Chapter Text
The sun was kind today with its warm streams of light caressing every inch of deep forest and its habitat with love. Nature was still waking up after a long cruel winter; a leftover snow that were hidden under low arms of spruces melting faster every day, making the roads more slippery and the streams and rivers overflowing.
Shane sneezed.
His nose was itching and started to peel a little on the creases of his nostrils after the not so kind sun from yesterday. A gentle breeze ran through his hair, making Shane shiver even more when a drop of still melting frost, that has whitened the trees at night, fell on his cheek.
By the Gods, what is wrong with the weather in this place? He got sunburnt yesterday but was waking up every morning to thick clouds from his mouth and numb toes. Sir Leon warned them that the spring in this realm always carries its own temper, especially this time of the year right before the summer will take over, but no amount of warnings could prepare him for those changes. Gods. The weather was just snapping its fingers whenever the mood would strike and nobody knew the outcome.
A branch quietly snapped under his mare’s hooves pulling Shane back to the conversation.
“I’m just saying-,” started again Hayden.
“You’re saying shit,” JJ grinned at him. “Accept that you’re a sore loser and move on.”
“Fuck you, you cannot win a dice game five times in a row without cheating!”
“Lady Luck loves me and you’re jealous.”
“I’m not! You’re fucking cheating!”
Shane sighed. Yep. Still not worth his attention. He won’t stop them from arguing for the sake of the rozian tongue practice. They would need it. He would ignore the fact of them learning more swear words than normal ones only because Sir Cliff encouraged them for this with “if you know how to swear in this language you know how to talk in it, trust me, Your Highness.”
The small convoy of four of his people, including himself, and two of Roz’s knights — Sir Cliff and Sir Leon — were carefully moving through the forest to the northwest. Grass and weeds were young. With their choice of the road it would not play a big role, but Shane was more at ease knowing that even if they were leaving any trace, the everyday growing greenery would hide it.
His thumb ring began to slip too; Shane probably should move it to the other two on his neck chain before he lost it.
The forest was beautiful. Shane can live just with that knowledge and never see it again.
Some types of trees were new to him with their still mostly unfolded leaves letting more sunbeams fall on the ground, unlike in other places where the shivering crowns already were covering the sky. Some birds jumped between branches so close to the ground that Shane could see their little beaks and curious black eyes; no fear in the human presence at all. Small yellow flowers popped here and there, their numbers increasing every day under the light. A lot more of the rich soil was covered in green color unlike at the start of their journey; after a few days in the cold evergreens a change of scenery was needed.
“You should stop thinking.”
“Or you could start to do it more.”
“But where’s the fun in that, Your Snappiness,” smiled Rose, guiding her black stallion closer to Shane.
Shane was tired for days now, and he really couldn’t keep his annoyance and frustration to himself, even if he tried.
His ass was sore; hip joints will probably stay in the form of the saddle forever; the barely bloomed but still itching blisters on his inner thighs never had enough time for healing, so Shane tried to keep his legs a little wider for some time to let them breath, but. Hip joints situation.
Shane’s horse tried to wander to the beautifully lit fat patch of grass on the left. He can’t blame her.
“Yeah, girl, I know,” he softly redirected Lilac back to the path, “but not now.”
Shane, too, would like to wander off in the woods.
It’s not like he wasn’t used to travelling at all: Shane was good at horse riding, even if not so much at enduring the travels themselves. He also was riding pretty often, but his trips never lasted longer than two or three days in a row, and now it has been the end of the fortnight, them moving every day for as many hours as they can afford in the moody weather without abusing their horses. No amount of riding skills could help with back pain from the days in the same pose. His knights were bearing it better — Gods knows why, they were travelling together most of the time — and Roz’s knights even more so due their regular campaigns all over the country and further, and he couldn’t find in himself to be happy for them. He was extremely jealous, and he was silent about it after his small outburst that almost costed him Rose’s good mood. She was struggling just like him, and he was the reason she was even there. So, no more snapping.
Shane wished they just galloped the rest of the way. It wasn’t even that much of a distance, he thought; their horses probably could handle it with fewer stops. Well, maybe not his old girl. A sigh escaped his lungs. He understood why they were here. But can he wish?
Shane wasn’t sure, that he can find in him enough of light to wish for anything now. Were his wishes always too much for the Universe to grant it? For his parents? Would Shane and his wants be too much for his future alpha too? To fulfill any of them?
Maybe he should wish now only for something he knows can be done. Maybe he should wish for a safe rest of the travel. It was manageable.
Or a hot bath.
He just wanted a hot bath very soon, actually.
“Sir Leon said that we probably will arrive at noon tomorrow,” Rose was still trying to talk to him.
See? A manageable wish. Next one is the hot bath so he can drown himself.
“Yes, I was there when he said it.” Shane’s attempts at keeping to himself were not successful all the time.
