Page 203 of The Other Omega

“No.”

“You need not convince me otherwise. I recognise enjoyment as readily as you recognise potential.”

I looked at the open case before returning my attention to her.

“Please, my lord.”

The door opened again, and I rose to let the guards carrying my luncheon into the room. One brought a folding table, another a chair, and the others carried the food and tea.

They covered the table with a clean white cloth and placed bread and butter beside a glass of water, followed by polished cutlery and a plate beneath a silver cover. The guard adjusted my chair before lifting the cover to reveal roasted lamb, rosemary potatoes, glazed carrots and parsnips.

“Thank you.”

“My lord.”

Mireya tried to draw away when I signalled the two waiting guards to approach her. They secured a chain to each limb, leaving her stretched taut. She held my gaze as I sat and unfolded the napkin across my lap.

“No. Please.”

She pulled against the restraints while I poured my tea. I waited for the guard to finish checking them, then buttered a piece of bread. Mireya followed the movement of my hands, her breathing uneven as I took a bite.

The guards waited for my instructions. She looked from them to me, then shook her head.

“Please,” she whispered.

I took a mouthful of tea before meeting the nearest guard’s eyes.

“Begin.”

The guards went to work, and I cut a piece of lamb. Mireya’s scream filled the room, loud despite her damaged throat.

The first bite was excellent. It was still warm and cooked exactly as I preferred. Mireya screamed again.

This would be an excellent luncheon.

Chapter 43

Elowen

Seren stayed asleep as I laid her on the cot beside Vaela. I gently pulled my hands out from under her, then froze when her face scrunched up. Thankfully, she settled again without opening her eyes.

“That’s it,” I whispered. “Rest, darling.”

Her eyelashes were still wet from all that crying. She turned towards her sister, and Vaela wriggled closer in her sleep until their heads almost touched.

They’d changed so much in the five months since they were born. They had the cutest little rolls on their arms and legs now, and their personalities were starting to show, too.

“Poor little thing,” Eira murmured.

“I know.” Seren’s gums had hurt all day, and she’d struggled to eat. We’d tried her teether, a walk in the garden and hours of cuddles, but nothing soothed her. I hated holding her and knowing I couldn’t stop it.

Darius opened the door quietly and came over to the cot. He looked from Vaela to Seren, and his mouth tightened.

“I shall call Thaddeus again.”

“He examined her this morning.”

“She cried herself to sleep.”