Storm & Frost [MXM] [OMEGAVERSE]

Asher

The snow had been falling since dawn. Pure white covered the regions, all twelve of them, like a delicate mantle.

Asher loved it. Not only because it reminded him of his surname, Frostfang, but because he always liked to believe that he was, in some ways, the personification of snow.

The white of his hair, his lashes, the fairness of his skin. Only a bit of pink on the cheeks and his lips reminded him that he was human. An omega, yes, but still human.

“My dear,” his mother called. She was just like him, only with longer hair that reached her waist. A gorgeous dress with the color of the deepest night was hugging her body. The crown made of silver and sapphire was sitting still on her head. “Won't you join us? The ministers are waiting for you. Should I tell them you are feeling sick?”

Asher truly hated those dinners. All that talking, all that hypocrisy. The only thing they talked about was money and money alone. The one that really needed to be present was his brother, Draven, the heir to the throne, and he was already there. “Would you do that for me, mother? I'm just... I really... I don't care.”

“I figured out as much, love. Maybe next time, when the researchers will join us to talk about the elements of the land? You usually like that.”

Yes, he loved it. Asher wasn't an economy kind of guy, but he definitely was a study one. He enjoyed nature, biology. To know how nature worked and how it helped them. He was even studying it himself. “Oh, please. That would be great.”

“I know, I know.” She smiled. Calista was such a beautiful woman. “I will send some food, alright? And remember that tomorrow we'll be going to Capricorn, to see how they are doing.”

“Sure. Capricorn.” He nodded. “I've already prepared everything.” A suitcase was near the door, closed and all. Inside there were five suits, fourteen shirts, more than a bunch of pants, boxers, and six pairs of shoes.

“Asher! We'll be staying for only a week, you don't need one this big!”

“But what if I ruin a shirt with the food? Mother, I need to be prepared for everything.”

“You silly goose. We are not going to stay at a hotel, but at our estate. There will be plenty of your clothes.”

“Ow, mom! Please!”

Calista sighed and laughed. “You know what? You take it to the car. No bellman should break his back carrying this.”

“Fine, fine.” Asher smiled. “Thank you.”

She winked and closed the door.

Alone, at last. Asher changed into his pajama, pastel blue shirt and pants. He sat at his desk and turned on the little lamp, shaped like a jellyfish. He was studying the history of his country, of his family. "Cuspid" was the title each member of the royal family received at birth. No one knew the date they were born, only the mother and father.

A Cuspid wasn't allowed to have a birthday. They couldn't afford to be allies of only one of the twelve regions of the Zodiac Kingdom. They represented stability, equality. The heir was presented to the public on a random day, after their birth. The parents, king and queen, would disappear from the public scene some time after the eighth month of pregnancy and, usually, after a year and some months later, come back.

Asher wasn't sure of his special day. He knew of his father's, though. November 15th, he had been a Scorpio citizen before getting married to his mom. It was always a joy to celebrate his father's birthday, the only occasion to buy a present for someone... even if the king already had everything.

He took a highlighter and underlined a few sentences, just to remember them. Asher found it rather easier to remember colors instead of words, so every argument would have a different shade. Green, blue, pink, purple. All of them had a precise box in his head where he was sure to find the information he needed.

Outside his window, it was getting darker. For the occasion, he grabbed a blanket and put it on his shoulders. He loved it. So cozy. The only thing missing was a hot cocoa with whipped cream and a giant marshmallow in it.

Dinner came, he ate it and left it outside the door for the domestic to take it back. With a full stomach, he crawled into bed.

It was still snowing.

“I was waiting for you.” Draven basically stabbed his breakfast. An odd shade of red covered his face. “You made me look like a fool in front of the ministers.”

“There was no need for me to be there.” Asher carefully spread the jam on the slice of bread “They wanted to speak with you, and that's it. And stop being angry, your waves are ruining my mood.” All the rage and annoyance were coming at Asher in loud waves, hitting him like punches.

“The royal family must appear united! You can't just decide not to participate because you have to study.” On the contrary to Asher, Draven had brown hair and olive skin. The only way that people could tell they were related was their mole on the left cheek. He was also five years older and an alpha, like mom.

