The Trip

Kieran had insisted on coming along.

Partly because he had no desire to stay behind and deal with Drake's insufferable presence. Partly because, after everything Mrs. Dain had said, he wasn't about to let Soren travel alone with her. He left Valen in charge of his division and hoped that by the time he returned, things would still be in one piece.

Soren, on the other hand, was beyond relieved.

He didn't think it was a good idea for Kieran to leave his division, but for very selfish reasons, he said nothing. The last thing he wanted was to be alone with that crazy woman.

The carriage ride was tense with silence. The kind of silence that felt too aware.

Soren finally broke it. "Where exactly are we going?"

Mrs. Dain didn't glance up from where she sat primly across from them. "To one of the neutral territories," she said. "Velmira."

Soren frowned. "Neutral areas are dangerous, aren't they?"

"Most of them," Kieran said, shifting beside him. "But a few are decent."

Soren wasn't entirely convinced. Not after all the stories he heard.

________

The journey took almost a full day and a half. Soren figured it was because they had to take careful routes, avoiding enemy zones. Otherwise, it would have been much shorter.

When they finally crossed into Velmira, the difference was staggering.

The town glowed under the warmth of street lamps, golden light illuminating cobbled roads and brick buildings. Laughter spilled from open-air taverns, and market stalls remained lively even after sundown. The scent of food, delicious, sizzling food, that Soren wished he could taste, drifted through the air.

Soren had never seen so many people gathered in one place.

Without realizing it, he leaned out of the carriage, eyes wide. The sight was mesmerizing. Like a child, he wished he could step out and walk among them.

Kieran, watching from the side, smirked at his omega's wonder.

"Mother, are we going to the same hotel?" Kieran asked, pulling his gaze from Soren.

"Yes. Why?" Mrs. Dain somehow knew why he was asking, but she wanted to see if her son would admit it. 

Kieran shifted in his seat for a beat. "I just thought we might…take a walk first... Just me and...and him."

His face burned with embarrassment. Since when had he wanted to be romantic?

Mrs. Dain's lips twitched in amusement, though she hid it well.

For a fleeting moment, she was taken back to a time long ago, when it had been her and Kieran's father. The battlefield had been their home before she ever knew he was an omega. No one could tell. Not until the day he went into heat. Even then, she had loved him enough to keep his secret.

She admired him as a commander, quietly loved him, but loved him even more openly when she found out her stupid crush was an omega. Stronger than her, until he was at her feet, asking her to touch him.

She exhaled softly and glanced at Kieran, still blushing like a fool.

"Go," she said.

Kieran turned to Soren. "Come with me."

Soren blinked, then turned to Mrs. Dain as if checking if this was some sort of test.

She gave him a small nod.

Without hesitation, he leapt out of the carriage, excitement buzzing in his chest.

"Can we eat there?" Soren asked, pointing to a busy street vendor. "I saw someone cooking, and there were so many people!"

Kieran chuckled, more than happy to spoil him tonight. Soren has never spoken much about his time with his family, but the little he has said was enough to know the kind of lifestyle he was forced to live.

They tried everything.

Soren devoured skewered meat, hot dumplings, and buttered bread. He gasped in delight at ice cream, something he had never been allowed back home because it was "unhealthy."

And candy. So much candy.

Kieran didn't stop him. If anything, he bought more just to watch Soren's excitement.

Soren's happiness was almost childlike, and Kieran found himself captivated by it.

They stopped near a man performing in the middle of a small crowd.

His rich voice carried through the street. The song was familiar to Soren, a love ballad that Soren had heard many times before as it played often in their home.

"Through storm and fire, I'd walk for you, Across the night, where the stars burn true. If time is cruel, I'll steal the sun. For you, my love, my only one."

Without thinking, Soren began to sing along.

Kieran watched, entranced. His omega, standing beneath the soft glow of lanterns, voice gentle yet filled with quiet passion.

When the song ended, Soren clapped cheerfully, only to frown when he realized people were tossing coins.

He had nothing to give.

Kieran wordlessly handed him a silver coin.

Soren's face lit up, and he tossed it in.

The performer, noticing, gave Kieran an amused look. "You've got yourself a charming one."

Kieran only smirked. "I know."

They walked back slowly, passing restaurants, closed shops, and quiet alleyways.

It was a chilling night, but Soren, usually sensitive to cold, didn't mind, the warmth of Velmira lingered in his chest.

Just as they reached the hotel, Soren froze.

His breath hitched and his stomach twisted.

Across the street, standing under the dim glow of a lantern, was a familiar figure.

Hadrian.

A smirk played on his lips, dark eyes gleaming with amusement.

And then..

He disappeared into the shadows.