“Come on,” she extended her hand with grabbing movements and kicked him lightly in the shin, leaving a small smear of wet dirt on his boots. Nice. He looks like a pig in the barn already, why not make it worse. Rose’s calming pheromones added soft sweet notes to the fresh green air, as if he stacked his nose in the bouquet of purple flowers they saw yesterday, making him exhale more relaxed despite everything. Shane took her hand so they could scent each other’s wrists. His shoulders dropped a little. “I know you’re nervous.” Rose was still rubbing their hands, now just playing with his fingers to stop him from fidgeting with the reins. Lilac appreciated it, probably. “And I know why you’re nervous, and I also know that you will be nervous a lot more when we will get there, so let’s just enjoy the rest of our travel in this very beautiful, quiet forest, where we can’t smell those alpha’s stinky, awful, disgusting feet.”
“Hey!”
“Your feet are the stinkiest, Hayden,” added Rose, “you should not be talking.”
“Can we stop talking about stinky feet, please,” begged Shane. He cannot do this right now.
“But, Your Highness! Those are vile accusations, I can’t-”
“Let’s make a stop there,” Sir Leon gently stopped their little arguing, making a turn to the left to the small clearing, making everyone to sigh with anticipation of a little rest and opportunity to stretch.
His knights’ skills were more usable for the town scenery, that’s for sure, not to mention himself and Rose. On the second day after entering Roz’s borders they were almost ambushed, and if it wasn’t for Sir Leon's quick reaction, there would be a nasty fight no one can afford at this time, especially not the party that includes the crown prince of a neighbouring kingdom. They went to the forest, and since then moved like snails, because the roads were shit. Or, more like, no roads at all. Only them and trees. And birds. And sometimes animals that became their food. Shane was tired of eating meat.
But, they were definitely safe.
He was so tired of the trees, too.
Sir Cliff was not from here originally, but Sir Leon was born in the kingdom and traveled plenty with The Prince, now The King, corrected himself Shane, to all of little corners of his country and more, and knew how to navigate this part of the thick, old forest.
It was a great skill.
Shane still couldn’t catch any of the tales: how the man knew when to make a sharp turn to the right, so they wouldn’t end up in the main road again, or when to have a longer stop or earlier start in the morning to avoid certain animals whose trails they used sometimes.
When he asked if they were following the marks he saw sometimes — the thin arrows or something that resembled an eye, new and olds little carved out things in the bark — Sir Leon said, “the marks here are not to follow but to avoid”, and took a sharp turn right when they saw one again. What does that mean, Shane wanted to ask. What are we avoiding exactly? Why there’s no pattern to follow? Shane was good at patterns. It was unsettling that he couldn't see any here. Why are we doing a loop because of the arrows but then doing the turn because of them again? What are the eye things for? Is this some secret language where to go? Do you need to know every tree that was marked to know? How many times do you have to go this way to know it?
So. Great, very useful skill. Maybe Shane will learn it someday.
It would be his kingdom too, soon.
They were really lucky to have Sir Leon with them. Or maybe it was not luck, but the reason he was sent by King Ilya personally. Not just a letter and a map. Which would be acceptable, probably. Two of his closest friends, the knights of the king’s guard, who were more like brothers to him after years together in the travels and battles. And bar fights, like Sir Cliff liked to add.
“Your Highness,” Sir Leon sat with him on the log, where Shane was trying to make peace with himself about the dirt on his pants.
It was his last clean pants.
He had two and the previous ones were unusable after he accidentally tore them three days ago.
Shane hadn’t much of the belongings with himself to begin with, they had to leave quickly just as his parents' letter was signed and wax with a royal seal went cold. Some of his personal things went to his saddle bag but that was all.
The lack of baggage made him think about his parents. Again. No matter how hard Shane tried to avoid it from the moment they left his hometown, that was impossible not to let those terrifying vines of thoughts to consume him. They had their reasons. They were the rulers of the country. He knew the political situation right now.
They were also his parents.
They weren’t cruel and they just thought it was for the best, like his mother tried to explain him, but he couldn’t understand how to keep him in the dark about his engagement was the best for him.
Right.
Shane, actually, has plenty of other reasons that made his throat close up right now.
Shane was a crown prince and King Ilya’s betrothed, he should just bring himself and everything else would be provided, Rose tried to remind him almost every day.
Shane knew it.
Shane also knew that he would have to build a nest from the things he hadn’t touched for longer than a day, which means he wouldn’t be able to have a normal sleep for some time; that his new clothes would be too new and the seamstress wouldn’t know how to make it right for him like the one who dressed him since he was a child; his bathing routine would need to be changed with the unknown yet soaps and oils and salts, and he can only hope to be able to find anything that wouldn’t make him crawl out of his skin.
Shane should stop thinking about bathing or he might cry.
“Your Highness ,” the man tried again to get Shane’s attention, “I know that you’re tired, but I thought you might want to try with the speech again?” continued Sir Leon. “You’re doing very well, but it might distract you a little, until we will move again.” He was one of the kindest man Shane ever met and you do not ruin nice relationships with a good man in the new place of living. Shane wasn’t stupid.
“Yes,” Shane sighed. He reminded himself who he is and why exactly he was in this situation. “Thank you, Sir Leon.”
