New Rules

"Drink it, Omega. Every drop."

The new servant, a stern-faced woman with iron-gray hair and eyes that never softened, held the cup to my lips. I turned my head sharply, but two guards stepped closer, ready to force it down my throat if I resisted.

"Fine," I snapped, snatching the cup. The nutrient tea tasted thick and bitter, coating my tongue like medicine meant to punish. I gulped it down anyway, feeling the warmth spread through my belly where the child grew stronger every day.

The royal wing felt smaller now. Three days since the confirmation and everything had changed. The old servants were gone, replaced by these cold, loyal ones who answered only to Vesperian. My daily walks in the garden? Canceled. I was allowed ten minutes on the private balcony overlooking the inner courtyard, always under heavy guard.

I slammed the empty cup on the table. "Happy? Or do I need to piss in a bottle for you too?"

The woman didn’t flinch. "The king wants you strong. The child needs these nutrients."

"The child needs freedom," I muttered, pushing up from the chair. My body felt different already, skin hypersensitive, every brush of silk against my nipples sending unwanted sparks down my spine. The child fluttered low in my belly, a constant reminder. And the soul bond... it hummed louder, pulling me toward Vesperian even when he wasn’t here.

I walked to the balcony doors. "I want to go outside. Just the gardens. Ten minutes."

One guard shook his head. "King’s orders. Royal wing only."

I laughed sharply. "I’m carrying his precious heir and I’m still a prisoner?"

"You’re protected," the new head servant corrected. "There’s a difference."

Protected. The word tasted like chains.

Later that afternoon I tested the boundaries again. I made it halfway down the corridor toward the main hall before guards blocked my path.

"Move," I demanded, voice rising. "I need air. Real air."

"Return to your chambers," the lead guard said flatly. "Or we’ll carry you."

My hands curled into fists. The child kicked hard, like it could sense my anger. My senses picked up everything, their heartbeats, the faint scent of fear beneath their loyalty, Vesperian’s distant presence somewhere in the palace. The bond tugged insistently, urging me to go find him.

I spun around and stormed back, slamming the chamber door behind me.

When Vesperian finally came that evening, I was pacing like a caged wolf.

"You can’t do this," I said the second he stepped inside. "You can’t lock me in here like some fragile ornament just because I’m pregnant."

He closed the door slowly, golden eyes tracking my every movement. "It’s for your safety. And the child’s."

"Safety?" I laughed bitterly. "This is control. You replaced every servant who showed me basic decency. You’ve got guards watching me piss. I can’t even walk ten steps without permission."

Vesperian crossed the room and caught my arm, pulling me close. His hand settled on my belly automatically. The child moved at his touch, fluttering strongly. The bond flared hot between us, making me want to melt into him.

"You’re carrying something powerful," he said, voice low. "Prophecy or not, enemies will come for you. For our son. I won’t risk it."

I shoved at his chest, but he didn’t budge. "Our son? You mean the weapon you’ve been engineering for decades?"

His grip tightened. "Careful, Eli."

"No. You be careful." My voice cracked with everything I’d been holding back. "I’m losing my mind in here. The teas, the constant watching, my body changing every damn day. I can hear servants whispering from three rooms away. I can feel you across the entire palace. And now I can’t even breathe without your permission?"

Vesperian’s eyes darkened. He backed me against the wall, hand still possessive on my belly. "You think this is easy for me? I’ve waited decades for this bloodline to produce someone strong enough. I made sure it would."

I froze. "What do you mean, you made sure?"

He leaned in closer, breath warm against my ear. "Your pack didn’t discover you by accident. I arranged the evidence. I made sure the hunters found just enough to force their hand. I knew they’d deliver you to me rather than face execution themselves."

The words hit like a slap.

"You... orchestrated it?" My voice came out small. "The silver chains. The mud. My own pack throwing me at your feet. That was you?"

"Yes." No hesitation. No shame. "I tracked your bloodline for years. When I learned about you specifically, I set the pieces in motion. You were always meant to end up here. In my bed. Carrying my heir."

Tears burned my eyes. I shoved him again, harder. "You bastard. You destroyed what little life I had left. You made them betray me."

"I saved you," he growled. "From a pack that would’ve killed you eventually. From a life of hiding until they slit your throat."

I turned away, chest heaving. The bond screamed at me to go to him, to seek comfort in the very arms that had engineered my ruin. The child kicked again, as if agreeing with him.

"Get out," I whispered.

Vesperian stayed for a long moment, then finally left without another word.

~~~~

That night I couldn’t sleep. The chamber felt too big, too empty. Every flutter from the child reminded me of what was at stake. Every tug of the soul bond reminded me of him.

I hated myself as I slipped out of bed and padded down the connecting corridor between our chambers. The guards outside didn’t stop me.

Vesperian was still awake, sitting by the fire in a loose robe. He looked up when I entered, surprise flickering across his face.

I didn’t speak. I just walked straight to him and climbed into his lap, burying my face against his neck. His arms came around me immediately, one hand cradling the back of my head, the other resting protectively over my belly.

"I hate you," I whispered against his skin, even as I melted into his warmth. The bond settled with a deep, satisfied hum. The child calmed. I felt safe. Safer than I had any right to feel.

Vesperian held me tighter, lips brushing my temple. "I know."

I clung to him, tears soaking into his robe, hating every second of how right it felt to be in the arms of the man who had destroyed my life just to claim me.

And I couldn’t make myself pull away.