The sun was dipping low as Rythe dismounted from his warhorse, the dust of the western border still clinging to his armor. His boots echoed through the stone corridors of his wing as he made his way toward his quarters, Cale and Renna splitting off silently with the guards.
There was a strange air in the estate tonight.
Laughter. Murmurs. Excitement.
And something else—a name, flitting past in hushed tones as servants passed one another.
"Did you see him?"
"They say he's an emissary—Rythe's."
" Omega?"
"No… that can't be the same person."
"He was beautiful… like something not quite real."
Rythe ignored them.
Or tried to.
His steps quickened.
Every muscle in his body begged for rest, but he stormed straight toward his study, fingers twitching at his sides, jaw locked. As he reached the door, he flung it open—and froze.
The scent hit him like a thunderclap.
Lavender. Clean steel. The faintest note of frost and orange blossom.
Aurean.
Rythe stumbled back a step and gripped the edge of the desk, lowering himself into the chair like the wind had been knocked out of him.
His lungs refused to function.
His heart beat too fast.
His senses betrayed him—but he knew.
Aurean had been here.
And not just that—Aurean's pheromones lingered in the room like ghosts, dancing through the air, pulling every buried ache back to the surface.
Rythe gritted his teeth, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees, hands trembling.
That was when Lareth entered quietly.
He paused at the door, noting Rythe's posture before saying gently,
"You felt him."
Rythe's voice came low, rasped.
"Who came into my study, Lareth?"
The knight hesitated only a second.
"Aurean."
The name landed like a hammer.
The silence that followed felt heavier than steel.
Lareth shifted. Then added, with a hesitant smile,
"He said he had a message for you. I sent him to his estate… said he'll stay there for now."
Rythe didn't answer.
He couldn't.
Because even as he sat there, every breath he took tasted like memory—of a boy with fire in his eyes, of a blade drawn beneath moonlight.
His heart hurt.
Then, like an arrow to the chest, he remembered the letter from Rhaellis just a few weeks ago—the one he sent with amusement, noting that Aurean and Prince Kaedor of Calatheas seemed to be getting along well.
Rythe exhaled a shaky breath and whispered,
"He's found someone."
Lareth frowned.
"Rythe—"
Rythe cut him off, his voice hollow but resolute.
"He's found peace. And love. With someone who deserves him. I won't take that from him."
He stood slowly, pacing a few steps away, before continuing,
"I gave him nothing but pain. Every time he looks at me, it will be a reminder of everything he's tried to forget. Of who he had to become to survive."
Lareth stepped forward.
"But he came back."
Rythe looked at him, the weight in his eyes near unbearable.
"For duty. Not for me."
A long silence passed. Then Rythe added, quietly but with finality,
"Send Cale to his estate tomorrow. He can collect the message. There's no reason for me to face him."
Lareth didn't argue again.
He simply nodded, the sorrow in his expression mirroring the one Rythe tried to hide. Then he turned and left, closing the door softly behind him.
Rythe sat alone in the dim room, the ghost of Aurean's scent still hanging in the air.
And for the first time in years…
He let himself mourn.
The estate gates opened to let the lone rider in, the guards recognizing the crest of the crescent knight and waving him through. Tholan, the ever-efficient head butler, was already at the steps, his posture impeccable as the rider dismounted.
"Sir Cale, I presume?" Tholan asked.
Cale nodded politely. "Is Lord Aurean available?"
Tholan raised a brow ever so slightly. "He is. Please wait."
Inside, Aurean sat by the open window in the sitting room, golden light spilling across the pages of the estate ledger he had been poring over. A tray of untouched tea sat cooling on the table beside him, his thoughts far from finances.
When Tholan entered, Aurean looked up, blinking out of his daze.
"Someone to see you, my lord," Tholan said, voice tinged with curiosity. "A knight. Says Prince Rythe sent him."
Aurean's brows furrowed. "Rythe sent someone?" He stood, smoothing down the folds of his robe. "Bring him in."
A moment later, Cale entered—young, poised, and unmistakably omega. He bowed with precise formality, his armor glinting softly in the morning light.
"My lord Aurean."
Aurean studied him for a breath too long, eyes narrowing slightly—not in suspicion, but in sheer surprise.
An omega knight… loyal to Rythe?
"You're an omega," he said plainly.
"Yes, my lord."
"And you serve as a knight under Rythe?"
"I do."
There was a pause, and then a smile flickered on Aurean's lips. "I see."
But the warmth didn't reach his eyes.
"Why did he not come himself?"
Cale shifted slightly, clearly caught off guard. "I… cannot say, my lord. I was sent to collect a message you wished to deliver."
Aurean's fingers curled lightly at his side. Something tightened in his chest—not quite pain, not quite anger. A hollow ache.
He looked away for a moment, jaw clenched. Then turned back to Cale, his voice firm but calm.
"Tell him I will only deliver the message in person."
Cale hesitated. "I'm not sure Prince Rythe will—"
Aurean cut him off gently but decisively.
"I don't care if he's avoiding me. He's still my prince, and I am his emissary. If he wants the message, he'll look me in the eye to receive it."
Cale bowed again, this time deeper. "I'll deliver your words, my lord."
As Cale turned to leave, Aurean called softly after him.
"Sorry for coming out here for nothing."
Cale paused at the doorway, a flicker of surprise crossing his features before he gave a small, grateful nod and departed.
As the doors shut behind him, Aurean stood in the middle of the grand hallway of the estate Rythe had rebuilt for him and wondered just how long Rythe planned to run from him.
Because if he thought Aurean would stay hidden away forever...
He had another thing coming.