Chapter Text
“We found one!”
Virgil’s head popped up from his book. He stared at his Ma and slowly blinked.
Queen Bella hurried into the room; her heels clopped like a show pony on the hardwood floor. Her eyes twinkled with that triumphant gaze Virgil loved and hated at the same time, and her lips pulled into a toothy smile.
“You found… what?” Virgil asked.
“A willing family,” she replied and clapped her hands. “Oh, there’s hope for my son yet!”
Virgil blinked. What? He sat up on his bed and kept eye contact with his Ma.
“What do you mean you found a willing family?”
“Well, you know that dramatic demand you gave us before you’d choose a mate? We finally found a family that was willing to participate!”
Virgil’s color drained from his face. “What?”
“I know! Isn’t it exciting! To think, years of searching and begging and we finally got someone to comply. This calls for a special celebration!”
Virgil’s mind numbed. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead as he gripped his pants legs. No, this… this was impossible. No one would ever- it was unheard of- why would they- it had to be a trap. There was some sort of trick.
“Ma, what exactly did you promise them?” Virgil asked.
The queen blinked and said, “I don’t understand.”
“No one parts with a male omega just like that,” Virgil growled.
“Believe me, I was just as surprised as you are,” she replied. “But, when we finally discovered this family had a male omega, it only took one letter to convince them! I mean, I did sweeten the deal a little bit and say if the omega wasn’t happy here he could return home without a question, but I’m sure we won’t screw it up-” her eyes narrowed- “will we, Virgil?”
Virgil swallowed and asked, “What country?”
“A small one off the coast of the northern shore called Herzensmoral. They tend to keep to themselves and only trade with one other country. I’m not even sure if they speak our language, but they wrote back to us, so I’m assuming someone does.”
Virgil stared down at his pants. He swallowed the vomit rising in his throat and drew a shaky breath.
“What- when is he arriving?”
“I’ve been told in the letters that he will be here within the fortnight.” The queen’s expression darkened. “Be on your best behavior when he gets here, and please, put some effort into trying to be the alpha you were born to be.”
The hairs on Virgil’s neck bristled. He bared his teeth, and the queen rose to her feet. Intimidation shrunk Virgil back with a whimper. Queen Bella gave a triumphant smile and ruffled her son’s already messy hair.
She continued, “I can’t wait to tell Nessa. She’s going to be so relieved we finally found a mate for you.”
Queen Bella walked out of the room with a giddy giggle and closed Virgil’s doors. It echoed through his silent room like a jail cell.
What.
Virgil collapsed onto his back and stared at the ceiling.
What.
He gripped the sheets of his bed and swallowed hard. Tears pricked his eyes, but he didn’t know whether it was frustration, gravity, or defeat at this point.
Did this really just happen? Was this some sort of sick joke? He better wake up soon because this was the worst nightmare he ever slept through.
Virgil rolled over onto his side. He blinked, and his dam broke. Virgil cried into his pillow. He didn’t care if he got eye shadow all over the white sheets. He didn’t care if he’d wake up with red eyes. He didn’t care if anyone heard him.
He didn’t care to be alive either.
A gentle knock sounded at his door, and Virgil held his breath.
“Virgil,” an unusually soft voice called from the other side, “can I come in? Please? I just want to talk.”
Virgil sniffled and swiped his cheeks with his hand. His fingers turned black, and he wiped them off on his shirt.
“I don’t care,” he mumbled.
A brief pause hovered between the two of them before Virgil’s door opened.
His younger brother, Roman, popped his head in the door and offered a shadow of his usual confident grin. He walked into the room, his feet barely making a sound, and sat at the end of Virgil’s bed.
“So… at least now you don’t have to have Ma on your back about-”
Virgil slammed his fists on the bed.
“I don’t get it! No one has ever wanted to part with a male omega willingly. No one! I mean, just look at how Ma and Mother treat you! You’re not even allowed out of the castle grounds, and this family just… gives up theirs? I don’t even know his name! But no, he’s getting saddled with a broken male alpha that probably won’t sire any pups with him anyway and-”
“Whoa, calm down there, Virgil! I thought I was supposed to be the dramatic one.”
Virgil’s breathing grew harsh and irregular. He curled his legs into his chest and leaned in close to his knees. His fingers wove into his hair. He pulled. He pulled until it hurt. Maybe if he pulled hard enough his head would come off and he’d die.
“Virgil, please, look at me. You’re going to be okay.”
“No, I’m not!” Virgil yelled. “I hate all of this! I just want everyone to leave me alone!”
Roman stayed unusually quiet and let his brother yell through his breakdown. He let out a long sigh and stared down at his hands.
“I might not understand what you’re going through, but at least you get a chance to be happy with someone,” Roman spoke low and cold.
That snapped Virgil’s head up. He clenched his teeth.
