Chapter 18 #2
She’s never been warm, but this hostility, this nonchalance, and coldness is new. She’s on edge and it doesn’t bode well for us.
“Is it Griffin?” I try to read her eyes. “In the In-Between? Only a Human would be stupid enough to attack an area not patrolled.”
Many beings live in the In-Between of Neevea but not in villages or communities.
Fae who do not wish to belong to a kingdom, Witches who have no Coven, to Humans who only want to live for themselves, in small spots, often moving.
If Griffin is looking for supplies, he will fail.
If he’s looking for bodies to steal, he may have to look extremely hard for them.
If he’s hoping to hurt us, there is nothing to hurt.
It’s a pointless endeavor.
“Unfortunately,” she dismisses, “he’s terrorizing the area. I’d not worry about him, but we have Fae traveling this time of year. The Festival of Sola begins soon, and all the lords are arriving.”
“Festival?” Max looks to me, back to my siblings.
It’s not the first time I’ve wish for the old Fairy to be here, to help explain things. He has a better grasp of all the customs. But he chose to remain at some stone cottage, claiming it was better for our safety.
He’s hiding something. I don’t appreciate being kept in the dark.
Mal clears his throat. “Every year, during the height of summer, we celebrate and honor Sola. The lords come with their closest peerage. We host a large ball.”
“It’s quite the party,” Fenrir answers, striding into the throne room. “And Griffin is going to ruin it. We’ve received reports from scouts.” He hands a paper to his mother, ignoring Mal’s outstretched hand.
I should cut the Fae heir’s hand off. The bastard knows Mal is in charge of the army and should receive all correspondence first.
His time will come soon enough. I’ve not forgiven him for his hand in Sose’s death, nor in his ridiculous attempt to sway my mate from me. If his mother wasn’t here, I’d snap his neck with my shadows and hide the body in the gardens.
But she is, and this is her palace. I’ll kill him somewhere else.
“And?” I prod. “Don’t worry, Fenrir, if you cannot read all the words. Sound them out.”
Reid snickers behind me.
Fenrir’s green eyes flash with malice. Now that we’re in his home, he’s more aggressive. I’m happy to see it. Killing him would be boring if he was too passive.
“The lords are vulnerable.”
“Do they not have armies?” Max glances to me. “The Dark Fae Lords have armies to protect them, in addition to our guards. Is that not the same here?”
My heart swells with pride for my queen. She’s learning.
“No, the lords here are more…” I trail off, winking at Fenrir. “Delicate than the Dark Fae.”
“They’re just here to look pretty,” Mal mutters. “The royal guards patrol the territory and deal with all grievances. If they’re traveling here, they’re open to attack. My guards can’t be everywhere at once.”
“Then you should direct your guards,” Aoife snaps. “Go out there and protect the lords. Without their support, this palace does not exist.”
Mal’s shoulders straighten, nodding once. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
The tiredness in his eyes is evident. He’s spent weeks traveling with my mate, protecting my family, working with them to get me back. Mal has always been in my life—another brother, running after us as we stalked the Black Palace walls.
“We’ll accompany you.” Aoife’s eyes narrow and I smile easily. “With all of us helping, we can secure the paths for the lords. It will allow us time to gather information what Griffin has.”
The slimy bastard is still looking for ways to harm us. Fee said he was readying to attack the Black Palace before she left. I rightfully yelled at her—and my sister threw a dagger at my head for doing so—but I understood why. She chose me over the kingdom.
The sooner we have information, the better informed we’ll be when we return to the Shadowlands. And the sooner I can end his life.
“Then I insist on you remaining for the ball after,” Aoife offers. “The lords will want to thank you properly after you save them.”
“Aoife—”
“Kaden,” she says slowly. Max stills, eyes narrowing on the woman as if she’s said something revolting. “The lords financed the coup. They paid for the guards that helped you when Zelos fell. And when you return, you’ll need more help. It’s a simple dance, easy to attend.”
Max’s nails dig into my arm and she pays no attention to the wounds appearing on her own. My kitten is ready to unleash her inner hellcat.
I smirk, clearing my throat. “We can discuss this when we return.” Kissing my mate’s knuckles, I lead her away. My siblings follow, Mal trailing behind, seething. I can’t rightly blame him.
Something is wrong with Aoife.
Fee snorts. “She had nerve.”
“You heard it too?” Max growl, fingers red.
“I heard it.”
Reid winces. “It’s extremely obvious now.”
Glancing between them, we don’t stop until we reach Max—and my chambers. She throws her cloak on to the bed, stomping over to the window.
“What are you all going on about?”
My sister picks at her nail, smirking. “Your blood summoner is ready to rip out the queen’s heart, Kaden. She practically purred at you in the throne room.”
Max huffs. I can smell her jealousy from across the room, like a fresh bouquet of flowers. I’ve no idea what they mean about Aoife, but I can’t help but love this side of my mate.
Stake her claim, tell everyone I’m hers. I love it.
“Go get ready,” I command them. Fee winks at me, ushering the males out, before I stalk over to my mate’s side. She looks out the window, the greens of the meadows so vibrant, they hurt my eyes.
“Jealous?”
“She’s a horrid woman,” she mutters.
“But are you jealous?”
“She has no reason to dress like that.” She kicks the wall. “She’s practically throwing herself at you. A Fae she knew as a child.”
Gripping her chin, I halt her tirade, smiling into her bright eyes. “Are you jealous, love?”
She shoves at my chest, only to change direction, pulling me close. “Yes.”
“Good,” I whisper. “Because the idea of anyone looking at you makes me want to do unholy things to them, just to prove to everyone you are mine.” My lips trace hers, never giving in.
“Aoife is nothing to your beauty. She holds not a candle to your wit. And there is nothing she can tempt me with to keep me from your lips.”
Stepping back, I rest my forehead against hers. “We will go to the In-Between, figure out what Griffin is doing, and then return home.”
“And the ball?”
I roll my eyes. “The ball is not my concern. You, my kingdom, and my family, are my only concerns.” Kissing her nose, I smirk. “We’ll be home before you can say, ‘Kaden, get on your knees for me.’”
She laughs, the tension leaving her body swiftly. “I may say that anyway.”
“And I would drop here.” I rub her bottom lip. “Say the words, kitten, and I will gladly kneel for you.”