Chapter 19: How to Find Your Mate (2)

Chapter 19: How to find your mate (2)

Edward swirled his wine in the glass, watching the deep red liquid catch the warm light of chandeliers. "So you're saying Damian should stage a public scene? A soap opera?"

"Not really… I mean... " Astana leaned back in the chair and rested his hands on the wooden armchair. He needed to find a way to express his thoughts as clearly as possible. "Yes, a soap opera, but it must not alter the Emperor's image, and I am not talking about reputation. Rather, about your actions. It has to be natural, nothing forced. And I would advise you to at least... give a heads up to Gabriel or Maximilian Thornwell."

"I see where you are going with this; I can make it work. For now, help Edward and Maximilian with the coming-of-age ball. I need it to be publicly announced next week and it's date to be set in... Now it's August 18, make it no later than September 30."

Astana could not understand how he was involved in not one, but two major problems. He was about to be fired less than three hours ago, for fucks sake. He did not get a chance to read the report Damian had thrown on his desk. Astana took the glass he put aside and slid it to Edward. He needed something to help him with the anxiety that started to clump on his chest. 

"You are a madman, Damian. Max will kill you. If I don't do it myself before he gets back. Astana, welcome to the inner circle of the Emperor. You are fucked." Edward toasts to Astana after he fills his glass with wine. 

"Very encouraging, Edward. But we need to do something about all these thorns in my side and Gabriel has everything I need." 

"However, Damian, are you sure you want him as a soul mate? From what I know from my brothers, it's not something you can undo and it's on life." Astana played with his glass, his gaze fixed on the garden lights refracting into the massive, arched windows. "Your plan is compatible with... your lifestyle?" He hesitated. Damian had had two omegas and three beta women declare that they were carrying his child within the last six months. All had been ruled out as either fake pregnancies or the father was another man. But one from today remained. 

 "Your brothers are right, kinda. If you are a normal alpha or a recessive one, usually the bond is forever and only the death of a partner can free you. But you will suffer greatly. or so I thought... " Damian took a deep breath and poured himself some wine. "There is no secret that I had a soulmate before being the emperor. She died in the rebellion."

Astana braced himself to hear the two's tragic love story. Leora Abalone and Damian Orion Lyon proved that even contract marriages can turn into love stories. 

"Yes, everyone knows about her and that you didn't forget her. That's why the Empress place is empty." Damian's bitter laugh echoed in the silent room. He placed his glass on the table, his hands gripping his abdomen with the force of his laughter. Edward drank his wine without flinching, but with an eerie smile on his face. 

"Sure, sure. I must say, this rumor is our best one yet, Edward." Damian took the silk handkerchief from Edward and wiped his tears. "No. She died by my hands because she was a traitor." His voice was deep, filled with hatred. "This will confirm you how good my plans are; nobody will know the truth until I say it. So yes, even soulmates can betray each other. If you were wondering if I could dedicate myself to one person. Sure. I have never had more than one partner at a time."

Damian threw the handkerchief on the table before standing up to get some water from the corner table. "There is definitely a need for an Empress, even if I wanted or not. Max won't have any problem not pursuing Gabriel. He does it only for George Claymore."

"You can't be so cruel to your brother." Edward wouldn't have any problem doing all the planning if the so-called soulmate were anyone else. 

"Max has someone he loves already. He will tell it to Gabriel soon. Dominant alphas can mark more than one mate if there is a need for that. Max will do his contractual part, but he will want to have his lover as a mate by his side."

"I don't know who is crueler. But i can see the Hadeon genes in both of you." Edward said bitterly. He hoped that Max would inherit more from his mother, but it seemed like brothers were indeed from the same father. 

"Unfortunatelly, but also it helped us. I have to give him that." Damian shrugged while finding his way to the desk full of work still waiting for him. "For your conscience, I will talk to Gabriel eventually. The rapport on him gave some useful info."

"What did they find about him?" Edward was curious to know if the young man had anything worth hiding. 

"A lot for someone so young, but what helps us is that he is marked. Well, no, he inflicted the mark himself to cover the mark of an imperial magical contract." Damian put the glass of water on his desk and turned his back to the room, watching the guards outside changing shifts. 

"A magical contract? By who?" Astana questioned while standing up; he needed to know what Damian gave him to do before leaving. He was a little lightheaded and didn't really want to get home drunk from work. His father had recently returned to the capital and he would lose it if he found out about anything that happened this evening. 

Edward moved effortlessly and cleaned the table they had used; in minutes the glasses and bottles were gone. Everything was spotless again. 

"Well, it seems like it was Olivier. But the mark gave me an interesting idea."