Page 51 of A Hal for my Heart

One year later

Briar’s heat had just ended, and it had taken everything in me not to breed a baby into him. He’d begged me for it, pleaded with me, even threatened me he’d never fuck me again if I didn’t, but I’d managed to fight the urge. Briar wasn’t ready yet. Mentally and emotionally, he was, but his body wasn’t, according to Doctor Aron. We needed to wait at least another heat before Briar’s body was strong enough after the trauma he’d endured.

I found my omega in the garden under a chestnut tree, stroking his stomach absentmindedly, an expression of longing on his face. My heart clenched, and I felt his sadness through the bond.

Briar looked up as I approached, then forced a smile onto his face. I hated how it didn’t reach his beautiful green eyes, but I also understood that he needed time.

“There you are, sweetness.” I sat down next to him, and he reached for me instantly, then climbed into my lap. I loved how Briar still craved my touch all the time and how he preferred to be in my lap or for me to carry him around.

“Are you done for the day?” He hummed against my neck, his fingers slipping under my shirt, weaving through the hair on my chest.

“Mmmhhhh,” I groaned, my body lighting up under his touch.

Gus and I had finished the new outdoor area for the horses last month, and we’d started constructing a new separate barn for the cows we wanted to purchase. My best friend and I had great plans, and next was a royal dairy. Seb, who was as infatuated with Gus as ever, agreed to all our suggestions, and since we both missed farming, we’d agreed that we wanted cows. And maybe some goats. Or sheep. Corin and Adrian were on board, too, loving animals and farming as much as Gus and I did.

“Are you alright, sweetness?” I kissed the top of Briar’s head, breathing in his delicious omega scent.

“I will be,” he whispered. “I just… I know we have to wait, but I feel ready, Hal.” He looked up at me, his eyes wide and desperate.

“I know, my love.” I swept his bangs out of his face, his beauty overwhelming me as always. I placed my hand on his chest, above his heart. “I know you have so much love to give now that you’re allowed to. It pains me, too, sweetness, that we have to wait.” I swallowed. “But the thought of anything happening to you, Briar—” The idea alone was unfathomable.

“I know. And I don’t want you to think that I am not happy, just the two of us.” He squeezed the collar of my shirt. “Because I am, Hal. I am so, so happy. Happier than I ever thought possible. I just…”

“I know. I want it too. More. With you. A family.”

He nodded, then kissed me, and I tasted the longing on his lips, but the happiness, too. We’d get there. In time, we’d be a family, and we’d get everything we both dreamed of. The halls of the palace would be filled with children’s laughter, Gus’ and my children growing up together, happy and free.

My future came knocking a lot sooner than I’d expected.

After weeks of heavy rain, a river a few hours’ ride from the palace had reached an unprecedented level, causing an old dam to break. A secluded village had been hit by a devastating flood. Many homes had been destroyed, and several lives were lost. Seb sent every man he could spare at the palace, and Gus, Adrian, and I joined the expedition.

Upon arrival, we were met by chaos. One building after another had either collapsed or been swept away altogether by the enormous masses of water and mud. The villagers were grateful to see us, and for the next few days, we hardly slept, trying to rescue as many people from the ruins as possible. We stayed with the town lord, whose house had been spared since it was situated on a steep hill on the outskirts of town.

The school had been completely swept away by the flood, and we assured Lord Marsden that King Sebastian would cover all expenses in building a new one, and that we would oversee the process of erecting a new dam, too.

After three days, every villager was accounted for. Most of the casualties were older people who’d been reluctant to leave their homes when the flood alert had sounded. It saddened me to think of how they’d lost their lives, and it only made me miss Briar even more. Being away from my omega was hard, but I hadn’t hesitated for one second when Seb had summoned me. I needed to help our people.

Rebuilding would take months, and we would probably have to come back several times to oversee the various projects, but for now, our job here was done.

We spent our last night dining with Lord Marsden and his mate, then playing cards in their cozy living room. My thoughts kept drifting to Briar and how he was doing without me. Was he snuggled up in bed now, his face buried in one of my shirts? Did he miss me as much as I missed him? I knew he did. I felt it through the bond.

We were halfway through a game of cards when there was loud knocking on the door. The Lord’s mate rushed to answer, and we soon heard muffled voices from the hallway, followed by approaching footsteps.

Two alphas entered, their faces solemn and apologetic. “My apologies, Lord Marsden, for disturbing you at this late hour, but…” The alpha looked to the floor, shifting on his feet.

Lord Marsden rose from his chair. “What is it, Baker Immanuel? Please go on.”

The town’s baker looked up, his eyes filled with sadness, dark circles underneath them. “It’s Farmer Gabriel and… his mate. They… they both fell ill with a fever after the flood, and this evening—” Immanuel’s voice broke, and his friend came to his side, holding him up.

“Go on,” Lord Marsden beckoned. My heart pounded in my chest. I feared the news the alphas were bringing. More lives lost from the sound of it.

“They both succumbed tonight to the fever.”

“Oh dear gods,” Lord Marsden’s mate gasped, clutching his chest. “Not Gabriel and that sweet mate of his.” Then his face paled. “And the little ones?” His hand flew to his mouth, his eyes spilling over with tears. “Please tell me the little ones aren’t…”

“No, they’re safe. No fever.” Baker Immanuel gritted through clenched teeth. “They… Oh gods, the poor children. I’d take them myself, but we already have a house full of little ones.”

My heart squeezed at the thought of these poor, innocent children losing their parents overnight. They were probably asleep right now, unaware of how their lives would change when they woke up.