Page 83 of The Shattered Kingdom
“You’re weak,” he says. “Weak and small and frail.” He raises both his eyebrows. “It’s good that you have a strong mate to protect you.”
“You’re right,” I admit. Pride practically emanates from him in waves, and I shoot him a sickly-sweet smile as Kie returns to the room. “I’m so grateful to have you,Kie.”
The faerie shoots me a look, then flicks his fingers in a gesture I’m pretty sure meansfuck offin faerie.
Mason huffs. “I’m stronger than Kie.”
“I’m not getting involved,” Kie says, sauntering past me.
Mason slinks off the bed, all long limbs and smooth movements. He’s a predator, and I can’t take my eyes off him. I had sex with him last night. It’s all I can think about as he changes into a fresh pair of underwear.
I needed the sex to be good. I needed to know I betrayed Lill for something.
I know now.
I owe Lill a giant apology for doubting her, but I’m not the one who betrayed her. Callie gave her that necklace. Callie tricked Lill into igniting the gods’ magic, making her feel a mate bond with Kie and Mason. Callie betrayed Lill, not me.
Mason tugs on a shirt. “I have a meeting with Anox this morning. I suspect he’ll demand again that you be formally crowned as my queen consort…” He shoots me a sideways glance. “How would you like me to respond?”
My heart lurches. This is the first time either of them has taken my feelings into consideration.
I clear my throat. “I would be… agreeable to that. I’m not interested in dying, and if the formal title offers me some protection, I’d be a fool not to take it.”
After last night, I’m fairly certain I will be staying here. I don’t think I’ll ever find peace in the human realm, not when I know what and who awaits me here. I agreed to give Kie and Mason a chance, and I meant it.
“And should he demand more?” Mason urges. “Anox will scent you on me, and it’s only a matter of time before they begin asking about heirs.”
Heirs? Children? I haven’t evenbegunto think about that.
“I want a child someday,” I admit. “But not now. Not anytime soon.”
Mason sits on the edge of the bed. He’s staring at me, but I can tell he’s lost in thought. What’s he thinking? Has what I said shocked him? I’ve gathered that faeries and shifters don’t wait long to have children, shifters especially. It seems it’s the cultural norm for them to begin popping them out with a frequency my vagina willneverknow.
“Achild,” Mason eventually says. “Just one?”
Understanding washes over me. “I’m willing to tentatively commit to oneeach,” I say, “but I won’t agree to anything more.Not until I better understand what I’m signing myself up for.”
Mason visibly perks up, his head bobbing.
Kie returns to the room, a white dress thrown over his arm, and Mason wordlessly takes that as his cue to leave. He pats Kie’s shoulder as he passes but says nothing. Did Kie overhear our conversation? I assume he did, but he doesn’t address it.
“Can I dress you?” he asks.
Dress me? “Why?”
Kie’s lips twitch, the shadow of a smile appearing. “It’s symbolic to the faeries. If we’re to be mates, I want to do it right. I want to dress you.”
“Okay.” I eye the white fabric in his arms. “Sure.”
Kie beams, offering me a rare full smile as he straightens out the dress and tugs it over my head. I lift my arms, helping Kie slip the lightweight cotton fabric over me, and obediently spin so he can tie the laces in the back.
I’m not nearly as comfortable around Kie as I am with Mason. The shifter forced his affection on me, and he was persistent enough to break through my defenses. I’m still adjusting to Kie, but it seems he’s making a genuine effort.
“All done,” Kie says, patting my back.
I clear my throat. “Thank you.”
“Jackie and I have a scheduled meeting this morning. An update on your attack.” Kie’s words come tumbling out, almost like he’s scared to say them. “I’d like you to come with me. I’m going to tell her the truth about us, which I should’ve done from the beginning. She’ll be angry, and I fear she might say things meant to hurt you. I don’t know what they’ll be, but we have a long history and there are a lot of truths for her to pick from.”
