Page 143 of Fearless

“It’s getting late.” He runs a hand down his face, thoroughly wiping it of the sadness once settled there. A cough rattles in his chest. “We should get some rest.”

The king stands. I follow his lead.

“I won’t be my father.” He walks stiffly toward the steps while I hang on every word. “I—we—are changing Ilya. And long live the queen who has helped make that happen.”

CHAPTER 53Kai

I take a seat in the rigid chair, forcing an equally uncomfortable smile.

“Hello, Mother.”

Her tired eyes give me that knowing look. “Kitt told me. In fact, you just missed him.”

“Oh?” I take in the cot she hasn’t left in nearly two months. “He still comes to see you?”

A sharp cough rings through the empty wing before she manages, “We’ve… bonded since the passing of his father.” Her hand reaches weakly for mine. “But don’t go changing the subject, Kai. I know.”

Sighing, I run fingers through my disheveled hair. “Two days.”

“How does the throne room look?”

I almost laugh. “Like a garden. Blooms have woven dozens of those pink roses along the aisle and around pillars.”

“It is a royal wedding,” she says, voice hoarse. “They typically are extravagant.” Hurriedly, she adds, “Well, not mine and the king’s, of course.”

“Because Father had to remarry quickly after the death of Kitt’s mother,” I nearly recite.

It’s like looking into a mirror, her eyes. They study me for a long moment, seemingly in search of something within them. “I forget that you are so young. Still so much for you to learn.”

The words sound vaguely like a warning I’m meant to heed. But when the queen succumbs to a fit of coughs, all thoughts are overshadowed with concern for her. I raise a glass of water to her lips, tipping her reddened face back until the cool liquid has cleared her throat.

“I’m…” She swallows before trying again. “I’m sorry you have to see me like this.”

“Shh.” It’s a stern hushing for a queen. “I won’t be seeing you like this for long, because you’ll be healthy before we know it.”

Her smile, once so vibrant, has dulled. “You can lie to yourself all you like. But don’t do it to your dying mother.”

I shake my head, refusing to believe her words and wishing to speak of different ones. “You’re okay with Kitt marrying Paedyn?”

“Kitt has his reasons,” she says simply.

I’m not entirely convinced by this answer.

She coughs. I wince. “Rest, Mother.”

“So…” A ragged heave of her chest interrupts the words. “So much to learn.”

Heat envelops the kitchen, wafting the scent of freshly seasoned potatoes into the air.

“Jax is practically salivating beside me,” Andy points out with a snort. “Gail, how much longer? He’s scaring me.”

The cook turns, her round face wearing a bright grin. “Almost there, hun. The turkey needs a bit longer yet.”

Perched on my usual counter, Kitt sits beside me as though we areboys again. Andy and Jax occupy the far ledge while Paedyn leans against an open wall, observing the lot of us.

“Hang in there, J,” Kitt comforts, albeit teasingly. He seems better with our company, his mind clearer of whatever haunts it.

Jax puffs out his chest, long legs dangling over the counter. “I’m a hungry, growing boy.”

---