Leoma grinned and squeezed her hand. “You are the princess who is going to be queen. What use would you have to see me again?”
Ana laughed. “You’re one of the only two Omegas I know,” she said. “That’s why. We have something unique in common. It’s a shame we don’t get to see each other more often.”
Leoma turned and gestured to the chairs. “Would you like to sit?”
Ana shook her head. “I’m not going to be up here very long,” she said apologetically. “I’m sure someone will notice I’m missing.” She glanced around the room again. “Why aren’t you downstairs with the rest of them?”
Leoma pushed out her lips. “I am to be brought down to greet you in about an hour. I’m not allowed to mingle too freely.”
Ana almost rolled her eyes. “I know that feeling. Being pushed and prodded into various scenarios and being told how to act or what you can do.”
“It so restricting. I cannot even imagine how it must be for you.”
Ana shrugged. “I got used to it from a very young age, it’s normal to me now.” Her voice lowered to a murmur as she spoke, remembering all the times she had sat in her bedroom waiting to be announced to some official or important member of yet another house. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anybody that I’ve seen you beforehand, though Duchess Heloise is the one who asked a servant to bring me here.”
Leoma rolled her eyes and then tensed as though caught doing something wrong. “I don’t mean to be disrespectful toward Heloise,” she said hurriedly. “She is my aunt, after all. It’s just… I have been disagreeable with her of late, and she doesn’t appreciate it.”
Ana almost laughed, but the sadness settled in her stomach. Ana had been fortunate that she didn’t have to deal with royal house politics as she grew up. And even so, she’d still had the same demeanor as Leoma—afraid to offend and eager to please.
“So why did you want to see me?” Leoma asked. “I’m not very experienced in wedding announcement ceremonies. I cannot believe you get to marry Ryden! He’s the best-looking Alpha in the royal assembly.” Suddenly her face dropped and she slapped her hand over her mouth in shock, her eyes wide on the princess.
“It’s all right,” Ana laughed. “I’ve known Ryden for a long time now; it doesn’t seem like that much of a big deal.” She ignored the sinking feeling in her stomach that she shouldn’t be starting her marriage with such a lack of excitement about her husband.
“Oh,” Leoma breathed, relief on her face. “Sterling women would be upset about me saying that about their betrothed—I think it’s because I’m an Omega and they think every man wants me.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s just Ryden does seem really nice and kind. And he deals with Heloise in a way I’ve rarely seen anyone do before, so that has to count for something.”
Ana‘s brows lifted. “What you mean? Do they talk often?”
“I’m not sure. The last time I saw them both was when they came to visit me.”
“When was that?”
Leoma pouted as she thought. “A couple of days ago, I think? It was completely out of the blue, and I couldn’t figure out why they’d both come.”
Ana stared at her. If Sterling and Redcrest were so against each other, why would Ryden and Heloise be making visits together? “What did they say?”
“They just asked me how I was doing in my lessons and what I’d been studying. Heloise asked me if I’d been paying attention to court events, my understanding of politics in the court assembly, how I was doing in my lessons, and what I knew about House Redcrest and if I had any allegiances there.” Leoma shrugged. “But I don’t know how I would when I’m not allowed to speak to anyone,” she grumbled. “Then Ryden asked me if I was excited about my upcoming pairing and we talked about that for a bit.”
Ana chewed her lip thoughtfully. “I don’t understand why they would be asking that, especially out of the blue.” She squinted at Leoma. “Have you been paired yet?”
“That is what I’m preparing for,” she said. “It’s going to be announced in the next few weeks—I think they were just trying to help prepare me. At least, that’s what Heloise said.” She shook her head and sighed. “I fear I may have made a fool out of myself with Duke Ryden, though. He’s extremely handsome.” She leaned forward, dropping her voice to a whisper. “I don’t know how you’re able to even think around him. He’s the perfect Alpha!”
Ana smiled at her, but a dull gloom sobered her mood. This was exactly how Ana came across to others; innocent, ignorant, and gullible. Leoma was so sweet, but she didn’t know much. She didn’t even realize that her aunt and Ryden being together was unusual. Ana wouldn’t have thought so a week ago either, but it clearly was. Why did everyone treat Omegas this way? She pushed the thoughts out of her mind. “It is exciting when you know you’re about to be paired,” she admitted.
“It is!” Leoma said, grinning wide. “I hope it’s someone as nice as Ryden.”
Ana patted her hand. “I’m sure it will be.” She rose from his seat. “Thank you for seeing me, Leoma. It’s been lovely to talk to you again.”
Leoma blushed. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I am honored.”
Multiple thoughts dominated Ana’s mind on the journey back to Ryden’s mansion. Ryden seem to sense her thoughtfulness because he didn’t try to engage in any kind of discussion or physical touching like he had on the way there. Ana was relieved about that because she was too tired to pretend.
Dusk had come and gone while they were at Sterling, and the velvety sky was streaked with the fading scores of lingering sun that somehow made her think of her nights with Maddoc. Immediately she pushed him out of her mind.
“You look tired, Ana,” Ryden said, his voice low. “I hope you haven’t been exhausted by today’s visits.”
Ana shook her head. “I will be capable of being married to you tomorrow, Ryden.”
He didn’t respond for a long moment. “This will be difficult for a while, Ana,” he said. “But you will eventually come to terms with what is being asked of you.”
“Don’t you mean what is being asked of our children?”
“Ana,” he growled. Something about the way he said it reminded her of Maddoc, and surprisingly her core clenched.
Ana stilled at the feeling. Was that a reaction to Ryden? Or the memory of Maddoc? She stared up at the sky, remembering two nights ago and his eagerness to fuck her as soon as he entered the room. She didn’t even recall seeing the night sky while in that room with him; she’d never had the chance, even when he had her bent over the window—
“What are you thinking about?”
Ryden’s voice brought her back to the smoothing jerking motion of the carriage. She swallowed, tucking the illicit thoughts away. There were more important things to discuss. “Why did you visit Leoma a couple of days ago?” she asked calmly.
In the semidarkness, she wasn’t able to determine his expression, but something subtly changed in his posture. “Who told you that?”