Page 7

Rue

Durin vanishes from my sight with a wave of the seer’s hand.

My fangs slip past my gums, and a growl begins to form. I hug Vaegon tightly against my chest as if he might be next. Elves have shifted from being fascinating creatures to being a major threat.

My Omega wants to slash the elf’s throat then find a way out of here. But I have no idea what the elves are capable of. Stories claim some have power that rivals the nobility. I have to wrestle my rational mind away from my Omega’s hold to keep from getting myself killed.

Elves are powerful, but they’re also known for their peaceful ways, much like the dryads. The dryads have always been helpful and kind. They brought us here. That’s enough to retract my fangs and settle my instincts to fight.

Vaegon and I should be safe with them. My pack certainly won’t be able to find us here. All I need to do is show the elves respect while I wait for Durin to return. Hopefully, he’ll be back before he faces any serious danger. I can’t bear the thought of that being my last memory of him–being ripped out of my hands without warning or a chance at goodbye.

Vaegon wakes and squirms against my tight grip. I let out a sigh and release some of the tension from my shoulders.

“I wish your father wouldn’t have put your glamour back on,” I murmur, momentarily distracted by his adorable little face.

“He will need it, Omega,” the seer warns me.

I stiffen as she reaches out to rub the top of his head. I’m not comfortable with anyone but Durin touching him. Still, I decide not to stop her. I know better than to offend someone who’s protecting us.

“How do you know these things?” I ask, watching her run her fingers through his thick hair. “I get that you’re a seer, but why would you know about my son’s future? What is he to the elves?”

She pulls her hand away and gives me a serious look. “He is very important to all of Faerie.”

“Any chance you’d be willing to elaborate on that?” I ask through a yawn.

She stands and gestures for me to follow her. “You need rest. I’ll help you settle in.”

I follow her through the forest I’ve always known, yet it seems so different. It’s more vibrant. The dryads’ trees stand taller and stronger. The plants lining the path have larger blossoms and thicker leaves, still in full bloom as if it’s always the Radiant Season here.

Hedge mice wander by our feet as if there isn’t a predator to fear. I’m used to seeing them dart away at the slightest sound or movement. Here, they seem completely at ease, secure.

But the sprites are the same as always. They zip around, showering us with tinkling songs and gentle breezes from their wings. I smile, able to enjoy them again now that I’m not in such a dark place.

We arrive at a charming hut tucked away among the trees. It’s the first dwelling I’ve seen since we’ve been here. I wonder if the elves live up in the trees. I glance up above my head but see nothing out of the ordinary.

The hut is larger than the one Mother and I were hiding in, but it gives me the same sense of security. The wood is smooth and unblemished as if the hut had been freshly built. There are two windows, one on each side of the small door. The roof is thatched with thick, yellow reeds, probably from the pond I saw in the clearing.

A sense of comfort falls over me as I follow the seer inside. It’s clean and inviting. There’s a small kitchen area on one side and a seating area with a table and two chairs on the other. There’s nothing else in the room other than two doors set into the back wall.

The seer opens one of them and steps inside. I stick my head in and see a small bassinet and a wooden rocking chair, perfectly suited for a newborn pup. This hut feels like a dream. It’s tempting to believe that this kind of security and comfort could be our future.

“The other room has a large bed for you and your mate when he visits,” the seer tells me.

“Oh, he’s not my mate,” I say, my cheeks flushing with how badly I wish it were true. “But I’m glad to hear that he’ll be back.”

The seer pauses and blinks at me. “He will return. Today, in fact. Don’t allow fear to bring you unnecessary distress. Trust fate.”

I bite back a scoff. Trusting fate is something I’ll likely never be able to do. It’s too unpredictable and has turned its back on me too many times. I’m thankful for Vaegon, but fate has repeatedly dumped fear and uncertainty onto my head. Even worse, it forced the fae I love to go through trials and horrors no one should have to face.

“Feed your pup, and let him sleep. I’ll have a meal waiting for you when you’re done. Then, you can also rest. When you wake up, your mate will have returned.”

Her repeated use of the word “mate” makes me wonder if she’s hinting at something. I’m not sure what all she’s able to see or allowed to reveal, but I’m filled with hope that Durin and I might share a bond like that someday. He’ll have to survive his attack on the queen for that to happen, and the seer hasn’t shared anything about that if she knows.

