Page 22 of A Crown of Fates

This is the conversation we should’ve had in his office—a rational one that focuses on solutions instead of problems. I almost offer to return to his private quarters so we can try again, but then Theo reaches for my hand, and when our skin meets, there’s a spark—an electric tingle that makes my breath hitch. He bends low, his lips brushing my knuckles, and my heart clenches at the sensation. I don’t pull away, and neither does he. An unspoken understanding forms in these brief moments of silence: this is a truce, a restart, nothing more.

“Thank you for staying and fighting for the people here.” He looks up at me with those dark grey eyes. Underneath the sorrow and regret is a determination I’ve yet to understand. “If you’re feeling up to it, please join me for dinner tonight. I’ll sendJerome to escort you, but if you’d rather stay in your room, I’ll understand.”

He releases my hand, and the moment his warmth leaves my skin, an emptiness settles in my chest.

I watch him retreat down the hallway, unable to respond. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now, but at least I’m no longer consumed by irritation. Instead of questioning every aspect of what just happened, I choose to appreciate his attempt to relieve any ill-will between us.

Going back to my room, I decide to focus on the things I can do, especially since Theo’s given me permission to act as his queen. That thought sends a thrill through me, but I’m not going to examine that too closely right now. Though, because of it, I can do something for the pack, the shifters who’ve been shoved into the margins.

When I open the door to my room, Drea is there, perched on the edge of my bed with an expression of fierce determination that immediately makes my heart clench.

“Drea?” I say, closing the door behind me. “What’s going on?”

She frowns, leaning forward. “I was going to ask you the same thing. Did Theo threaten you or something? Everyone’s saying you’re to be the queen of Selaris, that it’s already decided.”

I’m stunned but not entirely surprised. He did say I’m to act as one without the official commitment. While the me from last night—or even an hour ago—might’ve wondered if he had an ulterior motive, I can see why he did it. If we show a united front, the pack will have an easier time believing that positive change is coming.

“He hasn’t threatened me,” I tell Drea, offering her a smile before gesturing for her to come sit with me. “In fact, I think we may have just come to an understanding.”

She takes a seat across from me at the dining table near the window. A slow smirk rises on her face. “And what kind ofunderstandingwould that be?”

“Notthatkind.” I tell her with a playful roll of my eyes. “I want to help the pack here and being in a leadership position will allow me to do just that while I figure things out. It doesn’t mean I’m staying for good. I still need to know if I can trust Theo, but I do believe that he wants to see things change here. Sticking around to make sure that happens is as far as I’ve gotten.”

She watches me closely, her gaze thoughtful. “So, you still don’t feel the mate bond?”

My first thought is to tell her no, but that would be a lie, and with the back and forth of my emotions, maybe talking things out is exactly what I need right now. I recount my arrival at Theo’s office and the flare of attraction, along with the other flickers of a connection, ending with the conversation I shared with him in the hallway.

Drea lets out a soft sigh. “Damn. I almost feel guilty about meeting Orion now. You could really use a wing woman.”

I wave a hand in the air. “I can handle this. It just took me some time to wrap my mind around everything and see the situation in a way that seems more manageable. Yesterday, all I could focus on was not being able to accept Theo and how wrong this place feels. Now, I see that there’s something to figure out between the two of us and that Selaris is worth my time. The shifters here deserve that.”

A thought occurs to me as I look around my room again. “Was there a young girl in here when you arrived?”

She shakes her head. “Was there supposed to be?”

“There was.” And I really don’t like that Keera’s disappeared without my knowing where she went. I get up and go to the phone next to my bed. As I reach for the receiver, I notice another note.

Dearest Princess Estee,

I know you asked me not to leave, but I have a friend that I left behind at the church where we’re staying. She needs me more than I need to be here. I appreciate your compassion, and I know you expected my acceptance, but I can’t leave her like this. Not even for the comforts you’ve so graciously offered.

Please forgive me.

Signed,

Keera

Oh, that child. All she had to do was tell me about her friend or any other orphaned children and I would’ve found space for them in the castle. Now, it seems I need to go on a little adventure, find this church, and bring the kids back here.

I glance at Drea and grin. “How do you feel about kidnapping?”

Her soft chuckle fills the room. “Under the right circumstances, I’m not opposed to it. Plus, Orion is busy at work. Might be fun to get into some trouble.”

I knew she was my kind of people.

CHAPTER TWELVE

ESTEE

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