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“She has lost a lot of blood. Are you sure the kid is still alive?”

The voice picks at my senses and slowly, I awaken, but my eyes remain closed. Even in my groggy state, Ruarc’s voice couldn’t be missed.

“Yes brother. It’s unbelievable, I know but it’s the truth. Her kid is healthy, fine and growing at an alarming rate.

Izal. So, I’m in the infirmary and not a mortuary. Great.

Note the sarcasm.

“What do you mean?”, Ruarc asks, confused and I can imagine him furrowing his brows as he tries to make sense of Izal’s words.

“Her pregnancy is just three weeks old but she’s growing a bump.”

“Why do you sound surprised? Icelanders are known for growing up fast.”

“A pregnant Icelander or a woman pregnant for an Icelander doesn’t show off her bump until a month or two has passed. Crinka is just three weeks into her pregnancy and she is already growing a bump. Something just doesn’t add up.”

“It’s possible that she’s just blessed.”

“In my line of work, there’s no such thing as being blessed. You are either lucky or you are not.”

“Have it your way then. Now that she’s awake, I suppose she could join us for dinner.”

Dinner? How time flies! Plus, how does he even know that I am awake?

“She needs to rest Ruarc, not sit at the dining table like she’s one of us.”

“Cut it out Izal. Sia’s child is within her. That automatically makes her one of us now.”

“She might have his child, but she is still a wolf. Now if you will excuse me, I have other patients that need my attention.”

“You can open your eyes now,” Ruarc mumbled as his brother’s footsteps faded away. I opened my eyes and sat up, pulling the covers over my naked legs.

“How did you know that I was awake?”

“Your breathing changed.”

Of course. I need to learn how to control that. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, someone had to make sure you were okay.”

“And it just happens to be you?”, I ask curtly.

”Yes. Sia won’t be around for a while so he entrusted you into my care.”

“I don’t need you to protect me. Anyways, why won’t he be around?”, I asked, even though I knew why.

“I can’t tell you. What I can tell you however, is that your child is alive and fine.”

“So I heard,” I mutter dryly.

“You don’t seem happy.”

“Should I be? I do not want this child Ruarc. I know it’s expected of me to bear his highness a son given that I am his concubine but I don’t want to have his child or anyone else’s.”

“Not even mine?”, he asks, meeting my eyes.

I look away. “Like I was saying, I do not need your protection.”

He cleared his throat. “You do need my protection Crinka. Anyways, from now on, your guard and maid shall accompany you everywhere. I would have assigned you another guard, but that would garner unwanted attention. You’re under no circumstance, allowed to dismiss them from your presence. Have it at the back of your mind that they answer to me, not you.”

“And if I refuse…this entourage?”

“You cannot refuse. You’re a lady now, so you must adjust to your new status. It is forbidden for you to dress shabbily, slutty or dress like a man. I will see to it that your wardrobe is changed and the appropriate clothing for a lady be given to you. You must not leave the palace without my permission or that of the king’s. Every substance that you want to ingest must be first tasted by a servant before taken.”

I leaned forward, batting my eyelids at him. “And if I want to ingest Sia’s cum, must I have a servant taste it as well?”

His cheeks reddened. “Do what you want. I don’t care.”

“Just the thing I wanted to hear! His royal highness, the Crown Prince has given me the permission to do what I want, therefore; I, Crinka Clepp, the unfortunate omega will not wear any of those ridiculous dresses and can leave the palace walls without needing permission,” I announce, rising to my feet. Thank you so much my prince,” I appreciate, walking past him.

“That’s not what I meant Crinka.”

I turned around and held his hands, causing him to shut up. “Do you remember that time you asked for my forgiveness and I said you had to earn it?”

He nodded. “I do, but I don’t see how that relates to this.”

I tap his knuckles. “This is your chance.”

And with that, I hopped away from the Crown Prince, feeling much pleased with myself.

That feeling however disappeared when I bumped into her majesty on my way out of the infirmary. She was accompanied by her maids and guards, and looked lovely in the teal gown she had on. Her expression was stoic as she stared at me, expectant. Cursing inwardly, I bowed low, muttering, “Greetings, your majesty.”

She stepped forward and straightened me. “A lady never bows unless she’s before her maker. A simply curtsy will suffice,” she said, once again expectant.

“I do not know how to cursty my queen.”

“Your majesty, is more appropriate. If you’re going to address, at least do it right.”

Geez, what’s with the strict tone?

Yes, my queen, I mean, your majesty.”

She eyed me. “I suppose my granddaughter could teach you a thing or two about being a lady. Classes begin tomorrow,” she stated, moving forward.

I stepped out of her way, confused. “Classes?”

