Claire Cullen - Omegas Gamble

Raine had to say this for airshipsthey might be slow, but they were spacious. Hed grown up with stories of the cramped conditions on the seafaring marriage ships of previous generations. Ferno wasnt convinced, but then the cat was used to living in the lap of luxury. An airship, no matter how opulently decorated, couldnt compare to a palace. Despite the months theyd spent traveling, Ferno was still disgruntled that he couldnt waltz into the kitchens at any hour and demand to be fed.

Raine had made up for it by creating a new toy for Ferno, a clockwork mouse powered with a tiny piece of celestial silver. Leaning over the side of his bed, he triggered the spell on the little toy mouse and sent it skittering across the floor for the cat. Ferno watched it from his perch on the bed, tail twitching, before he pounced, running from one end of the room to the other as the mouse skillfully avoided his paws. It was an endless game of chasing for him.

The door to Raines room was propped open with a book so he could hear the goings-on in the corridor. It was always good to keep up with the gossip. Ferno batted at the mouse with his paw, sending it rolling toward the door, over the book, and out into the corridor. The cat gave chase.

Ferno!

Raine let his book fall and jumped to his feet, hurrying out. Two of his fellow omegas were heading down the corridor toward him, the toy mouse in their path. If they got a close look at the magically fueled toy, he could be in a lot of trouble. One of them, Bethan, bent down to pick it up as he rushed toward them. Raine snatched it out from under Bethans hand, startling the omega.

Raine!

Sorry, sorry. Fernos very possessive of his toys.

He turned and hurried back toward his room, reaching down to pick up Ferno as he did.

Hes not the only one, he heard Bethan mutter behind him, doing his best not to tense when he heard the two omegas laugh.

He bundled the struggling cat and equally struggling toy mouse back into his room, set them on the floor, and shut the door firmly. He leaned back against it with a sigh of relief.

That was too close, Ferno.

He returned to his book, settling down for a boring afternoon of watching the minutes tick by. Ferno eventually curled up on the bed beside him, falling into a deep sleep. When four oclock finally came around, Raine had been staring at the same page for half an hour, not having read a single word. The latest round of offers would be releasing soon. He hated that they were always announced publiclyhe liked to nurse his wounds in privatebut that was tradition, and tradition had to be upheld.

A soft chime sounded, calling him and the other omegas to the main room.

Come on, Ferno. Time to face the music.

He hid the mouse away and let himself out of his quarters, Ferno at his heels. It shouldnt have felt like he was walking to his own execution, but where his family was concerned, another rejection might as well have been a death sentence. He was running out of chances.

Facilitator Glades imperious voice carried down the corridor. Gather round, Princes.

Milo fell into step beside Raine, wringing his hands. Im so nervous, I might throw up.

Raine made a face. Youd better not or well all have to sit through another lecture on decorum. Facilitator Glade loved the sound of his own voice. After months cooped up with him on the marriage circuit, every word he spoke grated on Raines nerves.

Milo ignored his warning, linking arms with him.

This might be it. For both of us.

Milo was a few months younger than Raine but a heck of a lot more nave. A sweet, eager, and eternally optimistic omega. Raine was almost wistful. Hed never been that innocentthe curse of growing up as the most hated child of the king of Ludinia.

They were the last to enter the chamber. Glade stood in the center of the room with his arms crossed, tapping his foot impatiently on the plush carpet.

Do we need another chat about the importance of punctuality?

Im sorry, Facilitator Glade, Milo said, the picture of contrite. Raine echoed him, trying not to sound sullen.

Very well. Take your seats.

Milo rushed to sit down. Raine followed more sedately, aware that the other omegas were leveling glares his way for not moving faster. Glade looked pleased, though. He was always complaining that Raine walked too quickly or ran in the corridors or was far too energetic than was proper for an omega on the cusp of marriage.

Glade waited until Raine was seated with his legs crossed at the ankle and his hands arranged neatly in his lap. Raine often liked to slouch or do something else to irritate the facilitator, but hed kept the room waiting long enough. They all wanted to know where they stood.

Now that were all present, Ill proceed.

There was a collective holding of breath, and omegas across the room held hands. Glade didnt bother to admonish them. Theyd been on the marriage circuit for monthsnerves were frayed, emotions were high. No one wanted to be left on the scrap heap.

By royal decree of the kingdom of Everstone, I announce the making of seven matches.

There were gasps at that. Seven. Seven was a good number. An auspicious number. All Raine needed now was for his name to be among the chosen. It didnt matter who. It was the marriage he cared about, not the husband.

First Prince Gerard is betrothed to Prince Bethan of the kingdom of Mulveen.

Bethan clapped a hand over his mouth, silencing what Raine knew was a shout of joy. There was no surprise at the pairinghe and Prince Gerard had been inseparable from the first night of the match festival.

First Prince Anton

There were three first princes, and none of them were going to choose Raine. A second prince, if he was very lucky, though a third prince was more realistic given his position. It didnt matterhed take anyone, so long as they had a royal title to their name.

The elder of the second princes was matched to Nyuma, who didnt look too happy with the arrangement. Hed set his sights on a first prince but had been edged out by one of the Haloan twins.

Second Prince Aloysius, betrothed to Prince Milo of the kingdom of the Seven Sails.

Raine turned just in time to see Milos eyes widen in shock. Like Raine, Milos status wasnt the highest, giving him an outside chance of making as good a match as the rest of the omegas. But Raine had seen the shy omega share a few quiet conversations with the equally reserved Aloysiuscalled Louis by his family. Milo hadnt wanted to hope, and Raine had been afraid to encourage him. In his experience, timid alphas tended to get overruled by their families when it came to matters of the heart. It was clear now that Raine had been wrong about Louis. Hed obviously been strong enough to stand up to his family and make it clear what he wanted.

Congratulations, Milo, he murmured. Im so happy for you.

He was pleased for Milo, who deserved all the happiness in the world when it came to marriage. He was jealous too, of course. But there was still a chance for him

And finally, Third Prince Clemetus is betrothed to Prince Nathaniel of the kingdom of Eves.

Disappointment stabbed sharply at his chest. Hed been passed over, again.

The room descended into chatter, shrill with excitement.

Milo reached for him, pressing a hand to his. Im so sorry, Rai

Raine yanked his hand away. Nonsense. Whats there to be sorry about? Youre getting married. Prince Louis is very lucky he snapped you up before somebody else could. In fact, I suspect he had to fight his brothers for you.