“Who says I’m going to be happy with him? I’m sure I’m going to make him miserable. I make everyone miserable. You said so yourself.”
“Okay, so maybe I was being a little harsh, but I didn’t mean you make everyone miserable. I just meant a vast majority.”
“Gee, thanks, Roman. I feel so much better.” Virgil rolled his eyes.
Roman sighed and shook his head. He put a hand on top of his brother’s own, and the warmth from Roman’s palm warmed Virgil’s frosted fingers.
Warmed but never melted.
“We’re going to get through this,” Roman replied. He offered Virgil a weak smile. “Cheer up. It could always be worse.”
Virgil snorted. “Yeah, I guess they could’ve forced me to be with a female omega.”
The smile on Roman’s lips flinched, and he patted Virgil’s hand. He stood up and straightened out his vest. Without another word, he left his brother in the silence he loved and hated so much.
–
The carriage hit another rock, and Patton flinched. He squeezed his hands tighter around his arms and swallowed his dry throat for the fifth time. The mountains rolled past them. Everywhere, grass lined the ground, and flowers hugged the path they traveled on. As far as he could see, the land stretched on for miles.
There was no ocean anywhere, but Patton already felt like he was drowning.
Patton caught his escort and bodyguard, Logan, staring at him again, and he forced a smile. However, he saw right through Patton’s faked grin and spoke up.
“I know you too well for you to fake your emotions with me, Patton. We are alone. There’s no reason to hold up the facade any longer.”
Patton’s smile slowly slipped off his face. He sighed and let his hands fall into his lap.
“I’m just… nervous. What if I’m not what they expect?”
“That’s why I’m going along.”
Patton giggled and responded, “Like you wouldn’t go along anyway. Mom didn’t even have to ask you.”
“Her Majesty did mention it was best if you traveled with an alpha to give you protection, as I always have. Besides, you’ll need someone who can translate for you while you finish your studies.”
“I’m getting better,” Patton mumbled.
“You are indeed, but you still mix up some words, and that can be catastrophic if you mix up the wrong ones and insult them.”
Patton nodded his head. He glanced out the window once again and let out a long breath. His eyes stared back at him in the glass, and he rested his forehead against the pane.
“What if he doesn’t like me?”
“Patton, everyone at home loves you. I’m sure Prince Virgil will be the same.”
“You know what I mean, Logan,” Patton replied.
The other side of the carriage grew quiet. Patton felt a hand on his own, and he pulled his head away from the glass. Logan’s expression was so soft that Patton wished he could take a picture and hang it forever.
“I’m sure if he truly loves you he won’t care,” Logan responded.
Patton sighed and nodded his head. He glanced back outside the window and watched the rolling blades of grass in the breeze.
At least the countryside was pretty.
For the remainder of the trip, Logan and Patton practiced the language Anglish, and Patton was proud to say he only forgot a few words. Sure, he wasn’t perfect, and his accent was rather thick, but he was doing his best.
Hopefully, Virgil was able to understand him.
The carriage slowed to a halt outside of the palace gates. Logan exited first, and he held out his hand to assist Patton to the ground. Patton took it and wrapped his hand around Logan’s forearm. Logan took it and escorted Patton inside.
The palace doors were made out of solid oak and rose three stories above their heads. The stone walls on the outside were gray like an ocean storm, and the purple flags flapped in the breeze above them, rivaling turbulent waves. The doors opened.
Inside, candelabras lit the dim hallways. The red carpet on the floor lead all the way to the throne room, or so Patton was told. The floors lined the walls with hardwood. The musty smell of rain hung thick in the air.
Patton gripped onto Logan’s arm tighter. He started to shake.
Logan glanced over at Patton through the corner of his eye and furrowed his brows. He perked the corner of his lip into a smile, but Patton didn’t reciprocate.
“It’s going to be okay,” Logan spoke to him in Herzen.
Patton sighed and replied, “I sure hope it is, kiddo.”
Logan smiled at the nickname and wished he could place a kiss to Patton’s hand, but he worried that the people here would see it as an act of marking. He was surprised they let Patton hang on him like this. The castle staff curled their lips and shook their heads. Logan was sure of the conversation running through their heads. ‘How dare he touch an omega that wasn’t his own, especially since he and Patton weren’t related?’
Patton may have faith in this country treating others fairly, but Logan knew better.
The doors to the throne room were covered in purple tapestry, and the two foreigners stopped outside. The guards on both sides of the door dropped to their knees and bowed their heads.
Patton’s mouth dropped open.
“No, please,” he said and struggled for the words to use. His eyes danced between the two guards as his lips floundered and eyebrows creased.
“Such a display of submission is not necessary,” Logan finished. Patton sent him a grateful smile.
The two guards looked between each other, their faces twisted in shock.
“Shall I announce your arrival?” the guard on the left asked.
