Page 60 of Desolation
Finishing up my bacon, I gulp down my coffee. There’s a lot to think about and I have nothing more to say on the matter.
“We need to head out to the training grounds before Serenity finds out I’m letting you have a late start.”
I ask, “What time is it?”
She checks a sleek, black watch on her left wrist. “It’s about ten in the morning. I’ve been here since eight o’clock but I figured I’d cut you some slack on your first day, since Serenity is busy. It’s going to be a long day for you.”
I offer her a small smile of gratitude.Maybe she really isn’t like her sister.
I glance over to find the boys playing a video game on a device I’ve never seen in the living area. It’s Zedd against Leo as the rest of the guys watch intently.
That’s strange. I’ve never known them to be into video games.They must be trying to give us privacy to the best of their ability.
“So why is Serenity suddenly busy this morning? She told me she’d be here. Although, I must admit I’m enjoying your presence much more. I don’t have the urge to maim you, which is a nice change.”
She doesn’t even blink at my passive-aggressive statement before answering. “Well, in order for her to hold her position as Queen of this realm peacefully, she invites anyone to challenge her to a duel at any point. Gaia appointed her and gifted her with her powers but she has no problem proving to anyone that she’s the best person for the job. If a witch feels they’re stronger than her and would be a better leader, they issue a duel.”
Mad respect, Serenity.
With everything Lilli shares with me, my opinion of Serenity is changing. It must be lonely to feel like everyone is out to get you.
I get up to put my plate and cup away before leaning against the counter with my arms crossed. “Does she get challenged often?”
Lilli hops out of her chair. “Not for the past thirty years or so. She’s reigned for almost forty years now. In the first ten years, there werea lotof challengers but people backed off when she beat them down, every time. It didn’t seem worth it to take the hit to their pride, I suppose.”
What the fuck?They don’t look older than mid-twenties.
I stare at her with wide eyes. “I’m sorry. I think my ears are broken. Did you say she’s reigned forfortyyears?”
She smiles gently at me. “You heard me correctly. As supernatural creatures, we age at a fraction of the speed humans do. Technically, I am forty-eight and Serenity is sixty-two. We’re not immortal but you can expect to have a very long life.”
Well, damn. There might be some cool perks to this whole Fae thing after all.
“How old are your parents?”
She drops her gaze to the ground, looking forlorn. “They’re dead. Serenity was twenty-two when they were killed in battle with a warring, dark kingdom in another realm. She’s raised me since. I was only eight.”
This is getting much darker than I intended.
Unsure how to respond, I straighten off the counter and let her know that I’m going upstairs to change and get ready for training. I make my way across and up the stairs into our messy bedroom. No one bothered to make the bed and the comforter is still bunched up from where I threw it in my haste.
Leaving that for another time, I pull out a pair of black leather pants and matching leather vest top from the drawer.
What the hell? Let’s try it out.
Trying to shimmy into the pants proves a battle and I almost fall over more than once. I’m filled with a ridiculous sense of pride when I manage. The top is much more manageable. I just slip it on and button up, pleased with the extra boost for my boobs.Well, hello there, girls.
Spying black ankle boots with a flat sole, I pull them on and head to the bathroom to check out my new badass outfit.I look damn good.
Excited to show off my new outfit, I skip back down, my wavy hair bouncing lightly as I practically gallop down the stairs.
Whistles sound from the guys as they stand at the base of the stairs. I grin and do a little twirl, showing off every angle for their viewing pleasure. Flicking my hair, I say, “Why, thank you very much. I feel ready to take on the world now.”
A squealing sound comes from behind the guys as Lilli pushes her way through. “Oh my gosh, you look so hot!” she gushes, making my cheeks flush slightly at her compliment. The compliment is different coming from another woman.
I never had any girlfriends growing up so dealing with this is completely uncharted territory for me. I became somewhat of a social pariah for the rest of the girls in school because they were jealous of my relationship with the guys.
She’s different, Lana. Give her a chance.
