Page 20 of King

“Thank you for your mercy, my queen,” I say, bowing low to hide the terror and revulsion on my face.

Kill Rue? Give Vaegon to this monster?

That’s why the seer sent me here. I needed to know that the queen had found out. To speed things up while she thinks she still has a grip on me. This was the catalyst I needed to move forward with my plan. The seer knew that the time had come.

I won’t return to the castle after today. I’ll warn the empath and handler what’s happened. Then, I’ll begin gathering everyone I can convince to join me in battle.

But first, I need to see Rue. If the dryads will help me find her, that is. I’ll spend as long as it takes to prove how deeply I love her and how desperately I want to be with her. Only then will I be prepared to move forward.

Chapter 7

Rue

Durin vanishes from my sight with a wave of the seer’s hand.

My fangs slip past my gums, and a growl begins to form. I hug Vaegon tightly against my chest as if he might be next. Elves have shifted from being fascinating creatures to being a major threat.

My Omega wants to slash the elf’s throat then find a way out of here. But I have no idea what the elves are capable of. Stories claim some have power that rivals the nobility. I have to wrestle my rational mind away from my Omega’s hold to keep from getting myself killed.

Elves are powerful, but they’re also known for their peaceful ways, much like the dryads. The dryads have always been helpful and kind. They brought us here. That’s enough to retract my fangs and settle my instincts to fight.

Vaegon and I should be safe with them. My pack certainly won’t be able to find us here. All I need to do is show the elves respect while I wait for Durin to return. Hopefully, he’ll be back before he faces any serious danger. I can’t bear the thought of that being my last memory of him–being ripped out of my hands without warning or a chance at goodbye.

Vaegon wakes and squirms against my tight grip. I let out a sigh and release some of the tension from my shoulders.

“I wish your father wouldn’t have put your glamour back on,” I murmur, momentarily distracted by his adorable little face.

“He will need it, Omega,” the seer warns me.

I stiffen as she reaches out to rub the top of his head. I’m not comfortable with anyone but Durin touching him. Still, I decide not to stop her. I know better than to offend someone who’s protecting us.

“How do you know these things?” I ask, watching her run her fingers through his thick hair. “I get that you’re a seer, but why would you know about my son’s future? What is he to the elves?”

She pulls her hand away and gives me a serious look. “He is very important to all of Faerie.”

“Any chance you’d be willing to elaborate on that?” I ask through a yawn.

She stands and gestures for me to follow her. “You need rest. I’ll help you settle in.”

I follow her through the forest I’ve always known, yet it seems so different. It’s more vibrant. The dryads’ trees stand taller and stronger. The plants lining the path have larger blossoms and thicker leaves, still in full bloom as if it’s always the Radiant Season here.

Hedge mice wander by our feet as if there isn’t a predator to fear. I’m used to seeing them dart away at the slightest sound or movement. Here, they seem completely at ease, secure.

But the sprites are the same as always. They zip around, showering us with tinkling songs and gentle breezes from their wings. I smile, able to enjoy them again now that I’m not in such a dark place.

We arrive at a charming hut tucked away among the trees. It’s the first dwelling I’ve seen since we’ve been here. I wonder if the elves live up in the trees. I glance up above my head but see nothing out of the ordinary.

The hut is larger than the one Mother and I were hiding in,but it gives me the same sense of security. The wood is smooth and unblemished as if the hut had been freshly built. There are two windows, one on each side of the small door. The roof is thatched with thick, yellow reeds, probably from the pond I saw in the clearing.

A sense of comfort falls over me as I follow the seer inside. It’s clean and inviting. There’s a small kitchen area on one side and a seating area with a table and two chairs on the other. There’s nothing else in the room other than two doors set into the back wall.

The seer opens one of them and steps inside. I stick my head in and see a small bassinet and a wooden rocking chair, perfectly suited for a newborn pup. This hut feels like a dream. It’s tempting to believe that this kind of security and comfort could be our future.

“The other room has a large bed for you and your mate when he visits,” the seer tells me.

“Oh, he’s not my mate,” I say, my cheeks flushing with how badly I wish it were true. “But I’m glad to hear that he’ll be back.”

The seer pauses and blinks at me. “He will return. Today, in fact. Don’t allow fear to bring you unnecessary distress. Trust fate.”

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