Page 49 of The Shattered Kingdom
The answer is painfully diplomatic and filled with political correctness, but the boy looks pleased at the end of it.
He steps down, and the next person is announced.
This pattern continues. Some of the faeries have genuine concerns, but most are looking to test Mason. They find sly ways to question his loyalty to the faeries, but Mason takes it in stride. I’ve never seen him so composed, and I’m impressed.
I didn’t think he’d be able to do it.
Does it make a difference? The faeries hate shifters, and I’m not sure Mason’s composure will change their perception of him. He needs to start gargling faerie dicks if he wants acceptance. Kie, too. They can gargle together. One takes the shaft and the other takes the balls.
I’ll stand in the doorway collecting payment.
Kie remains silent, his chin held high as he stares into the room. He’s the picture of grace, and even without a fancy crown sitting on his head, I can tell he’s royal. It emanates from him, and it’s kind of hot. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him disheveled.
Our time in the forest doesn’t count.
He’s different here, less carefree and open.
“Miss Jacqueline Rowe,” Anox announces the next person in line, “and Sir Arthur Rowe.”
Jackie stands at the bottom of the steps, patiently waiting her turn to speak with Mason. She’s wearing a red dress, not dissimilar to my own, and her white-blonde hair is pulled out of her face in an elegant bun. I can’t help but compare myself to her. It’s impossible not to.
I didn’t bother doing my hair today. It hangs loosely around my shoulders.
How long were Jackie and Kie together? It’s obvious they were, but I have no idea how serious it was. I’m not entirely sure I want to know.
Beside Jackie is an older man, I assume her father, given that they share a last name. He looks just like her, and she places her hand on his arm as they walk up the steps. Neither he nor Jackie glance in my direction.
It offends me more than I’d care to admit.
Chapter Eighteen
ABBY
JACKIE CURTSEYS, AND her father gives a deep bow.
“Your Majesties,” he says.
I grind my teeth as Jackie copies him, practically purring the words.
Arthur turns toward Kie. “I’m so sorry to hear about the late queen. She was truly a marvelous woman, stolen from us much too soon. You have my sincerest condolences.”
This is the first time today someone has acknowledged Kie’s mother.
“Thank you,” he says. “Your condolences are appreciated.”
Arthur continues. “I’d like to revisit the tentative agreement we were sorting through prior to your meeting with Zaha.” He shifts his attention to Mason. “I’m sure you’re under great pressure to take a wife, and my daughter is still available.”
She’s available because she’s a bitch. I bite my tongue.
Jackie’s dad pauses, clearly waiting for Kie or Mason to speak, but he’s met with silence. It’s awkward, and he clears his throat before continuing. “Jacqueline is greatly respected, and she exhibits the grace and poise befitting a queen. A marriage between our families would be highlyadvantageous.”
Jackie smiles, showcasing a mouth full of beautiful, white teeth. I want to punch them out of her head. I want to curb-stomp her face into the fucking ground until her brains are leaking out of her ears and her skull is fragmented into a million tiny pieces.
I blame the bond.
Mason straightens up in his seat, but it’s Kie who responds. They didn’t plan for this question, and Mason has no rehearsed answer.
“We aren’t looking for a wife at the moment,” Kie says. He sounds calm. “But we’ll take your offer under consideration and be in contact should circumstances change.”
