Page 67 of The Crimson Queen

“We didn’t–”

Finn cuts me off, waving his hand as if he’s shooing Asmo away. “I’ve lived down the hall from them for the last year. I can assure you it’s been thoroughly consummated. It has beenwellbefore their wedding.”

Asmo’s face falls blank as he looks at Kai. “You didn’t have a witness?”

“No… I’m not rather partial to sharing,” he snaps, looking his brother up and down.

“We’ll deal with that later… With the council in place, we’ve received an uncanny amount of support from the people and, surprisingly enough, for your marriage. If you ask me, I think they’re just happy to hear the boundary won’t be going back up. With that said, there have been plenty of men offer to fight by our side against Michael. We won’t need a draft.”

“That’s great news,” I say, looking between Kai and Finn. Only their faces don’t reflect it as such.

“And can they fight?” Kai asks, resting his hand on his sword.

“Not like your guard, but the high king did ensure everyone of age was proficient with a sword, and the creatures have their own peculiar methods. It’s best we leave it that way,” Asmo tucks a book beneath his arm as he finishes speaking.

“Okay… Finn and I are going to go look at this cave in the foothills. We won’t touch anything, but if we know that’s where he’ll come through, it wouldn’t hurt for us to get a lay of the land. You told me it’s near Cerberus’ Den?”

“Yes. I’ll draw you a map,” Asmo says, nodding toward the hall to our right. Kai kisses my forehead before leaving with him, and Finn steps in front of me, grinning like a man possessed.

“Soooo… How does it feel to be a married woman?”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “The same as yesterday.”

“Fine then. Keep your secrets,” he says, linking his arm with mine. It’s then that I see his hands have returned to normal size. “Come with me. I want you to meet Eva’s sisters. While you were gone, she sent ravens and they came back to Solaria with their husbands. As it turns out, a few of them, even though they were married off to the most wicked men in the north, managed to find happiness. They’ve all agreed to fight with us and their talents are… nothing short of incredible.”

Heading downstairs, he pulls me toward the meeting hall where we met with the court last and the moment he pushes open the door, I find five women waiting. Not a single one of them in a fucking dress. Clearly, I’m not the only one who despises them.

Eva stands first, her black pants end in armored boots and her long sleeve shirt looks to be made of dragon scales, but they’re pieced together elegantly in a way that appears as if it was made for royalty.

“My queen,” she says, her accent thick as she bows like a man. “Glad to see you’re back.”

I nod my acknowledgement as Finn introduces me to the others. One of whom is a ‘puppet master’ which is their term for a witch who can control people in masses. Her power has been emphasized by her siren blood. Another who is mostly a dragon shifter and part witch. The third is part fury and her raven black hair and striking green eyes set her apart from the other daughters of the high king. Then the last has her father’s gift. She can absorb the power and recreate that of others.

“It’s lovely to meet you all,” I say, sharing a smile. I’d hate to be on any of their bad sides. Each one looks like they could swallow someone whole and not bat an eyelash. Monstrous heroines, to say the least, but just the thing to turn the tide. “I appreciate your show of support and your willingness to ensure this realm stays safe from Michael.”

“It would be our pleasure to serve the woman who struck down our father,” the raven haired woman says, bending down to pledge her loyalty. The others follow suit.

“Please stand. I’m no ordinary queen and I will not be treated as if I’m of a higher caliper. Especially not when we’ll fight next to one another in the coming days.”

“Yes, You Grace,” the puppet master says, bowing her head. Her voice is sweet, and more innocent than the others. “We hope you’ll look at us as friends in the future, assuming we survive.” I chuckle silently, glancing at Finn.

“I’d like that very much.”

***

“They’ve been gone for hours,” I groan, and when Asmo doesn’t respond, I toss a peanut at him.

“They have not. It’s maybe been one, and for the last time, will you keep your nuts to yourself?” He turns the page of his book.

I scrub my face with my hand, laying with my feet up on the arm of the chair I’m sitting in. “What if something has happened?”

“You’re being paranoid.”

“Well, I can’t just sit here when our window to prepare is coming to a close,” I snap, tossing another nut at him. His head lifts so he can glare at me with his uni-eye.

“You made the promise, not me, to stay put until the King returns. Even then,heis the king consort, andyouare the reigning queen. As long as you are in this castle, what you say goes. So, if you want to leave and do as you see fit, no one is going to stop you. But for fuck’s sake, Mouse. If you throw another nut at me, I’m going to shove it down your throat.”

“I see your surly attitude hasn’t changed,” I scoff, returning my gaze to the vaulted ceiling. “I made him a promise, and regardless of what I could do, I’ll keep it… Why do you keep calling me Mouse? Does it have to do with who I was in the last life?”

---