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The crown was a heavy one to bear. Especially after such devastating losses. The young omega king was nearly the last of his family. Only Jace’s two sisters, his youngest two brothers, and his grandsire the Sea Snake had come out of the war intact.
Jace nearly hadn’t. The scars of his efforts would forever remain on his body. Three arrows to the body had nearly taken his life. Two of the marks they left behind were easy to conceal, but the third, the one at his neck, was not. That was of Jace’s choosing, however. He purposefully wore low necklines. Any jewelry he adorned himself with he made sure never covered the twisted circular flesh just at the bottom of his throat. He wanted them all to see what he had gone through, what he had survived. As a young omega who had come into power, he could not afford to seem weak. All would bear witness to the sigil of his fight for survival.
In truth, Jace owed it all to Vermax. He truly believed it was his dragon’s survival that was tied to his own. Jace recalled how hopeless he had felt, drifting in the water, bleeding out and clinging to a piece of wreckage. He could hear the screams of Vermax as he thrashed in the sea, and he felt an overwhelming sense of shame and exhaustion. They would both die, sinking down into the water when they belonged in the sky, with the wind, and the sun, and the moon. Jace remembered his final thoughts of how he had failed. He had failed his mother as her heir, he had failed his brother, to avenge him, he had failed Vermax, who deserved to live generations after he had passed. Then Jace heard Vermax let out a mighty roar, the sound of which rang so deeply in his mind that it remained even after he had shot awake days after the ordeal, in a bed in the Red Keep. They had lived. The gods were not done with them yet, it seemed.
Now, as Jace sat the throne, he kept a regal composure. His attire was omegan in nature, his throat exposed except for one of his mother’s necklaces. He had fashioned a new crown for himself, a gold circlet embedded with a ruby, as the Conciliator’s crown had been lost during the war sadly. His mother had to sell it for safe passage out of the capital. Jace regretted not being there for her. Perhaps if he had…
He tried to shake such thoughts out of his mind. She would not want him to blame himself anymore than he had already. Jace had been on a diplomatic mission with Alyn Velaryon to recover his youngest brother from Lys. When he had returned, he had gained a friend and his brother back, but had lost his mother and a brother once more, who was held captive with the enemy. The news had broken him, but only momentarily. The direness of the situation only made Jace more determined to see his mother’s cause to the end.
And see it he did. The usurpers were dead (Jace had seen to that personally), and his mother’s legacy would live on in him. He would sit her throne and see to his duty as her heir to honor her. Of course, Jace would need a strong Hand to rule beside him after such tumultuous times, and he could think of no one better than his lord husband and alpha, Cregan Stark.
The northern lord was a formidable man, despite his young age. He had experienced loss and northern brutality long before Jace had met him. The swiftness in which he had dealt with his own crisis had earned him a reputation that only long continued after Jace had employed his services on the battlefield. When Jace had been sent to treat with him at the start of the war, the omega had no idea it would end with him speaking sacred marriage vows and giving his maidenhead to the young northern alpha. Jace had heard of Cregan’s temperament, a frozen hearted intimidating alpha. To his surprise and delight, he managed to warm that heart with only a few charming smiles and honest words.
The two had taken a liking to one another almost immediately. Call it some force in the air, the gods will, or fate, but the southern omega prince found that he was not as out of his element against the stern northern alpha lord as he thought he would be. After only a week of knowing each other, Cregan asked for his hand in marriage and Jace eagerly accepted. They had wed that night, in front of the Weirwood tree, wrapped in furs and kissed by the snow. When the few guests in attendance had left, they had given their bodies to one another in the same spot, with the Old Gods as their witnesses, sealing the marriage.
Jace remembered writing to his mother with the glow of happiness still on his cheeks. He had never taken such a big leap without her approval first before. He had said in his letter how it was a strong match, good for the realm, and offered him protection, but in truth, Jace had done it for love. He was just fortunate that the match was politically in their best interest.
