Page 17 of Vicious Fates and Vast Futures
I grin as Bryn starts leading me expertly around the floor. It’s so easy to relax into his firm hold on my body—one hand on my lower back, the other gripping my hand—and just let him lead. It makes me think of our usual bedroom style and I smile, looking up into his rich honey eyes.
“Adelaide,” he says softly, leaning his face into my hair, “Olwyn is a wrench. Do I have your permission to remove her?”
I think on it as we sail over the floor. Olwyn was a wretched bitch to me growing up. She’s been the presumptive heir for decades. She hasn’t had to worry much about getting into trouble or learning to have a heart or being told no. In fact, I wouldn't cross the street to piss on her if she were on fire. But if we take her out now, some will get suspicious. It could raise alarms. Besides, she technically has no power now.
“Wait,” I murmur. “I don’t want to draw attention. We need to leave her alone.”
I canfeelhis disapproval. It frustrates me. He lets the silence stretch, and my annoyance grows the longer I think about it. I feel a frisson of anger roll over me.
“Adi...,” he starts, using his daddy voice.
“No.Enough.” I glare at him. “Quit arguing with me.” I feel him harden against me, but it doesn’t improve my mood.
The song ends and I drop his hand and head for the balcony. I snag a glass of wine from a tiny brownie balancing a tray on their head with their hands for support.
I’m breathing, and drinking, deeply on the open balcony that overlooks the main courtyard. I catch sight of the nest that Ossy’s ravens, Davin and Marin, have made in a big oak tree. The clack of heels on the stone floor hits my ears. My hackles rise and I resist the urge to turn into my crow form and fuck right off into the sky. I take another breath—and another drink—before I turn.
It’s Seren.
“Queen Seren,” I acknowledge quietly.
“Adi,” she responds. I feel her magic as she puts up a wall spell around us. I wonder if she’ll be dropping any more bombs on me tonight.
Seren had seemed truly upset about my magical abduction by the unseelie queen. Not just in a “how dare they touch my heir”way but in an “actually worried about my safety” way. It was surprising and a bit touching.
Grandmother is currently demanding recompense from King Barclay for the crimes committed against me by his court; really his wife and son, but no need to twist the knife, ya know? Word is that he’s struggle bussing pretty hard after losing both of them.
A thought hits me: I’m not sure if he still thinks I’m his daughter.Shit. That might cause some issues. I’ll have Aidan give him a mirror-call, let him sort that out, since they’re old buddies and all.
Seren turns to me with a genuine-seeming smile on her face. “I wanted to speak to you, but you’ve been so busy with your mates.” She is wearing a breathtaking sleeveless golden brocade gown. Her strawberry-blonde hair is loose over her shoulders, and her peaked ears show in front of the delicate crown she wears. She is nearing five hundred years old, though she appears in her forties for a human.
In the chaos after Ossy ran a few million volts through the unseelie queen, I’d had to reveal to Seren the full depth of our relationships in order to explain how we’d been saved. I had been reluctant to reveal that we were all aura-bounded mates, but there was nothing for it. And it made it easy to get Seren to agree to let Nairna return with us.
“Of course, Grandmother.”
She comes closer, a glass of wine in one hand, suddenly looking sorrowful. She reaches for me, but her hand hesitates in midair. I think she was going to hug me. I’m shocked into stillness.
“I am...glad you are well. And I’m glad that you’ve found mates. Three. It’s incredible.” Her words drift off.
“I’m glad we’re well too, Seren. I am indeed blessed by the Goddess. I had never thought I’d have—”
I slam my stupid mouth shut. I was about to say “a family.” Shit. Open mouth, insert foot.
Seren gives me a wry, knowing smile. “I know you have been...neglected in my court. I apologize for that, Adelaide. Aidan was crushed when your mother died. Elspeth was a kind female and very magically skilled. I’m sorry you lost her so soon. I wish I had known that Queen Blair was behind it. I’d have done something about it.” She hesitates here, and it almost looks as if she grows older in front of my very eyes. “And I wish you had spoken to me about the...unkindness from my daughters and their daughters.”
I snort without intending to. Unkindness. Yes, that’s the word for repeated murder attempts.
Her eyebrows rise, but she says nothing.
“Grandmother...thank you for saying so. I wish I had known my mother better. To lose a parent before becoming an adult yourself, well, it robs you of the ability to know them as an adult, as an actual person, to be able to relate. I still miss her.” My throat closes thickly. It’s been decades but it still cuts deep. I decide it is best not to acknowledge the rest of her statement, seeing as I’d haveseveralrude things to say.
“Adi....” She hesitates again, and her eyes catch on something behind me. “Do you have anything you’d like to tell me?”
I toss a quick glance over my shoulder to see what Seren was looking at. Olwyn. Delightful.
And no, I sure as fuck don’t have anything to tell Seren. I don’t think telling my grandmother that a rebel group wants her dead would go over well—though she likely knows, since the riots are in the news daily. Nor do I think letting her know I’veactually been blessedby the goddess of righteous wrath and destiny would be a good plan.
“No, Seren.” I attempt to keep my face blank and my voice bland.
