Page 60 of Dead Crown
Lumi shook his head. The old version of him had died over ten years ago. “Edur’s dead. I’m Lumi.”
Jaki hesitated as he put the lid back on the jar of balm. “Do you want a different name? You don’t have to be what Tivar or anyone called you.”
Lumi looked away and leaned over Jacqueline who was still sleeping on the couch next to him. “I picked it.”
Jaki helped him to dress in warm clothes. It was surprising how fast he’d gotten used to being nude after nine months to where clothes felt odd again. Jacqueline woke up, so Lumi fed her.
What if Jaki noticed her pink eyes and suspected? Tivar was either dumb or didn’t know what color Jaki’s eyes were, but the Ice Court Prince wasn’t stupid. He might have come there because he felt bad for Lumi. What if he hated his daughter?
Jaki put things in a pack, including nappies and blankets for the baby. With some cloth, he helped to make a sling for Lumi to carry his daughter in. He snuck down to the kitchens to steal food and returned. None of the few servants had been around, so nobody had seen him.
“I put the keys to your cuff and collar back in there.” Jaki pointed at the table by the couch. “When he wobbles his drunk ass in later, let him be puzzled on how you freed yourself. “As for the Crown…”
He approached the fireplace and touched a finger to the Crown. It gleamed, proof of his genuine blood. He picked it up and spent a few seconds examining it before he set it down to watch it turn dull again.
“Even the rubies aren’t so shiny.”
“Did you feel the thrum too?” asked Lumi.
“Yes. It’s…I can’t believe I touched something Elira herself made. I mean, every King here has, but still.” He picked it up again. “We can use this out there for warmth.”
“That’s all it does now,” said Lumi.
“We’ll coronate you later, okay? It’ll live again.”
Lumi didn’t want it and could barely manage himself and his child. Jaki could be King.
It felt unreal to be walking out of the Castle for only the second time in his life. Lumi kept expecting Tivar, home early for whatever odd reason, would come running, drag him back in, take away Jacqueline, and beat him again. The last time he’d entered, he thought that was it. He’d never see the outside world except through the skylight or a window at most.
But Jaki led him to the stable and took care of having the stableman prepare the horse while Lumi stood outside in the thick cloak. The packs sat by his feet. Jacqueline was content in her sling. The man saddling the horses didn’t look twice at Lumi or appear suspicious of anything. It wasn’t his place to question a lord or anyone with him.
This couldn’t be real. Lumi would wake up a bit, realize it was all a dream, and be without his daughter again. Or the guards would realize something was up even though they had never seen Lumi before.
Jaki led the readied horse out, and it wasn’t long before they were riding toward the gate. The guards allowed them out with no fuss and said goodnight. They didn’t shout that Lumi was escaping or realize the Ice Court Prince had ridden right by them.
It was real. He wouldn’t have to spend day after day watching the skylight while Tivar grunted on top of him. The same pattern of heat, sex, and light wouldn’t repeat. He didn’t have to lose his child, and her other Father was the one who had gotten them out.
Lumi put an arm around Jaki’s waist to lean on him as he tried to hold back his tears. He failed when Jaki placed his hand on the back of Lumi’s for a moment.
Chapter Thirteen
Lumi could barely think straight when they finally stopped around noon. He’d managed to work the sling and his coat and shirt buttons enough to feed Jacqueline, although it was quite difficult. His daughter didn’t seem to mind the ride, but Lumi hated it by then.
He could barely walk when Jaki finally helped him down at a set of stables outside of a town. Riding so often wasn’t something he was used to anymore, and his arse area wasn’t in the best shape after birth. The pounding in his head had become a steady ache brought by a lack of sleep.
“I know you’re tired, and it’s been a long night and morning, but we can’t stop right now,” said Jaki. “I need to trade the horse in for a fresher one of a different color, and we need more distance, all right? I’m sure there are men already headed in Lord Smith’s direction, and others will be searching the area for…I don't know what he'll tell them about you. Either way, we need to be gone.”
“I know.”
Jaki’s fingers on his face were gentle, and he didn’t touch the swelling around Lumi’s eye which had grown worse. His cut lip hurt too. “Do you want more balm on your bruises? You look like you’re in pain.”
Lumi struggled not to lean into his hand. Or beg for a hug so he could feel safe and also not think for just a few seconds. So many pleasant touches in a day without sex following right after was like a fantasy. “My rear hurts. I’m still not…right down there. I'm sore.”
Jaki squinted. “Oh…I didn’t even think, and I put you on the horse astride. I’m sorry. You’ll have to ride side saddle.”
“Maybe sitting like I gave birth four days ago isn’t a good idea. It's noticeable.”
“No, no. You can’t sit and hurt yourself. I have an idea.”
