Page 41 of Bianca and the Monsters

Unable and completely unwilling to release Bastien, I look at Nico. “Can you carry us both?”

Nico nods and moves toward us while I reclaim the feather and conceal it in my hand, wishing I had a pocket. Then Nico gathers the two of us like we weigh nothing and carries us toward the castle.

Chapter30

Nico

With most of what’s precious to me in my arms, I walk toward the castle, Archie at my side. His tension radiates powerfully enough that I feel it in waves that only add to my already overwhelmed senses.

On my other side walks First Knight Remington Zachariah Blankenship, whose interest in the woman in my arms is as repellent as the number of syllables in his name. His gaze doesn’t leave her and I can easily imagine his exceedingly predictable intentions. To take Bastien from us and deliver him as a rare treasure for our queen and, in so doing, woo Lady Bianca away from us, her connection to Bastien a useful ploy. Predictable, but potentially exceedingly effective.

We have, without question, broken laws. Visible bruises on Bianca’s body, witnessed by the First Knight in the land—that’s enough to damn us all. Pennie, Archie, and I stand to lose everything, and maybe that’s what we truly deserve.

What have we actually shown Bianca since she arrived? We meant to treat her with honor and show her a wondrous time, and we haven’t even fed her. She’s barely been clothed. Yes, I believe she enjoyed herself, but as one unfamiliar with the pleasures of the flesh, it seems to me that flings are built on morenakedtime than clothed time. True, loving, long-lasting relationships involve knowledge of more than the carnal variety. What are we to her but affable monsters with many syllables? An improvement on the human men she’s known?Yes. But that’s an epically low bar, not worthy of any pride.

The hard truth slaps me and throws its gauntlet to the ground at my feet. Remy has as many syllables as we do. He’s a dashing, war-proven monster, blessed with position and power, even the ear of the queen. He could offer Bianca status, a life at court, a never-ending adventure. How can we possibly compete with that?

My grim thoughts are only tempered by Bianca’s continued touch. Her fingers play through my fur, regardless of the pain she’s feeling, and her steady breaths awaken a wealth of sensation throughout my body. The fact that she realized so quickly the way I experience the world, the way she clearly cared… she’s more than we hoped for or deserve. But with her kind nature, she’d have the same sensitive awareness for anyone, even Remy if she knew his life story. Her compassion says more about her than her particular regard for us.

We need more time, but each step that brings us closer to the castle feels like the pendulum’s last swing in a dying clock.

“Is Pennie okay?” Bianca whispers to me, but Remy answers her.

“The Pendragon has been detained but is currently unharmed, unless youwishhim to be harmed.” He’s posturing, performing for Bianca, but she doesn’t know that.

“Oh, whatIwish is important now?” Bianca snaps. “Good, Iwishthe earth would swallow you whole so that your body could fertilize a noxious vine that we could hack to pieces every single morning and then celebrate with tea and cookies.”

Remy chuckles heartily. “Strong feelings, my Lady. That’s a good sign, I think.”

“Watch your back, CaptainShinyPants, because you aren’t allowed to hurt me—more than you already have, I guess. But I haven’t heard of a single law that says I can’t stab you in the back.”

Remy grins at me, his eyes shrewd, and then responds to her. “If I were justanymale, you absolutely could, but as First Knight of the Queen, stabbing me would win you a visit to court, where our queen has the right to punish you any way she wishes.” In a deeper, sensuous tone, he adds, “I can already tell you that all your transgressions would be forgiven if you agreed to become my wife.”

Bianca makes a quite-authentic retching sound. “Dude, that just proves my point. The only way you’ll ever get a wife is through extortion.” She grumbles some less flattering things and then buries her face in my fur.

I feel slightly better after that display of her lovely, feral nature, but unfortunately, Remy only looks more intrigued. We knew how it would be when we brought her here. Women are so rare in our land that competition for their affection is fierce, but we thought we’d have more time before other suitors arrived. But Remy is already here and others will come. In response to that sad realization, I hold her closer, knowing I need to remember everything about this moment in case it never comes again.

As we reach the main road leading to the castle, Bianca emits a panicked gasp and I immediately search for danger. All I find are the colossal creatures that Remy and his subordinates rode to reach the castle so quickly.

“It’s all right, my Lady,” Remy says in a soothing tone. “They are just our steeds.”

Wearing a dubious expression, Bianca mutters, “Those are like horses for monsters? They are seriously terrifying.”

I give her an encouraging squeeze. “They are actually quite loyal as long as they are appreciated.”

Bianca releases a shuddery breath and closes her eyes. What little energy she had is gone, and Bastien is asleep wrapped around her. Having plucked his origin feather, his body is already beginning its decline. Did he give it to her? Does he know where it is? Is there still hope for our family to be whole?

I don’t have any answers, only questions that can’t be asked.

“Is she well?!” Pennie demands as we enter the courtyard where he stands surrounded by twelve more knights, who wouldn’t have a chance against him.

Remy brought two dozen soldiers to our home and it’s impossible not to know why. He came with his designs in place, but also with the knowledge of who we are and how we fight. And wewillfight, just as soon as we determine Bianca’s wishes and Bastien’s. The answers to the only question that matters. Are we a family or not?

Until we know the answer, obedience is a necessary evil.

“Master Pendragon,” Remy says smugly, “the Lady is in need of healing after her experience with Lord Clumberton. If you would be so kind as to heal her and see that she is dressed properly before we all dine together, that would be most appreciated. The Lady seems to think we have matters to discuss, where I think the answers are clear. But for the Lady, I’m willing to suspend judgment.”

“Bastien stays with me,” Bianca says feistily. “He needs healing too.”

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