We made it to 300,000 views!
To be honest, I am amazed by how far this novel has come. Who knew that one day I would be getting a lot of views for writing for 13 months? Anyway, thank you for reading Omniphage of Apathy.
Spoilers: The next volume will focus a lot on the side characters and the suffering they endured. Also, volume five will have three Arcs, making this the longest volume of them all. It will contain lore, action and less romance. After all, this volume is a filler and the fights have been lacking. Call it the calm before the storm.
Anyway, enjoy!
Farrynelle crossed her arms as she looked at him.
"Where is Varmina? She should be here."
Kazrion leaned back against the headboard like the question barely deserved effort.
"Varmina is the Monarchess of Fedres so she's not here. Also, you know that she is not my type."
"She's your wife."
"She's my political wife."
The words landed exactly as cold as he intended.
"That marriage was arranged by our parents before they left. It was nothing but a forced union between Dynasties. Power consolidation. That's it. You know how it works."
"I know, That doesn't mean you get to discard her."
"I don't. I fulfill my obligation. I'll give Fedres an heir. That's all I owe."
She stared at him for a long moment before speaking again.
"She loves you."
Kazrion didn't even hesitate.
"I don't."
There was no cruelty in his tone.
"Out of all my sisters, Farrynelle I chose you. You were always different. You cared, even when caring got you beaten, even when it made you weak in their eyes. They treated us like animals or tools. When you were trapped in Erna Isles, I stopped holding back. I got stronger. I fought them. Every last one. And I won.
Farrynelle remembered the aftermath. Even though her sisters were not dead, they were not exactly in a good position either.
"I received the Sixth Enlightenment from Mother before she left. If you'd been there, you still would've lost."
He didn't say it to belittle her. He was just stating reality.
"But, I made you Supreme Commander."
"I'm glad," she said honestly.
That, at least, mattered.
Kazrion studied her for a moment before asking, "Do you need me anywhere?"
"No. Just protect Rednuht Borough. That's your role."
A sharp grin crossed his face. "I know my job. Until then, I'll rest."
She exhaled softly. Bastard or not, he was Skyrover to the core. Duty came first and pleasure second. He never confused the two.
Kazrion clapped his hands once. The doors opened. The same women returned, eyes. The air thickened immediately as Kazrion let his pheromones rise unchecked. Farrynelle watched as he pulled one woman close. Her breath hitched as desire surged uncontrollably. It wasn't affection. It wasn't seduction. It was dominion.
Kazrion leaned in and kissed her possessively. The woman was already lost in the desires.
Farrynelle thought of Vastarael when she saw that scene. He had his Love Divinity and Ethereal Beauty. That power could enslave hearts yet he reined it in, disciplined it and respected it. Kazrion did the opposite. He let his power roam free, not caring about the consequences.
And the most shocking part, the women welcomed it. Warriors who would rather die than submit were melting effortlessly beneath his touch.
Kazrion glanced at Farrynelle lazily.
"Your husband is waiting, Or you could stay and watch."
She turned away.
"Spend some time with Varmina," she said flatly.
He laughed. "No promises."
As she walked out with the doors closing behind her, Farrynelle knew one thing with certainty. She did not like having a lot of partners like Vastarael or her brother.
-----
Farrynelle didn't bother announcing herself as she stepped into her chambers.
Xander was seated at the edge of the massive bed like he belonged there, which, frankly, he did. His broad shoulders were slightly slumped, his armor was discarded somewhere and his hair was loose instead of bound back in the way he wore it for command. He looked tired.
The second his eyes landed on her, something restrained in his expression cracked. Farrynelle smiled.
Her armor disengaged instantly light as if responding to her relief. Beneath it, the white gown she wore clung close. It was one woven to suppress her pheromones.
She ran towards him.
"Farry—"
She hit him before he could finish her name. Her arms wrapped around him with zero restraint. The impact sent both of them tumbling back onto the bed as Xander let out a surprised laugh.
"By the Primordials, you're stronger than me. You don't have to tackle me like an enemy commander."
She buried her face into his neck anyway, clinging like she hadn't seen him in years instead of days.
"I missed you."
The Supreme Commander of the Skyrovers who led charges, shattered formations, and terrified entire battlefronts was gone. In her place was a clingy, unapologetic wife who refused to pretend she didn't need him.
Xander's arms tightened around her without hesitation.
"I know. I missed you too."
They stayed like that for a moment, just breathing each other in.
"We've both been drowning in work. Supreme Commanders don't exactly get vacations."
She lifted her head just enough to look at him.
"Your sister is still annoying, I assume?"
He groaned. "Varmina is always annoying."
That earned him a small, satisfied laugh. She shifted, settling herself atop him as they lay back against the pillows. From this close, she could see the exhaustion in his eyes.
"You look worn down. Comes with the title I guess. Insignia helped me, by the way. If it weren't for Veneri's personal army, I wouldn't have made it back this early."
"He helped me too. Insignia arrived first to where I was stationed."
She snorted. "That handsome menace isn't that generous. He's plotting something."
"Probably. But for now, I'll take the help. He always puts those he cares about first and his desires second."
She leaned down then, intending to say more but he beat her to it. Xander kissed her. When he pulled back, his forehead rested against hers.
"Don't worry. You're here now."
Her fingers curled into his tunic.
"I don't like using my pheromones on you. It feels unfair."
"It's not that I hate it. If you spent time with with Vastarael and Eldrigan, you would be surprised by how much they are controlled by their women. Honestly, why would I see you seducing me with your scent as unfair?"
That was all the permission she needed.
Farrynelle reached back and loosened the clasp at her throat. The white gown slipped away easily. A warm, sweet scent bloomed through the room. If was not overpowering or commanding like her brother's.
Xander scoffed under his breath,. "You're dangerous."
She leaned down, kissing him again, slower this time.
"I've been waiting for this."
Almost immediately, Xander shifted as he rolled them over and pinned her gently beneath him.
"You're exhausted. I'll take over."
"Alright..."
He didn't miss the way her lips twitched. He knew she wasn't tired. Someone like her was too strong to be tired from almost anything. For Farrynelle, whenever Xander took the lead, she never regretted it.
And true to her words, it was worth the wait.