The speech was something Shane came up with on the second day of the road already, so he can have something to do except being in his head. That was a familiar routine.
He knew how to do politics.
He was excellent at it.
So, a small thing, a few general sentences of well wishes and gratitude from him and his people, expressing the hope of good things as the fruits of their union for both of their kingdoms. All in King Ilya’s native language. He wrote it in his language first, translated to a common one and then asked the foreigner knights how to say it right in rozian. So, every day since, Shane tried it with each of the men, correcting his pronunciation over and over again, all beside the general studying of the language from them. He was told that there’s books in the library that he can learn from, but for now Shane just tried to grab everything that could help not to find himself completely lost in the new place.
Would it ever become his place, too?
________________
They arrived in the capital in the late morning.
The morning patrol stumbled upon them just on time; two young guards who became a such case of overexcited puppies — seeing their mentors, apparently, — they paid a little attention who the knights were escorting, until Sir Leon quietly shushed and scolded them, making both of them red in the face. Shane didn’t blame them. It was silly to expect them knowing him in the face, and it was funny.
Their party was crossing the main road when they meet the men, so now they trotted together to the city.
“Had anyone really tried to get so close to the capital?” asked Shane.
That was a reasonable question. It was worse for the Shane’s homeland, but the situation on Roz’s borders was just worrying for now, if the reports were true: a few people caught in the places they were not supposed to be, a rumor here and there. Nothing drastic. Even if they made the trip longer, feeling too cautiously, the closer they got to the end the more it had felt like an unnecessary thing.
One of the new guards replied something.
“They just caught two fuckers last week and one yesterday,” translated Sir Cliff. Shane wasn’t sure if the “fuckers” were in the original reply even if he understood a few other words. He really should’ve pay more attention to the lessons for JJ and Hayden. “Nobody could catch a sight a Canda’s crown prince for a fortnight, so,” he winked at him. Shane wondered if such familiarity was a normal thing in Roz or was it just because he is soon to be the closest person to their king and a friend. “The rumors are rumoring,” he added.
“Oh. Right.”
It was a known fact. Either their marriage might escalate everything to the worse or cool down the things, but neither of them can wait for the other side to make a move first.
“If we had took the main road we would have been back already last week. The King told everyone to be quiet, probably, and doubled down the patrols in the area, when we didn’t show up. He knows the side paths as well as me so nobody was worried too much, just waiting,” spoke Sir Leon. ”We will go in through the back gates with the patrol. Nothing was announced publicly and will not be, until you’re safe under the king’s roof, Your Highness.”
Huh.
“I appreciate His Majesty’s care,” and Shane did.
No matter what his opinion was about how the deal was made, Shane can’t ignore how King Ilya thought about his safety from the start, indeed.
He could only wish King Ilya Rozanov would care the same amount about Shane himself, but he sweared off doing foolish things.
________________
Shane was sweating.
Not so much from the beaming sun. The nauseous feeling in his stomach seeded itself there the moment he caught sight of the capital of Roz Kingdom — Novgor.
He tried to groom himself in the morning to be more presentable with the little essentials he had, but in the end the only thing Shane could manage was washing himself with the rag in the deadly cold small stream they passed, shaving off the little stabble, redoing his braids and putting on a clean shirt he still managed to have by miracle. His cloak didn’t make a sweat situation better, but as the familiar used piece that still carries the smell of his home landed on Shane’s shoulders, he couldn't make himself take it off. Not now. Between his sweating dignity and a little comfort he could afford he took the second. Shane can look at his best later. Probably.
“You look beautiful.”
He was most definitely not looking beautiful.
Rose was too kind.
Rose was, also, the only one in their group who still looked normal despite everything and he was a little jealous. Her hair was braided, face exhausted but it was only visible for someone who knew how she looked well rested. She and her witchy ways…
“I look exactly like someone who had spent two weeks in the forest with only meat for the meals and has his last pants on him,” replied Shane. “I probably smell worse than Hayden’s feet.” What a terrifying thought.
“It’s your only pants,” corrected the omega, like he could forget it. “And none of it was your fault.” Debatable. “You have your natural charm.” Look who’s talking about natural charms. “And you look great despite all the crazy reasons in your head, I promise you. And nothing smells worse than Hayden’s feet, stop that slander.” Shane just whimpered under his nose. “I think nothing important will happen until the evening, anyway,” she shrugged her shoulders, “the nice host will have you to your room first, so you can have a rest, so we can only hope that it’s our case.”
“I know,” he sighed. “And I love you even if you are a witch,” he added to make Rose laugh, moving to ride in front of her in the narrow street, right after Sir Leon and Hayden.
Being so overwhelmed by their arrival and first meeting with his soon to be husband, Shane sadly can't find in himself to pay attention to the beauty of his surroundings.
Not to the clean streets of quiet houses, with most of the population already working in the fields and other places at that time of the day, nor the eye-catching carved out ornaments on the edges of all these windows; he wondered if they had a meaning behind them or it was just an aesthetic thing. The few people they had met seemed unbothered by their presence, clearly knowing the knights in the face and acknowledging them with short nods.
