Page 27 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

Blossom swats him. “What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing,” he protests. “You’re the one who made me promise no public displays.”

The unicorn shifter ignores him and eyes me. “Do you want to watch them train or…”

“It seems like they’re going to be at it for a little while yet, so maybe we can see about a tour?”

“I like that idea.”

We head back into the suite. I don’t like the idea of ringing the bell Lucinda gave me, but it’s not like I have any idea which direction to go on my own. I open the door to their suite and ring it as loudly as I dare.

Lucinda appears less than a minute later. Crazy.

“What do you require, My Lady?” she asks.

“For you to call me Paige, for starters,” I say.

She glances at the others, a little horrified-looking.

Or not.

“This is Blossom and Mag,” I tell her. “And that’s Ted—” I break off and glance around, but the gnomes and Kitty are gone. I sigh, hoping they’ll stay out of trouble. “Anyway,” I say, turning back, “We’d love a tour of this place if you have time.”

“Of course, My Lady,” Lucinda says, dipping her chin in hello to the others. “Where shall we start?”

I shoot Blossom a wry look before saying, “How about the library?”

About halfway through the tour, Blossom and Mag cut out, claiming they’re going for a walk, but from the looks they’re giving each other, I can’t help but think they’re walking straight back to their now-empty bedroom to be alone.

Lucinda finishes showing me the kitchens—only after I badger her into letting me see “behind the scenes” as she calls it—when another maid appears and calls her away.

“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” she asks, hesitating.

“I’ll be fine,” I assure her. “I’ll see you later.”

She bites her lip but nods and hurries off. Alone, I wander deeper into the castle until I hear Ted’s familiar laughter. My steps quicken.

I find the gnomes in a different tea room than the one I ate in this morning. I step in, surprised to see them sitting calmly. Then I realize they aren’t alone. The queen sits at the small tablein the center of the room, serving up what looks like some kind of vegetable.

“You’ll enjoy this,” she’s saying as she passes them plates.

“It’s green.” Zed makes a face at the food.

“They’re called sugarsnaps,” she says. “Look.” She picks one up and opens it. Inside aren’t peas but a more cube-ish green food that glistens with, apparently, sugar. “They’re delicious. Try it.”

Zed looks skeptical, but Fred has always been a little more adventurous, and he tries one. His eyes open wide as he chews. “Not bad!”

The other three proceed to devour their own serving of sugarsnaps. I laugh as they scarf it all down enthusiastically.

“Oh, Paige! Come on in.” The queen smiles warmly at me when she sees me lurking.

“Your Majesty.” I make an awkward sort of bow before she waves it off.

“Please, call me Dorthea. And no bowing. You’ll be a queen soon enough, and queens don’t bow to anyone.”

“Right,” I say with way more confidence than I feel.

“How has your morning been so far?”

---