Page 84 of The Shattered Kingdom
Truths.
Kie takes a deep breath before continuing, not giving me time to think. “She probably won’t want to help us after she learns thetruth, but—”
“Does she love you?” I ask. I speak without thinking, but I don’t regret the question.
Kie pauses. My question has caught him off guard, and he takes a long moment to think before answering. Every second feels like a battering ram to my chest.
“I don’t think so,” he eventually says. “She likes power, and I’ve always been an easy way to access it. I believe she likes who I am as a person, but she doesn’t love me. I fear she won’t help once she realizes marriage is off the table.”
I don’t understand why we even need her help. Is there nobody else who can investigate the issue? Is Jackie truly the most connected person here?
I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me. A tentative marriage agreement was in place between Jackie, Kie, and Mason. They were going to marry her. Jackie was raised to fill the role of queen consort, and she’s positioned herself accordingly.
She’s well-connected, and she’s smart.
She’s so well prepared for the role that we have no choice but to come to her with our tails tucked between our legs, begging for help. If she were in my position, I doubt Kie and Mason would be dealing with this. She’d have it handled herself.
She’d made a good leader.
“You should offer her a position on the council.” The words are bitter on my tongue. “Do you think that would make her happy?”
Kie shakes his head, immediately dismissing the idea. “Council members are active members of court. If Jackie were given a position, she’d become a permanent fixture in our lives. I’ve already made so many mistakes, Abby, and I won’t do that to you. We’ll figure something out.”
Jackie’s been rude the few times we’ve met, and I canconfidently say I’m not a fan of her, but I’m capable of remaining objective. She’s an important asset. Our desperation for her to look into my attack proves it. Kie and Mason should be working to secure her loyalty.
The faeries are already so upset with the recent turn of events. They’re displeased with Mason’s new title, and I doubt they’ll be happy to learn I’m Kie and Mason’s mate. We need all the support we can get. We aren’t in a position to be picky.
“You need her,” I push.
Kie purses his lips. I can’t help but smile, my cheeks growing warm. I secretly like Kie’s hesitance. Jackie throws herself at him, and I don’t want him taking her up on her advances. Humans don’t have mating bonds, and cheating runs rampant within relationships.
“Abby,” Kie starts. He closes the distance between us, his movements filled with a nervous energy. “I’m scared she’ll say something to hurt you when she discovers you’re my mate.” He’s returning to his earlier conversation. It must be weighing heavily on his mind.
I grab Kie’s hands and pull them to my waist, silently telling him it’s okay to touch me. He curls his fingers around my hips, his grip tight.
“I’ve dated other men, Kie,” I say. “I’ve had good sex. I’ve been in love.” Kie looks like he’s about to combust. I continue. “I don’t like Jackie, but I won’t be devastated to hear you fingered her at a dinner party or fucked her underneath a waterfall. Annoyed? Yes. Jealous? Probably a little. But I’ll be okay. We’re both adults with pasts, Kie.”
“I’ve never had sex underneath a waterfall.”
“That’s not the point of what I was saying.”
Kie sighs, pressing his forehead against mine. “I know.”
I don’t get the feeling that he believes me, but I don’t knowwhat else to say to assure him. Mason told me before that humans don’t feel the mate bond as strongly as faeries and shifters, and maybe this is a part of it.
I have no interest in sharing Kie and Mason, but I won’t lose my head over being around Jackie. I can handle a few rude remarks. I’m the one who shares a bed with the men she wants. Kie heldmelast night while Mason fucked me, not her. He’ll never hold her, and she’ll never feel Mason. I’ve already won.
Kie and I leave the room, only to find Mason lingering in the kitchen. He’s standing in the center of the room, a piece of pink fruit in one hand and a broken wooden spoon in the other. He points the snapped end at me.
“Don’tevertalk to me about other men.”
I snort. “Don’t eavesdrop on my private conversations.”
I would never acknowledge other men with Mason. I’m not stupid. Kie and Mason are wildly different people. Kie can handle adult conversations, and Mason is a toddler who breaks spoons.
“I was a virgin before you,” I tell Mason. “I’ve never so much as laid eyes on another man.”
Mason stomps out of the kitchen. “Obviously.” He grabs my chin and tilts my face toward his, urging me to look him in the eye. “I was a virgin, too. You’re my only.”