Shane can see the main building and with every horse’s step his nausea only felt worse.
Does he even know they are coming? No, the guards said they were just waiting for them to show up. Had he been waiting for Shane? Even a little? That was a pathetic thought, Shane scolded himself. Was he ugly? And that was a rude one, that sounded like his mother’s voice. Why did he meet Shane’s parents without him? Was it intentional or just a coincidence? Does he know anything about Shane? Would he like to know his anything? Is he a good alpha? Is he rude? Could they ever be happy?
His cheek was aching from all of his chewing on it.
Shane’s knowledge about King Ilya was very limited, too, so they were on a matching ground there. A few stories here, some rumors there, but even after everything being added up by his knights’ stories Shane still doesn’t know much.
King Ilya was young. Younger than Shane by a month or two. Got crowned as an heir right before his father’s death a few months ago. He was an alpha. Shane also knew now that King Ilya was a very good fighter with a sword since he was a boy, a real beast in a hand combat, you should never play cards or drinking games with him, and his people loves him fiercly but his father’s court with old fuckers not so much (thank you, Sir Cliff, by the way, does your king know you talk so much about his business around anyone or it was just Shane’s privilege?), but what Shane didn’t know, that he was also…
…the most gorgeous man Shane has ever seen.
Shane was lost in his head deep enough to be only brought back when they got to the main entrance, a loud whoop noise and a laugh all around him shaking his thoughts out of place.
He looked up just in time to see an embodiment of the sun coming down the steps fast with something like “fucking finally!” on his lips. The glistening skin that was visible under the wet shirt shined in the sunlight like a polished stone, curling shoulder length hair had caught a golden halo, and the silhouette of sharp alpha canines in the big bright smile was hypnotizing too.
Shane felt the urge to lick them.
“Do you need help to get down?”
What?
“What?”
The man already stood right beside Shane, a warm and curious expression on his face, and a hand reaching towards him, a small smirk in the corner of his mouth matching in its fun with the quirked eyebrow. Shane realized that he was still sitting on his horse.
He closed his eyes for a second.
Gods, give him strength. He can’t blame everything on his tiredness, but he can try?
Shane hurried to jump out of the saddle without a help only to wobble a little on his feet, the whole trip catching up on him with every moment.
“My apologies,” Shane cleared his throat.
“No need,” waved his words off King Ilya.
He hadn't introduced himself yet, but it was unnecessary. Sir Leon and Sir Cliff were hugged and their hair raffled the moment they got down from his horses, the guards from the patrol gave the man short bows and went back to their work, Shane assumed. He also had this aura around him, that glowed of royalty and alpha. The composure of his body made him move with certainty and power but not overbearing or aggressive ones, like it was often with alphas.
Huh, nice, Shane thought to himself.
“King Ilya of the Roz Kingdom, but just Ilya for you, my betrothed,” he extended his hand, a softer version of the smirk still there. Eyes weren’t moving further than Shane’s face.
His accent in the common language was light, more sure “r” and some overall tone made itself known, but Ilya sounded like someone who was used to talking in it and wasn’t ashamed of any indication that it was a foreign one for him.
His eyes were beautiful too; the specific shade of green and blue reminded Shane of the sea at home, sun making them looking like a gemstone.
They were almost the same height, which was usually the problem with a lot of alphas who couldn’t find in them being on the same level as an omega; figuratively or literally. He hoped it wasn’t the case here. Ilya was muscular and even visibly strong, not a surprising fact after all of the stories about his campaigns.
The hand was warm and the handshake firm. And a little sweaty. His shirt was barely hanging on his shoulders, the front lace undone and the fabric almost a see through from the amount of sweat, wet light colored hair on his chest catching sun like a rich golden embroidery. What was he doing just before? Training? Running around? Why is he so sweaty?
Despite all of the sweat, though, Shane couldn’t catch a strong smell. Only general warmth of the unknown spices and notes of something from the forest. Some sharp sweetness too; rare for alphas, but looking good on him.
“Crown Prince Shane of the Canda Kingdom,” replied Shane, remembering himself. “You can call me just Shane, erm, too”, he added quickly, avoiding looking in Ilya’s eyes instead catching himself looking at his chest. That definitely was not appropriate and Rose would laugh at him for hours later, but Ilya had so many beauty marks all over him: on his face, the neck, and so so many on his massive filled out glistening chest and lower where you can see the start of the darker hair…
“Well, Shane,” Ilya was still holding his hand, “let me introduce you to your maid. You all definitely need a bath. Probably even two.”
Shane almost agreed that yes, please, the bath is the most desirable thing now, but he could hear a stifle chuckle from someone nearby that sounded like JJ. It made him stop before he opened his mouth. Of course.
It seems like Shane is not going to have a husband, because his betrothed will sadly pass away very soon. From being strangled.
Humiliating blush burned on his ears. Shane let the hand go and straightened his spine. He cleared his throat, keeping there his “fuck you.” That wasn’t even funny.
