Page 30 of King

Is Durin even alive? Is my son alive? Does my life hold any meaning anymore?

I have no reason to hope. No reason to move. So, I don’t. Not even when the mighty seer herself enters my room and speaks to me.

I’ve done nothing for the elves. Not after what they did to me. They claim my son is the key. Well, he was given tome. I helped create him. I nurtured him and brought him safely into the realm. They did nothing but rip him away and leave me broken and empty. They’ll get nothing from me. They’ve already taken it all.

The seer lingers in my doorway, her annoying presence hard to ignore. I go to brush her off like I usually do, but I quickly realize this visit is different. Something has changed.

“It’s time,” she says firmly. “Come.”

My heart races, and I leap to my feet, but my body is starved and frail. I crumple back onto the bed, gasping for breath. The last time I ate was whenever Durin was here. I’m weak, and I’m filthy. I can’t be reunited with my son like this.

The seer moves closer, offering her help. As grateful as I am that the day has finally come, my anger still runs deep. I brush her off and stand up on my own, then carefully make my wayto the table. The food from this morning is still there, or maybe it’s from yesterday. I don’t really care. I shovel it down, barely tasting it, along with the glass of water next to it.

My stomach protests at the sudden onslaught of food. I fight to keep it down. I know I’ll need the energy. If Vaegon is back, there will be no time for celebration. It will be time for the queen to fall.

I’m prepared for that, but no one’s taking Vaegon from me ever again. Whatever role he must play in this fight, he’ll have to do it from my arms.

Chapter 10

Durin

The days since they took Vaegon have dragged on like an eternity. Yet, somehow, it seems like there’s never enough time to finish what I need to do.

The first thing I did was ask the dryads to help me find a shifter leader who could help me convince Alphas to fight. They led me straight to a Prime named Sashon, who heads the largest pack I’ve encountered so far. Everything about him screams leader, like his wolf-like eyes and the way his muscular arms are always spread, welcoming and protective. No proud posturing like Rue’s old bastard of a Prime.

He introduced me to his whole pack, not just the Alphas. I was invited to share a meal with them and encouraged to speak freely. He listened respectfully while I explained my undesired roles of noble and consort. He didn’t interrupt while I confessed what I had to do to rescue Rue and our pup from her Prime. Instead of judging me for stealing an Omega from his kind, he thanked me for sparing Bock and his Alphas. Sashon’s pack mirrored his feelings, nodding and thanking me as well.

I felt comfortable sharing what I’ve learned so far. I offered up every detail of what I know as a sign of trust. He was content to let them all—Betas, Omegas, and Alphas alike—hear the details and be part of the discussion.

He’s a true leader. The type of ruler the queen should have been.

He promised to spread the information to the other packs and gather as much support as possible. I was assured most Primes aren’t like Rue’s and that there will be plenty of shifter support when the time comes.

His efforts have given me a little more time with Rue. She needs an ally. Someone she can trust. Right now, she’s trapped in a fortress with a different kind of enemy.

I’ve just returned to the elves’ hideaway. I’m tired and eager to hold her. She’s always sad, but she still manages to refill me when we’re together. When I reach the hut, an elf I’ve been avoiding is waiting for me outside. I have nothing nice to say to Vaegon. What the elves did to us may have been necessary, but I can’t agree it was the right approach.

I’m not thrilled to see him now, either. I want to care for Rue and then rest. I’ve spent days with Sashon and the kelpie Majestic, strategizing on how to handle the common fae. Most of them I’d consider neutral, likely to hide and protect themselves when things get messy. But the ones living near the castle might side with the queen and cause trouble for us.

Their magic may not be strong, but it’s enough to complicate things and pull our attention away from the bigger threats. We have been working on a plan to keep them out of our way. It took a long time to figure out, but I think we’ve gotten it sorted.

I’m ready to be with my Omega. I hope whatever Vaegon wants is quick.

In the typical elven way, he gets straight to the point. “Rue has gone to retrieve your son.”

My heart drums wildly in my chest. The battle seems so small now that I’m about to have my son and the light in Rue’s eyes back.

“When will they return?” I ask, stepping closer as if he’s afriend again. He’s not. He’s only tolerable now that he brought me some good news. But that’s as far as it goes.

“The seer said in one week. It’s time for your final preparations. The new season is approaching. You will strike in ten days when the queen is weakest. Before she can offer her sacrifices.”

Ten days... Adrenaline heats my blood and vibrates in my bones. “I still need to—”

“Yes, complete your tasks. Return in one week. You’ll have a chance to catch up with your family.”

My mind races through what’s been done and what remains. Preparations for the common fae are already underway. The kelpie leaders have agreed to allow those who wish to fight to join me. I need to update them and the shifters on the timeline.

I’ve kept my distance from Rue’s old pack and the ones nearby. If Rue is right, someone from her pack betrayed us to the queen. I don’t know if they acted alone or if the Prime and his soldiers were also involved. I can’t risk interacting with them or neighboring packs they may have rallied against me.

---