Page 9 of Tortured Royals

Theon stares at us, that giddy smile still on his face. “The water has been blessed by one of Toralyn’s most gifted archangels. The magic within it temporarily washes away any negative thoughts and allows you to focus on positivity.”

Positivity?I think of how grumpy Prince Callan has been for the majority of the time that I’ve known him.“Okay, so clearly Prince Callan never visits this place,”I tell Shade, and she cackles in my head.

“Why did Prince Callan order you to bring us here?” I ask Theon.

“These springs are a treasured landmark of this forest,” he explains. “It might not seem like it, but this location is guarded by a strong protection spell that repels any being with ill intentions.”

“So, if there are any witches remaining in the area, they won’t be able to find us here,” I say as understanding filters through me.

“That is correct, your highness. You can rest here for a while knowing there is no threat to you.” The archangel indicates to the basket on the ground. “Please use these supplies I havegathered for you all. I am sure Prince Callan will not keep you waiting for long.”

“So, this water,” Nate says, pushing for more information. “It’s safe?”

Theon’s gaze slides to the shifter, and I swear there’s an amused glint in the healer’s eyes before he says, “Quite safe, I assure you. You are welcome to freshen up before you leave to meet the queen.” He pauses as if he’s only just taking in our appearance. “Something I would highly recommend given your current state. Queen Vespera may not take kindly to you should you arrive to her halls like this.”

I get the distinct feeling there’s something the archangel isn’t telling us, but he merely bids us farewell and spreads his wings, lifting into the air and leaving us behind.

The moment he’s out of sight, Nate stretches in a way that’s entirely feline. “Well, now that he’s gone let’s check out what he’s left us, shall we?” He strides to the basket and rifles through the contents. Before long, he’s pulling out a golden wine bottle and holding it up triumphantly. “Thank you, Lady,” he mutters to the sky. He kisses the glass bottle, removing the cork with his teeth before guzzling some of the liquid down.

Dante moves past him, going to the basket next, and Mason helps the demon spread a golden rug on the ground. They arrange an assortment of food on it, from lush golden apples to a range of glittering cheeses and breads that look so good my mouth waters.

“Princess,” Dante says to me, flourishing his hand toward the blanket dramatically when he’s finished.

I grin, settling down and stretching out my legs.

Mason and Dante make themselves comfortable on either side of me, and we spend the next while relaxing and devouring the food. There is fruit and seeds for Shade, and even Alariceats his fill, though he watches me with intensity, staring at my mouth as I eat.

When I can’t fit in another bite, I lean back against Dante’s hard chest, entirely ready for a nap. Yawning, I close my eyes as the sun beats down on us.

Dante’s tail curls around my thigh as his fingers trace lazy circles on my arm, and the idea of sleep quickly vanishes as I focus on his touch.

“Feel better?” he murmurs in my ear.

“Mhmm,” I mutter, mentally willing him to move his hand lower. My stomach might be satisfied, but liquid heat pools between my thighs as my mates’ scents swirl around me.

Opening my eyes, I find Alaric, Mason, and Nate are all watching me with interest, their bodies tense. Nate’s stare is predatory as he finishes another bottle of wine, and I get the feeling he’s looking for any excuse to pounce. Blood pounds in my ears, desire making my body tighten.

“You do realize you’re all still filthy, right?”Shade’s words cut into my head, and I blink. I’d almost forgotten she was there, eating on the grass.

I take note of the mottled blood and gore still covering me and my mates. Blood doesn’t usually bother me, but there’s something about the battle with the witches that still has me feeling unsettled.

“What did Theon say?”Shade goes on.“That you should clean up before seeing the angel queen? Hmmm,”she muses.“If only there was water nearby that you could use.”

I give her a deadpan look.“You just want to go into one of the pools.”

“Can you blame me?”she says, staring back at me with beady eyes.“Don’t tell me you’re not curious.”

Lifting my head, I stare over at the crystal blue water. Curls of steam rise into the air like small puffs of smoke, and the lightbreeze is pleasant against my skin. Going in theredoessound amazing, and surely Prince Callan wouldn’t send us here if it was unsafe. Right? Then again, who knows what goes through that archangel’s head. At the thought of my missing mate, irritation sparks through me, and I sit up.

Dante raises a brow, his hand falling from my arm. “Something wrong?”

“We should be on our way to the palace,” I answer. “Not stuffing our faces and lazing in the sun.”

“Speak for yourself, gorgeous,” Nate replies, tipping up the bottle to get the last drops of wine out. “We earned this.”

“We should wait for Prince Callan,” Mason adds. “This is his land, after all.”

His words sting a little, but only because I’m once again reminded of my mother. Of the fact, that in a way, this is my land, too, even if the place feels foreign to me.

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