Chapter 40
Chapter Forty
Colbie
T he next morning, I’m woken very early by the queens, their daughters, Violet, and a slew of maids. They kick Micah and Brodie out of my bed, the two mates who won the rounds of rock, paper, scissors they played last night. I rolled my eyes as I watched them play rounds and rib each other good-naturedly. Thankfully, there were no hurt feelings when I said I would only accept two in my bed. There’s room for more, but if there was ever a day when a girl needs to not wake up drenched in sweat, it’s the morning of her coronation.
I’m primped and prodded and stuffed into my gorgeous gown. It’s royal blue with short, off the shoulder sleeves, delicate beaded embroidery on the bodice, and a full skirt. I look and feel like a princess when they are finally done with me. My hair is down with gentle waves, and I have blue kitten heels on my feet.
“Okay, so usually challenge day happens before the coronation, but because we want this done as soon as possible, Lucas is going to ask the gathered crowd if anyone wants to challenge you after your crowning,” Mia explains as we make our way through the palace to the waiting vehicles.
“Aramis was not happy about challenge day and said it was a shifter thing, not something she condoned,” I warn her, and she nods.
“Yes, but if she wants your reign to be successful, then she should allow it. The shifters will respect you more. If someone is brave enough to go against you, then shift into your hydra, and they will quickly concede. Hydras are basically unbeatable,” Evie recommends.
“Then you will be asked to appoint your council,” Layla advises me, and I wince. Shit, I haven’t had a chance to let the others know they will no longer be needed. Oh well, I didn’t like any of them anyway, so if they are pissed at me, it’s not a huge deal.
“Once you and your mates are crowned, the full power of the shifters will settle over you. It might be painful, but don’t show any weakness. The shifters won’t respect you if you do,” Gretchin tells me as the vehicles travel from the palace to the colosseum on the far side of the shifter city. My mates will meet me there.
“Then you can make any declarations you like to. Now would be a good time to announce repealing the crossbreed ban, as well as announcing your intention to create a more inclusive shifter nation by welcoming members of the mer, fairy, and equine shifters onto your council and into your bed with your new mates, who will be introduced and crowned just before you’re crowned.”
“Remember, anyone who beats you not only gets to claim the crown, but they can also claim your mates as well,” Gracelin warns me.
“What?” I screech. Have they told me this before? My creatures blaze with righteous fury. There is no way I am losing my mates to any asshole who thinks they can take them. “That’s not fucking happening,” I growl, and Gracelin smirks like she is pleased with my reaction.
“Hang on to the anger,” she taunts me.
“You did that on purpose.” I stab a finger in her direction, and she shrugs.
“Whatever works. I know you now, Colbie, and you’re too nice. You would end up losing to someone because you don’t want to hurt them. I gave you a reason not to lose. Shifters appreciate strength, and if you kill any challengers, you will be seen as that much stronger.”
“I don’t want to have to kill anyone.” My anger fades and is replaced with worry. Will I really be able to do this? It’s such a giant change in everything I have ever known.
“Well, they won’t have the same hesitation, so think about whether you want this or not.”
“And the fight is anything goes, so if the challenger is magical, they can use their powers to attack. Seriously, the hydra will be the best option. Sable discovered an obscure text that says a hydra is impervious to magical attacks as well,” Layla explains.
“Okay, hydra it is. Hopefully I can shift quickly enough.”
The queens exchange a look.
“Colbie, your shift is a lot quicker than most. You just seem to change in the blink of an eye, while the rest of us take at least a few seconds,” Evie explains.
“Once a fight starts, it doesn’t finish until one party dies or submits. Hopefully when they see your hydra, they will submit immediately, but a lot of shifters are arrogant and will see you as a major challenge. Be prepared to have to kill someone,” Mia warns.
Fuck, maybe I’m lucky Gracelin warned me about the winner getting my mates. The idea of killing someone is abhorrent to me, but my creatures are bloodthirsty little fuckers and are excited about it. There is still definitely a disconnect between my human and shifter sides.
The vehicle pulls into a private entrance to the colosseum. Guarding either side of the door are soldiers Bryson assigned to protect me and my mates until the crown is on my head. They aren’t expecting trouble, but it’s better to be prepared for it.
We climb out, and the girls and queens fuss around, straightening me out before we move into the building.
“Now remember, you need to be naked for the challenge to make sure you aren’t concealing any fae or witch charms on your body.” My stomach drops at Gretchin’s words. I didn’t fucking remember that fantastic little bit of information. Thank God for the waxing I had done yesterday.