Now, Cregan stood tall by his side, the Hand of the King pin fastened on his grey doublet. Jace would never get used to seeing him in southern attire, but it was not an unwelcome sight, far from it. If anything, it only further highlighted his intimidating build, which was a good show of force and also pleasing to Jace’s eyes. Sometimes it was difficult to be in proximity of him when his thick muscles were hugged by mere thin fabric. Jace had to control thoughts of ripping it off of him and riding him right in front of the court.
Thankfully, it seemed Jace had heard the last of the petitions for today. They would soon move into the Small Council room where the real challenges of ruling would begin. Jace had assembled a strong council after so many great minds and leaders had been lost during the war, but even with that, Jace would always be wary of his age and omega status being used against him in decision making. He knew what most thought of him, no matter how much he had endured and survived, no matter the fact that he had made it to where he was now, they would always see a young, beautiful omega figurehead, not a strong leader. Another reason why Jace had chosen Cregan for his Hand, he trusted his lord husband completely to see him as an equal while still working alongside him. Jace did not want to be looked down upon, but he also did not want blind devotion.
Once the audience that had gathered in the court had left, Cregan turned towards the young king and offered him his hand. “Shall we attend the Small Council meeting now, Your Grace?”
Jace gave a sigh, though it was more teasing if anything, and slipped his much more delicate hand in the alpha’s. “Oh I suppose we shall then…” and he smiled. Together they made their way to the Small Council room, receiving bows and compliments along the way. Jace had made absolutely sure that this court was not filled with anyone that was even remotely a Green sympathizer. Cregan’s Ice had made quick work of them all. Instead, Jace had rewarded those that were loyal to him and his mother, and those that he wished to prove worthy of loyalty to. He had built his court from the ground up, taking what good men still remained after the war. It was what his mother would have done.
Once at the Small Council chambers, Jace took his seat at the head of the table, with Cregan at the closest seat next to him. The rest of the council began filling in slowly. First to arrive and always punctual was the young Alan Beesbury. Alan’s father had bravely spoken out in defense of Jace’s mother and lost his life for it. Alan subsequently sought revenge for him and fought for his queen. Jace had rewarded him with his father’s position as Master of Coin, a position he had quickly risen to the expectations of. Next to arrive was the Master of Ships and Jace’s own grandsire, Corlys Velaryon. The old man would not be holding the position for long, as he soon wanted to retire to Driftmark to spend his twilight years on, but he had vowed to see Jace settled into kingship before he did. As Jace was only barely considered a man, he was grateful that he had at least one elder in his family survive. He did not feel quite like an orphan alone in this world just yet.
Lord Thaddeus Rowan was next, a balding, heavyset man. He was a good man, if a bit too jolly at times, with a habit of being a bit too free with his words. Despite his portly shape, he had served the Black army well on the battlefield, and so Jace had granted him the position of Master of War. Such a position was usually only offered during times of conflict, and though the war had passed Jace knew times in the realm after such devastation were unstable, he needed a man who could handle such hardships.
His first choice for the position would have been Lord Rodrick Dustin, leader of the Winter Wolves. A fierce giant of a man, he knew hardship and loss well. Unfortunately, the man had perished on the battlefield, but not before taking several greens with him. Cregan had told Jace it was just as well, the man would not have wanted to go out any other way, and he likely would not have accepted such a position, as honorable as it was.
“Grey wolves seek the snow to die in, my prince,” he had said.
“Will you leave me for the snow, when we are old and grey?” Jace had asked playfully, although there was a note of concern in his voice, one that only his alpha could detect. Cregan had gingerly pulled him in his arms, tucking a curl behind his ear.
“I am yours before I am the snows…and I would not have it any other way…”
Jace remembered smiling with relief and standing on his toes to kiss him. A snatch of happiness in such troubled times.