I nod and take a seat in the rocking chair. “Thank you. Let me know what I can contribute while we’re here. I’d like to do my part.”

“Just rest,” she says, turning away. “Our accommodations are hardly worthy of what you and those you love will be contributing.”

She glides out the door and shuts it softly behind her, leaving me to consider her words. I can’t help but feel uneasy about the meaning behind them.

I hate being in the dark.

Knowing what’s coming means I can prepare for it. But this elf is set on leaving everything to fate. Pressing for answers won’t help. For now, I’ll have to make do with the morsels she gives me. Vaegon is safe here, and that’s what matters most.

I hear the seer moving around in the kitchen while I feed my hungry little pup. I can’t help but be excited about trying elven food. It will probably taste delicious no matter what it is. I haven’t had much to eat today. Or the past few days, really.

After Vaegon has had his fill, I change his wrappings and settle him in the fluffy bassinet. He drifts off immediately with a full belly and a safe, quiet place to rest.

I consider moving the bassinet to the other sleeping room so he’ll be with me but decide against it. It might come off as impolite or untrusting. It’s not worth risking the security we’ve found here.

When I slip out of the room, I’m met with the delicious aromas of the meal the seer left for me. In the center, a piece of smoked fish seasoned with various herbs sits on an intricately carved wooden plate. Two smaller plates rest to the side, one with vibrant peppers stuffed with grains and nuts and the other with some kind of sweet, fruity bread. A steaming cup of tea entices me to sit and indulge myself.

I can’t help but feel like I’ve earned this.

I savor every bite, keeping the moans to a minimum to avoid waking Vaegon. The meal is delicious but incredibly filling. I find myself stumbling into the other room in need of sleep.

I leave the door open to hear if Vaegon cries for me, then pull back the blanket and climb in. I’ve barely settled before falling into a deep, peaceful sleep.

***

My eyes snap open at the sound of footsteps in the other room. I jump out of bed and rush toward Vaegon’s room. The elves scare me, but that won’t stop me from painting the floor with their blood. I charge out of the bedroom but stop short when I see Durin watching Vaegon sleep from the doorway.

“You’re back!” I gasp, running into his arms, relieved that the seer was right.

Durin holds me tight and presses a gentle kiss on my forehead. A pang of disappointment hits me that my lips don’t get the affection.

It quickly fades when I see the worry spread over his striking features.

I watch him walk over and carefully lift Vaegon out of the bassinet. He sits down on the rocking chair with our son nestled in one arm and reaches out for me to join him. I settle onto his lap and rest my head on his chest, staring down at our perfect little pup.

I get it. This worry for Vaegon’s safety is heavy. And until this realm is cleaned up, or he’s able to defend himself, it will continue to feel that way.

Vaegon wakes and blinks a few times before furrowing his brow and growling at me. But the tension melts away quickly, replaced by a toothless grin that lights up his face. I can’t help but giggle as he squints up at his father before sticking out his tongue and beaming once more.

He’s so young. I can’t tell if these are genuine smiles or simply a pup exploring what his facial muscles can do. Either way, they’re precious enough to balance out some of the fear.

“The queen knows about you and Vaegon,” Durin says softly, wiping my smile away. “I don’t know how, but—”

“Mannus,” I hiss quietly, trying not to scare the little one. “That sackless bastard... It had to be him.”

“It doesn’t matter who did it,” he says, resting his chin on top of my head. “What matters is keeping you and Vaegon safe. And you’re safe here.”

He wraps his free arm tightly around my waist and whispers against my hair. “Promise me you won’t try to leave. For any reason.”

“Of course,” I say, extending my finger for Vaegon to hold. “We won’t go anywhere, not without you.”

His chest rises with a deep breath, then falls as he lets it out slowly. “Good,” he says. “Because the queen wants you gone, and she wants to take Vaegon for herself.”

“No!” I growl, turning to see his face. “That is not happening.”

“No, it’s not,” he agrees, threading his fingers through my hair and pulling me back to his chest. “As long as you stay here where it’s safe.”

