Page 64 of Consort

There are twice as many of them as the others. They’re all either sleeping or holding onto the bars, staring out at me. Their growls are low, and they appear more relaxed than before, though that wild look still lingers in their eyes. Kahras’s elixir truly seems to have given them some relief from the madness. But as he said, it’s still there.

“This is Durin, everyone,” Kahras tells them. “I wanted you to meet him so that, if you see him again, you’ll know he’s here to help.”

The mixed fae regard me with uncertainty, but many nod at Kahras. They clearly trust him. Even the crazed ones don’t take their eyes off him for long. It seems they’ve built a bond over the years. I’m glad to see that they haven’t been left in squalor anddistress.

“Why aren’t there any other species here?” I ask. “Why just them?

“The queen has tried with all types of high and lesser fae. Mixed fae shifters seem to be the only species that can hold her power without draining it. I haven’t figured out why that is, but she doesn’t bother with the others anymore.”

“Why are there more crazed ones?”

“They seem able to hold more magic than the others. I think she only keeps the unaffected ones because the lost fae often lose control and take their own lives. I’m sure she doesn’t like her magic being wasted.”

Thinking of my son succumbing in that way weakens me. But the thought of him being a storage barrel for the heartless bitch makes me want to peel every inch of skin off her body.

But I have to keep my head on straight and focus on the mixed fae. Kahras is giving me good information. I can’t afford to miss anything.

“That’s why she wanted you to make a calming elixir for them,” I mutter, once my rage has settled back down.

“Yes. I give it to them all,” he says.

So, the queen’s magic isn’t working properly, or she’s running out of it. That’s why, when she learned I could increase my power, she decided to try her little trick on me, too. But with her other magic–her battle magic.

Only she wants me to grow it, not simply store it.

I wonder if she’s given me some of her timeless magic as well. If she has, I can’t feel it. I’m tempted to ask Kahras if he can sense any of that in me, but I’m still not comfortable telling anyone I have some of her battle magic. Not yet.

I think I understand now why I’m never given any real duties. She doesn’t want to risk putting her magic in dangerous situations where it would be used up or her vessel could be lost.She lets me think I’m free, but really, she can’t afford for me to resist her and run off with her power.

Very shrewd of her. Because that’s exactly what would happen.

I’ll play along. Now that I think about it, I do feel more powerful than I did weeks ago. Not enough that I would have noticed it without looking for it. It’s definitely growing, though.

But I’ll be damned if I let her know it.

Chapter 26

Rue

It’s been only two days since he last left, but I’m already dying for Durin to return. Since learning about the pup, he’s visited us consistently. Yet, I still can’t shake the fear that he’ll disappear on me again. There’s nothing I can do if that happens, but the worry still gnaws at me.

I’ve seen many shifters fall in love and make beautiful lives together. I always hoped for something similar. At least the being happy part. But I’ve come to terms with the fact that it may not be what’s meant for me.

I’ll just have to make the best of whatever I get.

Even if Durin and I aren’t destined to be together, this pup is still meant to be here. I can pour my heart into nurturing him and cherish the loving moments with him–each smile he gives me, every time he reaches for me, when he begs to be held. I’ll have the connection I’ve hoped for, just rooted in a different kind of love.

I’m blessed no matter what happens with Durin. Fate has given me this precious gift. I’m not dumb enough to miss that. I plan to let fate unfold as it wishes this time. It’s not about me anymore. My life now revolves around this pup, who will be entering the realm any day now.

My hopes rise even more when a twig snaps outside ourhideaway. I jump up in excitement to see Durin, wondering what he brought with him today. The last time he was here, he left a sack of salves for my feet and ankles as well as sleeping tinctures and charms to ease aches and pains. I wish I’d opened it before he left so I could tell him how unnecessary they all were.

He has much to learn about Omegas. Maybe his kind become invalids while carrying their young, but not us. I may waddle when I walk, but I’m as strong as an ogre.

I giggle as I ready my words to tease him for it. Armed with the salves, I burst through the thicket, planning to toss them playfully at him. He can give them to some pitiful fae who might actually need them.

But all I see are trees and the scattered light they’re letting through. I take a few steps and scan the area carefully, half expecting him to pop out and surprise me. But I only see the ballberry bush with its fruitless stems and the other plants that have drawn up their leaves for the Still Season.

My mood sinks, and I turn back to the thicket. But there, blocking the entrance, is a giant Alpha wolf that somehow snuck up behind me. The wolf’s dull, grey coat and hateful eyes are unmistakable.

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