The final members to arrive were Lady Jeyne Arryn and Ser Luthor Largent. Ser Luthor had once been the captain of the City Watch, but when the white cloaks had been depleted after the war, he pledged his sword to the young king. Once a fierce supporter of his stepfather, Daemon Targaryen, the knight saw great potential in Jace, that the traits of both his mother and Daemon were strong in him. Jace in turn granted him the position of Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
Lady Jeyne herself was also fierce, with a sharp tongue and a great mind. She had been an ardent supporter of his mother’s cause, and she believed in maintaining the rights of women and omegas. It was only natural that Jace made her his Mistress of Laws.
Jace was surrounded by alphas in this room, alphas meant to set aside their own egos and defer to him or answer to his Hand if they did not. Things did not always run smoothly during Small Council meetings, but Jace did not expect perfection. They were attempting to piece a realm back together after a devastating war. There was bound to be disagreement.
“What matters are we discussing today, then?” Jace began.
“Lord Greyjoy is still wrecking havoc in the Westerlands…” Corlys began. “It seems he has conveniently not heard that war is over…”
“Perhaps I should fly out on Vermax and give him a firm reminder then,” said Jace. Vermax was one of the last dragons alive in the world, and while he would not throw his life away, he would use him to show their combined power if necessary.
It was Lady Jeyne who spoke next. “I think that is exactly what the young Lord Greyjoy wants…they say he was quite sore that his grace did not accept his offer to become his rock wife, as they call it.” She spoke with a casual sense of certainty.
Jace tried not to let a blush creep onto his face. The thought of being the Red Kraken’s wife gave him strange images, although none of them particularly good. “He has no reason to feel slighted by my rejection…I was already married at the time of his offer…”
“The reaver way is different, Your Grace…” said Alan. “It is a surprise at all that he even bothered to send a letter and did not…carry you off.”
Cregan’s eyes grew dark at that, like a winter storm brewing. “He would have lost his head if he did…”
Jace could not hide the smile from his face at that. It made him feel giddy inside whenever his alpha was protective of him, jealous at the thought of him in the arms of any other alpha or beta. That he could be something so coveted. He was sure it came from some deeply rooted insecurity that he felt lesser than others, that his lack of Valyrian features made him plain against other omegas. He had the Greens to thank for that one.
Usually it was Jace who found himself very easily jealous, most likely coming from that same sense of insecurity he did not want to admit to himself. If his features were plain and common, perhaps some other alluring omega might attract his alpha the other way. He felt as if he needed his claws dug in him tight, lest some other omega attempt to stake their own claim.
Jace recalled the moment the first time his jealousy streak made itself known. It had been after his mother’s death, when he had returned from Essos and vowed to see this war to its end. The Northern army had joined the Riverland forces and they were preparing to make their final move against the last of the Green’s army. Jace was there to help oversee their efforts and provide morale, especially as he planned to be above them on Vermax, laying waste to the Green soldiers below.
He was in his shared tent with Cregan, enjoying a goblet of wine and looking over the strategy maps on the table when the sound of his alpha’s husky voice found his ears, followed by the sound of a more feminine voice.
With growing concern, Jace stepped out of the tent to see his alpha and the Blackwood woman with the war paint streaked across her eyes engaged in a conversation. He could not hear what they were saying, only that the rarest, faintest of smiles was on Cregan’s face as the archer made a gesture to his Greatsword. She then pulled the bow from her back and Jace watched as Cregan’s fingers ran up its length.
With barely concealed anger, Jace was quick to snake his arm around Cregan’s like a vice, interrupting whatever conversation they had been having. “My love…” he began, eyes flickering over to the archer, quick and deadly. “I was just looking for you…”
Cregan softened immediately at his touch and the name. “My prince…Lady Alysanne and I were just remarking over our choice of weaponry. She says I am a fool to carry around such a heavy relic.” There was a playful tone in his voice, one that caused flames to surge about inside the already jealous omega.
The raven haired archer spoke next. “Aye, it slows you down and gives your opponent a chance to strike. But he says I am a fool for using a weapon that is useless after I’ve quelled every arrow.”
“You are. And it is,” said Cregan.
Jace did not know much of weaponry, for Vermax was his flaming sword in the sky, but he would not be shown up in front of his alpha. “I for one think the greatsword is a very useful tool to have on the battlefield, especially for beheading traitors,” he said with an edge, his arm still wrapped around Cregan’s, like a dragon guarding its treasure.
