Page 14 of Boss Level

“You ungrateful–”

I snort at her predictable response. Shocker.

“Well, was it jealousy?” I persist, speaking over her, something I know she hates. As a child when I would dare to speak up around her or interrupt, she would punish me by locking me in small dark rooms and leaving me alone for hours on end.

I learned to tiptoe around her. To stay on her good side to avoid punishment. But right now, I really don’t give a fuck how she feels. The angrier she gets, the more careless she’ll become. The more she focuses on me, the less time she’ll spend thinking about the others.

Unfortunately, she must be on to me, because she signals to the guards, and a few of them leave out the back entrance.

I curse, but can’t let it get to me. I have to keep her distracted.

“It must have been. You seem like the type to behave erratically because you didn’t get what you wanted,” I scoff. “Thankfully, I was raised by nannies, so I am nothing like you. Pathetic, weak, alone. Unwanted.” I go for the low blows, hoping to antagonize her. “Were your parents as shitty as you are? Did they also put a curse on you when you were five? Or is that unique to you?” She looks shocked by my words. When I left for the Elven Games, she must have known I would discover the truth when the curse’s effects started to wear off.

“You know nothing about me,” my mother hisses, and I chuckle.

“You’re not wrong. I don’t know much of anything about you. What I do know is that you cursed your only child without any sort of moral objections. Entrapped the King in a loveless marriage, and lied that he’s my father before putting him under a spell so deep the realm believes he’s gone mad,” I say, watching her reaction carefully. Shifting in their spots uneasily, the guards in the room clearly heard these charges and they eye each other.

Some of them must be wondering if I’m telling the truth, while the rest are already loyal to me. Hell, I grew up with some of them. The ones that were brave enough to play near me, anyway.

“Shut. Your. Mouth,” my mother hisses through gritted teeth, and I smirk.

“Did I hit a nerve? What bothers you more? The fact that I figured out all your deepest secrets or the fact that all I know about you are those secrets?” I ask, tilting my head as I observe her. I don’t honestly believe she cares about what I think, or what assumptions I make about her, but she’s a self-centered manipulative monster. She’ll want to spin this situation back around in her favor.

I watch as she raises her hand, and a light blue glow of magic travels between her fingers.

“I was smart enough to figure out how to get what I wanted. I control power you know nothing about. Nothing you say matters, and your bitch mate will die–” I step forward, ready to put her in her place for daring to speak about my mate like that when she gasps. She stands, clutching her chest, eyes wide.

I watch as she falls to her knees and screams. I have no idea what’s happening right now, but Moon has to be responsible. I sense my mate’s other Heart Bonded behind me as Tristan and Warrior take my sides. Silas unravels from around my wrist and slithers to the floor.

“No! No! What have you done!” my mother screams, and I can’t muster an ounce of care or sympathy for the woman.

“We’ve done nothing.” I shrug, glancing between the other two men. “I can’t say the same about Moon and the other’s though.”

Despite clearly being in pain, her eyes still widen, and she manages to climb back to her feet.

“You aren’t going to offer to help your mother?” she hisses at me, and I laugh.

“And risk killing you the moment your flesh meets mine?” I question, giving her an overly dramatic look. We both know the curse has worn off, but I want to make it extra clear to her that I know what she did. “I won’t give you the satisfaction of an easy out. Besides, you can take care of yourself,” I sniff, folding my arms together, and glancing around.

“They’re coming,” Warrior says quietly, and I nod.

I speak loud enough to ensure every guard in here can hear me. “If you are loyal to my mother, step forward.” Before they can move, I add, “And if you’re sick of her, remain still.” Three men step toward my mother. I take in the sight of each one, wondering if maybe they’re close.

The thought grosses me out, so I shake it off.

“Those of you loyal to the prince spread the word. This is a hostile fucking takeover. The Fae Queen will surrender, or she will die,” Tristan says, and I nod my agreement.

“L-Light One…” she whispers, eyes wide, and her three remaining guards move closer to her, as Silas in his snake form moves forward. Honestly, I thought more of them would be loyal to her… Has my real father already started turning them against her?

Silas grows larger, lifting his head and upper body aggressively off the floor, until his snake form is as tall as I am, and he just stays there holding her gaze. Vibrations carry through my feet from the floor before I see them or even hear them. I turn and look over my shoulder, smirking when everyone enters.

Moon, riding on top of her Mungus, marches in first with Marcellus beside her. Lust is lit up like he’s on fire. A Phoenix trait.

Behind her is Odas, with her mother and her grandmother on his shoulders. I can’t see who’s behind him, because his massive body blocks my view, but Cato sprints out until he’s beside Moon, and shifts into his Dragon form. As everyone spreads out behind me, I see the King. The man I spent years believing was my father… For the first time in my entire life, he’s walking. His eyes are clear, and there’s a determined pinch to his brows. He looks…aware. Alive and clear minded.

“No…” my mother whispers, but I don’t bother looking at her. Kili, Crow, and Arlo are the last to enter, each offering a supportive nod to me.

“Norma.” The King narrows his eyes on her, and I watch as the rest of the guards drop to their knees.

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