Page 31 of Kiss the Filthiest King

Fantastic. I’m basically married, and he feels trapped into it. Just what I wanted.

* * *

Idon’t think Rachel needed to pout as much as rage, hug herself, and cement her absolute hatred for Ryther, but once I’m dressed in the dark velvet and leather gown Loch found me, I seek her out, taking her altered gown with me.

I’m relieved she’s not crying, and unsurprised she’s glaring.

“What that guy did to me was fucked up,” she seethes. “He’s a pig.”

I sigh. “I told you what this place was like. He was making a point. You’re not safe here.”

“He assaulted me!”

“He didn’t touch you; nor did he look at you. He was literally just showing you a tiny glimpse of you could go through if you stayed. Would you have taken any warning seriously without that demonstration? Would you have believed someone can make you do something like that?”

She narrows her eyes.

“It would be safer for you to go.”

“I’m not leaving you alone with all those assholes,” she snaps, exactly as I expected. “And what if I return home and they find me anyway? It’s not like San Francisco was safe yesterday.”

All arguments I was prepared for—arguments I made myself. “I figured you’d say as much. You’ll have a guard—here or there. And there are ways to protect yourself against what Ryther did. He mixed you herbs.” I hand her the pouch. “You’ll have to wear your panties inside out—or your socks. Preferably both. Something touching your skin. But Rachel, if you lose any of those defenses, you will be vulnerable. Making you do something isn’t the only thing they could do. They could transform you. Hurt you.”

“Anyone can hurt anyone. On Earth, all they need is a knife or a gun, or just being stronger.”

“The difference is, here, they’llwantto hurt you.”

“All of them?” she challenges.

I don’t know how to answer that. I’m not sure every fae hates mortals, or sees them as weaker playthings. I think of Cissa, back in Night Hall. She’s…kind? I’ve never seen her being mean or awful to anyone; not just myself, but Rain, too.

“It’s all new to me too. I think the fae could be just like people; everyone is different, wouldn’t you say? There are evil humans, and plain horrible people, as well as nice, even good mortals, wouldn’t you say? But the fae…I don’t believe they see mortals as theirequals.”

She huffs. “Like I said. Assholes.”

“They…” I catch myself. “Wecan live for hundreds, thousands of years. Mortals are only alive for decade. I think most fae just see them as cute, entertaining, but irrelevant in the great scheme of things. Temporary. Like pretty, ephemeral butterflies.”

“That’s complete bullshit. They might live longer, but what makes them better than any of us?”

I don’t want to get into that can of worm, and it’s beside the point.

“Look, let’s not make a decision this very second. At the moment, I’m putting out the various fires set around us. But eventually, you’ll have—we’ll both have—to decide what to do with our lives.”

“Aren’t you a queen? What you’re going to do seems pretty clear.”

“Does it?” I have no clue what it means to be high queen.

Those people already have governments—those courts—taking care of the everyday ruling of this place, don’t they? I can’t sit around and look pretty my whole life. As of right now, I want to keep my head, and that means proving my place is at the top of the food chain. But after? I have no idea.

Before Rachel can offer her opinion, or some platitude, I hand her the gown. “For tonight. Loch found it in the old queen’s things, and had it altered so it would fit you.”

It’s pink and pretty, but it’ll clash with her hair. I wonder if Loch chose it on purpose because of that.

“The old queen…your mother.”

I grimace at that word. My mother isn’t Queen Morrigan. My mother was human, and she’s dead.

I clear my throat, not wanting to get her upset all over by bringing up our parents. “I quite enjoyed you and Rain fighting over me. Don’t do it with Loch.”

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