Page 21 of The Shattered Kingdom
“Why does she—”
There’s a flurry of movement as Lillstorms past me at a speed I’ve never seen from her before. Jackie looks just about as surprised as I feel, and within a second, she’s being bent in half and her head held under the water.
“Laugh at her again,” Lill spits. “Do it.”
Water splashes as Jackie tries to rip Lill’s hands off her, but Lill somehow manages to maintain her grip. Jackie’s friend is of no help as she scampers back against the pool wall.
Mason laughs, because he’s a maniac, and Kie runs his hands down his face.
“Enough!” Kie’s voice bounces off the walls, and Lill takes that as her cue to release Jackie and step back. “We’re leaving.”
He exits the pool in one swift movement, and Mason doesn’t hesitate to follow. You’d think the water were burning the shifter alive with how quickly he climbs out. I remain where I am.
Mason turns toward me. “Come.”
His dick is out for the entire world to see, and I cringe at the sight of it. He’s soft, thank fucking god, but it’s at eye level and a little modesty would go a long way. I must admit I grudgingly respect his size, though, and I feel a tang of pity for Lill. That’s going to be painful.
“In a second,” I say.
My naked body was just publicly mocked, and I need a moment to collect myself and work up the courage to climb out of this pool. Everybody will see me, and I’m not prepared for that.
Mason hovers beside me, waiting for me to get out, and I avoid eye contact as I flick water at his feet. He’s got surprisingly nice feet, and I wonder if he maintains his toenails himself or if there’s a faerie who does it for him.
Mason crouches, bringing his soft penis even closer to my face.
I pointedly avoid looking at it.
“Do you mind?” I hiss.
Mason smiles. He knows exactly what I’m talking about.
“Why should I?” he asks. “Get out of the fucking pool before I drag you out myself.”
He won’t. If there’s anything I’m certain of, it’s that he’s not going to touch me. He’ll barely even touch Lill, and she’s his mate. I’m prepared to call his bluff when Lill walks over with a towel.
Mason frowns. “Oh.”
Lill can read my fucking mind, and I climb out of the pool and wrap myself in the towel with more speed and grace than I thought possible. Kie waits by the exit, and I brush past him and into the changing room.
“Stay here,” Lill says from behind me. “Give us a minute to change first.”
They listen, thank the fucking heavens, and I yank on my dress before waiting outside the building with Lill.
“I want to go home,” I admit. “This place sucks.”
Lill opens her mouth, then snaps it shut with a quiet click. “Of course. You should ask Kie to bring you home. I doubt he’ll force you to remain here.”
Kie and Mason emerge from the bathhouse, and I fall silent. If they heard our conversation, they don’t address it. They also don’t address our interaction with Jackie.
Mason shoots Lill and me a venomous glare instead. He’s pissed.
“Never again,” he hisses. “I have spent thirty years of my life avoiding public bathing houses, and you will never force me to enter one again.”
I roll my eyes. “Nobody forced you to get in. Stop being such a drama queen. It’s unattractive.” I shove past the shifter, my shoulder slamming against his. “Move.”
Kie snorts, and I only make it two steps before a hand is pressing into my spine and pushing me forward. I stumble, but thepush isn’t hard enough to completely topple me over. I know immediately that the shifter is to blame.
Lill gasps. “Mason!”
