Consort (Noble Reckoning #1)

Chapter 17

Durin

I decide to wait until the Omega’s mother gets back before leaving. It’s not too long before she returns with a bulging sack and armful of supplies. She looks so much like the Omega, with her long, dark hair and angled eyes. The resemblance calms my irritation at her for leaving her daughter unattended.

Once she disappears into the thicket, I emerge from my hiding spot and head back to the castle. I lift the jug of wine to my lips and take a long swig before tossing it aside. It wasn’t my intention to let the Omega see me. I just wanted to snatch this damned wine and be done with my weakness for her.

I just can’t keep myself away. It makes no sense. When my mission was to kill Mitah, he was the only thing on my mind. Now that my mission is more important and far more dangerous, I suddenly want something for myself?

Well, I’m done fighting it. She seemed like a risky distraction before. Now, I think fighting against her pull is what’s distracting me most. I’ve been fighting the wrong battle. Without her, I have nothing to look forward to other than slaughter, and likely my own demise. Perhaps fate put her here to keep me going. To keep my mind clear and tether me to who I am.

As far as being unworthy of her attention, I’ll tell her about being consort. She can push me away, then, if she wants to. But I’d like a chance to show her who I really am. For that to happen, she’ll need to get to know me before she knows my role.

Our interaction ended well. I believe she’d be willing to speak to me again. The little smirk she gave me as she left seemed more playful than angry. Even though her words were serious.

I’m hiding for the same reason… I’m much more than my heat.

That can only mean one thing–she doesn’t want to be used. I can relate. I don’t want to do the queen’s dirty work or be her bedroom entertainment. But I have no choice in the matter. I suppose I could refuse, but that would mean my death.

But the Omega? What good could come from her being used? None. That’s for certain. I need to know why she’s hiding. What has an Alpha done to make her so afraid? I saw no markings on her neck. From what I understand, that’s how shifters claim their mates. Perhaps she ran to escape that.

I shiver when I remember the tiny pricks of her fangs when she bit me. Why would she do that? There was no reason for her to see me as a potential mate. Maybe it’s just an instinctual response during heats.

The wounds healed, so the mate marking must only work between shifters. I wouldn’t be too upset if it had worked, though. Supposedly, these marks give shifters a kind of magical link to each other’s emotions. It’d be nice to know what she’s thinking when she looks at me. But she definitely shouldn’t be stuck with me as a result of a fever she had no control over. It’s for the best that her innocent decision didn’t have any lasting consequences.

I groan as the castle gates come into view. Where is the pull now that I’ve accepted it? Can’t it just trick me back to her hideaway again? I’d rather be anywhere than this despicable place.

As I approach, the guards drag open the heavy castle doors. I take a moment to watch the gryphons flying about, then make my way toward the dining hall. I’ve been eating in my room to avoid the other soldiers, but I’m too hungry to wait. Skipping breakfast was a mistake, nauseated or not.

In the hall, a group of nobles are lounging at the long table. They’re laughing and drinking wine, quite full of themselves. I find a quieter spot and load up my plate with food.

I have no interest in making friends. Most of them have made it on my shit list as of now, and the ones who haven’t are still questionable. Being standoffish gives me more time alone to focus on my goals. It also spares me from situations where I’d need to act as cruel as they are to avoid suspicion.

The meat is juicy, and the fruits are refreshing. As I’m debating whether to bother with dessert, Folas strolls into the hall with his eyes fixed on me. Despite his close ties to the queen, he’s completely ignored by the soldiers. Booming laughter and boasts of strength and brutality carry on around him as if he isn’t even there. Perhaps the queen has given them a similar warning to leave him alone.

But he gets their attention when he decides to call me out. “Good evening, Consort,” he says with a sneer, effectively silencing the room.

Why is he even here? And why does he hate me so much? Initially, I thought that was just his way with the nobles. I’ve since realized he only treats me with such disdain. Is he jealous? If he wants the queen’s bed, he’s welcome to it.

The soldiers stare at me, waiting for me to correct him. But I can’t. And I hate Folas for outing me to them. My bloodlust thrashes in my chest. I haven’t tended to it lately. Now, it’s demanding I use Folas to fulfill its cravings. I push my chair back and slowly rise, fighting against the urge to break him apart. I need to get out of this room before he winds up dead.

The soldiers begin to snicker at me. “It’s true?” one asks. “You’re the queen’s new toy?”

Another chimes in. “That’s why you think you’re too good to hang out with any of us!”

“Are you sure you’re really a soldier?” Lynoss, asks, thrilled with the chance to embarrass me after what I did to his throat. “I think you’re lost, little dewdrop. Get back to your royal duty .”

“Don’t forget to warm her sheets first! She’ll love the extra touch!” a dreamweaver says, staring me down with her drunken, watery eyes.

I ignore their comments and head toward the door. If I don’t leave now, this whole room is going up in flames. Before I make it through, a fae called Nydal stands and spreads his glamoured wings in front of me, blocking my path.

“You think your little heat can handle our frosty queen? I’d love to see the icicles hanging off your raw cock when she’s done with you.”

I’ve seen this asshole fly up into the trees and kick lesser fae out of the branches, just for laughs. I already had him labeled. He was easy. He’ll meet his fate when it’s time. But I refuse to let him provoke me until then without consequences.

“Icicles would make better feathers than these gaudy ones you’ve glamoured,” I say. “Sorry that your fake wings weren’t enough to seduce the queen. Maybe you should have focused on your ugly face instead.”

He growls and reaches out to strike me, but I grab his fist with my hand and let my fire blaze. He cries out in pain and falls to his knees, trying to break free of my grasp. I hold on until just before the hand is beyond repair. He shuffles backward, pathetically blowing on his blackened skin.

I look down at him and laugh. “A sprite’s wings would suit you better than a Gryphon’s. Go flutter away and find a healer.”

I reach down and rip out a handful of his glamoured feathers. The wings aren’t real, but he still feels it. He arches his back and hisses at the sting. With a small flare of my magic, I reduce the feathers to ashes and sprinkle them at his feet.

“Fuck with me again, and the healer won’t have a hand to repair.”

The hall is dead quiet as I walk away. I glare at Folas as I pass. He presses himself against the wall, avoiding eye contact with me. If only I knew what his role here was. I’d know how bad my punishment for killing him would be.

Once I reach my room, I immediately begin examining all the walls. I check every inch within my reach. If there are illusions, I’m going to find them. When I’m done with this room, I’ll work my way through the rest of the castle.

Folas just made my job a lot more difficult. I can’t afford to waste any more time. And as determined as I am to put another flirty smirk on her face, the feisty Omega will just have to wait.