Alysanne gave a curious look to him, like one might give a hissing kitten attempting to imitate a lion. She opened her mouth to make a retort but her eyes caught sight of something behind them and she turned back to Jace. “Right you are, my prince. Excuse me…” she gave them a short nod and took her leave. A brief look told Jace it was to speak with the Frey woman. However she left, Jace was glad for it.
Cregan turned to him with an amused look. “Were you offended on my behalf or do you have a passion for weaponry I was unaware of?”
Jace felt his face get hot at that. “I…am simply a strong believer in the use of greatswords on the battlefield.”
Cregan eyed him up and down, and Jace was suddenly very aware of the lack of muscle he possessed in order to even wield such a weapon. “Of course, my prince…but I do not think Lady Alysanne meant any harm by her comment, rest assured.”
“Well…that is good then…” Jace kept his head high, unwilling to admit any embarrassment. As far as he was concerned, he had kept his claim on his alpha secured and that was all that mattered.
Later that night, after they had exhausted all talk of strategy and what would come after retaking the city, Jace was lying naked in Cregan’s arms in their bed, a faint smile on his face as he considered his position, freshly fucked and in the arms of his alpha.
Cregan caressed his soft, dark curls as they lay together. But he soon broke the silence. “You were neither offended for me, nor do you care greatly about weaponry…” It was a statement not a question.
“Hm?” Jace made an innocent noise.
“Is it the dragon blood in you that makes you a jealous lover?”
Jace was still for a moment, then “I was merely making it known you are claimed already. I cannot afford to look weak in these times…” he said with a haughty tone.
Cregan rubbed his hand down his back. “You are not weak…and I am not so easily swayed by other omegas…especially not when mine own is a Valyrian beauty…”
Jace rolled his eyes at that. “Valyrian beauty…” he muttered. “You are playing the jester I see…”
“It was not a jest…” Cregan said, very seriously. “You are a prince, do you not think yourself beautiful?”
“Not as striking as I should be…” Jace said, muttering under his breath once more.
“Now it is you who is playing the jester…” said Cregan. He tilted Jace’s head up gently with his fingers. “Anyone who has the honor of laying eyes upon you should thank their gods for such a blessing. I thank mine every day for our union.”
Jace’s amber eyes dazzled with delight as he looked into Cregan’s, grey and utterly devoted. He supposed he truly was a fool, for ever thinking his alpha’s loyalty would ever wane. When he had sworn his sword, his body, and his soul that night in the Godswood, he had meant it with every inch of his being. In a realm full of unworthy and treacherous alphas, Jace had been blessed with one of the good ones, another reason why he felt he needed to keep such a possessive hold on him. Handsome, honorable, and strong alphas were not always easy to come by. Not only that, but Jace felt truly connected with Cregan in a way he had never felt with any other before, not just because he was his omega. Their first meeting had awakened something inside the prince, and he knew Cregan felt it too. There was something almost spiritual between them, as if their souls had met once before and ached for one another. Jace had never known anything like it before. Cregan was his soulmate, he felt it deep within him.
He smiled at his alpha and pressed his lips against his, the two sharing a tender moment, just feeling whole in that moment. When they pulled away, Jace could not help himself but to justify his earlier jealousy.
“But she was making eyes at you…and her tone…talking about your greatsword…”
Cregan let out a chuckle, his hand sliding down Jace’s back as if he were soothing a mare. “Calm yourself omega, it is not my bed she wishes to crawl into…”
Jace frowned in confusion. Cregan said that so confidently, but Jace had been so sure otherwise. He nuzzled in closer and pulled the alpha’s arms around him tighter. “No matter, these are my arms…”
Cregan kissed the top of his head. “For all eternity, my prince…”
Jace smiled at the memory. He and Cregan had once shared the battlefield, and now they shared the whole of the realm. The dragon and the sword. The King and the Hand. Jace gave him a look, as if to silently soothe any jealousy he felt at the thought of Jace being carried off by the Red Kraken, and then turned to regard his council.