“Yes, Crinka. Classes. Don’t be tardy. It’s unbefitting for a lady.”

“Oh, cut all this lady crap. I’m an omega. I have been one since I lost to my uncle in a fight. So please refrain from addressing me as a lady.”

She pursed her lips and looked at me. “I will let this slide because you added please. But if you should talk to me again without a proper address, I’ll have you punished. Also, never demean yourself even if others do so. Now go get washed up. You stink.”

Embarrassed, I fled the infirmary and ran all the way to the South wing. On getting there, I see some servants carrying a mattress out of Sia’s bedroom. Utterly confused, I marched up to Mila who was shouting orders, and dragged her by the arm.

“Mila, what the fuck is going on?”

She turned around, smiling. “Oh dear heavens! My lady, you’re alive!”

“Save the moment of praise for another day and answer my question. What the fuck is going on? Why are those men changing the mattress?”

“Well, my lady, we’re simply moving your things.”

“What? Why? Where to?”

“To the second palace my lady, where other concubines reside. Now that you’re pregnant, the queen ordered that you be given a room at the Kongsmóðir palace and your things be moved as well.”

“Kongsmóðir palace?”

“Where the concubines live my lady. It is called Kongsmóðir because it’s the palace for mothers.”

“What the? I never agreed to that.”

“Kong-smoh-deer, my lady. It’s the queen’s orders my lady and a faithful servant must obey. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go on with the supervision.”

I yank her back. “You will do no such thing because I am not going to that mundane palace or whatever it is called.

“It’s Kongsmóðir, my lady. Pronounced Kong-smoh-deer, my lady. And you cannot refuse. These are the queen’s orders.”

“Well, tell the queen that she can go fuck herself with her orders because I am not going anywhere!”

Mila gasped. “My lady! How can you say such a thing? You could be arrested for insulting the queen. I don’t us to move as well, but I can’t go against the queen’s command. She’s the only one who can put an end to this process. It is only with her permission that you can stay back here.”

“Fine. I’ll talk to her.”

“You’d have to wait my lady. She’s having dinner with the princes. Speaking of which, it’s time you get some food in your belly.”

”Eat without me. I have to see the queen.”

Before she could protest, I went up to the dining room. Luckily for me, it was not guarded, so I slipped in with ease.

“I believe my husband, the king once banished you from here. Why then do you show your face?”, Dogara asked coldly.

“I need to talk to you.”

“Well, I don’t want to talk to you. Leave now before I have you thrown out for good.”

”At least hear me out.”

She pursed her lips. Once I was certain I had her attention and that of her sons, I spoke up.

“My handmaiden informed me that you have asked that I move to the Kongsmóðir palace. Though this is traditional, I do not wish to be there.”

She chuckled. “Bold of you to assume that I care about your wishes. Ruarc, get her out of my sight.”

He stood up and I glared hard at her. “If I am to go there, I shall not adorn those ridiculous jewelry or dress as the lady I’m not. My every move shall not be reported to your son and I would be free to do as I please.

“Very well then. You heard her sons, so do not blame me if she dies. Now get out of my sight.”

…..

I settled in the Kongsmóðir palace later, and I was a bit relieved that I had the North wing all to myself. Mila was to live with me and so was Mujin. My room was pretty large, but unlike my former, it had no Sia in it, and was extremely uncomfortable.

I stood up to open the windows and that’s when he stepped in.

“I wouldn’t recommend that my lady. The East winds might just blow you away.”

I chuckle dryly. “Better to be blown away than to be alone, don’t you think?”

“You’re not alone Crinka. You have me and your maid.”

I turned to face him. “Are you supposed to address me by my name?”

He smiled. “Would you rather I call you baby girl?”

I laughed. A peaceful silence settled between us, one that had to end.

“Now that you’re here, what are you going to do?”

I sigh, taking out the phone Thane had bought for me, out of the bedside drawer. “Well for starters, learn how to use this thing. You do know how to operate a phone don’t you?”

“Of course. What do you think I do when I’m not making babies?”

I shot him a look. “I didn’t really need to know that part.”

He returned one of his. “Teaching you would come with a price.”

“Really? I knew everything about you spells money.”

“I wasn’t going to ask you for money Crinka. I have plenty of it to keep me going for the next two centuries.”

“Then what do you want?”

He smiled. “Permit me to call you baby girl.”

“Seriously?”

He nodded. “Permit me and I will teach you.”

I smile. “Permission granted. Now teach me how to use this thing,” I mutter, handing over the phone.

Judging from how annoying that small device is, this lesson might keep me up for hours. I wasn’t bothered, because I’ll hate to go to sleep without him being there to hold me and keep me safe.

I might never admit it to him, but I want Sia back in my life, with me, whether he hates me or not.