When Alpha Created Omega

Extra Bonus

Bonus Chapter -

Theo - POV

Our bedroom looked nothing like the rest of the estate.

The kingdom outside had been built to intimidate. Massive stone walls surrounded the property, broken by towering windows, iron gates, watchtowers, and enough guards stationed throughout the grounds to make even a visiting king think twice before stepping through the doors. Everything beyond these walls had been designed to announce power.

Our bedroom didn't need to.

It whispered.

Dark wooden beams crossed the ceiling overhead, disappearing into shadows where the firelight couldn't quite reach. Heavy black curtains framed the enormous balcony doors, their fabric gathered loosely at either side so the moon could spill through the glass. Beyond them, the estate stretched down toward the valley, scattered lights glowing between the trees. Farther away, the land disappeared into rolling darkness beneath the night sky, the moon hanging above it like a pale, watchful eye.

The balcony itself was made from pale, weathered stone. Its thick railing was carved with curling designs, and two iron lanterns burned on either side of the doors. Their flames trembled whenever the night breeze slipped inside.

Inside, dozens of candles burned throughout the room.

Some rested on the stone mantel above the fireplace. Others sat on the tables beside our bed, their flames reflected faintly against dark metal dishes. A few had been tucked between the books on the shelves, throwing little pockets of gold across the old spines.

The effect was almost dreamlike.

Warm gold against black.

Firelight against moonlight.

Soft shadows moving over stone walls.

The enormous bed dominated the center of the room. Its dark wooden frame had been carved by hand, the headboard rising high behind the pillows. Deep green and black blankets covered the mattress, layered heavily enough that they nearly spilled over the sides. Pillows were scattered everywhere.

Iven complained about them constantly.

She was also the person who stole most of them every night.

A thick rug covered the floor beside the bed, soft beneath my bare feet. A small table sat nearby with two glasses, a bottle of wine, and the book I'd abandoned earlier that evening.

Dark red roses stood in a black vase near the fireplace.

Their petals were almost the same shade as Iven's hair.

The scent of them mixed with the faint smoke from the fire, making the entire room smell warm and strangely intimate.

And then there was her.

Iven stood near the balcony doors with the moon behind her.

She wasn't dressed like the woman the kingdom saw during council meetings.

There was no crown.

No ceremonial armor.

No heavy coat displaying the symbols of her government.

Tonight she wore black lace.

The dress was elegant without making her look delicate. The dark fabric followed the natural lines of her body from her shoulders downward, fitted through her upper body before falling into a long, flowing skirt around her legs.

The lace was intricate and partially sheer in places, allowing the warm color of her skin to show through the finer sections. Along her shoulders and arms, the delicate black patterns looked almost like dark vines laid across her skin. Candlelight slipped through the spaces between the lace and created shifting patterns whenever she moved.