“Yes, please,” his tone was clipped now, “the trip was not an easy one. I would like to have a rest before the formal introduction to the court, if that is possible? And for my people, too.”
“Sure,” why was he frowning at him? Beautiful but, apparently, infuriating asshole. “Jackie will show you around. I have things to attend to, but we will meet at a dinner.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Quick steps echoed from the stairs mixing with the rustling of the skirts.
“I’m here, I’m here!” A small woman with strawberry blonde hair was moving fast towards them. The air suddenly began tasting like fresh strawberries and sweet mint. “Hi!”
“Hello?” Shane was so confused with etiquette in this place.
“I’m Jackie,” her warm smile matched the overall expression of her face. Dark gray eyes, small nose, strands of hair losing the thick braid. She had a bunch of keys on her waistbelt and a closed basket with something resting on her hip. Clearly a worker here.
“Oh, the maid,” right.
“You can say that,” she nodded. What a weird answer. You’re either a maid or not, no? “Let’s take you all inside.”
“See you in the evening, Your Majesty.”
“It’s Ilya,” his smile turned into a frown again.
“Of course, Your Majesty,” replied Shane, moving after Jackie. His people after a few short formal words joined him, Rose hanging on his arm already.
“Ah, Your Majesty,” she was mocking him. “Of course, Your Majesty.”
“Leave me alone.”
“I bet that was not what you were thinking when you held his hand,” she was whispering now, wiggling her eyebrows. He hated her so much. “Did you like what you saw? Does your future husband satisfy your taste? With how you was eyeing his tit-”
“Do you have to do it now? You want me to die out of embarrassment or something?” he furiously whispered back. “Do you have no shame?” When she had any.
“Bet you did.” Why was she asking him anything, just to ignore him later? He heard JJ and Hayden snickering behind them. All of them are traitors with zero respect for their friend and a prince.
“I’m not your maid, by the way, sorry if Ilya- His Majesty was unclear,” she corrected herself fast but it was obvious how used she was to call him by his first name. Shane was curious, but he couldn’t decide if it was an uncomfortable type of curiosity yet. Sir Cliff called Ilya like that too, a few times, until Sir Leon hadn't kicked him in the shin hard enough. But battle friends were one thing and a maid is another. Oh, not a maid. Wait, what?
“I’m,” she searched for a word, frowning a bit, “like a housekeeper? I supervise the maids, the housing situation, greet the guests, manage the kitchen, like all these little things to make this place to live and breathe. If we’re short staffed I would do any work, of course, but that’s not my main responsibility. And,” she patted her keys, “I’m the keys keeper too.”
“That is a lot of work.” Shane was impressed. She was young, just like them — early twenties, twenty five at best — so to keep this job she probably was very good at it.
“Thank you.”
Jackie’s heels fast and rhythmically echoed through the wood floor. A couple of maids they had met made acknowledging nods at her, eying guests with interest. Jackie made a shushing gesture every time, making them avert their eyes and get back to work.
“We are in the main building,” she started to explain, after they made a third turn, “the right wing includes the guest chambers, main hall, kitchens and some others. We’re in the left one: royal family chambers, close to family members' chambers, a library and a knight's floor. Your knights will take, hey, Nina,” Jackie shouted some girl down the hall, waving to come close, “free rooms here, Nina can have a small talk in common language, but if you have more questions, you can find me later.” She smiled at them and explained something on rozian to the young maid. She gave them two keys. “Alright, have fun and don’t be rude, good sirs.”
“See you two at dinner”, Shane dismissed the men. He was sure everyone was impatient to get to their rooms and take a nap in bed instead of blankets on the forest floor.
“Your Highness.”
Hayden held a very weird face expression the whole time until the girl took them behind the main door. Shane can feel Rose was trying to keep herself from laughing and she was very red in the face from that. He would ask her later what was that about.
“On the left,” Jackie was already moving again.
They went up to the next floor. It was quieter than the previous one, a few big doors went down the hall.
“His Majesty’s brother’s chamber, His Majesty’s Lady Svetlana’s, these two are free to use,” she pointed to the doors in order. Was everyone absent now? “This is the room of the late queen; we don’t go in there.” They made a turn.
“So, The King's chamber”, she pointed to the right, “and Your Highness’,” on the left. “You will have your own chambers,” she grabbed one of the keys from her waist, “after the wedding you can live with His Majesty in his, of course, but this one would be just yours, forever, no silly moving in and out after a month and all that. King’s order.”
Shane wasn’t sure what he expected, but that was nice: to have his own personal space, and Ilya not making Shane live full time with someone he barely knows yet. Rose will probably tell him that it was a bare minimum for a decent person, but they both knew how the alphas can be about it.
The heavy door went open smoothly without a squeak.
It was spacious. A lot of light wood, some blues and greens and gold.
“Too soon for that, probably, and I apologise beforehand, but I like to keep everything in order and be ready, so,” Jackie cleared her throat. “The heat nesting is all about your decisions, of course: you can nest here permanently or make it at His Majesty’s later or take any other room that is to your liking fully for nesting purposes during the heat. Any adjustments will be made by your request, I just will need the list of things you want to be done.”
