Chapter Twenty-Three #2
“Although the queen is chosen by the goddess, she allows her people some autonomy. Challenge days let people challenge the chosen to fight for their position to prove they have what it takes to rule over shifters. We’re a violent, aggressive bunch, and you need to be able to bring them to their knees on command, which you obviously have no problem doing.
” Gretchin waves at where they were all just kneeling.
“But if nobody knows that, then challenge day could be fun. Normally no one bothers because they can feel how powerful the king or queen is. You are an anomaly, and I wonder if there is a reason for that.”
“Right? I bet it’s to weed out the loyal and not so loyal. Nobody who was loyal would dare dream of challenging the goddess’s decision, but there are always a few who dare to think they know better,” Gracelin muses.
“I don’t know the first thing about fighting in human form, let alone as a shifter.” I feel sick and put a hand over my chest where the power inside me throbs with aggression, like they need me to hand over the reins and they will take care of everything.
“Then it’s lucky we have two weeks. The two of us and a team of experienced night watch shifters will get you up to speed.
” Gracelin tucks her arm into mine and leads me across the room.
Gretchin hurries ahead and opens the door, while Violet trails behind.
She chews on her lip with worry, but she stays quiet, happy to defer to the two experienced princesses.
“Don’t worry, we have your back no matter what,” Gretchin assures me as she leads us through the palace at a pace that doesn’t allow me to look around all that much. “We will make sure you come out on top and take out all those who oppose you. It’s going to be a blast.”
Her idea of fun and mine vary greatly, but it feels good to have the three of them supporting me. I feel like maybe this isn’t going to be as bad as I thought it would be.
Dinner isn’t as small as I hoped. When we get to the dining room, I am announced.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Her Majesty, Queen Colbie Karridge, accompanied by Princesses Gracelin and Gretchin and Lady Violet,” a man standing in the doorway of the dining room says loudly, causing everyone at the table to stand and watch as we enter the room.
The king and three queens are there, as well as Archie and a man who I assume is his father when Gracelin joins him and kisses him passionately.
Also standing at the table are Brodie and Hunter, as well as the two other men I recognize from Night Watch One.
There’s also another large man who looks very much like Hunter with a petite woman by his side, and two young adults.
Violet stiffens next to me, and I can practically feel her distress. Before I can ask her what’s wrong, Lucas hurries over and offers me his arm.
“Please allow me to escort you,” he says kindly and walks me to the head of the table next to his seat, and he pulls out the chair. I sit, and he pushes it in before returning to his seat, which is next to mine. Violet and Gretchin both take seats next to one another farther down the table.
“Please let me formally introduce ourselves. I believe you know my wives, but I’m Lucas. It is very lovely to finally meet you, Colbie.” The king inclines his head gracefully, and I feel like he means what he is saying.
The three queens also murmur their greetings. Layla, who is on my other side, grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze of encouragement.
“Oh, I can feel your animal now,” Mia murmurs quietly, “but there’s still something that’s slightly different about it.”
“None of that now. Let’s enjoy dinner first, and we can talk about official stuff later. I’m sure Colbie is starving. She slept right through lunch.” Evie frowns at her co-wife, who apologizes.
Lucas continues his introduction. “Sitting next to Gracelin is her mate, Adam.” The big, brawny man gives me a wave. Next to him, Archie bounces up and down on his chair. “And I believe you’ve met our grandson, Archer, before.”
I smile at my young friend who waves enthusiastically and then tugs on his dad’s shirt.
“Didn’t I tell you how pretty she is, Papa?
She and I are going to get married. She agreed to wait until I finish high school.
Colbie, you promised to sit next to me.” Unfortunately for him, Adam was taking a drink when Archie announced this, and he chokes on it in surprise.
“Archie, honey, Queen Colbie’s mates are chosen for her by the goddess,” Gracelin says gently, and he stops bouncing, crosses his arms, and pouts his bottom lip.
“But I love her,” he argues plaintively.
“And I love you,” I assure him, seeing he’s close to tears. “You don’t need to be my husband for me to love you,” I tell him, and I can see him thinking.
“Fine, I will be your sidepiece.”
The table explodes into laughter and surprise at his announcement. I’m slightly bemused at a child knowing that kind of term and using it correctly.
Mia frowns. “Where on earth did you hear that?” she questions her grandson who leans in conspiratorially.
“I heard Councilor Mason telling one of the maids that she was his sidepiece before they cuddled and kissed in the supply closet down the hall from Grandpa’s office. I don’t want to kiss Colbie, but cuddles are nice, and she said we could play Shifter Quest together.”
I said nothing of the sort, but the mischievous little kiddo is resourceful.
The laughter cuts off, and there are looks of surprise all around the table and a number of rumbled growls, which sound slightly aggressive.
“Councilor Mason is a mated man,” Lucas tells me quietly.
“Mated vows are sacred to shifters, so being in a relationship outside of them is taboo,” Layla adds. “It’s the ultimate insult. It’s disgusting, and it marks a shifter as untrustworthy. I would suggest that Councilor Mason not make the cut for your new council.”
I make a mental note. I hate cheaters anyway, but it sounds like it’s worse as a shifter.
Lucas clears his throat, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere.
“I know you know Brodie and Hunter, but what about the other two rascals, Liam and Gem?” He points to both men who incline their heads. Gem gives me a wink, and I can see Liam is trying and failing to contain his scowl.
“We’ve met before,” I tell the king who continues.
“Our son is a part of their team, but he couldn’t be here for this dinner,” he says through slightly clenched teeth, and I get the feeling he’s not impressed.
“The five of them will be your security until you are crowned. They will also help you with shifter 101. They are going to be your go-to for any questions you might have, and of course you can come to any of us as well.” He gestures to himself and his wives.
“I will be giving you lessons on the politics of ruling, and the girls will be teaching you all the etiquette. It’s exhausting, and a lot of it is mind-numbingly boring, but it’s all essential.
“Lastly, let me introduce General Bryson, his wife Sable, and his son and daughter, Talon and Ember. He is the night watch and shifter army general and one of your advisors if you choose to keep him. I can’t give him a reference worthy enough to encompass how helpful he has been, and despite the fact that he’s my best friend and confidant, he’s also very good at his job. You can also go to him for advice.”
“He is also Hunter’s father,” Layla murmurs quietly so I have that important information. “They are all dragons and extremely loyal and protective. They are a good family to have as your support system.”
I give a small nod of acknowledgement for her recommendation before smiling at the family.
“It’s lovely to meet you all, and I look forward to getting to know you over the coming weeks,” I say, hoping I’m not portraying how nervous I am.
The four of them give me polite but genuine welcomes, and the food starts to come out, servers placing plates in front of us and offering a range of drinks.
Nothing official is discussed over dinner, and instead, we enjoy the meal, the conversation light and flowing authentically.
I thought I’d be uncomfortable around all these strangers, but I almost feel a kinship with them, like we’ve known each other for years instead of only just a few hours.
There’s laughter and teasing, and I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a meal quite so much.