Page 134 of The Other Omega

I slipped out of the nest, put on my robe, and stopped at the kitchens on my way to fetch my General. Gilda and Ada were both there, with a covered tray waiting on the counter between them.

“Do either of you ever sleep?” I asked. “It’s the middle of the night. You’re here no matter what time I come in.”

“I rest when my duties are finished, my lady,” Gilda said.

“We wished to wait until you came for Master Alaric’s dinner before we retired,” Ada added.

Gilda gave her a sideways look as she lifted the tray, and I tried to hide my smile as I took it from her. It was heavy enough that I needed both hands under it.

“Thank you. You can both go to bed now.”

“Yes, my lady.”

I’d almost reached the door when I glanced back and found them still standing beside the counter.

“I mean it.”

“As do we, my lady.”

I had nothing more to say, so I carried Alaric’s dinner to the office, hoping they would leave now that I had. One of the guards opened the door as I approached, saving me the trouble of setting the tray down.

Alaric sat at his desk, with an officer beside him and three people finishing work at the long stone table. His jacket hung over his chair, and he’d rolled up his sleeves and opened his collar. His hair looked like he’d run his hands through it, and the shadows under his eyes made me want to get him to bed. I still slowed to admire him when he looked up.

He made room for both the tray and me without stopping the conversation, moving his chair back so I could sit sideways on his lap. I tucked myself against his chest and kissed his neck, breathing in his familiar scent while his arm came round my waist.

He continued in Kottarsht, his voice deep against my ear. I almost fell asleep before he sent everyone away. Finally.

“I’ll eat now, my heart.”

When I lifted the cover, I found that Gilda had added a small dish of sliced pear beside his dinner. I offered him a piece and leaned up to kiss him, tasting its sweetness on his mouth before taking a slice for myself.

He looked down as my night robe fell open. I kissed his jaw, enjoying how he was looking at me even as I reached for the tray.

“Dinner first, darling. It’s still warm.”

He picked up his knife and fork and took a few bites, but he must’ve sensed my uneasiness through the bond, because he set them aside and gave me his full attention again.

“What is troubling you, my heart?”

“I’ve been thinking about travelling between worlds. I mean, if I came here, does that mean I can go back? I want to find my sisters, Alaric. Or find a way to speak to them.”

I leaned my head on his chest.

“If there’s a safe way for them to come, could they live with us? I know you don’t know them, and we’d probably have to sort out their papers, ID, and everything. I just keep thinking they might not have to be lost to me forever, you know?”

I held his hand a little tighter, trying to picture them here.

“Nora would ask Lucien a hundred questions before he finished his tea. And Ivy would want to know if you’re looking after me properly.” I chuckled. “I think you’d like them, Alaric.”

“If we find a means of reaching them, we’ll examine it. I cannot promise that a safe passage exists, or that we’ll discover one. I can promise that your wish to find them will be taken seriously.”

“And the living with us part?”

“They’re your sisters. They would always be welcome in our home. Lucien and I would address their legal position with you. Leon would arrange what they needed. You would have our support.”

“All five of you?”

“We’ll speak to my brothers together. I have no doubt they’ll wish to help them.”