Patton swallowed hard and looked over at Logan.
“Yes, please,” Patton answered.
The guard on the left rose to their feet, but the one on the right stayed kneeling. Patton couldn’t look away. Is this how the royal family expected others to treat them? By kneeling on the dirty floor and displaying submission?
The double doors swung open, and Patton stiffened. His grip on Logan’s arm constricted, and Logan held his head high. Logan waited for Patton’s first step inside, and the two walked as one into the throne room.
The queens of Angstorm sat on their thrones at the edge of the carpet. One who was adorned in a purple and silver dress stood from her chair. The thin fabric flowed behind her like rippling water, and she descended the stairs to greet them. The other queen followed a step behind her mate, her black dress bobbing like a jellyfish.
“Welcome!” the queen in the long purple dress spoke. “I am Queen Bella, and this is my wife, Lady Nessa. We are the rulers of this kingdom. Judging by your beautiful blue satin, I’d say you are his royal highness, Prince Patton.” Her eyes went from Patton to Logan, and her black painted lip curled into a sneer. “And who is this who holds the arm of my future son-in-law?”
“This is… my escort,” Patton spoke slowly and did his best to annunciate. “You do not think I will- I would travel on my own, did you?”
“I am merely a translator and companion,” Logan informed.
“The only companion he needs is my son,” she growled.
“Bella, please be courteous,” Lady Nessa spoke behind her. She put a hand on her wife’s shoulder. “Surely the country would not send such a precious male omega here without protection. I’m sure Logan is just doing his job.”
Logan swallowed. “I bare no claim on Patton if that’s what you are misunderstanding.”
Queen Bella’s eyes snapped between Logan and Patton. Her shoulders eventually relaxed, and he let out a long sigh.
“Servant,” the queen snapped. The woman who was in the midst of delivering snacks to the queens dropped to her knees and bowed her head. The queen continued, “fetch me my son, Virgil. I have someone I want him to meet.”
“Right away, your majesty,” the woman spoke and stood. She hurried out of the throne room and out one of the side doors.
Patton couldn’t help the rage that burned his ribs. How dare they treat their subjects like that! It was wrong! No one deserved to be degraded like that, no matter what their upbringing was.
“I hope you find your new home to your liking,” Lady Nessa said and broke through Patton’s thoughts.
He would’ve told her exactly what was on his mind if he had the vocabulary to do so.
“Thank you,” he settled on growling out.
Two pats to the back of Patton’s hand caught his attention. He looked over at Logan, and Logan gave him a comforting glance out of the corner of his eye. The fire in Patton’s lungs extinguished.
Patton may not be able to change their ways, but he could still treat Logan like a normal person.
The doors on the side of the throne room opened. The servant dropped to her knees once again, and all the calm Patton had composed rolled out of him like the tide.
“Announcing his royal highness, Prince Virgil of Angstorm.”
Patton’s muscles tensed. He glared at the doorway. Now that he saw how these people treated others, he really didn’t want to see what was on the other side of the door. There was no way he was mating with someone who held themselves at such an arrogant-
The shadow behind the door shifted, and Queen Bella nervously giggled.
“Now, Virgil, don’t be shy. Come on out.”
A deep breath exhaled before the shadow shifted into a person.
The first thing Patton noticed was the black eyeshadow under his eyes and long brown bangs shading the rest. His clothes hung loose against his skin. The purple sleeves of his tunic covered his hands. As he drew closer, his eyes took on a calmer color, a deep gray to almost purple color.
The second thing Patton noticed was how Virgil’s shoulders caved in. His posture curled in on itself, and his eyes shifted from Patton to his mother. His scent wasn’t as strong as other alphas Patton had met. It almost resembled the scent of a beta.
The anger in Patton’s gut started to simmer. Maybe Logan misinterpreted the letter. Maybe their son wasn’t an alpha. But if he wasn’t an alpha, why would his parents request a male omega? Surely they knew a beta and an omega were an incompatible match, especially since betas couldn’t impregnate omegas unless given hormones.
Patton sucked in a breath. Maybe he and Virgil were more alike than he thought.
Virgil stopped beside his mother and eyed the two strangers in front of him. He almost stopped breathing.
“Virgil, I’d like you to meet Prince Patton of Herzensmoral,” Queen Bella spoke.
For a while, all Patton and Virgil did was stare at each other. Patton swallowed his nerves and faked a smile.
“Hello there, Virgil,” he said.
Virgil stiffened at the sound. Patton wondered if his accent was too thick to understand, and he tightened his grip on Logan’s arm.
Virgil’s eyes glanced between Logan and Patton before he finally muttered out, “Sup?”
Lady Nessa nudged her son and whispered, “Virgil, please remember your manners.”
Virgil shrugged. He sniffled and settled on glaring at Patton. Well, Patton definitely smelled like a male omega.
Great.
