Page 119 of Violet

“Not because of you, Princess. It’s the battle-ax. Once we step out there in public again, everyone’s gonna know we’re here. Our little home is now just a haven to come to. Come on, I guess we’d better get this shit over with.”

The Monarch isn’t in her throne room, and I think it’s the first time I’ve seen the buzz of the inner workings of the Council as we pass people working.

She is, however, in a resplendent office, and when we arrive, she sits at her desk, silvery hair up, slate-gray suit on, tapping something on her phone.

After a few moments, Stephan sighs. Loudly. “If this is a power play, then get over it.”

She raises a perfect brow at him and doesn’t respond.

Stephan might be able to speak to her like that, but Sophine is above everyone, and I’m shaking inside, mystomach twisting because her displeasure is obvious. It stings the air, but Stephan seems unmoved. He just goes over to the bar and starts opening and sniffing the booze. Then when he finds something he likes the smell of, he picks it up.

“I think I’ll take this for our troubles and go?—”

“Arrogant behavior didn’t work on me when you were a child. Why do you think it’ll work now? Might I remind you the Season isn’t over, and you need to behave. Or it won’t reflect well on the Gardeners in future Seasons, and that will sit on your shoulders.”

He stalks over to her and sets the bottle down roughly, leaning on the desk and glaring at her. She glares right back.

They’re both being childish, but obviously I hold my tongue. I’ve been mated for mere days now, and even got mated to avoid scandal. Her threat is very real.

The realization slams me back from the small cloud I’ve been on and into reality once more.

Maybe Stephan and I have something, and I hope we do. It feels like we do, and I’ll do everything to make it a happy life for him. But I’m aware of how it started, when he bit me, marked me.

“I know you and your nephew have your differences,” I say, voice shaking, “but I’m sure he’s just upset our honeymoon was interrupted.”

“I’m sure he was,” she says, sending him a long side-eye.

“Clearly I’m fucking pissed about that, but whatever beef we have is with each other, so leave Violet and her family out of this.”

A flicker of a smile appears on her mouth.

“Now, Violet.” Her gaze swings to me. “Do you have any idea who this nasty little so-called Queen Bee is?”

I stare at her. What a weird direction this has gone. “No idea. It could be anyone. It could be a group… I… I don’t have much of a social life.”

“And we’re meant to be on our honeymoon,” Stephan says again to emphasize that point. “You know, following the societal rules.”

Sophine smacks a hand on the table. “You’re still part of the Season, which is why you stayed here.” A small smirk plays across her face. “I ask because I’m going to find this person and destroy her. Whoever she is.”

“Maybe it’s a man,” Stephan says. “Fredrick looks untrustworthy to me.”

“The Queen Bee is female. I’m aware of that much. She can create a persona and disguise herself but only a female would be able to observe like this. You’re a male, Stephan, you wouldn’t understand. You’ll both be at the ball. This weekend. Honey and Nectar. You, Violet, will be my eyes and ears. Anything you find out, report back.”

CHAPTER

THIRTY-FOUR

Stephan

My princess is panicking, bursting at the seams with anxiety.

We’re still in the building, the actual Council building in Sabine. Not the estate where Sophine holds court, but where the workers come and run the world, or so it seems.

I take Violet’s hand and squeeze. “This way.” There’s a supply closet we just passed and right now there’s no one in the corridor.

I drag her in and lock the door.

“Why are we in here, Stephan?”

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