Page 97 of The Shattered Kingdom
I obey, and Kie grabs my wrist. His grip is light, and I gulp as he traces his finger over the spot where I’m expected to cut myself. I’m trying not to think about it, and he’s not helping.
“I’m going to use my magic to piece your skin together,” he says. “And I’ll hold it together, molecule by molecule, until it’s healed. I promise.”
He shouldn’t. I know how much that drains him, and it’s a waste of his energy. I’m not looking forward to cutting my palm, but it won’t kill me. I’ve experienced worse—my knees, for example. They’re covered in scars from my time in Redstall Forest.
One look at Kie’s stern expression tells me he’s unwilling to change his mind.
I flush, deciding not to argue. “Thank you.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
ABBY
WE RECONVENE WITH Mason and my family outside the doors of the meeting hall where the coronation will take place.
Mason is on his last bit of patience. He wears his agitation on his sleeve and is not very good at hiding it. He tries, though. He nods politely as Aaron speaks, and he doesn’t react violently when Mom loops her arm through his, her fingertips accidentally touching his exposed wrist. She pulls away the moment she notices, and Mason maintains his forced smile.
It’s a sweet attempt.
They like him, and Mason has no idea what to do with that.
He’s not familiar with loving parents. I don’t get the impression that Alpha Theon or Queen Gitta were the most nurturing, and Mason has never brought up his mother. I suspect he’s never experienced a healthy family dynamic. He needs time to adjust.
He hasn’t been given much affection in his life, but he’s about to be showered in it. My family is welcoming, and they’re going to suffocate him.
“Are you ready?” Mason asks, smoothly pulling away from my mom.
He closes the distance between us in three long strides and only stops once he’s hovering over me. I used to find this position so menacing. I look up, meeting his intense gaze.
“Yes?”
Mason’s nostrils flare, and he shoots Kie a sharp glare before pulling me in for a chaste kiss. I’m afraid Mason will say something crude in front of my parents, but he holds himself back.
“I did not enjoy being away from you,” he says instead, his voice low so only I can hear.
Mom peeks around Mason’s shoulder. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I flush. “Did you enjoy your tour? I’m sorry I couldn’t join you.”
I hope Mason put more effort into this one than he did with Lill and me. He took confusing routes, which I still suspect was intentional, and he rushed me through the most interesting parts. I’ve had to learn everything myself, and I’m sure there’s still a lot I don’t know. The property is enormous, and there’s so much to explore.
I suppose I will have a lot of time to learn it, though. If everything goes according to plan, I’m going to spend the rest of my life here. I haven’t had a lot of time to digest that.
Mom smiles, patting Mason’s shoulder. “It was fantastic. Mason is a wonderful host.”
She seems genuine. That’s good.
“I’d love for you to stay here with me,” I admit. I planned to wait a few days before bringing this up, but I lack patience. “If you don’t want to live on the property, we can find something nearby. Anything you want. We can give you anything you want.”
Dad purses his lips. He’s never loved change. Mom’s opinion is relatively easy to sway, and Aaron will be on board. He’s lazy like me, and he won’t turn away from a life of luxury.
Getting him to leave would be more challenging than gettinghim to stay.
Dad scratches his chin. “I’m not sure if that’s—”
“We would love to,” Mom interrupts. “Wherever you go, sweet girl, we will follow.”
Aaron gags at Mom’s compliment but then bobs his head. “I’ll stay, too.”
