Page 10

Durin

The days since they took Vaegon have dragged on like an eternity. Yet, somehow, it seems like there’s never enough time to finish what I need to do.

The first thing I did was ask the dryads to help me find a shifter leader who could help me convince Alphas to fight. They led me straight to a Prime named Sashon, who heads the largest pack I’ve encountered so far. Everything about him screams leader, like his wolf-like eyes and the way his muscular arms are always spread, welcoming and protective. No proud posturing like Rue’s old bastard of a Prime.

He introduced me to his whole pack, not just the Alphas. I was invited to share a meal with them and encouraged to speak freely. He listened respectfully while I explained my undesired roles of noble and consort. He didn’t interrupt while I confessed what I had to do to rescue Rue and our pup from her Prime. Instead of judging me for stealing an Omega from his kind, he thanked me for sparing Bock and his Alphas. Sashon’s pack mirrored his feelings, nodding and thanking me as well.

I felt comfortable sharing what I’ve learned so far. I offered up every detail of what I know as a sign of trust. He was content to let them all—Betas, Omegas, and Alphas alike—hear the details and be part of the discussion.

He’s a true leader. The type of ruler the queen should have been.

He promised to spread the information to the other packs and gather as much support as possible. I was assured most Primes aren’t like Rue’s and that there will be plenty of shifter support when the time comes.

His efforts have given me a little more time with Rue. She needs an ally. Someone she can trust. Right now, she’s trapped in a fortress with a different kind of enemy.

I’ve just returned to the elves’ hideaway. I’m tired and eager to hold her. She’s always sad, but she still manages to refill me when we’re together. When I reach the hut, an elf I’ve been avoiding is waiting for me outside. I have nothing nice to say to Vaegon. What the elves did to us may have been necessary, but I can’t agree it was the right approach.

I’m not thrilled to see him now, either. I want to care for Rue and then rest. I’ve spent days with Sashon and the kelpie Majestic, strategizing on how to handle the common fae. Most of them I’d consider neutral, likely to hide and protect themselves when things get messy. But the ones living near the castle might side with the queen and cause trouble for us.

Their magic may not be strong, but it’s enough to complicate things and pull our attention away from the bigger threats. We have been working on a plan to keep them out of our way. It took a long time to figure out, but I think we’ve gotten it sorted.

I’m ready to be with my Omega. I hope whatever Vaegon wants is quick.

In the typical elven way, he gets straight to the point. “Rue has gone to retrieve your son.”

My heart drums wildly in my chest. The battle seems so small now that I’m about to have my son and the light in Rue’s eyes back.

“When will they return?” I ask, stepping closer as if he’s a friend again. He’s not. He’s only tolerable now that he brought me some good news. But that’s as far as it goes.

“The seer said in one week. It’s time for your final preparations. The new season is approaching. You will strike in ten days when the queen is weakest. Before she can offer her sacrifices.”

Ten days... Adrenaline heats my blood and vibrates in my bones. “I still need to—”

“Yes, complete your tasks. Return in one week. You’ll have a chance to catch up with your family.”

My mind races through what’s been done and what remains. Preparations for the common fae are already underway. The kelpie leaders have agreed to allow those who wish to fight to join me. I need to update them and the shifters on the timeline.

I’ve kept my distance from Rue’s old pack and the ones nearby. If Rue is right, someone from her pack betrayed us to the queen. I don’t know if they acted alone or if the Prime and his soldiers were also involved. I can’t risk interacting with them or neighboring packs they may have rallied against me.

I need to warn Farris about what’s coming. Our cluster is far enough from the castle to be unaffected, but I’ll need his help inside the castle. His illusions have been invaluable these past couple of months. When the queen realized I’d fled, she sent all the nobles out to hunt me down. They’ve been moving in small groups, afraid to go against me solo, but because of Farris, I’ve been able to stay hidden when they get close.

Luckily, Farris is always eager to help. I have a bigger task for him this time. The alchemist and empath need to be warned. Leah and Sarra need to be taken as far away from the castle as possible before the fighting starts. It’s a lot to handle, but his double illusion power makes him the only option with Vernan lingering around the castle most days.

“I’m ready,” I tell Vaegon, even though I’ve just returned.

He clasps his hands in front of him and studies my face for a moment. I paint on an expression blank enough to fit in with his kind. I can’t afford to let him doubt my readiness. I want my son.

“The place the seer sends you today will be where you’re to return in one week. Ensure you’re there.”

“I’ll be there,” I say over my shoulder, already heading off to get things done.

“Durin,” he calls after me.

I pause and sigh, then slowly turn to see what the holdup is. “Yeah?”

“The elves cannot fight, but we can offer protection to you and your allies. We will stand with you as best we can.”

“Thank you,” I say as a smile breaks through my defenses. “Then we may actually stand a chance.”

***

I find Farris just outside our village, leaning casually against a tree and watching Larreli move about in her hut. I take a deep breath and present him with my request. He pauses for a moment, and I worry it might be too much to ask.

“I know it’s a lot, but—”

“No big deal,” he says, flashing me a grin. “It’ll be fun.”

I grab his shoulder and lean in to look him in the eye. “The nobles are on high alert. The queen is probably much more active at the castle now. This is serious, Farris. I don’t want you to get caught.”

He waves me off and strides toward the castle. “I’ll grab Phen on my way, see if he wants to join in on the fun.”

Phen, the stronger telekinetic. The one who wanted nothing to do with the queen. “I forgot about him,” I say, shaking my head. “Let me do it. Where can I find him?”

Farris stops and turns back to look at me. “He lives near the red falls, where we used to swim. He has bright yellow hair. It was in a knot on top of his head when I saw him.”

“Great. Thanks,” I tell him.

“Need me to illusion you?” he asks.

“No, you were illusioned as me when you visited him. He needs to recognize me. I’ll just glamour my hair.”

“Okay.” He stifles a smile and bows, reminding me of the punch I still owe him. I grab a small stick and throw it at him. He jumps to the side with a laugh and then disappears into the woods.

Sashon gave me some clothes that don’t stand out as much as my uniform, but I glamour my hair orange like Farris’s anyway, just to go blend in better.

The red falls aren’t far, and it doesn’t take me long to reach the village where I suspect Phen lives. I stick to the shadows as I wander past the huts, hoping to catch sight of him. It takes a while, but I finally see a bright yellow knot of hair on a fae crouched behind a bush.

My heart starts to beat a little faster as I wonder what he could be hiding from. I look around, hoping to find whatever it is before it finds me. A second later, a tiny fae youngling stumbles out from behind the bush. When she sees Phen, she throws her arms up and shouts, “Raaar!”

Phen jumps like he’s terrified, then falls to the ground clutching his chest. The youngling giggles and jumps right on top of him. He bursts into laughter and wraps his arms around the little fae, then lifts her up and nuzzles her nose.

He has a family. Those who love him and who’d be devastated if he didn’t come home. He didn’t want to serve the queen, but I can’t ask him to help me defeat her. If we fail, Faerie will need more fae like him to stand a chance at creating a better realm.

I turn and head toward the dark lake to let the kelpies know to be ready. I just hope once my son is back, I’ll find the strength to make the same sacrifice I couldn’t bear to ask of Phen.