Chapter Forty
Chapter
Forty
Colbie
The 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.