“King’s order?” Rose asked jokingly, moving through the room already, touching walls and the ornaments on the windowsill, that came up to the ceiling forming a beautiful arc.
“King’s order,” Jackie only smiled.
Oh.
Shane didn't have a nesting room even at his home: his usual nest was just transforming to a heat one and back, all in his own chambers. It sounded unnecessary, to have a whole room just to use it for a few days every three months, but he could see the appeal of it. The intimacy of the place that is only for him and, if he wants, his alpha.
“That is generous of him,” Shane can feel a shy smile on his lips. “Can I decide later?”
“Of course,” she was standing close now, he could feel these fresh summer notes in her freely flowing pheromones. “I took the liberty of choosing some nesting materials, please feel free to reject any of them or request something else. I know how we can be specific about what goes in there.” That was an understatement for Shane. He knew he was a lot more picky than a usual omega, some things in his home nest haven’t changed in years. “The water for your bath will arrive soon. There’s a-,” she was looking for words sometimes, taking a moment to think before saying it out loud, Shane noticed. Was that not her first language too? “bathhouses,” she snapped her fingers at that, “you have royal rooms there, of course, but in the beginning we talked about just having you bath in your new rooms, yes? To get more comfortable in the new place? Would that be alright with you, Your Highness?”
She was so earnest in making him comfortable, Shane felt his eyes sting a bit.
“I think that would be perfect, thank you,” he was clenching Rose’s hand now and she was just bearing it.
They moved from the front room with a workspace and big fireplace to his bedroom. The bathtub was already there: big thing, metal, long enough to have his whole height in it, if he would like to just lay in there, and deep, so his chest would be in the water in sitting position. It would need at least two people to move this thing in and out. A small table nearby overflowed with small bottles and vials and other things for bathing purposes.
Shane felt his knees trembling from how much he wanted to be in the hot water.
“Do you want our maid to help you? I can do that too, if you don’t want a total stranger now?”
“No, thank you,” Shane didn’t want a stranger. He bathed himself since he was old enough to manage it.
“Do you want me to stay with you?” Rose was softly leaning into his arm now, face open and love in her blue eyes, and he knew no judgment would be seen there at all if he would say yes.
“No, I want you to have some time and rest for yourself,” Shane kissed her temple. He was selfish enough to bring her here with no preparation, having her looking out for him and his sanity the whole trip.
In all honesty, he would like to be alone now.
“I don’t want to assume, but you’re probably not his maid, right?” The woman seemed just curious. “Should I call you “my Lady”?
“I would like to be called just Rose when we’re like this, but “my Lady” is preferable if we’re out there. I’m His Highness’ omega pair,” they were still holding hands and Shane felt like he was ten again, when she introduced herself like that for the first time in front of their parents.
“Oh,” Jackie was surprised, then frowned a little, but no uncomfortable expression was seen. “You would like to take one of the empty rooms on this floor, yes? So you’re close at any time? We can see the one next to Lady Svetlana’s first, it’s the cleanest now.”
They were blessed with this woman.
“Thank you,” he can tell Rose though that too.
“Alright then.” Jackie adjusted the basket she was holding the whole time. “Rooms are done. Baths are almost there. I can arrange some food, so you won’t starve before dinner, it will be brought after you finish with that,” she nodded at the bathtub. “Something light, and some drinks, perhaps? Herbal tea sounds good?”
“You’re perfect,” Shane sighed and she just giggled. She was literally saving their lives now, he couldn’t believe how lucky they were for meeting someone like that in the first minutes in this kingdom already.
“I’m beyond proud to hear that, Your Highness,” she made a little curtsy that didn’t even look funny with her hand still full. She looked at him with a kind smile, small crow’s feet were there, making her face even more pretty. “We are very happy to have you here,” he can tell she genuinely thought that. “His Majesty gave me the free rein for as long as you’re happy, so, please, let me know if you would like to have or change anything,” she winked at Shane.
He had so many questions.
They can all wait, though, because there was a knock at his door.
“Water is here, very good,” she directed a few people with buckets of steaming water to the tub. That was fast, he couldn’t even remember her ordering it on their way here. The men didn’t even glance at them standing in the corner, quickly doing their job and leaving. “Tim,” the last one turned around, “take another tub in the room next to Lady Svetlana’s and fill it up too, I will be there in a moment, thank you.”
Shane can feel the heat just standing nearby, almost transparent white steam swirling around in the air.
“I will come back as soon as I finish,” Rose pecked him at the cheek.
“The change of clothes is in the first cabin on the left. We will discuss the evening outfit later,” Jackie added before closing the door
They left and Shane was alone. Finally.
He sniffed at a few vials, immediately rejecting most of it, choosing just a small herbal soap bar, and soft floral smelling oil for his hair after.
The hot water was just a little too hot for his liking but he wouldn’t complain.
Shane took a breath and let himself go under it.
