Page 127 of A Kingdom of Monsters

“Would you like me to lie?”

Iola chuckled and gave me an apologetic glance, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face. "No, I'm well aware of how awful it is already."

My nose scrunched up in disgust as I turned around, taking in the entire room. It truly was terrible, and I couldn’t think of a single helpful thing to say that would not inadvertently scald my throat.

“It’s…large.” I landed on, grimacing slightly. “And I’m sure you’ll make it lovely eventually.”

She grinned. “Thank you. I think so too…eventually.”

We stood in the drawing room of the abandoned home, once belonging to the Lord and Lady of Inbetwixt. Despite being the largest building in the city, the house had stood unoccupied for the past five years, ever since Cross ascended to his positionas Lord. Obviously he had a house already, and hadn’t wanted anything to do with the mansion.

The entire building was now shrouded in thick cobwebs, layers of dust coating every surface. The remaining furniture was dilapidated and covered in grime, and cracks snaked their way across the walls like crooked veins.

Despite all that, Iola was planning to turn the home into an orphanage for abandoned children of any species. So, despite its current rundown state, I couldn't help but see the potential for something wonderful.

“It’s taken us years to build the mountain palace, but it was worth it in the end,” I said bracingly. “This will be too. You’ll see.”

“Thank you again for funding it, my lady.”

I waved her off. “It was no trouble, we have far too much money to keep to ourselves. And I keep telling you to call me Lonnie.”

“Yes, my lady,” Iola said quickly. “I mean, yes Lonnie…ma’am.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes. She was a lost cause.

“Did you want to stay for tea?” Iola asked hopefully.

I bit back a groan. “I do. I really, really, do. But I can’t. I’m only in the city for the day and I have so many meetings planned I’ve barely given myself time to breathe.”

“You could have someone do that for you, my lady,” Iola pointed out.

“Oh, I am.” I laughed. “Ambrose is in Nevermore hearing petitions today, and Bael is in Underneath for the rest of theweek. I’m starting to think I need three more mates just to keep the continent running smoothly.”

She laughed and her cheeks reddened slightly. Iola had never quite wrapped her mind around how it could work that I was married to three males at once, but she was far too polite to ask about it.

“And Lord Scion?” Iola asked. “Where is he this week?”

“Ah.” I smiled. “Waiting for me outside. Would you care to say hello?”

Iola shrunk back. “Oh, no my lady…that’s alright.”

I grinned. Despite living with the thieves guild for the last six years, Iola was still a bit frightened of Fae. I hoped that would improve for her with her work on this new project.

After all, Fae children raised by humans weren’t always so bad.

I steppedout of the dreary, gray walls of the orphanage and into the blinding sunlight. The bustling street was filled with people talking, laughing, and the shouts of vendors hawking their wares. I shielded my eyes with my hand as I walked down the stone steps and scanned the crowd for my husband's familiar face.

Without any warning, a small boy with obsidian black hair appeared in front of me as if out of thin air. My heart skipped a beat and my eyes widened in alarm as he teetered on the top step, a look of surprise etched on his face. In a split second, Ireached out to catch him but my fingers only brushed against the empty space where he had been.

What in the name of the Source?

I whipped around, searching for my son. “Peregrine?”

Just as suddenly, Peregrine appeared again, this time standing in the middle of the cobblestone street. “Mother, look!” he demanded, waving his small arms at me. “Looook!”

I hurried down the steps, reaching out to grab him once more, but he vanished once again.

“Don’t look so nervous, Rebel.”

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