“Why does she want our son?” I ask, trying to push back the terror rising in my chest.

“She admitted she’s been trying for an heir for ages now,” he says, shaking his head. “But I think it’s more than that.”

“Like what?” I ask, taking Vaegon from Durin’s arm and holding him close.

“She probably suspects he’ll have the same magic as I do.” He bends down and kisses my cheek, which calms me a bit. “She wants it for herself. She can’t use Vaegon’s magic until it awakens. But he’s also vulnerable until then. She could mold him over the years to be like her, convincing him that offering up his power to her is his idea.”

“Or, she could simply imprison him until he’s old enough for her to exploit his abilities,” I say, my voice trembling as I fight back tears. The thought of him chained up in a filthy dungeon is unbearable. I sway gently as if Vaegon is the one in distress, finding comfort for myself in the motion.

“Exactly,” he says, moving his hand to cradle Vaegon’s small head.

“What are you doing?” I whisper, feeling a strong energy fill the room.

“He needs protection,” Durin says firmly. “I’m sharing some of my magic with him. You’re both safe here with the elves, but I’m sure you’ll have to leave eventually.”

The idea of stepping outside of this sanctuary makes me shudder.

“He has only one fae parent, so he’ll inherit my magic,” Durin says. “But I can’t be sure he’ll receive both forms. This way, there’s no question. And, he’ll have the queen’s magic along with them.”

A faint glow from his fingertips tints Vaegon’s cheeks blue. “I’m just giving him what he can hold. It will grow as he matures. By the time he comes into his magic, he’ll be incredibly powerful. No one will be able to make him do anything against his will.”

We know too well what it’s like to have your will ripped away. I’m thankful that Durin can help protect Vaegon against it.

When Durin finishes, Vaegon lets out a wide yawn. His tiny eyes flutter shut, and he quickly falls back asleep. Taking on some of Durin’s powerful magic would surely be tiring for a pup. He’ll probably need to eat again soon, but I’ll let him rest. He’ll tell me when he’s ready. I carry him over to the bassinet and tuck him in, kissing his soft forehead before quietly leaving the room and returning to my bed.

Durin follows me out and closes Vaegon’s door. Once he’s in the bedroom, I lie back, hoping he’ll join me. My heart soars when he climbs on the bed and wraps a long arm around my body, pulling me close.

“How long can you stay?” I ask, glancing nervously at him.

Fate hasn’t been kind to me. I’m worried it will rip this moment away before I can even enjoy any of it.

“As long as it takes to make you feel special,” Durin whispers against my mouth.

I melt in his arms. The tension fades away completely. He brushes each lip against my top one, then my bottom one. I wait for the kiss, but his tongue slips in, teasing the inside of my mouth before our lips finally meet.

My stomach and core flutter uncontrollably. I can’t help but grip his hair and tangle my fingers in it. I feel the need to weave myself into him until I get the connection I’m really looking for.

His hand glides over my hip and waist but hesitates before reaching my breast. He moves the hand to the bed beside me and looks down at me with concern.

He’s doing it again.

My heart begins to crumble. I choke back a sob because if I let one out, they’ll never stop.

“I’m sorry I made you feel rejected,” he murmurs, running his nose along my cheek. “And I know you must have felt used after your heat. I want to be with you now, Rue, but only if you desire it.”

He’s asking for my permission, not pushing me away.

I doubt he’ll ever understand just how much that means to an Omega. He just secured my heart forever. I don’t even care that I can’t remember my heat. This is the perfect way to begin a new first time.

“Take me,” I say, guiding his hand where he wants it.

“Are you sure?” he asks, giving my breast a gentle squeeze.

I nod, and he slips his hand into the top of my dress, capturing my lips again. His fingers graze my nipple, sending jolts of pleasure through me as he squeezes and rubs.

I moan softly at the contact with the sensitive flesh. He swallows the sound and slides his hand down my stomach, stopping short of the place that aches most for his touch.

“Are you still sore from the birth?” he asks, his voice a raspy blend of arousal and concern.

“I’m an Omega,” I scoff, proud of my designation for the first time. “I healed before you even showed up to rescue me.

He huffs a laugh and nuzzles my neck. “What an incredible creature you are.”