“If it’s any consolation, so does the challenger,” Violet says, trying to reassure me, but it doesn’t help.
We arrive at a door, and I hear familiar voices behind it. My mates are just beyond it, waiting for me. I take a deep breath to enter when a voice screeches my name.
“Queen Colbie, a word!” I turn and find Sophia Gardiner beelining toward me, fury in her eyes. She’s followed by her daughter, Gianna.
“Fuck,” I mumble under my breath. Gretchin, the good personal bodyguard that she is, steps between us, holding up a hand.
“That’s close enough,” she warns the councilwoman who throws her a venomous glare. The soldiers in our protection detail put their hands on the weapons at their sides. Gianna looks a little wary, but Sophia pays no attention to them.
“How dare you invite members of the rejected species to be a part of the council! I will not be in the same room as those lower species,” she sneers, throwing her hair over her shoulder.
“Well then, I guess it’s lucky you won’t have to,” I snap, fury replacing my nerves. “Thank you for your service, but you will no longer be required as a council member,” I tell her, and Gracelin hands her an envelope containing her severance package. I was hoping I could do this in one group, but I guess I will need to have someone give Councilors Mason and Altmore their own severance packages. I was going to do this before the coronation out of courtesy, but the queens assured me I didn’t owe these people anything.
Sophia’s fury turns to shock as she stares at the envelope like it’s Fluffy about to bite her. “You can’t,” she stammers, her cheeks paling. “I’ve served on the council for more years than you’ve been alive.”
“Yes, and I think it is time for a change, don’t you?” I turn my back on her, and she growls, but none of my creatures consider her a blip on our radar.
“You’ll regret this. You will be challenged, and everyone will see that the reason no one knows what kind of shifter you are is because you’re insignificant and weak.”
I ignore her, and Violet opens the door to the room. I move inside, followed by the others, then I look over my shoulder. I see Gianna try to get a look at who is in the room, and her brow furrows when she catches sight of Watch Team One. I wonder if she’s smart enough to put two and two together. Her gaze goes to the marks on my neck and then back to theirs. Her eyes light up, and as the door closes, I see her reach for her mom, excitement and calculation practically vibrating off her.
“Fuck, Gianna’s going to challenge you,” Gretchin sneers as she, too, sees what I saw.
“She wouldn’t, would she? She’s only a fox, so she has no chance.” Violet shakes her head.
“But she’s good with a knife.” Liam comes over, rubbing his hand up and down my arm in reassurance. “And they think we haven’t shared what kind of shifter Colbie is because she’s weak.”
“Are weapons allowed in a challenge?” I ask, panicking because although we’ve done a little self-defense, weapons are out of my skill set.
“Anything goes, but you’ve got this,” Lucas reminds me as he approaches. “Colbie, you look beautiful. I’m sure your mates were just too stunned at the sight of you to say anything.” He glares at the boys, and they all rush over to give me compliments.
Layla’s peal of laughter is musical and lusty. “You are such a charmer,” she says to her mate, straightening the lapels of his shirt. “Are you ready for this?” she asks him, and he nods firmly.
“So ready to be done with it all.” I frown, worried that asking them to be on my council wasn’t a good idea if they really don’t want it.
“Ignore them. They can’t wait to help you scheme,” Evie assures me, seeing me watch her mates with concern. “They are just trying to keep up appearances.” She rolls her eyes, and Layla actually flips her off. She was the last queen I thought would do something like that, but it makes me like her even more.
“Mother,” Gryffin scolds playfully, and she shrugs unapologetically.
“I haven’t selected the mer, shifter, or fairy council members yet.” I bite my lip once the guys stop fussing over me. I can’t say it wasn’t nice to be adored like that, but I have so much on my mind. “There hasn’t been time.”
“That’s okay. Announce your intentions and tell the crowd your mates will fill those positions until a suitable candidate can be found,” Gracelin assures me. She seems to have everything under control, and I am so happy I asked her to be my right-hand gal.
“Okay, yeah, cool, that works,” I agree.
“We already have a few nominations. I have dossiers on all of them, and when everything settles down, we will invite them for dinner so you can get a feel for each of them and then make a decision.”
“Did your family come?” I ask Titus, who is looking at his phone.
“Yes, they just arrived. General Bryson and Lady Sable are escorting them here and will be with them as their protection.”
“That’s good.” I share a smile with him and feel his relief and joy as if it were my own.
“What about my mother?” I ask, bracing myself for the answer.
