Reiya tilted her head, recalling how Alarik had hinted at Kaelen’s familiarity with the Isles. “And yourfathersent you?”
“He did, the moment I turned eighteen. He believed an Alpha prince should understand his role—to foster a lasting, fruitful marriagewith his future Omega.”
She tried to imagine it—the stern-faced King Azarion, concerned about ensuring his young son would foster a healthy relationship with his Omega bride.
Meaning . . .her.
Her fingers tightened around the reins. He’d been trained for this, in anticipation of her. Months of lessons, of precision. To court. To protect. Toplease.
She’d already experienced the way he pleasured her, how effortlessly he’d read her responses, anticipated her needs. Every touch, every caress was devoted, intentional.
The thought sent a slow, heated awareness curling through her.
She risked a glance at him—only to find his golden eyes already on her, steady, faintly amused.
“Something on your mind, Princess?” His voice was casual, but the glint in his gaze was anything but.
Reiya cleared her throat, lifting her chin. “I was just thinking,” she mused, “that you must’ve worked very hard to—ahem—master your lessons.”
His mouth quirked. “I take my duties to my Tazahrina very seriously.”
Her cheeks warmed. “I suppose . . . Asadian traditions must be thorough in that regard.”
His smile widened. “Thorough is one word for it.”
She pressed on despite the warmth creeping up her neck. “So you deem the lessons worthwhile?”
Kaelen leaned in, voice dropping low. “You’d be the better judge of that, Sáel.”
Alarik glanced over his shoulder, his lips twitching. “Tread lightly, brother. She’ll get notions, and we’ve leagues yet to cover.”
Reiya rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress her grin as she nudged Ember forward and lightly swatted Alarik on the back. “You’re both insufferable.”
Their laughter mingled in the air—a rare moment of levity. But as it faded, Reiya’s thoughts turned quieter.
“It’s strange to think there are places where Omegas aren’t simplyat an Alpha’s mercy during their Heat. Where they have real choices. I never knew that was possible.”
Kaelen’s voice gentled. “Reiya, you were raised to believe an Omega princess holds no power—a mere bargaining chip between kingdoms.” He met her gaze. “But highborn Omegas are rarer than Alpha royals. That rarity gives you more power than you realize.”
His words echoed Solmaz’s. A striking reminder of how blind she’d been—how blind so many in the nine kingdoms were—to the kind of strength an Omega could wield.
Power.It was a word she was still adjusting to, but she no longer doubted its truth.
Yet as she glanced at Alarik, a different thought took root.
Kaelen was sent to the Isles, but not Alarik. The kingdom had shaped one to dazzle and left the other to sharpen his edges in solitude.
But if their early-morning frolic inside the tent had proven anything, he was by no meanslesser . . .nor unskilled.
Taking a steady breath, she asked, “And Solmaz? What was her role there?”
“Solmaz was a Moonflower—one of the Omegas who earned the title of leader and mentor. She wasn’t highborn, but her wisdom and influence made her indispensable. The Isles wouldn’t be what they are without her.”
“And she mentored you?” Reiya asked innocently.
Kaelen nearly choked. “No, absolutely not.”
Alarik smirked. “Careful, brother. That sounds suspiciously defensive.”