Page 26 of The Shattered Kingdom
“Nothing useful.”
I only had a few minutes to explore before Mason came storming into his bedroom, and other than the copious amount of hair products hidden beneath his sink, his room is void of personality. I suppose that’s what I learned about Mason. He’s bland.
Bland and boring, like unseasoned chicken.
I did find one item of interest, but I won’t mention it until I need to.
“Sorry to hear that.” Mason doesn’t sound the least bit sorry. The corner of his lip curls. “I’ve learned something quite interesting about you this morning."
He sounds proud of himself, and I don’t like it.
“And what’s that?” I ask.
Mason reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a piece of red lace. It takes approximately half a second to realize it’s a pair of underwear dangling off his finger, and I scrunch my nose while I wait for him to explain.
Are they his? Maybe Mason has a thing for wearing women’s underwear.
“Are you poor?” he asks instead.
“What?”
Mason tosses the underwear toward me, and I clamp my armsto my sides. I’m not catching them. That’s disgusting.
The lace hits my stomach before landing on the floor by my feet. I peer down at the fabric, still confused, before sucking in a shaky breath when I spot the branded tag on the back. I highly doubt the small boutique I purchase my lingerie from exists in this realm.
My heart pounds as I snatch the underwear up off the floor, anger mounting as I come to the horrible realization that they’re mine. Fucking Kie. He went through my dresser drawers when Zaha brought us to the human realm, but I didn’t realize he’d stolen anything. I should’ve known better.
I don’t understand why they’re in Mason’s possession, though, or why he’s carrying them around in his back pocket.
Mason points toward them. “The fabric quality is poor, and I’m concerned you’re impoverished. Are you?”
It takes several seconds for me to work up the strength to speak. “Why do you have these?”
Mason shrugs. “I was flirting with the idea of keeping them as a memento of our time together. Maybe wearing them for the council members who insist on probing up my ass. I haven’t decided.”
“That’s not funny.”
“I’m not trying to be.”
“Lill’s my best friend,” I say, “andyourmate. You shouldn’t be walking around with my underwear in your pocket.”
It’s beyond inappropriate, and I won’t stand for it. Mason shifts his weight from foot to foot, visibly contemplating, before speaking.
“She’s not our mate,” he says. What the hell is that supposed to mean? “Lilly’s using some sort of magic to trick Kie. I don’t know how it works or why she’s doing it, but I’m certain she isn’t our mate.”
That’s simply not true. Lill wouldn’t lie about that, especially to me. I’ve seen how she talks about Kie and Mason and how desperate she is to make their bond work. She may be lying about a few things, but not that. I don’t believe it.
“I’m telling the truth, Abby.” Mason steps toward me. “Lilly is not our mate. I feel nothing when I touch her.”
Nothing? That’s just not possible. Lill and Kie clearly feel something when they touch one another.
“Have you considered the possibility that it’syouwho's broken?” I snap. “That maybe Zaha decided to punish you and take away your mate?”
Mason nods. “Yes, I did, but I still feel a connection with Kie. Lilly is lying to us, you included.”
“Why would she do that?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
