Chapter Eighteen #2
“Let’s return to dinner. Tideman and his family can wallow in the cells for a few hours.
There’s nothing like knowing you’re going to be interrogated to make a person sweat,” Mia suggests, and the rest of us return to the dining room.
The atmosphere is subdued as we continue our meal, but I want to wait for the others to return before I tell them everything I learned.
It’s Evie who breaks the silence. “Why would he want the book? He can’t use it. It’s less than useless for him without the royal power and he can't open it. Unlike the vault which opens to anyone in the royal family, the book will only open with a drop of Lucas’ blood,,”
“I might have an answer for that,” I tell them, putting down my fork, but before I can share my conversation with the goddess, the general, my mates, and Adam return, and none of them look happy.
“We searched the entire castle for him, but he’s gone, as are his wife and children. It looks like they left in a hurry though. They didn’t take many of their personal belongings,” Bryson grumbles as the rest of them retake their seats. “I’m going to send a team to track him.”
He turns to leave, but I jump to my feet.
“Wait, I have some information to share with everyone. You should hear it,” I tell him, and he looks at Lucas, which annoys me, so I glare at him. “Bryson, I know you have been serving Lucas for a long time, but I am queen now.”
I see Sable smother a grin and look down at her hands, and I get a nod of approval from Layla. Bryson frowns and nods, taking a seat. “You’re right, forgive me, my queen. It will take a little adjustment for me,” he says ruefully.
“It’s okay. It’s going to take a little adjustment for all of us, I’m sure. A few more minutes aren’t going to make a big difference. To be honest, I have no doubt Tideman is long gone. The cut on Archie’s hand is almost completely healed,” I point out.
“Shifters heal a lot quicker than humans,” Gem says and holds out his hands to take Archie from Gracelin.
“But I can make it so it’s completely healed.
” He tickles the boy, and Archie squirms, giggling with delight as Gem sits down with him on his lap and cups his injured hand with his own large ones.
“This might be a bit warm,” he warns as his hands start to flame.
Archie squawks with surprise but holds still.
“Archie, when did you and Mr. Vallen go into the vault and get my pretty ring?” I ask him, drawing his attention away from the healing flames.
“Miss Lucy was going to take me to see the kittens in the stables before I had a nap, but she was taking too long talking with Miss Isla, and I didn’t want to wait, so while they weren’t looking, I snuck off. Mr. Vallen stopped me when I got to the abominable fountain.”
“The what?” I ask, completely confused, and there are a couple of chuckles around the table. Gracelin pulls out her phone and sends a message, glaring at the screen.
“There’s a fountain in the middle of the front entrance of the castle.
You didn’t come that way when you first arrived, so you probably haven’t seen it.
It was commissioned by Queen Rowena. It’s supposed to be in her likeness, but it’s the most gaudy, horrific thing I’ve ever seen.
I wanted to have it removed, but apparently it would damage the foundation of the palace, so it has to stay,” Lucas explains, and Evie laughs.
“He calls it the abomination, but Archie can’t say it.”
“Abominable is actually fitting,” Mia admits, but Gracelin is glaring at Archie.
“Are you telling me you were going to leave the castle again without anyone? Archer Lucas Frankland, you have pushed your luck one last time. You are banned from having dessert for the next week.” Her calculating gaze slides to me. “And I forbid you from having Queen Colbie as your sidepiece.”
There’s a small, loaded silence, and I see Adam wince.
Archie bursts into tears, wailing loudly, but Gracelin just picks him up once Gem finishes healing his hand and passes him to another female shifter who ran into the room.
Unlike the palace staff who all wear a uniform, she’s wearing a smart pair of pants and a fitted shirt with sneakers on her feet, which actually makes sense if this is Archie’s nanny.
“I am not happy, Lucy. You were derelict in your duties, allowing Isla Tideman to distract you. This is not the first time Archie has gotten away from you. Consider yourself on notice. If this happens again, I will have to replace you.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m so sorry. Isla and I went to school together, and she was just asking about some mutual friends. I swear I turned my back on Archie for mere seconds,” Lucy explains, her cheeks pink with embarrassment.
“Take him to our apartment. He’s grounded until further notice.”
Lucy retreats with a wailing Archie, and everyone breathes out a sigh of relief once the door closes behind them.
“You are vicious,” Gretchin compliments her sister.
“Pfft, it won’t last. That child could get into trouble in his sleep.”
“So the Tidemans have at least a five hour start on us. Hell, they could be in another kingdom by now.” Hunter brings the conversation back on track.
“But why take the book? It doesn’t make sense,” Evie says, and I know it’s time to share what the goddess told me.
“Because if they can stop me from being crowned and get the power to accept someone else, then they can make as many shifters as they like and fix all the ferals they’ve already created.”
“What do you mean, fix the ferals?” Lucas snaps, and I sigh.
“I had another enlightening conversation with the goddess,” I reply, then I proceed to tell them everything she said.