Page 13 of Iris
I just want to slide through it by not being picked by the Monarch. And I think if I ignore all guys who come after me, she’ll drop me from the running like I’m radioactive.
But really, right now, I wish Violet was here. She’s always had this uncanny ability to see the good in every shitty situation. And I wish Stephan would let her out from his fussing.
She’s pregnant, not fragile.
“So, your mother wants to host a ball in someone else’s name?” Marigold asks Quinn.
My friend sighs dramatically. “Can’t you just see the scathing things that hack Queen Bee will say about that?”
“I find her Stitches entertaining,” Mari says. “And Rue’s addicted.”
“Rue’s addicted to it all,” I mutter. “If it’s trashy, she’s first in line.”
“Right?” Quinn snickers. “Queen Bee is trashy with a giant T.”
Mari flips the sketchbook shut. “And everyone’s entertained by her. Plus, she annoys the Monarch.” My sister pauses. “She…or he.”
“He?” I ask, leaning forward. It isn’t something I’ve thought about much, but it could be a guy behind the screen. Really, it’s hard to miss the Queen Bee buzz. It’s not like anyone on this pampered island has anything else to think about. Or, at least, this part of Sabine. “You think it’s a guy?”
“Who knows, which is the fun of it, right?” Mari flashes a smile. She gathers her pens. “Our dear brother’s headed this way, and I’m not in the mood for his dark cloud.”
“Is anyone?” Quinn mutters.
Mari flashes her brilliant signature Mari smile. “You don’t have to live with him. Sooo, I’m going to drag Rue off before she gets in trouble?—”
I follow her gaze to where our little sister is walking on the edge of the fountain. Mom hasn’t seen her…yet.
“—and see if Dahlia needs help getting ready. Maybe she needs some kind of pep talk. It’s been a while since she’s played violin.”
I shrug. “She can play anything.”
“But it’s piano all the time now.” Mari heads off, some of the Alphas following her with their gazes.
Quinn makes a sound as she sits up. “Those guys aren’t subtle at all.”
I roll my eyes. “They’re just all on the hunt for a mate. Pathetic sheep.”
“Stop that,” Heath snaps as he comes to a stop at the table.
“Stop what?” I ask sweetly. “Stop having opinions?”
Quinn pushes out a seat with her foot. “Heather, a true pleasure, as always. Sit. I’ll braid your hair.”
“I didn’t know carrots spoke.” He casts her a dismissive look and ignores the chair. “I suggest they stay silent and go hide from the dinner platter.”
“What are you on about?” Quinn kicks the chair into him.
He pushes it out of the way and leans into her. “Get. Lost.”
“Rude.” She huffs and jumps up, racing off in the direction Mari took.
“Rude is right.” I look him up and down. “Don’t you have someone else to be smug around?”
He follows Quinn with his gaze. “That kid’s gonna end up in serious trouble one day.”
“I don’t think Quinn’s going to like being called a kid.” I pause, then smile sweetly at my brother. “Can I go now?”
His eyes narrow. “Stop being a brat and talking shit, and stop dressing like you play in a band out of some low-life’s garage. You’re a Gardener.”
