Page 13 of A Hal for my Heart

Gus hugged me, and I think I squeezed him back a little tighter than usual. “What’s going on?” he frowned at me as he let me go. Seb caught on to the concern in his mate’s voice, and now his worried eyes were on me, too.

“It’s nothing,” I waved him off. I didn’t want to betray Briar’s trust, nor did I want to worry my best friend unnecessarily. “I just need to ask Seb something work-related.”

“Oh. Okay.” Gus shrugged. His faith in me was limitless, so was mine in him. Walking over to his husband, he kissed Seb’s cheek tenderly, then gestured at the door. “I’ll go check on the babies, my love.” His eyes connected with mine on his way out. “I’ll see you at dinner, Hal?”

“Yes, of course. See you later.”

Once Gus had left, I closed the door behind him.

Seb lifted an eyebrow when I hesitated. “So? What did you need to talk to me about?”

Clearing my throat, I searched my mind for a way to ask him without revealing whom it concerned. “I, uhm… I was wondering if you know anything about curses?”

Seb’s face immediately tightened, his jaw clenching. “Why? What have you done?” he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.

I held up my hands disarmingly. “Nothing. I swear.” Although I hadn’t trusted Seb in the beginning, I’d seen how much he loved Gus and the lengths he’d gone to to make sure they could be together. In addition, I owed my newfound freedom to Seb.

He seemed to relax some, then moved to his desk and sat, gesturing at the chair across from him. “Go on.”

“I’m speaking in general terms.” I sat in front of him, resting my hands on the desk. “Are curses real?”

Seb tilted his head, then something flickered in his eyes. “They are. But they aren’t that common anymore. They’re considered… archaic and most witches refuse to do them.” He hesitated. “I haven’t heard of anyone using curses in my lifetime.”

I nodded. Neither had I.

“Why are you asking, Hal? I take it this isn’t just a sudden spell of curiosity. What has brought on this interest in curses?”

I wanted to tell Seb so badly. As king—my king—he deserved the truth. But my loyalty lay with Briar. I couldn’t betray him when he’d confided in me with something so painful. “It’s just something I was wondering about. With us alphas. If the magic had anything to do with a curse,” I lied.

Seb leaned back in his chair, sighing. “There isn’t any magic. Everyone knows that now, Hal. It was all just an evil lie to oppress alphas and keep omegas in power.”

I shrugged. “But still… Do you know anything about curses? How they’re created in the first place and how you can break them.”

Seb hesitated, then apparently decided to humor me. “Well, I know witches cast them because they are the only ones powerful enough to do so. In terms of breaking them… I’m not sure, Hal. I assume only the witch who created the curse, or someone or something equally powerful, would be able to do so. It would have to be an immense force. Curses are dangerous, from what I’ve been told.”

I nodded. It was as I’d feared. And still, I was determined. I could not imagine ever being truly content with my life, knowing Briar suffered in silence, in solitude. “Who would know more about curses?” I whispered.

Seb brushed his hands over his face. “Well, since it’s a thing of the past, someone older, perhaps? That’s my best guess, at least.”

“Okay. Thank you, Seb.”

“Of course.” He smiled at me. “Now get out of my hair. I have some petitions to go through before dinner.”

I rose from my chair and bowed exaggeratedly as I backed out of Seb’s office. He laughed at me, and I think I could make out the words ridiculous and pain.

Making my way down the hallway toward my room, I thought of someone older I could ask about curses. The only older people I knew were Lord Willoughby and Kenneth, but they didn’t exactly live around the corner. I could go to see them, of course. I was a free man now, and I could do whatever I wanted. Sure, I was now a royal advisor, but I was certain Seb would relieve me from my royal duties for a few days if I wanted to visit the farm. The thought alone of leaving Briar caused a physical ache to surge through my body. I just couldn’t. What if something happened to him while I was away?

I roamed around the palace aimlessly as if I were waiting for the answer to strike me like lightning. I had to help Briar, that much was clear. He might have given up, but I never would. He was silly if he thought I’d accept his fate.

Eventually, my stomach started growling, and shortly after, the bell announcing dinner chimed. I rushed to the dining hall, nearly colliding with Nial. He smiled at me, flashing his teeth and grabbing my chest like he was trying to catch his balance. Wrapping my hands around his wrists, I pried him off me, then muttered a quick “excuse me” as I made my way to the table.

“See you later, Alpha,” he purred, but I ignored him, searching the room for Briar. I was the last to arrive, and I found him sitting at the very end, Elias on his one side and Seb on his other. Damn it. Even though I couldn’t touch him, I was still dying to be close to him. I missed him already. His shy smiles and his sweet presence. I sat down across from him instead. He avoided my gaze, his eyes downcast as if the food on his plate was the most interesting thing he’d ever seen.

I felt Seb’s eyes on me as I filled my plate with a delicious pheasant stew and freshly baked bread rolls. It smelled divine, and my mouth watered. I realized I’d skipped lunch, hiding from Nial. It needed to stop, and the only one who was able to put an end to Nial’s pursuits was the king.

I looked up, clearing my throat, weighing my words. “Seb, I was wondering…” Seb looked away from Gus, who was holding both babies in his arms.

“Yes, Hal?”