“Well, I have to study if you want me to be your adviser when you become king. I won't be able to just say ‘yes this’ and ‘not that’, you know?” Asher drank a bit of orange juice. No, the waves were still coming at him. Maybe even stronger.

“Guys, please,” their mother pleaded. She had already finished eating. Her waves infused calm. A blessing, because in doing so even Draven's punches stopped happening. “Draven, I gave him permission to stay in his room. If it was necessary for him to be present, do you think I wouldn't have had him there?”

“I... I suppose so, mother.” Draven took a deep breath. “Okay. But next time—“

“Next time he will be sitting next to you,” Calista reassured him, smiling kindly. “Now, why don't you eat? I'm sure you'll be hungry after all this bickering. Oh, and Asher.” He looked up. “Marlowe will see us in Capricorn. He asked me to keep it a secret, but I'm the queen.”

Marlowe. His future husband. The alpha that smelled like smoky musk and bergamot, with hair as red as vibrant flames and eyes like a frosted lake. Asher smiled unconsciously.

“Ugh, stop feeling all lovey-dovey, please!” Draven almost gagged. “It's disgusting.”

“You are disgusting,” Asher politely answered. “Switch it off, will you? I'm going to feel like this until I see him.”

“Guys! Please! Let's just eat!” Calista rubbed her temples. “Robert was so much better at dealing with your bickering than me.” She deeply sighed. Asher felt her sadness, so, so, powerfully anchored at her heart. The remorse for not finding a cure in time was eating her from the inside.

“Okay, mom,” Draven said calmly. He looked at Asher and he nodded. The tension and mockery quickly faded. “We're sorry.”

Once she had finished drinking her tea, their mother spoke. “Asher, please, go grab your luggage when you're done. We'll depart immediately after.” Calista got up from her seat, a weak smile on her lips. “Draven, I confide you'll do your best while we're away.”

“Of course.”

“Good. I'll go prepare, then.” She left the room with elegance, her back straight and her expression serene. Only her sons could feel her anguish.

“I wish we could do something, anything, for mom,” Asher murmured grabbing his cup of tea. It was too sweet for his liking. “She doesn't seem able to let it go.”

“I know.” Draven ate a piece of bread with jam. “I just hope that she'll find peace once we're married and happy. Grandkids could help, too.”

“Yeah, that's a no for me right now.”

“Of course, I was talking about myself and Francesca.” He finished eating and stood. “I'll see you in a few days, then.”

“Try not to cause a revolution. And don't make that face, I know you're going to miss me!” Asher laughed looking at his brother grimacing. “See you.”

In a few bites Asher was done with his breakfast and within minutes he was in the garden, dragging his luggage towards the car. A large group of guards was forming a shield around them, even though he didn't know what they were defending them from, since they were still inside the palace walls. Calista was waiting next to the door. “Don't tell me you packed books.”

“Just a few!” He launched it into the trunk. “There, done. Huff... see? I made it.”

“Good job, my dear. Now jump in, we don't want to be late,” she said gently. They both got in the car, sitting on fluffy seats.

He wasn't afraid of any attacks. All the guards were amazing fighters, so Asher was more anxious about meeting Marlowe than anything else. They hadn't seen each other in a while, even though they were promised. The wedding was set to happen in a few years, or sooner, and yet Asher couldn't wait.

“Rest, love,” His mother said. “It won't take long, but once we're there we'll have to move a lot.”

“Yes, mother.” He lay on the cushions, horizontally, as if ready to sleep. Instead, he closed his eyes and imagined the warm embrace of his lover.

The ride wasn't that long, only a few hours. When he woke up they were already through the streets of Goatridge, the capital of Capricorn. Each region was unique, and this one was a natural beauty: it was built on cliffs, with high mountains momentarily covered in snow. The streets were earthy paths, the inhabitants still wore the traditional clothes of the past decades. There was a powerful smell of moss, and food too. It felt like being back in time.

As the land of the sea goat, the inhabitants of Capricorn had a tendency to have a deeper connection with nature. Looking outside, Asher could see a woman blooming a pot of flowers, or another man that was losing rose petals while walking. He knew that in the regions of Virgo and Taurus too, the flowers never died and no matter how much snow or rain or even wind would come, the trees and wooden houses never faltered.

Asher longed to study more of the Zodiac regions, but for now he would wait.