Page 47 of Consort

I can feel the longing written all over my face. But I need to know if it’s happened before.

“Did we, uh, during my heat...” I mumble, looking down at my hands. “Did you, or did I—?”

“No,” he breathes, so close that I can almost taste his woodsy scent. “But I wanted to,” he whispers, turning his body to face me completely.

He places his hands on either side of me and nuzzles my cheek. My brain stops processing anything but his scent, his skin, and his heat settling over me like a fluffy blanket.

“Let me kiss you, Rue,” he murmurs, pulling back to search my gaze.

What happened during my heat wasn’t real. But this is. This is very real. I want it. And this time, I’m taking it. I lean in and close the gap between our lips before he can change his mind again.

Whether real or glamoured, his lips are full and soft. He lets out a groan and grasps my hips with his hands, pressing back into the kiss. Instead of hungrily devouring my mouth, he tilts his head and slowly tries out my lips from different angles.

I want to be sweet to him again. To throw my defenses into the forest and wrap myself in his warmth. My Omega sneaks out a whimper, but it doesn’t affect him like it would an Alpha. No growling or posturing. He just weaves his fingers into my hair and kisses me deeper.

I don’t fight the soft tongue that slips past my teeth. I greet it eagerly with my own and just hope I’m doing it right. When he moans, I become more confident. I can feel myself taking over the kiss.

He stops and smiles against my mouth. “See? Pushy…” he says, shaking his head.

“You’resomean!” I whine, shoving him playfully.

He laughs and pulls me closer. “Shh, your mother...” he whispers, reminding me to keep quiet.

Shit. I totally forgot about her.

“Maybe…” I start, “Maybe next time, if there is... I mean, if you want to come at night when she’s asleep?” I ask, feeling heat spread across my face as I stumble over my words. I’ve never been so flustered by anyone. Words are just too hard right now.

“I’ll come back,” he assures me. “My duties aren’t predictable, so I can’t promise when that will be. But I will come. Don’t give up on me if it’s not right away.”

I nod, understanding, but an uneasy feeling twists mystomach. I don’t know what he does for the queen, but the nobles are known for their brutality. He did say he never wanted to be a noble and was forced into it. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t fulfilling whatever horrid obligations come with the role.

I swallow the worry. I don’t want to know what he does when he’s not with me. Not yet, anyway. I’ll ask at some point, but I deserve to enjoy the ignorance for a while. I’ll focus on today. His kisses and tender touches, the silliness, the smiles. Those moments are mine. I may not remember my heat, but I’m enjoying this new set of memories with him.

He pulls me to my feet and reaches into his tunic. I gasp when he pulls out the beautiful blue washing cloth and presses it into my hand.

“I’ll see you soon, Rue,” he says.

I brush a kiss on his cheek before practically diving back through the thicket. It wouldn’t surprise me to fuck up the goodbye if I stayed any longer. I shove the cloth against my face and inhale as much of him as I can into my lungs, hoping this time, he’s grinning as he walks away.

Chapter 19

Durin

I yawn and drag my feet toward my old village, hoping to spot Farris somewhere along the way. I barely slept last night after my encounter with Rue. Sleeping in the dismal castle is already difficult enough, but last night took restlessness to a whole new level.

My dreams were filled with the vulnerable look in Rue’s eyes as she silently begged me to kiss her. Her pouty mouth falling open in disbelief when I wouldn’t. The taste of her tongue when I finally took what I wanted. It was so tame compared to what we’d already done, but this time, she chose to do it. Those few small moments are worth more to me than a lifetime of heats.

As perfect as the dreams were, a nagging reminder of who I am kept ripping me back out of them. I know I should have told her the truth. Kissing her wasn’t on my immediate to-do list. Getting to know her was my actual goal. It’s like I forgot who I was, lost in a life I could have had.

I shake off the impossible dreams and head through the brush to find Farris. It’s difficult to check for hidden doors and passageways in the castle when everyone can clearly see what I’m doing. Especially when Torren, a nosy shadow caster, seems to be following me everywhere I go lately.

I didn’t notice him at first. He glamours his hair black and has the only black uniform I’ve seen in the castle. He casts his shadows and hops from one to another blending almost seamlessly into the darkness. His weakness lies in his underdeveloped stealth. When I run or walk briskly, I hear him crunching along behind me.

I’m hoping Farris will illusion me as something that won’t be so noticeable. If Torren doesn’t see me coming in the castle, I can get a closer look without catching his attention.

Before I can get anywhere near my old village, Vernan emerges through the shadows of the trees. Seeing him appear in the forest stirs up memories I don’t wish to revisit. I halt my steps anyway and bury my discomfort. Hopefully, this will be a minor exchange, and I can move on.

He stops a few paces away, wearing the same blank look he had while watching Mitah torture the helpless shifter. It’s as if Vernan is an illusion himself–hollow and emotionless. He’s like a convincing facade, cast and controlled by someone dark and ugly.

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