Page 43 of Consort

It’s probably a lie. I have no clue whether I need an Alpha around to trigger a heat. I surely didn’t before. But I can’t have this fae hanging around waiting for another one to happen. I turn back toward my hut, praying he’s as decent as he acts and leaves me alone for good.

He doesn’t leave, but he doesn’t try to grab me either. I stop at the entrance of the thicket and hold my breath, resisting the urge to plow through.

“Of course it left an impression,” he says to my back. “But that’s not why I’m here.”

I’m curious, so I turn to look at him. “Then whyareyou here, fae?”

“Because,” he says, with a gentle smile. “You’re much more than your heat.”

His words send a chill through my body, covering the warmth his touch left behind. Fae can’t lie. He means that. I turn back around to hide the grin I can’t hold in. I can’t let him know he’s gotten to me.

“I’d like to know why you’re hiding from Alphas,” he adds, stopping me in my tracks.

That’s not a conversation I’m ready to have with him. And my mother will be back any minute. I turn to him with my chin highand a smirk on my face before disappearing through the thicket.

“I’m hiding for the same reason,” I say. “I’m much more than my heat.”

Chapter 17

Durin

I decide to wait until the Omega’s mother gets back before leaving. It’s not too long before she returns with a bulging sack and armful of supplies. She looks so much like the Omega, with her long, dark hair and angled eyes. The resemblance calms my irritation at her for leaving her daughter unattended.

Once she disappears into the thicket, I emerge from my hiding spot and head back to the castle. I lift the jug of wine to my lips and take a long swig before tossing it aside. It wasn’t my intention to let the Omega see me. I just wanted to snatch this damned wine and be done with my weakness for her.

I just can’t keep myself away. It makes no sense. When my mission was to kill Mitah, he was the only thing on my mind. Now that my mission is more important and far more dangerous, I suddenly want something for myself?

Well, I’m done fighting it. She seemed like a risky distraction before. Now, I think fighting against her pull is what’s distracting me most. I’ve been fighting the wrong battle. Without her, I have nothing to look forward to other than slaughter, and likely my own demise. Perhaps fate put her here to keep me going. To keep my mind clear and tether me to who I am.

As far as being unworthy of her attention, I’ll tell her aboutbeing consort. She can push me away, then, if she wants to. But I’d like a chance to show her who I really am. For that to happen, she’ll need to get to knowmebefore she knows my role.

Our interaction ended well. I believe she’d be willing to speak to me again. The little smirk she gave me as she left seemed more playful than angry. Even though her words were serious.

I’m hiding for the same reason… I’m much more than my heat.

That can only mean one thing–she doesn’t want to be used. I can relate. I don’t want to do the queen’s dirty work or be her bedroom entertainment. But I have no choice in the matter. I suppose I could refuse, but that would mean my death.

But the Omega? What good could come from her being used? None. That’s for certain. I need to know why she’s hiding. What has an Alpha done to make her so afraid? I saw no markings on her neck. From what I understand, that’s how shifters claim their mates. Perhaps she ran to escape that.

I shiver when I remember the tiny pricks of her fangs when she bit me. Why would she do that? There was no reason for her to see me as a potential mate. Maybe it’s just an instinctual response during heats.

The wounds healed, so the mate marking must only work between shifters. I wouldn’t be too upset if ithadworked, though. Supposedly, these marks give shifters a kind of magical link to each other’s emotions. It’d be nice to know what she’s thinking when she looks at me. But she definitely shouldn’t be stuck with me as a result of a fever she had no control over. It’s for the best that her innocent decision didn’t have any lasting consequences.

I groan as the castle gates come into view. Where is the pull now that I’ve accepted it? Can’t it just trick me back to her hideaway again? I’d rather be anywhere than this despicable place.

As I approach, the guards drag open the heavy castle doors. I take a moment to watch the gryphons flying about, then make my way toward the dining hall. I’ve been eating in my room to avoid the other soldiers, but I’m too hungry to wait. Skipping breakfast was a mistake, nauseated or not.

In the hall, a group of nobles are lounging at the long table. They’re laughing and drinking wine, quite full of themselves. I find a quieter spot and load up my plate with food.

I have no interest in making friends. Most of them have made it on my shit list as of now, and the ones who haven’t are still questionable. Being standoffish gives me more time alone to focus on my goals. It also spares me from situations where I’d need to act as cruel as they are to avoid suspicion.

The meat is juicy, and the fruits are refreshing. As I’m debating whether to bother with dessert, Folas strolls into the hall with his eyes fixed on me. Despite his close ties to the queen, he’s completely ignored by the soldiers. Booming laughter and boasts of strength and brutality carry on around him as if he isn’t even there. Perhaps the queen has given them a similar warning to leave him alone.

But he gets their attention when he decides to call me out. “Good evening,Consort,”he says with a sneer, effectively silencing the room.

Why is he even here? And why does he hate me so much? Initially, I thought that was just his way with the nobles. I’ve since realized he only treats me with such disdain. Is he jealous? If he wants the queen’s bed, he’s welcome to it.

The soldiers stare at me, waiting for me to correct him. But I can’t. And I hate Folas for outing me to them. My bloodlust thrashes in my chest. I haven’t tended to it lately. Now, it’s demanding I use Folas to fulfill its cravings. I push my chair back and slowly rise, fighting against the urge to break him apart. I need to get out of this room before he winds up dead.

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