Page 28 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

Laera rolled her eyes. “Put it away, shifter. Yes, she is. But they’re not here to harm us. I’m not sure why she’s here, but I know it’s not a threat.”

“Everything your mother does is a threat,” Ryvin countered.

“Everything my mother does is for her own benefit,” Laera corrected. “Killing us doesn’t help her. We’re powerful. If she’s here, that means she’s decided it’s finally timeto show her true colors and walk away from Konos. That means she needs allies.”

I could see the tension in Vanth’s shoulders. I touched his arm. “Let’s find out what she wants, then we can decide if we’re going to kill her.”

Ryvin chucked. “When did you get so murderous?”

“Probably around the time I met you,” I replied.

“He has that effect on people,” Laera said.

I started walking again, the others following me as we made our way toward the study. With each step, exhaustion began to weigh more heavily. There was something about being in Athos that made my body feel a little safer. I could drop my guard just enough to start to acknowledge how tired I was. I shoved the thought away, blinking a few times to send the sting away from my eyes.

We passed a few guards, all of them straightening as soon as they saw Argus approach. At least they were alert enough to react to him. Not that they’d help us if any of the fae in our palace decided to turn against us.

The guards stationed outside the study parted to let Argus through, and he opened the door for us. As soon as I saw the Konos Queen, I froze. Even though I’d expected her, seeing her here, with my sister, was a complete shock. Both queens rose from their seats and moved toward us. Selena sat on a couch nearby, flipping through the pages of a book, seemingly unbothered by our presence.

“Ara, I heard what happened. Are you alright?” she crossed to me, her brow furrowed with concern.

The Konos Queen stood in the center of the room, herhands clasped in front of her. Her expression was one of indifference, not unlike what I’d see from Ophelia when she was bored.

“I’m alright. But we’re in trouble. The Fae King has more magic than we realized. Something extra gift that’s making him untouchable. We’ll have to lure him into the open to have any chance of taking him down,” I explained.

“That won’t be enough,” the Konos Queen said.

“What exactly are you doing here?” Laera moved past me, marching right to her mother, then stopping in front of her.

Ryvin stood so close to me, I could feel his body against mine. Vanth took a couple of steps into the room, his fingers resting on the hilt of his sword. It was clear neither of them trusted the visitor.

“Aspasia came to offer her assistance,” Lagina said. “She knows where to find the sorceress who holds the key to taking the Fae King down.”

“You knew?” Laera glared at her mother. “You knew he had this kind of power and you did nothing?”

“What would you have me do? Show my hand to a man with the power of a goddess and a sorceress?” Aspasia asked. “I waited until I could actually win.”

“How did he hide that from me?” Laera’s voice wavered in a way I’d never heard before. She clenched her jaw, regaining her composure. “How did he know how to hide it from me?”

“I don’t know. I never told him anything I suspected ofyour full abilities. But he’s got eyes in as many places as you do. I fear we underestimated him,” Aspasia said.

“We didn’t underestimate him. We fell into his trap and we blinded ourselves,” Ryvin added. “But I’m more interested in what you’re really doing here than I am in what his plans were. He’s always been clear on his goals. He wants to rule everything and everyone. What are you after?”

“You know what I want,” she said, her tone almost playful.

Ryvin narrowed his eyes. “Don’t try that on me. Your seduction doesn’t work with me.”

She hummed. “It would have made my plans come to fruition sooner if it had. But you aren’t as easily manipulated as your father.” With a chuckle, she turned her attention to me. “Don’t worry, he’s all yours.”

Ryvin wrapped his arm around my waist and I realized I’d moved in front of him protectively without even knowing.

“Mother, don’t provoke her. She’s far more powerful than you think,” Laera stated.

“That’s good, then. Because I’m counting on your little group to do my dirty work for me.” She shrugged.

“You said you had allies for us. And information,” Lagina cut in. “Whatever this pissing contest is, it’s done. You help us, or you leave.”

Aspasia smiled, and I noticed that Selena was standing now, watching us with an expectant expression.

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