Page 9

Rue

It’s been weeks since they took Vaegon away. Since Durin held me as I fell apart. He rocked me gently for hours, pressing soft kisses to my hair and face while I cried. It didn’t ease the ache in my heart, but he kept it from shattering completely.

He stayed with me for days until the seer came and warned him against waiting any longer. She reminded us that the longer he delayed, the longer our son would be gone. So, he left.

For the first few days, I jumped up every time someone came in to check on me or drop off a meal, hoping they had my son with them. But they never did, and it didn’t take long for my hope to wither away.

The seer suggested I help care for Allina’s baby. She claimed it would be good for me. She’s delusional. The idea of swapping pups is revolting. I don’t want to lay eyes on a pup that isn’t mine. What did she expect my answer to be? Fate didn’t give her a vision of the big fat fuck you she had coming?

Since then, I’ve been lying in bed, occasionally nibbling on the food the elves leave for me. My Omega has been nowhere to be seen. Durin has his duties to occupy him. Most of the time, I don’t even have him. I have nothing.

I can only function when he’s here. I eat when he visits. I bathe, but only because he does the work for me. That’s about the extent of my contribution to the realm.

He gives me updates about what’s happening with the other species, but I’ve stopped caring. His words drift right over me. The only thing I’m able to focus on is his touch. We mate as much as we can. In those fleeting moments when he’s part of me, I feel alive again, as if he’s living for both of us. My heart feels full.

When he leaves, I return to being hollow. And soon, an entire season has passed, and I’ve all but given up hope.

It’s been ages since Durin last came, or maybe it just seems that way. I’m trapped here with only my uncertainty.

Is Durin even alive? Is my son alive? Does my life hold any meaning anymore?

I have no reason to hope. No reason to move. So, I don’t. Not even when the mighty seer herself enters my room and speaks to me.

I’ve done nothing for the elves. Not after what they did to me. They claim my son is the key. Well, he was given to me . I helped create him. I nurtured him and brought him safely into the realm. They did nothing but rip him away and leave me broken and empty. They’ll get nothing from me. They’ve already taken it all.

The seer lingers in my doorway, her annoying presence hard to ignore. I go to brush her off like I usually do, but I quickly realize this visit is different. Something has changed.

“It’s time,” she says firmly. “Come.”

My heart races, and I leap to my feet, but my body is starved and frail. I crumple back onto the bed, gasping for breath. The last time I ate was whenever Durin was here. I’m weak, and I’m filthy. I can’t be reunited with my son like this.

The seer moves closer, offering her help. As grateful as I am that the day has finally come, my anger still runs deep. I brush her off and stand up on my own, then carefully make my way to the table. The food from this morning is still there, or maybe it’s from yesterday. I don’t really care. I shovel it down, barely tasting it, along with the glass of water next to it.

My stomach protests at the sudden onslaught of food. I fight to keep it down. I know I’ll need the energy. If Vaegon is back, there will be no time for celebration. It will be time for the queen to fall.

I’m prepared for that, but no one’s taking Vaegon from me ever again. Whatever role he must play in this fight, he’ll have to do it from my arms.