing onto Darien as he stared past him.

“It’s summer.”

“In this garden? Always.”

He helped Raine off with his warm outer layers before removing his own, knowing they’d both overheat within minutes. There were hooks on the gate where they could hang them. Raine was still staring around, spellbound. Ferno seemed equally as shocked, peering around the garden with suspicion.

Darien understood how they felt. The garden was in full bloom, as it always was, the summer sun beating down on them.

“It’s amazing,” Raine whispered. “How…?”

“The magic of the equatorial islanders. It’s quite something, isn’t it?”

“I don’t understand why you wouldn’t spend all day here in winter.”

“Perpetual summer might seem like a blessing, but when it comes to winter, it’s also a curse of a sort.”

Raine turned to him with a frown. “I don’t understand.”

“This, for all that it’s beautiful and special, isn’t real. Spending too much time here has its drawbacks. People don’t adjust to the change in seasons. They get withdrawn and sad and stop caring about much of anything.”

The omega groaned, reaching his arms above his head and stretching. “I wish you hadn’t said that. I was just thinking about how I’d like to live here until spring. Maybe even summer.”

Darien laughed. “You’re not the first to say that. A few minutes every day, or a few hours once or twice a week, is enough for most people. Helps boost the spirits during the winter months.”

“So some sun is good, but too much… makes you depressed?”

“More or less.”

“There’s always a catch, isn’t there?”

Without waiting for an answer, Raine took off at a run through the grass. He stopped and spun around on the spot, spreading his arms before he flopped down onto his back. “I’ve missed the sun.”

Darien found Raine’s carefree actions endearing. It was another glimpse of the omega behind the mask.

Ferno ran over to join Raine, nosing around his legs. Darien followed more slowly.

“Come sunbathe with me,” Raine called, beckoning him over.

“I—”

“Please?”

“Sure.”

He settled down on the grass next to Raine, staring up at the bright blue sky and feeling the heat of the sun across his skin.

“This explains why you and your brothers have a tan, even in the middle of winter. Your own private sun.”

“That might have more to do with being out on the coast most days. And the garden isn’t completely private—it’s open to everyone one day a week and on holidays,” Darien explained, feeling awkwardly like he was defending himself. “People come from all over the island to spend some time here.”

“That’s generous,” Raine said, turning onto his side so he was looking at Darien. “My father would never allow a peasant to cross the threshold of his gardens, not for any reason.”

“Doesn’t he have gardeners?”

“Specially trained in the Ludinia Botanical gardens for years before they’re even allowed to set foot in the royal gardens.”

“Those gardens must be something special.”

“They are. Or so I’ve heard. I’ve never actually been in them.”

Darien eased onto his side. “You’ve never seen your own royal gardens?”

“My father believed I’d poison everything I touched. He liked to keep me away from things he held dear.”

“That’s crazy,” Darien told him. As ridiculous as the idea of Raine’s father hating him for not being born an alpha. He sensed there was more to the story but was reluctant to pry.

“It could have been a proven lie, and it wouldn’t matter. The king’s word is law, no matter how absurd.”

“Things aren’t like that here.”

Raine’s smile was soft. “I’m starting to see that. But I want to pull my weight as a member of the royal family. I don’t want to be a burden.”

“You are not a burden.” He reached over and cupped Raine’s chin, stroking his thumb along the omega’s jaw. “You’re smart, and you’re beautiful.”

Raine’s lips quirked upward.

“You didn’t marry me for my looks.”

“I would have. If things had been different, I’d have married you for lots of reasons.”

Raine’s smile dimmed, his mask falling back into place.

“Like my wonderful conversation skills?” he said bitterly.

“Now and then, I catch a glimpse of the real you. What you hide behind that mask you were forced to wear. I want to see more. I want to know you. And I want you to know me.”

Raine’s voice was small, his eyes worried. “What if you don’t like what you see behind the mask? What if I’m not the kind of omega you want standing by your side?”

“Why wouldn’t you be? Anyway, what if it’s the other way around and I’m not the alpha you want to spend your life with?”

“I don’t think it matters. You have the power to change the course of your life. I’m just caught in the current. I’ve only ever been able to choose my direction once, and I did it blindfolded.”

Darien swallowed a sigh. He knew exactly what Raine was talking about—the choice that had brought Raine off the airship and into his arms. A choice he probably regretted but not enough to walk away. Darien was the devil he knew. Maybe he was less frightening than whoever Raine’s father had lined up to marry him. Or maybe the omega just wanted to be able to say that it was his choice.

“Of course it matters. We’re equals in this marriage.”

Raine scoffed and shook his head.

“I’ve never been equal to anyone, let alone an alpha. You don’t need to coddle me or sweet talk me, Darien. You should be angry that I tricked you into marriage.”

“Tricked me into marriage?” Darien wasn’t sure where this was coming from.

“I leveraged the family I was born into to get you to marry me without all the facts. You thought taking me as your husband would have tangible benefits for your kingdom. Diplomatic and trade connections. But none of that is true because of who I am to my father.”

Darien stroked higher on Raine’s cheek, loving the way the omega’s breath hitched at the simple touch.

“It was a clever idea. I’m guessing you knew there were three eligible alphas here, and that no omega ever got off the airship. We were your best chance of escaping your family. Besides, we were sort of planning to leverage your presence too. And not for trade and diplomatic connections.”

Raine looked curious rather than surprised.

“Then how?”

Darien had to be careful what he said. “We were hoping it would put pressure on Ludinia and the royal alliance to take action on the pirate issue.”

Raine’s surprise turned to amusement. “You thought Ludinia would see my being here as me being in danger? So that my ‘loving’ father would do whatever it took to protect me?”

“Something like that,” Darien said. Raine didn’t need to know their unfounded suspicions—not yet.

“So we both thought we’d get something from the marriage. I got what I wanted, but you seem to have gotten the short end of the stick. If anything, my father’s going to go out of his way to make things harder for you and your family. I’m sorry for that.”

Darien shook his head. “That’s not your fault. Besides, things were getting worse all by themselves. The pirates are more numerous and better equipped…”

“You mean the spelled ships?” Raine’s eyes lit up with cautious interest.

“You heard about those, huh?”

“Word gets around.” He looked like he wanted to say more but then he subsided.

Darien turned back to the topic at hand—the circumstances of their marriage.

“Any anger I have about our marriage is aimed at my father, not you.”

His words were met with doubt and uncertainty. He couldn’t blame Raine for his distrust. It would take time for him to learn that Darien was a man of his word.

“And now that I understand your situation better, I feel even more strongly that you don’t hold any blame for the situation we find ourselves in.”

“Why?”

“Because you were brave enough to strike out on your own. To defy your father. That took courage, Raine. I like that. I… I like you.”

A slow smile crossed Raine’s face. “You do?”

“I do.”

He nudged the omega’s chin up, leaned in, and pressed a kiss to his lips. Raine pulled back, wide-eyed, and Darien thought he’d made a mistake. But then the omega smiled and dived right back into the kiss. Darien’s hand slid from Raine’s chin to the back of his neck, steadying the omega as he deepened the kiss.

Around them, the sun shone, the birds sang, and the world faded into the background.