Chapter 16
Rue
I still don’t trust the fae or his fancy gifts, but I couldn’t resist the wine he left last night. I needed an escape from the boredom, if only for a while. But I felt sick when I tried to drink it. Maybe it’s cursed or laced with poison, or maybe I’ve just been without wine for too long and can’t handle it anymore. Whatever the case, it’s probably for the best that I’m unable to drink it. I’m going to return it when Mother is busy. Hopefully, he won’t notice that a few sips are gone.
As badly as I want to forget what little I remember of him, my thoughts continue to wander his way. His eyes, flecked with every shade of blue imaginable, those long, pointy ears... I wonder if they’re firm like shifter ears or if they soften toward the tips. Remembering how they peeked out of his messy hair when he was sleeping makes me flutter in places I shouldn’t.
Mother emerges from the hut and looks at me strangely when I jolt. It feels like I’m doing something wrong when I think of him. That’s probably because it is wrong. He used me. Fuck him and his stupid ears. I’ve got to find a way to purge him out of my mind for good.
“We need supplies,” Mother says, choosing to ignore my jumpiness. “Let’s do one more blood collection. It should be enough to get what we need.”
I hate giving blood. It makes me feel woozy, even though Mother only takes a bit at a time. I hide the icky feeling, though. I’m glad she’s allowed me to help. Her blood won’t be enough. Even with my contribution, she’ll have to tell the fae to use more in each charm.
I should have taken the meat and other provisions the fae left, but there’s no way I’d be able to explain to Mother where I got them. We’re safer here, and she seems so content. I don’t want to spook her and ruin that. I already uprooted her from the pack. I can’t take away her sense of security, too.
“You’ll stay here,” she says, eying me sternly.
“What?” I ask, gaping at her. “Why? Shouldn’t we stick together?
“I didn’t like how some of the fae were looking at you before,” she says, lifting her chin defiantly. “You’re safer here. I’ll manage just fine.”
I don’t remember the fae looking at me in any kind of way, other than with mild distaste. But I don’t argue with her. We have no choice; we need the supplies. Still, I’ll be terrified until she gets back. Our pack knows which market she visits, and she can’t switch to a different one. The fae there won’t know her and may not buy from her.
It’s been a while, though. Maybe Bock has given up by now. He probably assumes we were caught and killed by some fae. I almost feel bad for Mannus. He’s probably in deep shit for allowing us to go without an escort. But he’s repulsive. He deserves whatever he got.
Maybe I don’t need to worry about our pack. Even if Bock initially had Alphas watching the market, they wouldn’t be allowed to stalk a fae gathering place for long. The nobles would surely chase them off.
Mother gives me a kiss on the cheek and heads out, as confident as ever. I watch her leave, praying that no fae bother her. Even though it seemed like forever to get here, I know our new home is closer to the market than our pack’s camp was. She’ll be fine. She has to be.
I try to find things to keep me busy while I wait for her to return, but I’ve already done every damn thing there is to do around here. There’s nothing to keep me from peeking outside over and over, hoping to see her emerging through the trees. That still doesn’t pass the time any faster. It feels like she left days ago.
Then, I remember the wine. This is the perfect time to get rid of it. I race to my bed to unbury the jug from my blanket. Time has been crawling by all morning, but now, I’m terrified she’ll return before I can replace it. I race back outside and stop at the entrance to the thicket. When I pop my head out, I expect to see an empty forest again, but I’m dead wrong. This time, someone is there. And it’s not my mother.
It’s him!
He’s standing right outside the entrance, looking as shocked as I am. I think of retreating back inside, but how would that help? He obviously knows I’m here. And I have no weapons or protection if he were to follow me in.
And… I don’t want to run away. As unwise as it may be, I love the rush I’m getting right now. Excited energy thrashes inside me like a wild storm with nowhere to go. It’s as if life saved up all the action from the past few weeks and has released it all on me at once. It’s overwhelming, but I can’t get enough of it.
I try to hide my excitement as I push my way through the thicket. The fae stands right in front of me, still frozen with surprise. His dizzying scent matches my memories and sends a fluttering from my stomach to my core. But he can’t know how much he affects me. I need to have the upper hand. Painting on a stony face, I stare pointedly into his wide eyes, waiting for his response to being caught sneaking around.
He finally recovers and clears his throat. “Hi, Omega,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest.
I cringe at his use of my designation. I didn’t give him my name, but wouldn’t “shifter” have been sufficient?
“I see you found the wine,” he says when I don’t return his greeting.
Shit. I forgot all about it. I glance down at the jug in my hand and curse myself. Why did I have to take it? He probably thinks he has some kind of advantage over me now. I panic and lie.
“My mother found it and brought it inside. I was just returning it.”
“Did she not like it?” he asks, raising a brow at me. “Should I bring her a different one?”
“What?” I ask, distracted by the fullness of his lips. I close my eyes and shake my head. “No. She doesn’t need it. Here,” I say, shoving the jug at his stomach. “Take it and be on your way. We owe you nothing.”
“Of course you don’t owe me anything,” he says, taking the jug in a large, bronze hand. “It was a gift.”
“We don’t want your gifts,” I snap. I may be hooked on the adrenaline, but I still remember what he did to me.
He smirks. “Well, maybe your mother does. She took this one,” he says, holding the jug up. “Why don’t we ask her?”