Hunter and Liam exchange a glance. “Jenny and Joseph arrived without her. Jenny says they haven’t seen nor heard from her.”
Worry niggles at me. It isn’t like her to not take the opportunity to try and steal the spotlight from me. I would have thought she would be here, wearing her most scandalous outfit and flirting with everyone.
“Where are my grandparents?” I ask, wanting to see them before all this kicks off.
“They are in the VIP seating,” Brodie tells me. “I escorted them there myself. They said to wish you luck.”
I consider sending one of the guys to go get them, but before I can, the door opens, and Bryson and Sable enter, followed by three people.
The male is the spitting image of Titus, with the same green hair and pointy ears, as well as similar green wings as his son, but instead of silver accents, his are gold. The woman is slightly shorter and more curvy than her mate. She has pretty, silver and bright purple delicate wings that flutter behind her, and she shares similar features to Violet. The younger girl with them is stunning, with long green hair like the two men in her family, but her wings are purple and gold.
“Daddy, they have wings. Am I going to have wings?” I hear Archie say to Adam, and I stifle a smile. I don’t hear Adam’s reply though.
“Aunt Calla,” Violet squeals and throws herself at the woman who startles before smiling widely and hugging her niece.
“Violet, my gorgeous girl. I didn’t expect to see you.”
“Colbie is my friend, and she asked me to be her lady-in-waiting,” Violet explains as she switches her attention to the younger girl who I’m guessing might be close in age to her or maybe slightly older.
“Hi, Holly.” Violet gives her cousin a hug as well, and the girl smiles at her, but her attention keeps shifting to another area in the room. I follow her gaze and find Gretchin staring at her with extreme interest.
“Colbie, these are my parents, Calla and Koa, and my sister Holly.” Titus joins me and drags me forward to meet his parents. “Guys, this is my mate, Queen Colbie Karridge.”
I greet both of them, welcoming them to our kingdom and assuring them that I hold their safety as a high priority, but the whole time, I hear the rumble of a jungle cat behind me.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Gretchin.” I whirl around to face my bodyguard. “What is the problem?” I demand and find she’s moved as close as possible to Holly and is sniffing her.
“What the fuck?” Liam mutters behind me, and one of the queens scolds him for his language, but my focus is on my friend and Titus’s sister.
“Does your sister have a mate mark?” I ask him, and he shakes his head.
“Not that I know of, but it has been a while since I went home for a visit.” He raises an eyebrow at his parents who are watching everything with closed expressions.
Koa sighs. “One appeared a few days ago,” he admits, and I gasp.
Did it happen on the same day the magic activated Titus’s and Micah’s?
“Can we see it?” I coax gently, but the girl ignores me, focused completely on Gretchin.
Before I can ask again, the two of them collide in a smoldering kiss that has me fanning my face.
“I’m going to go out on a limb and say they are mates,” Brodie says, scrunching up his nose. “Gross. I don’t want to see my sort of sister making out with someone else.”
“Imagine how I feel,” Titus mutters as the two girls get a little handsy.
“Pfft, we have to watch all of you with Colbie,” Gracelin reminds us, beaming with joy at the fact her sister has found her mate.
Before anyone else can say anything, there’s a flash of light, and the goddess appears. The two girls stop making out, and everyone but me bows to the deity.
“Right, we’re all here. Let’s get this shit show on the road. The sun should be rising any moment,” she tells me.
I guess we aren’t messing around. A swarm of butterflies swoops in my stomach, and my heart starts to beat so fast I’m afraid it’s going to pound out of my chest.
“Just give us a moment to get to the VIP section please.” Bryson and Sable wave for Titus’s family to join them. We have to physically separate Gretchin and Holly, Titus grabbing his sister and Gryffin his. Holly starts sobbing, and Gretchin snarls at Gryffin. Gracelin steps up and slaps Gretchin across the face.
“Get your shit together. Let’s get Colbie safely crowned, and then you can hole up somewhere for days if you need to,” she tells her sister who seems to snap out of it.
The goddess smirks, and she meets my eyes, giving me a wink. Meddling busybody, but I am happy for Gretchin. Aramis waves her hand, and they disappear in a flash, aided to their seats by her magic. I hope it’s not as disorienting as Titus’s sift is.
“Right, let’s just make this a little bit more of a spectacle than it already is. I do enjoy drama.” She waves her hand again, and my mates are all wearing black cloaks with hoods concealing them from the rest of the audience. She rubs her hands together. “This is going to be so much fun.”