Page 3 of Suspicions on the Stage
we are family
LIAM
Of course theMumawould start shit. There’s a tenuous balance between Fae and many variations of magic users caused by centuries of in-fighting and ridiculous snooty shit on both sides. Though, if I’m honest, much of it is on my people. We’re a bitchy, judgmental lot when it comes to less… pretty species, and it inflamed that rivalry more than we admit.
“She means she cannot use my given name, as no one can use magical powers to reveal a Fae’s true name. It is a law older than most civilizations and it is to protect that which we cherish deeply. She has to use the public name that is shared with everyone for my announcement or be called to the supernatural courts for a claim.”
Morgana blinks, looking at me in surprise. “You’re saying she’s trying to start shit, right?”
“Indeed,” Kaspar replies with a dark glare at the gnarled old bat. “Ioanna hoped you hadn’t shared your name, or that Morgana would be unaware of the custom so she could drive awedge between us before we enter. It’s a subtle trick, but never unexpected.”
The elegant woman I love smirks at the tiny creature, her raven eyebrow arched in derision. “I have been on this rock for hundreds of years, witch. In that time, I have encountered plenty of Fair Folk. While I admit I don’t knoweverything aboutthem, I am aware their true names are only shared with their immediate families and their spouses.”
“Are you not one of those, girlie?”
Ouch. That’s a dig and I’m not sure who’s going to smack her first—Kas or Morgana.
Before I can decide, Lucas rushes forward, his large hand gripping the small creature’s neck and lifting her in the air so her feet kick helplessly. His expression is dark as he leans in to growl, “That’s enough. You donotseek to harm what is mine—any of them. Do you understand?”
“Hot,” Slade murmurs and I nod, my eyes wide as I agree.
Morgana moves to place a hand on the bear’s broad back. “Good boy, Lucas. Defending our family is definitely on the reward list. Slade’s right—it’s hot as fuck. But it’s time to put the nasty little woman down so we can get on with our business.”
His face is full of fury when he turns, and I see the bear in his icy eyes as he looks at our mate. The anger melts under her proud smile, fading until he grins sheepishly and sets theMumaon her feet. “Sorry, Lady M. I couldn’t help it.”
Kaspar snorts. “Great, now we’ve got a horny young shifter losing his shit with us. Fucking fabulous.”
“I just don’t see how that’s a negative, dickface,” Morgana says mildly, then turns to wink at me. “Perhaps you could learn something from his quick control, though, dragon.”
The affront and ire that radiate from my old friend are enough to choke me, so I give him a look that says he should tuck it away…now. “You cannot rise to her bait every time, Kas. The two of you are in a tenuous detente and if you continue to feed the irritation to one another, one of you will go too far. We cannot afford that right now.”
Morgana has the grace to flush a little as she mutters something that I believe is affirmative. My guard, however, just crosses his arms over his chest and scowls deeper. It means he gets it, but doesn’t like my subtle command. I can live with that and we’ll bicker later on.
“This is quiet enchanting, but get a move on or I’ll?—”
This time, I step into the snide wretch’s space, looking down at her with the power of a future king of the Daybreak Court. “I don’t care who you are the pet of, you impudent pervert. One more harsh word towards my family will be considered a slight on the entire Court. Do you know what that entails?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” she whimpers, cowering as the glow of my magic lights around me. “I will be quiet. You have my word.”
As if I’m stupid enough to believe that nonsense from her kind.
My lips curve up as I murmur under my breath, sealing her ability to speak ill of anyone in my group until we are in the ground. Since most of us live a very long time, my curse will keep us safe from her vengeance—even if she tries to enact it through another being. “I’m sure you will, hag.”
“What did you do, Li?” Iggy says, his voice full of awe.
Shrugging, I step back from the nastyMuma, enjoying her fury at the minor geas. “I ensured our safety, Ignatius. We’ll discuss it more thoroughly later.”
The professor almost looks giddy at the prospect, nodding before he barks, “You heard the Prince. Let’s get this shit over with.”
Who knew witnessing my magic was the way to get that fucker to comply?
The pathfrom the gates where theMumaannounced us was long and filled with ostentatious finery, including expensive as hell motorcycles and statues of former presidents of theSons of the Seven Seas. It didn’t take long to figure out that the leadership of this gang has been passed down in Slade’s family for many generations, and I’d bet his father’s anger stems from the gentle siren’s refusal to take his birthright. The closer we get, the louder the ruckus gets and the more Slade shrinks into himself.
He’s obviously miserable and maybe a bit scared to be in a large group of these aquatic shifters.
“Slade, we’re not going to let anything happen to you,” I remind him. “Morgana and the rest of your new family will stand ten toes on the ground to keep them from doing whatever it is you’re afraid of.”
He gives me a wan smile. “Thanks, Liam, but it’s going to be rough no matter what you guys do. My father throws his weightaround every time I come home, and each time it feels like he’s making my escape harder. I have no idea what to expect; however, I won’t have any support amongst my kin. They all think he should force me to accept the mantle.”