“Lord Corlys…put together an armada of your most trusted men and have them sent to parlay with Lord Greyjoy. I will send along a letter written in my word asking him to stand down, that he has done our cause a great service but it is time he returned home.”
The Sea Snake took in the young king’s orders. “And should he refuse, Your Grace?”
“Then I shall make Pyke into a new Harrenhal,” Jace answered with sincerity.
There was a faint smile on the Sea Snake’s face at that, as if he were proud not of his king, but his grandson. “I will see to it at once, Your Grace,” he nodded.
It was Cregan who spoke next. “The Boltons are requesting aid in the North…with winter coming, food will be scarce to come by. I prepared as much as I could before I had to march but the North is vast…”
“There should be plenty of grain that we can send, and I am sure our treasury has enough coin to cover additional, yes?” Jace looked to the young Lord Beesbury at that who nodded.
“Yes, Your Grace,” he answered. “I can also send word to Lady Tyrell on the matter, the Reach has an abundance of food and grain we can send to the North.”
Jace nodded at that. “Thank you, My Lord.”
“Speaking of the treasury,” Alan began. “Lady Johanna still holds part of the coin stolen before your mother’s reign…are there…plans to recover it?”
Lord Rowan spoke up at this. “I say we bring what's left of our forces and take it ourselves, and perhaps help ourselves to what else is in Casterly Rock…”
“We have just finished war with the Hightowers, now you would have us go against the Lannisters, Lord Rowan?” Corlys questioned with an edge.
“The coin belongs to the treasury, it is treason for her to hold onto it,” said Alan.
Lady Jeyne spoke next. “But would the efforts in retrieving it cost more than the coin itself?”
“If she wishes for peace as she says, then she will accept our new king and set things to rights by returning it, especially if we are to call off the Red Kraken,” Cregan added.
“Perhaps the two will destroy one another, solve both problems,” Ser Luthor said with a bit of a smirk.
Jace listened to them all, taking in and heeding their words before he offered his own. “Lady Johanna is a hard woman…though I believe she can see reason…if Lord Greyjoy is dealt with then I see no reason for her to hold on to stolen treasury, after such a service is done for her…”
“What if she keeps the coin as compensation for the loss of her husband?” Corlys proposed.
“There is no compensation for treason,” Cregan said sharply. “Traitors pay with their lives.”
“Lord Lannister fought and died for the usurper, she is owed no debt. We will deal with the Red Kraken first, so that Lady Johanna is more amicable but the gold will be returned, one way or another…” Jace finished darkly. He would not have it seem as if he planned to take no action. All wrongs against him and his family would be righted eventually, he and Cregan would see to that personally if they had to.
“Forgive me, My King, I must ask, but have you decided on a regent yet for your upcoming heat?”
Immediately all heads turned to Lord Rowan, silence hanging in the air. “I beg your pardon?” Jace said in a controlled voice. Next to him, Cregan gave a brutal, cutting stare at Lord Rowan, as did Ser Luthor.
“I only mean, that surely you will be preoccupied and the realm does not hold off for omegas in heat, as pleasant as that would be…” he attempted a jovial smile at this that no one else returned. “These are things you should consider, especially when you become with child.”
Eyes flickered over to the young king. There was offense taken in his stead, but they knew better than to speak for him. This was Jace’s test, to see if he could command strength while bearing the image of a desirable omega.
“There will be no need for a regent, for either time, Lord Rowan,” Jace said sharply.
“I am just thinking for the good of the realm, Your Grace, if your condition-”
“My condition is the business of myself, my lord husband, and the maesters…I am your king and I will handle all affairs unless it is I who says otherwise…is that made clear, My Lord?”
Lord Rowan’s face turned the shade of a ripe tomato as he coughed and nodded. “Of course, My King, my apologies…”
Jace only gave him a hard stare in return, letting it linger before he addressed the rest of his council. “If there are no other matters, then I believe we should retire for the day…”
The rest of the council stood up at that, bowing their heads at Jace who rose from his own seat and took his leave with Cregan at his side, like always.