He liked hot baths. Little prickling needles on his skin taking all of his exhaustion away, making him weightless and lightheaded. Was that how babies feel when they were in their mothers wombs? Hot and flowing substance in sweet nothingness with their own heartbeat and nothing else?
Shane longed for it now: to be reduced to a something that would just be there with no sensation of the world on him beyond the hum of bloodstream. No thoughts, no tears, no obligations.
No cold knees that didn’t fit in the water.
The soap was nice. Lathering it up in his hands to the soft foam, Shane washed his hair until his scalp was breathing, then moved to his body. He will ask if he can bathe again tomorrow. He hoped yes.
Clean clothes felt like a blessing with its downy texture and surprisingly no scratching seams and when Shane fell on the bed, fingers twitching in the softest furs, he let it all lulling him to sleep.
________________
There was a knock at his door when Shane almost finished getting himself ready to bed, standing in new night clothes and his comb halfway through the unbraided hair. He was so ready to wait for Rose and pass out.
They just finished dinner in the main hall with Ilya’s court and some of the currently presented lords.
It went… well? Probably. Could have been worse?
The food was better than you can expect at this time of the season: when people just started to plant the fields, and tree buds, that will become fruits and berries, were greedily eating all the sun and tree’s life juices, being on the edge of starting to bloom any day now.
He liked the smoked fish that had very soft notes of nuts, its sweet fat running down his fingers; ignored any meat from the recent hunt — he had enough of it for probably a long time — and nibbled at some breads and cheeses. He had eaten some nuts and soft crepes with fresh whipped cream — that was absolutely delicious — in his room earlier, so he just picked at some things, not having much appetite. Just a lazy curiosity that made his eyes and spoon wonder. He shared most of the things with Rose who was sitting beside him and trying to share some gossip.
She was in this place no longer than him, how in the Gods' names, did she already found out anything?
He was so fucking tired and wanted to sleep more, it was a miracle he can sit straight.
The only real downside moment of the evening was when he did his greetings and the prepared speech: he could hear a few chuckles and sneers echoing in the room from old lords and poorly behaviouring young ladies, and couldn’t make out the reason for that reaction. Maybe they didn’t like him? But they didn’t know him. Or was it his accent? Or he somehow offended them, but none of the knights would let him embarrass himself like that on his first day, he was sure of it. A kind or at least indifferent face was a hard one to be found in this bunch, but he managed to catch a few. He will need to learn all the names as fast as possible.
Ilya’s first response was a booming laugh. Shane thought it was some sort of mockery again, but it seemed that the incident earlier was exactly that. Ilya was genuinely pleased, crinkles of the smile making his face even more lovely, and surprised with how fast Shane learned everything, not being modest with sharing his opinion out loud for everyone to hear. Rose was pleased with that reaction and so was Shane.
So, could have been worse?
Someone knocked again.
It was not Rose, she wouldn’t knock.
“It’s Ilya, may I come in?”
What? What was he doing here? They just parted their ways and it was almost nighttime! Was that even appropriate?
“Shane?”
“Of course,” Shane remembered to reply.
Ilya moved inside the room and closed the door, leaning on it with his back. He looked serious. Shane didn’t notice before but he looked also… tired. Tight lines bracketed his mouth, shadows under the eyes spoke about the little sleep man probably had.
“I asked Lady Rose to keep herself entertained for a bit, so we can have a talk.”
Traitor.
“Of course.”
Ilya didn’t say anything more, just his eyes trying to read something on Shane’s face, making an uncertainty stir awaken in him. Shane was still clutching his comb, sharp ends digging in the palm.
“I just spoke with my knights. Leon told me that you looked… surprised? About your parents sending you here?” Shane nodded. “Cliff used more colorful language.” That probably was true. “Like you were about to shit yourself.”
“That is a bit too much,” Shane furrowed his eyebrows. Where was that conversation going?
“Why?” Ilya was not smiling. Shane was in complete bewilderment.
“Why what?”
“Why were you surprised?”
“Because I was?”
That was the stupidest dialogue he probably ever had. He once was trying to explain his mare that she was not allowed to have apples whenever she desired. The dialogue right now was still winning, concluded Shane.
Ilya sighed and moved further into the room sitting now on one of the armchairs. “When were you told about our marriage?” He was not searching Shane’s eyes now, keeping his on the floor. His poster was full of poorly hidden distress right now and it was surely not helping Shane to be calm as well.
“When your knights brought the news about you officially asking for my hand,” Shane was still standing but he would actually like to sit now too. He moved to take his parents’ letter out of his bag and then sat down too.
Ilya broke the seal and took a few minutes to read.
Shane was worried. There was no real reason to be but he was. He had a long trip, when you have practically nothing to entertain yourself with besides trying to understand why his parents insisted on this marriage and immediate leaving. He was angry. Of course he was, he wasn’t told about anything at all, but maybe there was something he didn’t know. Something they didn’t share with him to understand. They were his parents, he will always give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it was just a parent thing. Maybe it was him being omega and both of them alphas thing. They saw an alpha they thought would suit him and decided that the situation couldn’t wait. He was of appropriate age for quite some time. It was about to happen.
