Broken Omega (OmegaxAlpha): The Deep Crown S2

Colton's pov

I was torn—utterly and painfully torn—between the storm brewing behind Mikhail’s fierce eyes and the quiet, gnawing warning echoing in my mind.

He looked so sure, so resolute, cradling Seraphina like a shield and a sword all at once. I admired him for that—how he could stand before the entire council and spit defiance without blinking. But that same fire made me hesitate. Because beneath that fire, I could feel something else brewing. A shadow. A whisper. A warning I couldn’t ignore.

Seraphina is our daughter—our miracle. But she’s not… normal. She’s growing too fast. Too powerful. And when I looked at her—at her innocent, curious eyes—I didn’t feel fear of her. I felt fear for her.

And Mikhail… the weight he’s carrying is something no one else sees. I wanted to support him, but I didn’t want to risk losing either of them to something I couldn’t name yet. I thought delaying the rite would give us time. Time to understand what we’re truly facing. Time to protect Seraphina from something even Mikhail might not see coming.

But he saw my hesitation as doubt. And that… shattered something between us.

Now, standing outside our door, I wonder if I’ve failed both of them.

I didn’t need Mikhail to forgive me—I needed him to trust that I’m not afraid of our daughter.

I’m afraid of what the world might do to her.

I closed the door behind me with a quiet click, the weight of Mikhail’s words still echoing in my chest. I wanted to go back in, to fix everything right then and there—but he needed space. And I needed to get my head straight.

I hadn’t taken more than a few steps down the corridor when a familiar voice called out softly behind me.

“Your Grace,” said one of the council members, bowing with the polished grace of someone used to formality.

I turned slowly, already dreading the interruption. “What brings you here?” I asked, my voice even but tired. The fire from earlier had burned itself into something cold and heavy.

The councilman straightened. “I beg your pardon for the hour, but the council would like a word… with both you and His Majesty. We’ve convened in the courtroom and request your presence.”

My brow furrowed.

“About what?” I asked cautiously, instincts immediately bristling.

“A matter concerning the Heiress,” he replied delicately. “And… the rite of passage.”

Of course. I let out a quiet sigh, jaw tightening. This again.

“I’ll come,” I said finally. “But His Majesty is… indisposed at the moment. I’ll speak with him later.”

The councilman nodded in understanding, but I didn’t miss the flicker of judgment in his eyes.

I turned on my heel and started toward the court room, my thoughts spinning faster than my steps.

If they were summoning us both, it meant they were planning something behind the veil of respect. And if that “something” involved Seraphina…

They’d learn quickly what happens when someone threatens what’s mine.

“Lead the way,” I said quietly, keeping my voice neutral even though I could feel the tension creeping up my spine like a slow poison.

The councilman nodded and escorted me through the winding halls of the palace, silent save for the echo of our footsteps against the polished stone floor. When we reached the great double doors of the court room, two guards stepped aside and let me in without question.