Crave To Conquer (Myth of Omega, #1)(48)

Torin nodded slowly. “You will give him what he wants?”

“Yes, except actual warriors. It just means we will have to change our methodology.”

Torin stood. “All right. I shall see you tomorrow? I can send someone to your bedroom when the meeting time is approaching.”

“No,” Drocco said, standing with him. “My Omega needs space from me tonight. Fill me in on all that’s happened since I have been with her.”

***

The next day, Drocco paced in the meeting room while the Talent-crafters prepared the portal. He had spent the night in his office, away from Cailyn, and after spending so long buried inside her, surrounded by her scent and being able to taste her whenever he wanted, it had been difficult being separated. A foul mood gripped him, and he wanted the meeting over with so he could return to her.

Torin watched him closely, having made clear his annoyance that Drocco had put himself in a situation where his emotions were, yet again, unstable. “Why didn’t you summon a Beta female to spend the night with you?”

Drocco looked at Torin, turning to face him before answering. “There are many things we have shared and understood between us during our friendship, Torin. But I cannot make you understand how much more superior my Omega is to me than a Beta female. It cannot compare. She is exquisite. I would rather have nothing than a poor imitation.”

Torin’s face slackened in shock and for a moment he seemed speechless. He studied Drocco. “We don’t have to do this today.”

Drocco shot him a look that needed no further elaboration.

Finally, the crafters were ready. They all took their places, one of the crafters standing next to the portal to check whatever Malloron planned to give Drocco.

“Greetings Malloron,” Drocco began, when the man appeared. “May Eiros thrive and be wealthy.”

“And may the mighty Lox Empire remain eternally dominant and just,” King Malloron returned. He leaned forward. “What is your decision?”

Drocco appreciated his straight-forward approach. “I will take your deal.”

Malloron smiled.

“With some amendments,” Drocco added.

Malloron’s smile faded. “Like what?”

“Firstly, you have been dominating the ports and not allowing traders from the islands fair access. These islands are part of my Empire and their traders have priority. You will pull back.”

Malloron nodded. “I wasn’t aware of that. Of course.”

“With regards to our agreement, I will give you all the knowledge of how I created the Lox in return for your spell, but I will not send you warriors.”

Malloron nodded. “Deal.”

Drocco eyed him carefully before nodding himself. “Deal.”

Malloron stood. “In order to do this now, I’ll need to take hold of your portal. Do you permit it?”

Drocco glanced at the group of Talent-crafters behind the portal. They all nodded. “Yes,” he replied.

The portal began to glow, and then widen, change color and stretch. After a few moments, it settled back into the shimmer it had been before. “We can now pass items through the portal,” Malloron said.

Drocco nodded. He held his hand out to the Talent-crafter who handed him a bundle of parchment. “Give me your spell first,” he said to Malloron.

Malloron stood before the portal and lifted a scrap of parchment in his hand. “It’s a series of words.”

Drocco frowned. He glanced at Torin, who was already discussing it with the crafters. “I do not use the Talent, Malloron,” Drocco said. “I cannot cast a spell.”

“If you want to be the one to see her history, you have to cast it,” Malloron replied. “That is the only way. You don’t have to be skilled in order to cast it, you just have to say the words correctly in the Ancient Tongue. The spell is weaved to do the rest of the work.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Torin nodded, but Drocco remained silent. He had never thought he would ever use the Talent. Ever. His father had met his end at the hands of a Talent-crafter—in fact, their entire existence when Drocco had been younger had been difficult because of Talent-crafters. He had never once desired being involved with magic in that way.

As he stood considering it, Malloron watched him closely. “I have made it easy for a non-skilled person to cast this, Emperor. It has taken a lot of work on my part. I have hardly slept or ate since we last spoke. If you are concerned, you can have your crafters look at it thoroughly before you give me your part of the bargain.” He held out his scrap of parchment, his hand penetrating the portal.

Drocco took the parchment and gave it to Torin, who brought it to the Talent-crafters. As they stared at it, discussing quietly, Malloron stood and waited patiently.

Something about his behavior was disturbing. Drocco watched him closely, but couldn’t place the feeling. The parchment came back to him with a nod from his Talent-crafters and Drocco looked over the words.

“How do I cast this?” he asked.

“Make sure you’re looking in her eyes,” Malloron said. “And say it clear and loud. You will have to memorize it.”

Drocco nodded. He pushed his bundle of parchment through the cool silky feel of the portal. “Here is an outline of everything I did to create the Lox. I cannot guarantee it will work for you.”