He lifts the hem of my dress, pulling it up slowly until I can feel the cool air against my wet core. Slick has seeped through my white undergarment and onto my thighs, but he doesn’t shy away from it.

He slips his fingers beneath the fabric, gliding them carefully along my folds through the wetness until they’re covered. Then, he sneaks one between, grazing my clit with a soft, yet effective, touch.

I gasp at the pleasure, instinctively bucking my hips against his fingers. Heat floods my cheeks at my own eagerness. Mercifully, he doesn’t tease me. He kisses my collarbone and playfully nips at my jaw as he continues his gentle strokes.

I let myself rock into his touch, moaning lightly with every bolt of pleasure from his warm fingers. I’ve imagined him touching me like this countless times, but the reality far surpasses anything I could ever come up with in my head.

But I want more.

With a light tug, I move his hand away and untie my dress. I slowly pull the layers of fabric away from my body. The more of my skin that’s revealed to him, the more his eyes widen with excitement.

Emboldened by his approval, I slide my panties down and toss them to the side. He sucks in a deep breath and takes in what I’ve presented to him.

“Thank you for giving me another chance,” he whispers, tracing aimless paths along my hip with his fingers. “This life wouldn’t be worth fighting for if you hadn’t. I need you, Rue.”

“You have me,” I say, pulling his face down to kiss me. “Now, take me.”

“I will,” he says, kissing me softly. “As often as you’ll allow me. I love you.”

My heart races, wanting to leap from my chest and into his.

He can’t lie. He really does love me.

I should say it back. I want him to know that he’s loved just as deeply. But he climbs on top of me and takes my focus away.

He grabs my wrists and pins them together above my head, holding them tightly with one hand. Then he settles between my legs and crashes his lips against mine.

He takes control of my mouth for a while before slowing the intensity. His lips wander down my neck and across my chest. He spends time on each breast, massaging them and tugging each nipple with his teeth.

His free hand stays busy, caressing whatever it can as his mouth lavishes me with attention.

Alphas are domineering and aggressive. Big and bossy, eager to show off. Durin is far more powerful than any Alpha, yet he offers me tenderness instead. A thoughtful, unhurried journey to make me feel treasured. It’s so unlike the proud, selfish mounting of an Alpha, solely focused on his own desires.

Durin is building a connection with me, not seeking to conquer me.

He kisses me quickly, then vanishes. I feel his neck brush against my core just before he latches onto my hip bone. He bites down and sucks hard. Hard enough to mark me.

My legs fall open. I’m left fully exposed to him when he rises to his knees. I don’t feel shy, though. I just feel wanted. Still, I can’t help but jump when he ventures between them.

He kisses the points where my inner thighs meet my core. I feel his cold breath blowing against my slicked folds as he presses his lips right above my swollen clit. His tongue joins in the teasing, giving tiny licks just outside the target.

I want to roll my hips to claim the pressure I’m dying for. But I force myself to wait and see what he’ll do instead.

It only takes a few seconds to realize I’m more impatient than I thought. The waiting becomes too much. I’m just about to growl at him when he flattens his tongue and drags it along each of my outer folds. I moan and push my core up against his mouth, grinding my angry clit against his tongue.

He flicks it up and down right where I need it. I gasp and twitch with each bolt of pleasure as he repeats the motion over and over.

But he pulls away.

I glare at him, but he just smirks. Then, he holds my gaze as he dips the tip of his tongue right into my entrance.

His cocky demeanor falls away as soon as he gets a real taste of me. “It’s so sweet,” he groans against my core.

He said he didn’t kiss me during my heat. Maybe he didn’t indulge in this way either. It’s comforting to know he’s having some firsts with me, too.

I sink into the soft mattress, ready for anything.

He continues with his tongue. It dips and glides, building pressure inside me. When he moans against my clit, a burst of pleasure ripples through my entire body. But it doesn’t taper off. I’m on the verge of falling over the edge.

Durin notices and bites my hip sharply. The pain pulls me back, but the marks he leaves only deepen my desire for him.

“Not yet, Rue,” he says, kissing his mark. “We’re taking our time.”

I also want to stretch this out. I’m just desperate for release. A frustrated growl slips out, followed by a soft whimper at being denied.

