Page 9 of The Shattered Kingdom
I cross my arms over my chest, then drop them and yank my pants back up my hips. I’m curious to see how they act around one another. Mason is prone to violence and threats—at least, he was with me—but we’re not in the forest anymore. We’re in the heart of the faerie capital, and Lill’s his mate.
Mason rises from the couch as Lill shuffles toward him. She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, her violet eyes flickering over the length of his body. I remain rooted to my spot, watching their every interaction. I need to see it, even if it makes my stomach churn. I don’t approve.
“I hope you’re prepared to explain yourself,” Mason starts. “Do not think Kie and I will let the mate bond distract us from your actions.”
I resist the urge to scoff. I’m not sure why I expected him to ask how she slept or how her back feels. I gave him more credit than he deserves. Mason’s continually falling short of my expectations. Kie, too.
Lill’s throat bobs. “I wouldn’t expect you to.” She looks around the room, falling silent. This is so fucking awkward. “I’m prepared to speak with the council whenever you are.”
It’s weird seeing her speak so comfortably and confidently about the faeries. I know she’s one of them and spent the first several years of her life here, but I think of her as human. I keep expecting her to be as confused and overwhelmed as I am, but that’s clearly not the case. She may not know everything, but she knows a hell of a lot more than I do.
“No,” Mason says. “Kie and I wish to speak with you privately, and we’ll decide what information to relay to the council.”
Lill nods, and after a tense second, she reaches for Mason’s hand. It’s an innocent enough gesture, especially considering they share a mate bond, but Mason pulls away like she’s poison. It’s a dramatic response, and Lill recoils with a wince.
If I had to guess, I’d say it’s because Mason’s never experienced intimacy, even something as innocent as handholding. He was abandoned by his parents and made to grow up in a kingdom of faeries who hate him. I bet he’s never even been kissed.
Fucking loser.
I bet he lies awake at night thinking about his first kiss, probably nervous he won’t be any good at it.
“We’re mates, Mace,” Lill continues. “Does that upset you? You used to talk nonstop about how excited you were to find yourmate. Has that changed?”
My stomach twists, tightening and tightening in a very uncomfortable fashion. How close were Lill and Mason before she came to the human realm? From the sounds of it, too close. She’s remembering a little boy who no longer exists.
Mason doesn’t respond to Lill, and her chest expands as she darts forward again and successfully takes his hand. I hold my breath as she pulls off his gloves, exposing his skin.
“It’s me, Mace,” she says. “I didn’t kill King Malcolm. At least, not intentionally. I was nothing more than a pawn, and I don’t have an explanation for my mother’s decision to flee to the human realm. She had nothing to do with the king’s murder, though. I know that.”
Is she not going to mention her mother working for Alpha Theon?
Lill sets Mason’s gloves on the couch and curls her hands around his now-bare ones. I crank my head to the side, trying to get a better view as she brushes her thumbs over the back of his fingers. Mason lets it happen, his lips pursed as he stares down at where they’re touching.
Several seconds pass before he pulls his hand from hers and steps back, putting what feels like a mountain of space between them. Then he cocks his head toward the front door, and I look over just as Kie welcomes himself inside.
He’s finally showered and cleaned himself up. The dirty, black clothing he wore in the forest has been replaced with light-beige pants and a white, linen shirt. It reminds me faintly of what Samuel wore, but Kie’s clothing looks more expensive. The fabric seems thicker, and it fits him in a way that suggests it was tailored.
Mason’s clothing is similar, but he wears all black.
“Good morning.” Kie shuts the door behind him. “I’m pleased to see everybody is already awake.” His gaze shifts toward Lill. “Explain.”
I frown. “You sure aren’t wasting any time.”
Kie shoots me a sharp look. “I chose not to wake you two up and demand answers last night, did I not? You’re welcome.”
I’m not thankful.
Lill drags her fingers through her hair. “I was asked to bring tea to King Malcolm. I thought nothing of it, and I had no idea it was poisoned. I ran to my mother once I realized what was happening. She was shocked and urged me to stay in our home while she dealt with things.”
Lill pauses, giving Kie and Mason a chance to speak up before continuing. “She returned hours later with several canisters of delysum tea, and the next thing I knew, we were traveling through a portal to the human realm. She told me never to speak of my life here, which I haven’t, and I was raised as a human. That’s all I know.”
“Lie.” Mason is the one who throws out the accusation.
Kieran takes a different approach. “Who gave you the tea?”
“A servant,” Lill says. “I didn’t recognize her, and I don’t know her name.”
That’s not the answer she gave me. She told me she didn’t know in a way that signaled she was avoiding the question. The inconsistencies are slight, but they’re enough. She’s hiding something.
