Page 127 of Firestorm
How do you feel about that?she asked.
Fine,I replied.Truly. He is nothing like his mother. He’s already connected with our Key.
I see,she replied slowly, watching my face like she expected to find jealousy there.
She wouldn’t. Skye had already deemed Aiden worthy, so who was I to disagree? Her relationships with her other Links were more or less, none of my business.
I assume Lucille doesn’t know,my mom said next. I shook my head, reaching for one of the rolls.
“So much money spent on these events and yet there’s no butter,” I lamented like a spoiled brat. Mom pursed her lips in an effort not to laugh. A server behind her scrambled back into the kitchen, returning almost instantly with a fine plate of butter.
My son, may I speak freely?Mom asked, waving over another server to refill my glass of ice water.
I nodded, understanding the double meaning behind her words. I was always shielding us when we were together, though it was unnecessary. I wasn’t sure why my mom doubted her ability to shield herself on her own. She was the strongest telepath I knew of beside myself.
And now Skye.
Things are not well in the Palace,she said.
Suddenly, the wonderful food I’d just eaten felt heavy in my stomach. I hadn’t been to the Palace for more than a change of clothes in months, since I’d started following Skye. I practically lived with Wyatt at this point. At least…I was assuming the idiot realized I’d been sleeping on his couch when I wasn’t off following our little Key.
Mom was all alone in the Palace. Sure, she had her guards and her maidens, but…
Do not allow your mind to wander,Mom scolded me lightly and I frowned.Your father is up to something, though I haven’t figured out what. I suspected he was searching for your Key, but now he knows of her and his actions remain mysterious.
I nodded slowly, taking in her words.
A new business venture,I suggested with a shaky grin. My father had been involved in dozens of failed investments over the years. It was about time he tried another.
Mom shook her head, her expression grim.There’s a man who’s been visiting more often. I always know when he visits. He tries getting into my mind.
A chill drifted down my spine. How fucking dare my father bring someone into the Palace who would disrespect my mother that way? And not just my mother, but the fuckingprincess?Mere months before her coronation?
Are you in danger?I asked, dreading the answer. If she said yes, I’d have to go kill Alejandro right now. If she said no, I’d still kill Alejandro, but then it would be considered murder.
You cannot kill him, my son. Relax. I do not believe I’m in danger. But…
But?I prodded, my heart pounding.
I believe you and your Key are.
I almost scoffed.
No one in this room could take me out. Not my father. Not Lucille Brandt and her weird affinity for pain and suffering. Not even my mother could harm me. I’d been at the top of the food chain since I was barely a teenager.
And Skye? Skye was…she could kill us all with a single thought. No one could touch her.
I tensed as a presence met my back, glancing over my shoulder before rolling my eyes at Raaz, my mother’s personal guard. He was tall, dark, and definitely not handsome since I’d long-suspected he was into my mom. We shared the same dark eyes and hair as my mother, though his hair was longer than I’d last seen, prettily tucked behind his ears.
“Your Grace, Your Royal Highness,” Raaz said, rolling hisR’s like we were in a daytime soap opera and bowing low. “Your Link Hugo searches for you, Your Grace.” I turned back to look at my mom, almost gagging when I saw the look on her face.
It was probably very close to the face I had when I thought about Skye, but still. This was mymom. At least Raaz was hot. I had no ideahow Wyatt tolerated the ugly dudes his mom hooked up with over the years.
“Thank you, Raaz. Tell him I’ll be up shortly. My son must leave soon to return to his Chain.” Mom said, her voice a little higher than usual.
I was going to die here, I was so uncomfortable.
Raaz gave us a curt bow before thankfully fucking off. Mom watched after him for a beat too long and my stomach actually rolled with nausea.