Ilya’s face was beautiful even when furious, like the incarnation of Gods’ wrath, making Shane’s breath hitch and his stomach flutter but not from fear. He rubbed his thumb in marks from the comb teeth.
Why was he angry? The agreement had reasonable requests and they probably discussed it all before; Shane was there when his parents wrote it, so knew all of it was well-grounded. Was it Shane? He saw him in person and decided he didn't want him? Would he not-
“Do you want to call it off?”
What?
“Are you fucking stupid?” blurts Shane.
Ilya’s expression moved to a more confused one. “Hey.”
“Do not “hey” at me!” Shane was losing his mind. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Call it off? Are you out of your mind?”
“Gods,” groaned Ilya, hiding his face in his hands. “You’re like a scandalised chicken. Stop squeaking.”
He was not squeaking!
“Fuck you! I’m not a chicken! Why would I call it off?” Shane hissed again. “We cannot call it off! I am already here, people saw me and we just had dinner with all of your court who already formed some opinions about me! You publicly announced our engagement!”
“So what? We can just tell it didn’t work out between us. To the people we can tell you were… visiting?” Shane wasn’t sure if Ilya was joking, troubling with his words in another language or just really, really stupid. He should know that things don’t work like that. They’re fucking royalty.
“What could possibly not work out in the two hours we know each other? And why the fuck would I visit you?!”
“Maybe we’re friends,” Ilya was still looking at the letter like it offended him.
Shane’s head was hot and light from being so overwhelmed by his own outburst. He knows he can do better.
“Ilya,” Shane took a deep breath and waited until the man looked up. “I will not call it off. Why would I even do this?”
“You didn’t know about the wedding.” He was serious.
“I didn’t.”
“They should have told you.”
Ilya ran a hand through his hair a few times, making it look like a bird nest. They looked so soft; little sparks of gold from flickering candle lights were catching on the curls making them look like the petals of fire. Shane wanted to run his hand through them too.
“Yeah,” Shane would not argue with that. “If that is the only reason, please, do not bring it up again. That is crazy, and I will not listen to it again.” Only if you yourself don’t want it now. If you don’t want me, he wanted to add. Arranged marriages are a tricky thing, you either hit it off or you do not. Maybe Ilya didn't see it all like Shane.
Shane took a few minutes to form his words.
“I don’t want to call it off if you don’t.” He waited for Ilya to say anything but the man kept looking at him. “Please, keep you side of the deal,” he added quietly, “I am sorry, if it somehow not what you expected, but-”
“Hey,” warm hands were hovering over his trembling now, not touching, letting Shane decide. Shane felt a soft sigh escape him, when Ilya’s skin was on his again like in the courtyard earlier. “That was not even a question here. I am the man of my word. If needed, we will write another treaty or whatever, but my men will start to leave in the next few days, so we can fuck this fucker up on your borders too, yes?” Shane can feel himself smiling. What a way with words. Not like Shane was a lot better a few minutes ago, but he usually controlled his behavior better. “I just… It’s unfair that I knew and you didn’t. So I thought of giving you a choice to decide yourself.” Ilya was kneading his fingers now. Shane was comfortable even if confused. What an interesting combination of emotions. “I wrote to them a few times, and they didn’t mention anything, so I thought you came to an agreement between you all.”
Shane was tired, and warm, and fed, and so so tired, and his restless fingers were fidgeting with alpha’s now, so really didn’t want to snap at Ilya to remind about what Shane being an omega did mean, actually. The fact he was not married off yet was a product of Shane working hard at being constantly busy with the realm tasks: from traveling the neighbouring town to see why there was a supply shortage to the personal attendances of guards training as an observer. That, and him inheriting his mother's stubbornness, declining all of the courting attempts.
He wondered if it was Ilya’s soft masculine beauty or his not so subtle care or the warmth in his people's tone when they talked about him or entirely something else that didn’t make Shane recoil at the idea anymore.
“I don’t want to guess what they were thinking,” Shane was sure of that. He was tired, and every time he did try to think about it, he came to a conclusion that he just can’t fucking understand what was going on in his parents’ head. Maybe he would just ask them later. Someday. Maybe not. “I’m already there, we told everyone that we’re engaged, I’m absolutely not doing this trip again and, if you squint, it is politically wise. So. Marriage is happening.”
Shane looked up. Ilya’s face looked calmer, though Shane can tell that it still troubled him in some way. He stroked Ilya’s hands, sword calluses and a few scars all over. Hands of the fighter, carefully holding Shane there, while he was trying to make peace with himself on the idea that he already was not that opposed to his future marriage, if they would hold him like that from time to time.
Arranged marriage was his nightmare for years after he found out he was omega, but maybe it can bloom into something good, too.
Please, just agree with me, he thought.
Maybe we can be friends? I think I want to be your friend. I like your warm hands and how the sun makes your eyes look like home and I want to see your smile again.
“I’m sorry it is happening that way,” Ilya said quietly, looking right at him.
“Me too.” Shane wasn’t sure they were sorry about the same thing.