Page 35 of Consort

And it does. It takes no time at all to find the hideaway. As soon as it comes into view, I burst through the thicket and run straight into the hut.

Mother jumps up from the small chair by the fireplace and rushes over. Her eyes are red and swollen, and her hands shake as she reaches for me. When she pulls me against her sobbing chest, I allow myself to break down.

The fear from the innot, the confusion of the heat, the conflicting feelings about the beautiful fae... they all pour out asI bury my face in her tunic. Despite my hatred of feeling weak, I just need to feel protected right now.

We cry for a while, clinging to each other without saying a word. Fear is loud, but the peace of our relief is quiet and still. It clears my mind and brings me back to myself. Eventually, she holds me out at arms-length to look me over.

I glance down and realize how much of a mess I am. I’m covered in slick and sweat, and my filthy clothing hangs off my unbound chest. I must look like I’ve been running and fighting for my life for days. Her face confirms it. She shakes her head with so much sadness despite her relief.

My heart stops when her nose starts to flare, likely noticing the scent of my slick. Fear prickles along my skin and pierces deep into my chest. I can’t explain why I suddenly dread telling her about the fae. It’s not shame. I just don’t want her to know about him.

“Don’t worry, Mother,” I say. “I’m okay. I got spooked by an innot and went into heat from the stress. I had to hide in a cave. But I’m fine now.”

“Heat?”she gasps, assessing me again. “Fine?Oh, my sweet pup, you are far from fine. Let me make you some tea, then we’ll get you cleaned up and fed.”

She fumbles to get some water boiling while I sit in the little chair. “Oh, Rue, you endured a heat alone?” she whispers. “I can only hope you don’t remember any of it.”

But I wasn’t alone. Not at all. And there are some parts I would love to remember, however pitiful that makes me. I sit quietly and watch my mother prepare the tea, wondering whether or not to correct her.

Chapter 13

Durin

For two days, I tended to the little shifter. And for two days, I could feel my soul again. But as Farris appears out of nowhere in front of me, reality snatches it away again. I should feel the loss, but I’m actually glad to be rid of the emotions the Omega stirred up in me. They made me weak, and that’s something I can’t afford to be.

Still, a sense of emptiness has settled over me, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.

I examine Farris’s face for concern, but he seems at ease. My absence must have gone unnoticed. I grab him and pull him into a hug, grateful for his help.

“Whoa,” he laughs, surprised, but he hugs me back. “That must have been some good—”

I cut him off before he can finish. It was so much more than that.

“I didn’t expect to be gone for so long,” I say, releasing him.

“It could have been worse,” he says with a shrug. “I’ve heard some heats last much longer. You got lucky.”

Lucky to be with her, yes. Lucky to have a shorter heat, I don’t think so. I don’t bother to ask how he knows it was a heat. I’m sure he figured it out when he dropped the water off.

“How did it go with the list?” I ask, hoping to steer theconversation away from the Omega.

“I remained illusioned as you and searched for the fae,” he explains. “The first, Farron, is dead and probably didn’t have the power anyway. Lynoss and Phen are both, in fact, telekinetic. Lynoss practically demanded to be chosen. Phen was unable to hide his distaste for the queen. It also seemed he was downplaying his abilities when I asked him about his magic.”

“Where is Lynoss?” I ask.

“Wouldn’t Phen be a better choice?” Farris says, raising a brow at me.

“I don’t want to risk corrupting a good fae. It’s better to know where he is so I can reach out for help in the future. If I store the willing one with the other trash, it’ll be easier to keep an eye on him.”

“Smart,” Farris says with a nod.

“Thank you for this, Farris. I owe you, big time.”

He gives me a shove. “Taking down some of the queen’s filth is more than I could ask for. Just stay who you are.”

That won’t be a problem. My mission has a face driving it now. The Omega doesn’t seem to remember much of anything we shared, but I’ll remember for the both of us. Every touch, each release, the peaceful periods where we just held each other, her tiny hands on mine as she put them where she wanted them…

“Shit,” Farris mutters, snapping me out of the memories. “You like her. Youlikethe shifter!”

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