Page 31 of The Crowned Fae Queen
“What an honor.” I lay the sarcasm down thick. “It’s just... what if there are more? The guy said that he took down some of the guards.”
“I know.” Iri places both hands on my shoulders and turns me toward the bed. “Mathis is already on top of it. The woman is also already being questioned as we speak.”
He peels back the simple blue comforter and sits me on the edge of the bed. “Get in and scoot over.” Iri snaps his fingers at the wolf, who immediately makes room for us, following his direction to the foot of the bed.
“And I’m supposed to just go to bed after all this?”
“You’re the one who said you were tired.”
Right. I am. Exhaustion makes my eyes ache. I can feel just how dry and red they already are.
Pursing my lips, I swing my feet into the bed and shimmy myself over the mattress until there is enough space for Iri next to me. My weight leans with the bed as Iri clambers in next to me.
“Your shirt.” I point out. Blood, sweat, and singed material cover his top half.
“I go through so many fucking shirts.” He scowls, pulling the material over his head. “Of all the powers to beblessedwith, it had to be this one. Uncontrollable fire wings. At least yours is useful. You can breathe underwater.”
“You can fucking fly.”
“Overrated.” He grunts. With one hand, he drops his shirt next to the bed and leans back down into the pillows.
I lift my head, looking my mate over from head to toe. He lays his arm down and beckons me to draw near. The heat from his body makes me feel excessively cozy, especially underneath the blanket. It makes the heaviness of my eyelids more apparent.
An unwelcome yawn passes my lips. Iri twirls a strand of my hair around his finger. “I think you should stay in my room from now on.”
I crack an eye. “Isn’t that frowned upon? I’m sure the rumor mill has already been fed enough.”
“You’re my wife. My mate.” His fingers still. “I’ve failed you as a husband time and time again. I won't let it happen anymore.”
“You haven't—”
“You think I would abandon you. Again. It’s your greatest fear. Is it not what the witch’s spell showed you? You’re afraid that the people you’ve grown to care for... me, Miranda, that we would forget about you. And you’re wrong about that. AndIhave done you wrong by letting you think that it could happen.” He bows his head, letting his eyes close for a moment before he begins again.
“Now my protection has failed you, twice. I was too far away, too busy, too distracted. I’ve almost lost you twice now. So...” he trails off, giving me a sad smile.
“So basically, fuck the rumors?”
“Fuck the rumors,” Iri repeats.
It calms me. If only for a little while.
* * *
Blood stains splatter the walls. The only difference between what is old and what is new is the sheen it gives before it dries. Even some of that has worn off as it’s crusting to the cellar floors.
A busted lip, two black eyes, and a broken nose is definitely the sort of makeover the woman who snuck into my room last night needed. Damp strands of hair hang over her face as she sags, letting the chains that keep her standing hold her weight.
Mathis, with a dark five o’clock shadow, stands with his hands balanced on his hips, his knuckles hosting the woman’s blood.
Iri presses down the material of the ironed red suit he wears, watching her with disgust. He turns to me with a deepening sneer already on his lips. “All he has gotten out of her is that her name is Martina.”
“Judging by her ears and that rotten mouth of hers, I would also peg her as a youth.” Mathis frowns, his eyes softening. “She’s still just a child.”
He’s right. She’s far too young to be working as an assassin.
“I’m not sure if I should be offended that someone sent a child to kill me or if I should be amazed at her skills.” My red heels click against the floor. Carefully, I lift my crimson dress to avoid getting it wet in all the excess of her bodily fluids. I wonder if she looks at my outfit and sees the blood that is and will be lost. Or maybe she sees the death of her friend.
Martina spits. “You should be impressed.” Her voice is hoarse, barely even a whisper. “They sent the best of the best to kill you. I am the best!”
