Page 59 of Consort

Her mother quietly slips away and into the hut, giving us some time alone. I’m thankful for the privacy. I just hope I don’t fuck it all up and lose this opportunity to be in Rue’s life. My place is with her, however she’ll have me, and our pup. As much as I can be. I won’t abandon them, but I can’t abandon my promise to the realm, either.

Chapter 24

Rue

Durin and I sat and talked for hours the day he learned about the pup. I made room for him on the bench, and we began the process of getting to know each other. Slowly, with conversation. Not by running off into the woods and getting naked like last time.

He promised he wouldn’t leave us. I feel secure enough with that. I don’t feel the need to meticulously plan out every aspect of the future. Right now, I just want to get to know him.

He shared stories about the small village he came from, as well as the Beta shifter that changed his life. I was touched by his compassion for one of my kind. Shifters have a quite different impression of the fae, referring to them as silver-tongued monsters.

I knew all fae couldn’t be awful, but I would never expect one to feel so much empathy for another species. Durin explained that most fae don’t give much thought to the other species. It’s the ones affected by the queen’s influence who tend to be more cruel.

I told him about life in our former pack. I couldn’t bring myself to give him the whole story, though. So, I didn’t include Bock’s deranged way ofprovidingfor his Alpha soldiers. He just knows that Bock intended to force me to become his mate andwould not have treated me honorably. He didn’t press me for details. That was all it took for him to understand my need to flee.

He was angry. The same anger that covered his face when he told me of the Beta. He demanded to know my pack’s location, but I refused. He clearly intended to hunt down Bock and punish him in some way.

Durin’s life is already full of danger. Charging into a camp full of Alphas is dangerous, even for a powerful noble. Humbling Bock isn’t worth risking the father of my pup. Not even close.

When I asked about his duties, he said that the nobles don’t do anything. They’re basically just there for intimidation. I don’t know whether he just didn’t want to talk about it or he’s truly just spent his time plotting the queen’s fall. It seemed best not to push it, so I didn’t ask any more about it.

Currently, I’m sitting on the swing Durin brought for me a few weeks ago. The dryad let him hang it from one of its biggest branches. It’s so soothing. I love it. I thank the dryad each time I use it. Durin usually comes by every few days, and there’s a good chance he’ll show up today. I wonder what he’ll bring this time.

He always brings something new for the little one. A cozy sleeping basket with soft padding, warm clothing, and even tiny fae ear warmers for the cold Still Season when the pup will arrive.

He brings more provisions, too, which we actually accept now. But he’s really put thought into the things he’s brought just for me. I have my choice of spelled body creams for serenity and health and the softest wrap-around dresses I’ve ever felt. They loosen easily so that I won’t have to struggle out of my clothing when I’m nursing. They have also grown with me as I’ve quickly reached my full size.

The pup will come any time now. I’m terrified but also more excited than I would ever have expected to be.

My Omega is beyond thrilled. She’s quiet, but she’s always shuffling around. Just... busy. But she’s not torturing me or trying to make me do anything crazy, like scour the forest for Durin to drag him back home to us. So, she can bustle all she wants.

Durin seems happy when he’s here. He’s always smiling and asking how I’ve been feeling, rubbing my round belly. We haven’t kissed again. I don’t know if that’s because the moment is gone or if he’s just taking it slow. My mind still imagines all sorts ofadventureswith him, but the fact that he hasn’t initiated anything makes them fizzle out pretty quickly.

My heart skips when Durin’s gorgeous face appears through the thicket. I drag my foot to slow the swing and get off about as gracefully as an ogre doing a pixie dance. I cradle my belly with my hands to keep myself from trying to hug him. He never hugs me, and I’m afraid of being rejected again.

I waddle into the hut and plop down on my bed, the only place Durin and I can relax together now that my belly is so big. He follows me in and sits down beside me. I see him grin at my mother, who’s standing by our little stove.

“Hello, Lasha,” he tells her. “Moonshade tea? I got it just for you.”

He hands her a little satchel with an amazing earthy scent. If it weren’t so hard to get up, I’d be following that bag across the hut. Moonshade tea is said to be the strongest you can find, growing only on the shores of the dark lake. It costs a fortune since venturing anywhere near that lake is practically a death wish.

Mother gasps as she looks at the satchel. Durin has been trying to win her over, and I think he’s finally found his secret weapon.

“Well, thank you, Durin,” she says, placing the tea by the kettle. “You didn’t need to do that.” She smiles, then heads out ofthe hut to give us some time alone.

Durin goes straight for my belly once she’s gone, feeling for any movement.

“What’s the queen like?” I ask, filling the silence when the pup doesn’t stir.

I immediately wish I hadn’t. His hands stiffen on my stomach, and he scowls. “She’s as wretched as you’d imagine. Fake, slimy, and downright evil. I do my best to avoid her.”

He wipes all emotion from his face and changes the subject. I doubt I’ll be able to get any more out of him about her. I was just curious. I’ve never seen her. I’ve only heard other shifters’ tales of her strength and cruelty. And he never talks about her. Apparently, she’s a touchy subject.

“Why isn’t the little one greeting me?” he asks, used to the pup going to war with my stomach at the sound of his voice.

“He’s sleeping,” I tell him, kind of hoping he stays that way for a while to give me a break.

“He?” Durin asks, running his hands gently along my stomach. “When did the pup become a he?”

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