Page 10 of King

I wait until they move farther away to avoid startling them, then push myself up and head back into the tent.

There will be more of them. They mate during the StillSeason. Sprites all around will be dancing and pairing with their mates in hopes of creating new life. To bless the realm with more mischievous sprites to spread their chaos. They’re still as amazing to me as they’ve always been. It’s just too sweet to bear right now.

Maybe even from now on. I can’t imagine this hurt ever going away.

I look around for somewhere to lie down, not even considering the bed. I settle on taking the floor at the back of the tent and drag my body in that direction.

On the way, I slam into something sharp, sending me crashing to my knees.

I rip my dress up to check my stomach, which feels like it’s been split down the center. I brace myself for the sight of blood gushing out of a gaping wound. But there’s not even a scratch or bruise from the impact.

Confused, I look around to see what I might have walked into. I search everywhere but find nothing in the path I took.

The stabbing pain returns, sharper and more persistent than before. I cry out and collapse onto my side, protecting my belly as I writhe in agony.

I’m reminded of how my heat began, stumbling through the cave before being lost to the fever. Could I be in heat when I’m carrying a pup? Why would my body try to conceive again when it’s already nurturing a new life?

No... The pain has made me delirious. This isn’t a heat. This isit. My pup is coming.

A surge of joy cuts through the pain, and I smile as I struggle to my feet. It hurts, but I know what to do. I’ve overheard countless births in my life. One word has always stood out to me.Walk.

I pace the length of the spacious tent, grateful Bock’s is bigger than the rest. As I walk, I hold my stomach tightly, finding reliefin the pressure. Vaegon pushes back against my hands, and I can feel him innately moving himself into the right position.

I swell with pride in his strength. I don’t need to call for help. My son is capable of entering the realm on his own.

After more laps and shaky breaths, piercing light suddenly floods the tent. I crouch instinctively and hiss at the silhouette standing in the gap.

“Oh, Rue, look at you. You’re such a good mother already.”

The voice is filled with the same pride in me that I feel for my own son. My fangs retract as a sob escapes my lips. “Madda,” I cry softly. “He’s coming.”

“Yes, he sure is,” she says, hurrying to my side. “Now is the time to cheer up. You have a little life to focus on.”

She’s right. Vaegon might be the only piece of Durin I’ll ever see again. I owe him the whole realm I’m bringing him into. And that includes the environment he grows up in. He’s worth more than watching his mother be passed around.

I’m ready to fight back. I’ll get us out of here. Even if it means waiting until he’s strong enough to help me.

Thisis not my fate. Vaegon is.

Mother paces with me for quite some time, holding me through each wave of pain. I stifle my cries to prevent drawing anyone’s attention. This moment is meant for my family alone. The ones that are able to be here, at least.

When the pain becomes unbearable, Mother gently guides me to lie down on the bed. Though this bed disgusts me, I find comfort in it as Mother helps bring the beautiful, blue-haired pup into the realm.

She swiftly cleans his face and eyes, then wraps him in her apron before handing him to me. Her face glows with pride as she watches me cradle Vaegon to my chest.

He already has a full head of blue hair, and his cute little ears are pointy and long. Not as long as Durin’s, but much longerthan mine. His cheeks are adorably full, as all pups are. Though the warm bronze of his skin and the ethereal beauty of a fae are unmistakably from his father.

Instead of crying, he lets out a growl and latches onto my breast to nurse. I laugh at his already fiery spirit. He’ll be as fierce as he is handsome.

My Omega is so proud. Happier than I’ve ever felt her. Instead of Vaegon’s kicks and elbows, I now feel her jumping up and down inside me.

“He’s perfect,” I say to my Omega while smiling up at my mother.

The love I already have for Vaegon is so strong it almost hurts to breathe. Nothing can take this feeling from me. Not even when Bock strides in and interrupts our moment.

He looks down at Vaegon without emotion. “How long until she’s healed?” he asks my mother.

This miracle of life means nothing to him. My joy as a mother doesn’t affect him in the slightest. All he cares about is when he can get what he wants out of me.

---