“You make such beautiful sounds,” he says, running his thumb along my parted lips.

My cheeks burn furiously. I wonder what other sounds I made for him during my heat. I shudder as I imagine what might he do to coax them out of me again.

He presses a gentle kiss to my stomach and rises to a kneeling position. His long fingers untie his tunic as he begins to shed his clothing. I relax, enjoying the way his bronze skin replaces the dull white of his uniform.

He continues until there’s nothing left but the perfect fae I woke up to in that cave.

My eyes trail down his sculpted chest and stomach before landing on his long, thick shaft. It reaches for me, just as my heart reaches out for him. The head is firm and flushed. The length looks smooth but firm. My mouth waters as I imagine the taste of it.

His stomach flexes as he moves to lie down on top of me, but I hesitate. His body is flawless, and I want him inside me so badly. But I want to pleasure him first. Like he did for me.

I sit up and tug him down beside me, then climb on top of him. His eyes widen, but he doesn’t try to take back control. I push away the lingering nerves and straddle his thighs. “I love you, too, Durin,” I whisper, pulling both of his hands to my chest. “Every part of you.”

He pulls in a deep breath and kisses one of my hands tenderly.

I smile and dive into my task, touching and kissing every bit of skin I can reach. I start at his forehead, then trail all the way down to his ankles. He growls when I deliberately skip over the most eager part of him.

I can be just as patient as he can.

After a few more passes, I think he’s suffered enough. I rest my hands above his knees and slide them along his thighs. My fingers sink between the cords of muscle as they pass. His breaths become shorter as I approach the large, firm sac resting beneath his shaft.

Instead of going there, I zero in on an intriguing area I’ve never seen before.

I’ve only seen bare males while they’re standing. With his body laid out like this, I can’t help but notice the enticing strip of flesh just beneath his balls, begging for my attention.

I gently push his legs apart more to get a better look. Instinct guides me down to trace my tongue along the firm, smooth skin. His cock jerks, and he bucks his hips, but his hands stay locked to his sides.

His sac draws up against him even tighter, but his intoxicating scent is what pulls me in this time.

I bury my nose in the center of his sac and breathe him in. His scent is dizzying, as if I just indulged in all the wine I had turned down from him before.

A warm, euphoric feeling blooms in my chest, and I wrap my lips around the delicate, wrinkled flesh. I suck and nip at him, kissing the base of his shaft just to feel it jump.

A low growl rumbles in my throat as the word mate repeatedly screams in my head.

My gums begin to tingle. I pull back before my fangs can drop and pierce him in such a sensitive spot.

He moans and grips me by my thick hair, holding me in place. The muscles in his stomach ripple with tension beneath my touch. The head of his cock is dripping. The veins along his shaft swell like they might burst if I don’t give him relief.

I check his bright blue eyes for any hint of hesitation, but all I see is blazing desire. I wrap my fingers around his thick shaft and settle between his legs, then take him into my mouth.

The skin is so smooth except for the veins that bulge out along it. He tastes like the forest, warm and familiar. I don’t really know what to do now, but I like how this feels.

Asking him how to pleasure him would ruin everything. I doubt I could continue after something so awkward. So, I just let go.

I slide my mouth up and down, sucking, licking, and pausing to give it kisses between breaths. I do what I want and stop wondering if I’m doing things right when his groans fill the air.

He grips my hair tighter, balancing his intensity with gentle thrusts into my mouth. I slowly figure out when to breathe and when to relax as he holds himself back for me.

I want to keep going, but I also want to stop and mount him. To finally feel him inside me. Reluctantly, I pull my mouth from his cock and wipe my face.

He’s smiling at me when I look up at him. He’s so beautiful that I forget what I’m letting go of and bury my face in his stomach. It takes a few lungfuls of his scent to realize his shaft is caught between my breasts. Resting right there against my heart.

He closes his legs slightly, pressing them against my sides. Then, he thrusts slowly, gliding his cock up and down. I rest my head on his stomach and savor his scent while he uses my body to stroke himself.

After continuing this way for a while, he freezes and holds his breath. I pull away, suspecting he’s come too close to his release like I had before.

