Page 2 of The Shattered Kingdom
Mason spins, piercing Queen Gitta with his signature blank stare. “The human stays with us.”
The humanhas a name. It’s annoying that nobody seems keen to use it. I understand the faeries don’t think highly of my kind, but to disregard me so openly is just plain disrespectful. For a species of beings who pride themselves on their grace, they’re sure fucking rude.
Queen Gitta doesn’t react to Mason’s stare or tone, at least not outwardly. She appears utterly unaffected, which I’m sureinfuriates the shifter.
“That’s not your decision to make,” she says. “Kieran is—”
This is my time to shine. “Kieran isn’t anything. He agreed to give his title to Mason in exchange for Zaha stopping the growth of delysum.” All attention shifts to me, and when neither Kie nor Mason dart forward to snap my neck, I continue. “Zaha’s original plan was for Kieran to lead the faeries, Mason to lead the shifters, and for their mate to unite them, but that plan went to shit when Mason’s parents abandoned him. Zaha doesn’t believe the faeries need three rulers, and she’s decided that Mason is the best option.”
I’m fighting back a smile by the time I finish explaining this particular nugget of truth. Queen Gitta is red in the face, the elegant queen finally giving a reaction. I chose to keep this information to myself when Queen Gitta tried to humiliate me earlier. I wanted to keep my cards close to my chest, but there’s no point.
Lill has been discovered, and it seems Kie and Mason don’t intend to kill us. There’s no reason for me not to overshare.
Queen Gitta takes a second to collect herself, smoothing down her black dress before tucking a strand of white-blonde hair behind her ear. Her gloves are black, and she clasps her hands politely in front of her waist. This appears to be her go-to stance.
“Is this true?” she asks Kie.
“Yes.”
“And when were you planning on informing me?”
“Soon.” Kie shrugs, the action oddly informal. He’s comfortable around his mother, despite her title of queen and her haughty attitude. “After dealing with Lillian and Abby.”
Queen Gitta’s throat bobs. “Your coronation is to be heldthree daysafter your return, Kieran. That is what we promised our people. This is an immediate issue I should have been informed of directly upon your return.”
I’m not a massive fan of Queen Gitta, but she makes a good point. Kie and Mason pretend to be in charge, but she’s the acting ruler. They should’ve gone to her first and let her decide how to handle the issue, but I’m glad they didn’t. Lill wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to touch Kie had he not decided to interrogate her first, and I don’t even want to think about what her future would hold if she didn’t have the security of the mate bond behind her.
I doubt Queen Gitta is above torture. The guard felt comfortable whipping Lill, so the action must not be foreign here. If things were left up to Queen Gitta, there’s a fair possibility I’d currently be in the cells alongside Lill.
Queen Gitta sucks her cheeks into her mouth. “We should continue this discussion in private.”
Her two guards are pretending not to be listening, but I’m sure they’re tuned into every word. I’m willing to bet money they’re going to be spreading the information I shared as soon as they can. The details I provided Queen Gitta are juicy, too juicy not to share.
Neither Kie nor Mason respond verbally to Queen Gitta, but they both turn around, facing forward, and resume walking toward the guest house.
The wooden steps are sturdy beneath my feet, and they creak slightly as Kie pushes open the front door and steps inside. Mason quickly follows, and I find myself holding my breath as Lill and I enter. I’m scared—I’m willing to admit that to myself—and I inch closer to Lill as we crowd together in the small foyer.
Queen Gitta enters behind us, then shuts the door. There are no guards present, but they’re not needed. Lill and I would never stand a chance against two powerful faeries and a shifter, especially given Lill’s current physical state.
The magic that floats through the air will heal her, I know it will, but it’s going to take time. I hope not too much. I trust Lillwith my life, but I’d feel better if she had her regular faerie strength and powers available.
The house's layout is nearly identical to Kie and Mason’s, but on a smaller scale.
The foyer opens immediately into the living room, and there’s an oversized couch filling most of the space. There’s no fireplace, though, which is a shame. I love fireplaces.
Beyond the living room is a wall of windows, but it’s too dark outside to see the view. I doubt it matters. The windows are likely reinforced, and if not, I’m sure Kie will use his magic to ensure they can’t be opened. Escape won’t come via the form of a window.
The kitchen is on the right, and on the left is a hallway that I assume leads to bedrooms and bathrooms. I eye the wide island separating me from the kitchen, debating whether or not searching for another knife is a good idea or a suicide mission. I highly doubt Mason will take kindly to me stabbing him twice.
“Don’t even think about it.” Mason’s sharp command is startling. His green eyes are too bright, almost like he’s recalling me stabbing him with fondness. He’s fucking mad. “I allowed you your one strike, but it won’t happen again. What you do tome, I’ll do back toyou.”
Is he threatening to stab me? I take in his wild, brown hair, crazy eyes, and slight smirk. He most definitely is.
Kieran shifts, crossing his arms over his chest. If he’s angry about me spilling the details of his conversation with Zaha, he isn’t showing it. He looks generally annoyed, his lips pursed and posture tense, but that’s how he looked even before I opened my mouth.
He’s probably relieved I took it upon myself to speak up. I saved him the trouble.
Does he believe the accusation Mason spewed earlier? Doeshe genuinely believe that Lill murdered his father? It’s absurd.