“No!” I growl, terrified by his interest in my mother.
I’ve been an idiot. I should have told her about the heat from the beginning. She could return any moment and unknowingly walk right into whatever trap this might be.
The fae’s face grows serious. “She’s not here… You’re alone, aren’t you?”
I’m thankful my mother is safe from him at the moment, but he knows I’m vulnerable. A blush creeps across my face as I realize he’s seen me in far more vulnerable positions. How silly I must look, trying to act tough after whatever mess I was with him during my heat. It’s humiliating.
But it makes me think. I was at his mercy during my heat. He had full control over me and my body. When I woke, I found no bruises or dried blood. I was only sore between my legs, which I’d expect from a heat. He also fed me and gave me water. It doesn’t seem like he hurt me in any way. As long as he’s known where we are, he hasn’t done anything to harm us. And something about his face looks more concerned about me being alone than excited.
I really don’t think he wants to harm me.
He’s quiet, letting my brain work things out before I answer. His stunning eyes watch me curiously, but I can’t find a trace of wickedness in them. Perhaps he hates the nobility like he claimed. Maybe he’s different than the rest of them.
Still, if he’s not going to hurt me, his continued interest can only mean he’s hoping for another heat. Alphas go mad for Omegas. After experiencing a heat for himself, it’s not hard for me to believe it could have had a similar effect on a fae.
All this daydreaming over another selfish, horny bastard.
My heart sinks, and my eyes drop to the ground. This isn’t fun anymore. I feel trapped, like I did in my pack. A prisoner, existing only to serve ravenous beasts who are stronger than me. As I watch a line of beetles crawling along the dirt, I can’t help but feel more respected by them than any high fae male in this realm.
White, leathered knees hit the ground in front of me with a thud, narrowly missing the beetles. The bright fabric is instantly stained and no longer fit for a noble. The fae’s large, perfectly formed hands reach out toward mine, silently asking to take them. We both know he’s already touched whatever parts of me he wanted. Asking for permission for anything seems ridiculous at this point.
His blue eyes seem to glow as he peers up at me with surprising compassion. It’s a look too endearing for my father to ever offer my mother. Too sweet to imagine a fae ever offering anyone at all. His expression tugs hard at my heart, but my suspicion steps out in front to shield me from it. I have no reason to let this fae touch me.
My emotions are a mess. I shove them all away. This is just a game to him. A bigger game than I could have prepared for.
“You’re an empath, aren’t you?” I ask numbly, ignoring his outstretched hands. “How cowardly, manipulating emotions to get what you want.”
“No. I’m no empath,” he says, letting his hands drop to his sides. “The only thing I can manipulate is temperature. My magic cannot deceive you.”
I cross my arms as I rack my brain for a way to get him to leave.
He stands and flexes his jaw in irritation. I guess he’s done with the tender act. I knew it couldn’t be sincere.
“I’ve only ever tried to help you. I didn’t mean for you to see me today,” he says. “I came to get the wine before you found it. I planned to leave you in peace.”
“If you planned to leave me in peace, why leave gifts in the first place?” I demand, pointing at the berry bush.
“I couldn’t help myself,” he yells, running his hand through his bright blue hair and taking a step away from me. “I…” He sighs. “I wanted to get to know you.”
“I think you already know me well enough,” I huff, bitter that he remembers things I can’t. I shouldn’t trust him. I can’t let his pretty words sway me.
He reaches out, grabbing my wrist with unnaturally warm fingers. I try to shake him off, but his grip is firm. I can only stand there and wait for whatever he plans to do to me.
He holds my stare and loosens his grip, letting heat flow through his fingers. It runs up my arm to my shoulder, then across my chest and along my throat. I barely contain the shudder that ripples through my body at the indirect touch. It should feel unpleasant, but it simply feels incredible.
I get why he’s doing this–to prove he’s not an empath. But he’s still able to fuck with my emotions, and he still hasn’t given me a reason for his interest in me other than the obvious. So, I have to assume that’s why he’s here.
“My heat must have left quite an impression,” I huff, jerking my hand away. “You can stop wasting your time. Wine won’t trigger one. I need an Alpha for that. You have no reason to stick around. Just leave.”
It’s probably a lie. I have no clue whether I need an Alpha around to trigger a heat. I surely didn’t before. But I can’t have this fae hanging around waiting for another one to happen. I turn back toward my hut, praying he’s as decent as he acts and leaves me alone for good.
He doesn’t leave, but he doesn’t try to grab me either. I stop at the entrance of the thicket and hold my breath, resisting the urge to plow through.
“Of course it left an impression,” he says to my back. “But that’s not why I’m here.”
I’m curious, so I turn to look at him. “Then why are you here, fae?”
“Because,” he says, with a gentle smile. “You’re much more than your heat.”
His words send a chill through my body, covering the warmth his touch left behind. Fae can’t lie. He means that. I turn back around to hide the grin I can’t hold in. I can’t let him know he’s gotten to me.
“I’d like to know why you’re hiding from Alphas,” he adds, stopping me in my tracks.
That’s not a conversation I’m ready to have with him. And my mother will be back any minute. I turn to him with my chin high and a smirk on my face before disappearing through the thicket.
“I’m hiding for the same reason,” I say. “I’m much more than my heat.”