Page 13 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

“I have long waited to pass on my crown,” my mother says. She turns to Paige, adding, “I look forward to having you as a new member of our family.”

“Thank you.” Paige’s cheeks turn pink again. “Does that mean… well, it sounds like we need to be married as soon as possible in order to restore the kingdom’s magic.”

“It would be ideal,” my mother agrees. Her expression is troubled now, and I tense at the look she and Leo share.

“What is it?” I ask.

“If you will forgive me, Paige,” my mother says, sidestepping my question with all the grace of a monarch, “I cannot quite tell what form of creature you are. I can sense you are powerful, and… Forgive me. I should not have asked. It is rude.”

“It’s only natural to be curious about the woman who is the fated mate of your son,” Paige says. “You don’t need to apologize. There’s nothing to forgive. I’m…” She hesitates.

“She’s a mage,” I supply, understanding her reluctance to claim that title.

Paige winces, clearly not yet comfortable with that title.

“A mage! That will help immensely with our defenses,” my mother says.

“I will help where I can,” Paige says warily.

“Your magic will be more than able to help our soldiers on the battlefield,” I assure her.

“I didn’t mean to suggest that you put her on the front lines. Aries, if she is harmed—” my mother starts.

“She won’t be,” I say simply, proudly. “She has already fought with us and protected us truer than any soldier. Her magic is powerful.Sheis powerful.”

Paige offers a weak smile. “Thank you.”

“I’ll watch her back,” Blossom cuts in.

“And I’ll watch both of their backs,” Mag adds.

Bingo growls.

“Do you want to fight?” I ask Bingo.

The hound nods.

“We’ll fight too,” Zed adds from the far end of the table.

Everyone looks over, surprised. Up until now, they’d ignored the conversation in favor of the food. Mostly, the sweet potato pies as evidenced by so much of it on their faces.

“You’ll do no such thing.” My mother gasps at them. “You all are very brave, to be sure, but?—”

“We have Kitty,” Ned tells her, petting the raccoon.

“And these,” Fred adds, pulling his tiny dagger out of its holster.

“We know how to fight,” Zed adds defensively.

“We can discuss that later,” I say, hoping to diffuse a full argument.

The gnomes are skilled warriors in their own right, but I’m not sure arguing with the queen of Astronia at her own table is the way to prove it.

Instead, I change the subject in a direction I know will distract us all—and save my questions for the right moment. “Leo, did I tell you Mag and I met a mermaid during my time away?”

“Mermaid?” Leo’s eyes light up.

“Three, actually.” I grin as Mag groans. “But I’ll let Mag tell it.”

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