Page 77 of The Witch Queen

I take her hands in mine. “Are you sure? Even if you don’t actually want the love part of a marriage. You would be Queen of Velmara someday.”

She laughs, bright and merry. “I have literallyzerointerest in ruling over that den of vipers back in Velmara. I hate it there. I hate the nobles. I hate my family. I’m even dreading going back to the heat after the coziness of the cold here. I don’t want to be Queen, and I will marry Thorne over my dead body.”

Thorne nudges my shoulder playfully, murmuring, “Told you so.” I stick my tongue out at him, and he wraps an arm around my waist, tucking me into his side.

Silene squeals. “You two are so adorable.Mates!I can’t believe it! What was it like, the realization?” She looks dreamy eyed, and I chuckle.

“To be honest, it was extremely confusing and weird,” I admit. Thorne laughs deeply, and it makes me nestle in closer to him.

“That’s just because of the way it happened,” Silene coos. “You two have been obsessed with each other since the moment you met. We could both see, couldn’t we, Fionn?” He grunts in agreement with her.

“Fionn, Laurel gave me some veryinterestinginformation while we were in the caverns discussing the sleeping arrangements in this apartment,” Thorne says, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Fionn stiffens. “Could we take a peek in your room, brother?” Thorne asks.

“I’d rather you didn’t,” Fionn responds coolly. Thorne rushes toward the bedroom door, but Fionn is faster. Fionn blocks Thorne, wrapping him in a headlock. Giggling, I blow a gust of air at the door, and it swings wide open. Fionn looks at me in betrayal, but I shrug.

“Sorry, he’s my mate. I think I have to pick his side in these situations? Though I’m not exactly sure.” Silene giggles and Thorne beams at me before walking into the very pink room. Silene follows, and she and Thorne erupt in laughter.

“It’s the closest bedroom to the outside door. What it looks like is irrelevant,” Fionn grumbles. Thorne and Silene only laugh harder.

Taking pity on him, I say, “I can have servants come in and redecorate.” He shrugs, like he doesn’t care either way. Remembering Carex, I sigh. “Should we go take care of the Carex situation?” Fionn looks sheepish.

“Sorry, queenie,” Fionn says with a smirk. “In my defense, he attacked first. And Thorne was in pretty bad shape. We needed to get him to you as quickly as possible.” Thorne blushes, and I find that I like the look of him squirming.

“I wasn’tin pretty bad shape.I was just a little worried,” Thorne grumbles.

“A little?” Silene teases. “You almost attacked Fionn, and you growled at us no less than three times.”

Thorne pulls at the collar of his tunic. “It was a very confusing situation. Emotions were running high.”

“They were,” I say, an apology in my gaze. He meets my stare, accepting the offering and understanding my silent words.I’m sorry for leaving.

“I’m going to hurl if you two keep staring at each other like that,” Fionn murmurs. “Go take care of Carex.” We both smile. As I take his hand in mine, I’m struck with a deep urge to never let go.

Laurel

It’s remarkable how little we understand about the aether and the rivers of magical current that circle our world. Despite millennia of research, its mysteries still baffle our best scholars.

The Unabridged History of Magical Orders, Volume I

Carex is still unconscious, slumped against a chair, when we arrive in my rooms. Lunaria sits across the room from him, eyes homed in a predatory gaze and body tensed as if she’s ready to pounce. But when she sees Thorne, she stretches lazily, then rubs against his legs until he scratches her head. My mouth drops open in shock.

“What?” he says, noticing my dumbfounded look. “She likes me. She even visited me once before. And then tonight she showed up and helped us figure out how to find you.” Something light and airy fills my chest.

“Lunaria has never tolerated anyone other than me,” I explain. “The only other person she’s allowed close to her is Nemesia, and they still kept out of each other’s way most of the time.”

“I’m yourmate,” he says with a low, sensual growl, and the word sends flutters to my stomach. “Maybe she senses that somehow.”

I only nod, determined not to give in to the desire burning through me when my ex-lover is lying unconscious at my feet. Taking a bottle of strong liquor from the bar, I unstopper it and hold it under his nose. He jumps back into consciousness, eyes confused and searching.

“What… Laurel—you’re okay, thank the aether,” Carex pants, clearly confused but trying to pull his thoughts together quickly. “The Velmaran Prince—he was here, and I think he was trying to break into your rooms. He was up to something. He and his so-calledadvisors… we fought… and then—where am I?”

“Iwastrying to break into her rooms,” Thorne replies from across the room with more haughty arrogance than I’ve ever heard come from his lips. Carex stiffens, then looks from me to Thorne.

“It’s okay, Carex,” I say. “I was in some trouble, and Thorne was only trying to help me. He did, and all is well now.” Carex looks like he doesn’t believe me, lips pursed in a half-sneer. He stands, swaying with what is probably a concussion. He and Thorne stare each other down with looks of mutual loathing.

“Thankfully yourmeddlingdid not prevent me from saving Her Majesty,” Thorne spits at Carex with a formal and princely air.

“I’m sorry you were injured,” I say to appease Carex as I turn him toward the door. “Please, go see a healer right away. And I’ll speak with the Velmarans about theirtacticsfor aiding me. While their intentions were in the right place, their actions were questionable.” Carex hesitates at the door, not wanting to leave me alone with Thorne. “All is well, Carex. Please, go,” I say gently. He looks like he wants to say something more, but with a growl from Thorne he turns and leaves, closing the door behind him.

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