At night, Cregan serviced his king the best way he knew how to.
Jace moaned with each thrust of his husband’s cock inside him. Sometimes he liked it rough, as if it prove he could handle it, other times he liked tenderness, to be pampered and worshipped as the divine creature he was.
Tonight was a balance of both. Jace laid on his back as he took Cregan’s cock, both of them wanting to see the face of the other, meeting in the middle to kiss when desire overtook them. Cregan’s rough palms were pressed against the backs of Jace’s thighs, keeping his legs held up for access. It felt good, Jace thought, to be folded in half like this.
The dimly lit room was filled only with the sounds of their lovemaking, Cregan’s grunts and Jace’s moans, the thrusting in and out, the wooden frame of the bed rocking back and forth. It was a relaxing rhythm after a long day of ruling together.
Jace knew Cregan was close with his pace getting faster, and he squeezed around him to help him along. “Come, My Lord…” he commanded.
“Yes, My King…” Cregan groaned, and with a few more powerful thrusts, he finished inside him.
He held his cock there for several long moments, their foreheads pressed together as they reveled in the embrace, catching the others breath with their own.
Under any other circumstance, Jace would have been more careful about not getting pregnant. He and Cregan were only just now settled into married life, and the realm needed much work done after the war. Jace would have liked to enjoy time together with just the two of them before bringing any children into the fold. Unfortunately, the war did not leave them with that luxury. Jace needed an heir to fully secure his reign.
Cregan seemed to be thinking the same, for after he pulled out from Jace he said “perhaps the seed will take…” he laid beside his omega, resting a large hand on his smooth stomach, flat for now.
Jace sighed. “Perhaps…I do need an heir…”
Cregan began rubbing his stomach, as if that might help one grow. “I cannot speak to how well I can rule this realm with you, but if there is one thing I can do it’s breed you and fill you with heirs…”
Jace cracked a smile at that but it did not stay on his face for long. “I am not opposed to children but if I get with child now…when the realm needs me…”
“Were you not just saying earlier that your condition would not stop you from ruling?” Cregan asked gently, still caressing his body softly.
“That will not stop others from questioning me…” Jace muttered.
“Then leave them to me…I will see to anyone who dares question my king…”
Jace rolled his eyes playfully. “With that method there would be no one left to question me…”
Cregan wrapped his arms around him tighter at that. “Precisely…”
“I must be seen as capable, whether with child or not. I am an omega but that does not hinder my capability to rule…”
Cregan went back to caressing him while he held him in his arms, wanting to soothe his distressed omega. “There will always be those that question you…omega or not…but I have seen firsthand your prowess in ruling…you have a natural talent for it, you will rule this realm well and those that question you will have their doubts quelled. Those that do not, well…you will never win over everyone, Jace…”
Jace felt warmed by the mention of his name in place of his title. It made Cregan’s words feel even more heartfelt, and Jace could see the truth behind them more. “I suppose that is true…” he said with acceptance.
Cregan settled more into position, drawing Jace as near him as he could. It reminded Jace of their first night together, when they had nestled together so closely in the cold, their bodies warmed by the other. Another snatch of happiness.
“Already those that would doubt are seeing your promise…your council is strong, you chose them well…Lord Rowan is just…”
“Soft in the head at times?”
“I was going to say traditional but you are right in that…” Jace could hear the smile on his face from his tone. His alpha was so handsome, even just the conjured image of him in his head set his heart aflame. “It is good you chose him…he will see for himself what an omega is capable of as our king…”
Jace sighed with content at his words, feeling more relaxed. Cregan always had that effect on him. “I love you…” he said, closing his eyes.
He felt Cregan press a kiss to the nape of his neck, and then to the back of his head. “I love you too…”
With that, Jace allowed himself to drift off to sleep comfortably, for he knew that with Cregan by his side, they were ready for whatever the next day might bring them.