Page 21 of A Reign of Malice
There’s a pause before she lets out a long breath. “Considering you were just talking about bonding with Aeson, I’m assuming this is more complicated than it should be?”
“You’re assuming right,” I say solemnly. “The man I found, my mate, is chained beneath this castle in a cave-like setting that I think is placed in the basement. Even more confusing, he said that he doesn’t want me to set him free. His exact words were: ‘He’ll kill you if he knows you found me.’”
“Well, that’s ominous,” Estee replies. “Though, if you’re the queen I know you to be, I doubt that means much to you if he’s really your fated mate.”
“Correct.” I switch hands and wipe my palm over my comforter. “I have no intention of letting my guard down, but I can’t leave him there either. Not until I understand who the real monster in this castle is.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Estee asks with piqued interest.
I glance toward the closed bedroom door, using my senses to check for the third time that I’m still alone beforeanswering. There isn’t a heartbeat to be heard outside my room, so I continue. “Aeson isn’t who he’s portrayed himself to be. He’s mentioned how large and powerful our pack will be once we’re mated. His offer to help my people no longer seems as genuine as I once allowed myself to believe.”
She scoffs. “Don’t put any of this on you or the decisions you’ve made. As a fellow queen, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my people. You saw hope, just as anyone would have, and you took it. If Aeson isn’t the honorable king he’s supposed to be, we’ll fix that before he even knows what’s coming for him. You’re not alone in this, Sloane. I’m glad you called, and I’ll make sure we’re there when you need us.”
“Thank you, Estee.” I breathe easier, relaxing back onto the pillows. “This means more to me than I can say.”
“You were there for us when we needed it,” she reminds me. “I’m happy to repay the favor.”
Thankfully, I believe she truly means that. We firm up a few more details, and she promises to call Isla for me as well. Right after she has a conversation with her mate, who’s currently hiding from her.
Smart man.
Now, it’s time for me to help Clara with her part.
The day slips awayin a blur of unpacking and searching. Clara and I sift through every box, each one a gamble—clothes, trinkets, old journals. Nothing useful. Aeson checks in more than once. His presence lingers like smoke, suffocating and impossible to ignore. He’s watching me. But I smile each time, like a dutiful queen-to-be.
It isn’t until after the sun has set that we finally find the books Clara believes will hold answers for us, their spinescracked with age, pages faded and brittle. Clara’s breath hitches as she pulls the first volume free, fingers tracing the worn title.Magic Bound by Sacrifice.
“Here,” she whispers, sliding the book onto the desk and flipping the cover open.
I move to stand behind her, heart pounding in my chest, when the door swings open.
Aeson strides in, his grin wide and eyes unnaturally bright. “There you are.” He crosses the room in three long strides, arms looping around my waist as he lifts me clear off the ground. “Youare going to be the most excellent queen.”
I start to question him, but his lips crash over mine in a kiss that has my muscles tensing, that churns my stomach. It’s quick, thoughtless, possessive.
“I don’t know what you did, but King Asher and King Theo will be here in six days.” His smile broadens as he sets me down. “That means we need to postpone the ceremony for a few days, but for a proper audience, I didn’t think you’d mind.”
My mind spins so violently it nearly knocks me off balance. It worked. Estee must’ve pulled the right strings. But I can’t even savor the victory because my lips burn from his kiss, my wolf snarling beneath my skin like she’s been scorched.
“Pretend you’re happy and not disgusted!”Clara’s voice slices through my mind.
Right.
I plaster on a radiant smile, my hands pressing against his chest as if to steady myself. “Of course I don’t mind. Estee said she’d do her best to rearrange her schedule to get here on time still, but what’s a couple of days in the grand scheme of things?”
He grabs my chin, still smiling widely. “Gods, I can’t waituntil you’re mine.” He glances around the room before coming back to meet my stare. “Clara can handle the rest of her boxes. Let’s go celebrate our success over dinner.”
“I’ve got this,”Clara speaks through our mental connection.“Don’t push him away when we’re this close to answers.”
I hate that she’s right, but I nod at Aeson’s suggestion, forcing excitement into my tone. “As long as there’s dessert, I’m yours for the evening.”
His thumb lightly glides over my lower lip, his eyes darkening. “For you, there willalwaysbe dessert.”
Don’t vomit in his face, Sloane. Don’t do it.
Clara coughs, but I can hear the laugh she’s trying to hide. Myadvisoris going to enjoy my torture a little too much.
“Thank you, my queen, for your help today,” Clara finally says out loud. “I’m glad to be getting settled in.”
