Page 19 of King

Her silence is far more threatening than if she were to strike out at me. It stretches on while I envision the punishments she might have in mind for me.

How the fuck did she find out about Rue? Why would the seer send me back for this?

I hear footsteps approaching from another corridor, so I decide to explain myself before her anger has time to boil over. Idon’t need any nobles witnessing this.

“It was right after you named me as consort,” I tell her, much steadier than I feel. “I was on my way to find the telekinetic for you when I stumbled upon an Omega in heat.”

“You knew my rule, yet you chose to fuck her anyway?” she hisses. “And a filthy shifter, no less?” Her bony fingers clench and unclench into fists by her sides.

“Her pleas were impossible to ignore,” I say, lowering my head to feign remorse.

Playing the reckless, lustful noble is my only chance out of this.

“I was new to my role, my queen. I didn’t anticipate having to…” I pause, trying to find the least offensive words for it.

“Having to resist such an enticing opportunity,” she finishes with an annoyed sigh.

Her calmer reaction fills me with hope for getting out of this alive. I nod my head sheepishly like a scolded youngling.

“You were weak,” she snaps, her old voice cracking in her anger. “Far from the powerful fae I was first drawn to.”

“Yes. I was weak, my queen. But I haven’t taken another since. Only you.”

I could never have imagined being grateful for ruining my time with Rue in the cave. The queen knows I can’t lie. Maybe the fact that I’ve been faithful since then will help me win back some of her favor.

After considering my words, her glare loses its edge. I don’t fully trust it, though. Her pride is too strong to let my slight against her slide. I might be safe from immediate death, but I know it’s only because of how valuable my magic is to her.

“Good. See it remains that way,” she says, feigning indifference.

With a dismissive flick of her wrist, she commands me to rise. I stand and clasp my hands in front of me, keeping my eyes onthe floor.

“I’ve been trying for a spawn for many years now,” she says offhandedly.

This is no trivial revelation. It’s a crucial thread in the tapestry I’ve been struggling to create. My mind immediately begins weaving it in to see how it looks in the bigger picture.

During my lifetime, she’s celebrated the naming of many consorts, each one quickly replaced after only a short time. Then there’s the fact that she mates only at the turn of the seasons. And that’s only after communing with Faerieandvisiting the mixed fae to replenish her power.

Maybe she thinks that more power means increased fertility. That would explain why she suddenly chose a powerful noble over a simple pretty face. It’s not just my magic-nurturing ability that caught her attention. She must believe a more powerful fae could provide her the heir her weaker consorts couldn’t.

But two major questions remain: Why does she want an heir so badly, and why is she admitting this to me?

“I want your spawn,” she says flatly, watching closely for my reaction. “The one you created with the shifter.”

I maintain a neutral expression, but inside, my magic churns, threatening to burst and consume me in my own flames.

Why did I assume she only knew about the heat?

My bloodlust and magic fight to break free. My arms ache as I try to keep the fire from bursting out of my fingertips. The bloodlust begs me to rip out the queen’s organs and mount them to the walls of my bedroom. I hold them both back with every ounce of strength I have. Not even a spark can be allowed to escape. She can’t know how deeply I care for the pup she’s trying to take from me.

Either she’s testing my loyalty, or she wants Vaegon for my magic. With only one fae parent, he can only inherit the kind that I have. It would benefit her greatly to have two fae who cangrow more magic for her.

I have a feeling it may be for both reasons.

I’m dying to know how she found out about Rue. But I don’t dare ask. My only option is to feign indifference and seem willing to comply.

“Understood, my queen,” I say, hoping she doesn’t push for a more revealing response. I will never hand Vaegon over to her, so I can’t honestly agree to her commands.

“Bring it to me, and kill the Omega. She has fulfilled her duty to the realm. She’s no longer needed. Do these things, and perhaps I will forgive you for your weakness.”

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