Queen Bella cleared her throat. She turned to Patton and said, “We have arranged a room for you to stay in while you visit our country. You are allowed to go anywhere in the castle your heart desires, including the castle grounds. However, you are not allowed to leave the castle walls without an escort,” Her eyes shifted to Logan and narrowed, “and your… the companion doesn’t count.”
Patton felt Logan stiffen. The hairs on Logan’s neck bristled as his chest began to puff, and he swallowed a growl deep in his throat. Now it was Patton’s turn to rub comfort into Logan.
Patton said, “I understand. I am in a strange country, and I do not know it as well as you do. I am sure that- that it is only to keep me safe. Right, Logan?”
Logan’s chest deflated. He sent a strained smile in Patton’s direction and answered, “Of course. One mustn’t be too careful when in a strange land, wouldn’t you agree, your majesties?”
Queen Bella and Lady Nessa exchanged a quick glance. Lady Nessa stepped forward to speak.
“Yes, indeed. It’s why your parents entrusted you with an escort on your journey here.”
Queen Bella nodded. “Good, we’re all on the same page. Prince Patton, I’ll have someone escort you to your room right away.”
Queen Bella clapped her hands. A pause proceeded a servant stepping into the castle and getting on his knees just like the others.
Queen Bella continued, “Servant, please take Prince Patton to the room we have prepared at once.”
“As you wish, your highness,” they answered. They rose to their feet and motioned for Patton to follow them.
As Patton and Logan stepped off to follow, Queen Bella rose her voice again.
“Excuse me, companion, but I only addressed Prince Patton. You will require accommodations of your own.”
Patton stopped. His eyes snapped up at Logan.
“That won’t be necessary, your highness,” Logan answered, keeping his eyes off the queen and trained on the floor. “I would prefer to be situated with my prince.”
“And I’m saying that is unnecessary. I assure you Prince Patton is quite safe here in the palace and doesn’t need you in his private quarters.”
The hand on Patton’s arm slid off. Patton tried to keep its grip, but Logan already let go, his chest puffed and posture high. He stared directly into the queen’s eyes as he took a step forward.
“Forgive me, your highness, but perhaps you did not understand. I am not leaving Patton’s side at all while I am here.”
Queen Bella’s shoulders tensed, and she bared her teeth. “Are you challenging me?”
Logan’s stare shifted between both her eyes as he spoke, “I suppose I am.”
“How dare you!”
Patton jumped to Logan’s side and grabbed onto his arm. He spoke in hurried Herzen, ”Logan, kiddo, we’ve only been here for a few minutes. Don’t insult them already. I don’t want to take a chance on losing you permanently while I’m here.”
Logan didn’t take his eyes off the queen as he replied, ”I refuse to be bullied while we are here. She needs to understand that we are in control of the situation, not her.”
”But we’re outnumbered! If they plan on attacking you-”
”If they attack me the deal is off.”
”But can’t we just give them a chance? I know their ways are… strange, but there’s something different about Virgil. He doesn’t carry himself like other alphas, and I’m… I’m interested.”
Logan looked down at Patton, his eyebrow raised in curiosity. He sighed, his chest deflating with his nerves, and he nodded his head.
”Are you sure you’ll be okay alone?”
Patton sent a nervous smile. ”No, I’m actually terrified, but we might have to play by their rules a small bit if this is going to work, kiddo.”
Logan turned his attention back to the royal family, who looked both wary and interested in what the two foreigners had to say. His head rose high, and he returned to Anglish.
“Very well. I only request my room is close to Prince Patton’s in case he is in need of my assistance. I am a translator for him, after all, and should he need help jumping over a language barrier-”
“Done,” Queen Bella snapped. Lady Nessa put a comforting hand on her wife’s shoulder, and she sent a genuine smile in Patton and Logan’s direction.
“Please, feel free to stay with Prince Patton while your quarters are being arranged.”
Queen Bella looked ready to argue, but her words died down as Lady Nessa sent her a stern look.
“Imagine our Roman in his situation, darling. What would we say?”
Queen Bella curled her lip. She sighed and nodded her head.
“Very well. We’ll have someone send for you when your arrangements are done, companion.”
Patton puffed out his cheeks. His name was Logan, not companion. He wanted to correct her, but Logan bowed his head and put a hand to his chest. A new sense of pride welled in Patton’s chest as he watched Queen Bella’s face twist in confusion.
“Thank you, your majesty,” Logan said.
Patton wrapped his hand around Logan’s presented arm once again. The servant from before motioned for Patton and Logan to follow them. The trio walked away from the royal family. Patton glanced over his shoulder, catching one more glimpse of Virgil as he walked away. Virgil refused to look at him further, instead staring at his reflection in the polished hardwood floor.
There was something different about Virgil that intrigued Patton, and he swore by the end of his time here, he’d have his answers.