Page 137 of The Other Omega

“I know, sweet Omega.”

I stayed there until I felt a little less like crying, then finally let him go.

Lucien messaged me before lunch.

Lucien: My darling, Darius told me what happened. You asked me to wake you, and I chose not to because I believed sleep would be better for you. I was wrong to dismiss your request.

Lucien: I’ve also allowed my work to consume the time I should have protected for us. I’m sorry.

Lucien: I’ve arranged cover for the first hour after breakfast tomorrow. I would like to spend it with you. If that hour doesn’t suit you, we’ll choose another.

The next morning, Eira woke me at the time we’d agreed. I tried to sit up for his visit, only to feel so sick that I had to lie down again.

I’d spent days trying to see him, and now I couldn’t even sit up for it.

Elowen: I’m sorry. I don’t think I can manage this morning.

Lucien: Then we’ll find another time.

By the afternoon, another message appeared.

Lucien: I love you, my darling.

Elowen: I love you too. Could you come and sit with me? I still want to talk about what happened.

Lucien: I’ll be there shortly.

I put the pad down and tried to make myself look slightly less like I’d spent most of the day in bed. By the time he knocked, I’d given up on my hair and was sitting with his shirt pulled over my knees.

“Come in.”

I reached for his hand when he came to the side of the nest.

“I know you wanted me to rest. But I asked you to wake me, Lucien. I feel like we keep ending up in the same situation. I don’t want to have to get really upset before you listen.”

“You should not have to.” He sat beside me when I made room. “I was wrong.”

I looked down at our hands and ran my thumb over his fingers.

“If there’s a reason you think I should do something different, just tell me. We can talk about it. And I don’t want all our time to be five minutes when you’re exhausted.”

“Neither do I.” He kissed my forehead.

I leaned against him as he put his arm around me, resting my cheek on his shoulder. After so many days of barely seeing him, I just wanted to stay there a bit longer.

“Just… don’t do it again.”

“You have my word, my darling.”

I turned my face up and kissed him.

I couldn’t quite get comfortable, though, and after I shifted again, he glanced towards the chairs.

Then his wrist pad lit.

“Do you need to go?”

“In ten minutes. I’ll return this evening. Would you like me to wake you if you’re asleep?”