Page 86 of The Shattered Kingdom
She looks beautiful. She’s in a long silver dress, and her blonde-white hair has been pinned behind her ears. I resist the urge to smooth down my frizzy strands as Jackie’s gaze flickers toward me.
“Why?” is all she asks.
The question is directed toward Kie.
“Sit,” he says, gesturing toward the chair opposite his desk.
All signs of vulnerability are gone, and now there stands a man who has spent his life preparing to be king. There’s not one hint of emotion in his expression, not one hint of Kie behind his cold, dead eyes and stiff posture.
Jackie glances at me again before taking the seat Kie offeredher. She walks with natural grace, and I can see why she was chosen to be queen.
“What have you learned?” Kie asks.
He wants to extract as much information as possible before telling her I’m his mate. Jackie doesn’t take the bait. She crosses her arms over her chest and leans back in her chair. Then her head swivels toward me.
I maintain eye contact, refusing to cower.
“I’d like to know who tried killing me,” I say, hoping it explains why I’m here.
Jackie rolls her eyes. “I’m sure.”
She knows. She knows who I am to Kie, and she won’t tell us anything. She purses her lips together and wrinkles her nose, subtle disgust shining through her otherwise-neutral expression.
“What do you know, Jackie?” Kie says, drawing attention back toward him.
He’s calm and even-tempered. It’s impressive. Attractive, even. I’ve never seen Kie in a professional setting, and he’s good at it. He would’ve made a wonderful king, and while Mason is great, he’s less…diplomatic. I don’t understand why Zaha forced them to switch positions.
“Why should I tell you anything?” Jackie asks. “My prospects only stand to diminish with Abby as our queen, and I don’t want to be on the wrong side of the divide.”
“Mason is your king, and I’m acting on his behalf. Do you truly wish to deny your—”
I interrupt. “There’s an open spot on the council.”
Kie shut down my idea when I suggested it earlier, but I stand by it. Jackie wants power, and this gives it to her. He won’t win her over with poorly concealed threats, but bribery always works. It’s how humans get things done.
Kie shoots me a sharp look, one that screamsshut the fuck upand let me handle this. I’m going to be getting an earful from him later.
“That isn’t—” Kie starts.
Jackie lifts her hand, silencing Kie. Then she turns toward me, her violet eyes piercing. “Continue.”
Happy to.“You can’t be queen, at least not in title, but the work still needs to be done. Kie and Mason need somebody with influence, and you were raised for the position. There’s an open spot on the council for the duties I can’t fulfill, which is just about everything.”
There’s no arguing a mate bond. Jackie can’t be queen while I’m in the picture. This is the best offer she will get, and I hope she can see it.
“Lady Cassandra and Lord Bishop have shown interest in the position,” Kie says, continuing my lie. I fight back a victorious smirk. “They’re always looking for higher council positions, but we wanted to speak with you first.”
Jackie sucks her lips into her mouth, almost appearing as if she doesn’t know whether or not to believe us. Vanity seems to win out, though, as she straightens her shoulders and bobs her head.
“Lady Cassandra doesn’t understand strategy, and everybody knows Lord Bishop only got the position through his family name,” she says. “Giving either of them meaningful responsibility would be a mistake.” She hums, tapping her fingers against her thigh. “New members must be voted in by the council and approved by Mason. I wish for them to be present for this conversation.”
Why?
My leg begins to bounce, and I press my palm against the top of my knee to keep it still. I don’t want Jackie to see how nervous I am. Anox and the other council members will probably creamtheir pants when they hear we’ve made this offer, but Mason will be livid.
I didn’t discuss my plan with him, mainly because I didn’t realize we’d need his approval. He’ll never go for it.
“In front of Mason?” Kie asks.