I rise to my knees and look down at his piercing blue eyes and tousled hair. The sharp lines of his beautiful face and powerful body keep me busy as he takes a moment to recover. I could stare at him all day. My own private feast of the eyes.

But my meal is interrupted when he pulls me down flat against him to kiss me. His erection throbs right against my folds. It’s impossible not to rock against. I grab the sheets beside his head and glide my clit back and forth over his hard shaft, bringing myself right back to the edge again.

He grips my ass hard and pulls his hips back. His shaft is left just out of reach. I whimper and grind against his abdomen, desperate to find pressure to replace it.

He hushes me softly and moves his hips forward until the head of his cock brushes against my opening. It stops me short, cutting off the growl that almost escapes.

“Look at me,” he whispers.

I bite my lip and meet the glowing blue eyes staring up at me. I hold his gaze when he presses the wide head of his cock against my entrance. My breath catches when he slides it through my slick, but my eyes stay locked on his.

But when he pushes the tip inside, my eyes lose the battle and roll back in bliss.

“Nuh-uh,” he murmurs softly. “Open them.”

I force my eyes back open, watching the pleasure on his face as he goes deeper. My breaths quicken with each inch of his length that slips past my opening.

It’s like being filled back up when you didn’t even know you were empty. How did I miss the void before? Now that Durin has filled it, I know I’ll never feel complete again when he’s not inside me like this.

He pulls me down for a kiss and flips us over, leaving me on my back beneath him. He’s impossibly perfect. Tall. Toned by his strength. Every inch of him as beautiful as the next. My hands can’t decide where to go.

They end up lying uselessly at my sides as I stare up at him. He holds onto my hips, moving my body in slow, fluid motions. The base of his shaft teases my clit while his girth puts delicious pressure on my inner walls.

Alphas have it all wrong. Submission isn’t about giving in. It’s an act of trust in your mate. It’s feeling safe enough to relax under their control, knowing they’ll use it to your benefit.

It’s bliss. Incredible. The pleasure builds so rapidly, I fall behind in what to do. Just as I think it can’t possibly get any better, I feel Durin somehow expanding inside me.

I know enough about shifter mating to know what this is. I just don’t know how it’s possible.

“How do you have a knot?” I gasp as my body stretches wider around him. I let out an embarrassingly long moan, earning me a smirk and a gentle kiss.

“I glamoured one,” he says. “I did the same for you during your heat. I’m not sure I could have satisfied you without it. Pushy… remember?”

“Shut up,” I breathe, rocking my hips sharply back and forth around his unexpected girth.

His expression turns serious, and he thrusts hard, making me cry out in pleasure. He jerks and swirls his knot aggressively, pushing my walls to their limit.

I cling to his arms, gasping and moaning until we’re both too close to the edge to pull back.

He grunts and drives deeper. I clamp down on his knot and grind against him. Pleasure hits me from all directions. It tears through my body, finding every bashful inch and pulling it into the pleasure.

Durin releases my hips and lies down on top of me. He slips his arms under me and holds me tight as he gives one final thrust.

His moan is long and warm against my neck. My own breaths come out in little bursts until the final wave crashes and fades.

With all the ways he could have given me release, he picked this one– as one. This is the only memory I’ll ever need.

Durin lifts his head and looks at me with glassy eyes and a sleepy smile. He flops down on his back, taking me with him, and wraps his arms securely around me. I suck in a deep breath now that his weight isn’t pressing down on me.

We lie together as we catch our breath. I grip his knot as long as I can, unwilling to break our connection. But my walls eventually tire. He ends up slipping out of me, along with much of his essence. I resist the urge to gather it and push it back inside me like my instincts want me to. I watch his strong, bronze body rise from the bed and cross the room instead.

“I’ll find something to clean up with,” he says. “And I’ll open both doors so we can hear Vaegon if he wakes. I think we’ve earned a nap.”

“I just napped,” I laugh.

“Well, you deserve a second one,” he says as he heads into the kitchen.

I grin and slip into sleep, barely noticing as he cleans me up and climbs back onto the bed beside me. When Vaegon wakes up, I’ll bring him in here to snuggle with us both before his father has to leave.

For now, I surrender to the comfort of a dreamless sleep, forgetting the dangers that will be waiting for us when we wake.