“So, uhm.” Jax cocked an eyebrow, his focus solely on the strox. He crossed and uncrossed his arms, restless watching the birds. “What are we supposed to do with all of them?”
My breath caught as a weight solidified in my chest. “Corbin would have known what to do. He had a way with animals unlike any Fae I’ve ever seen. You would have thought that was his actual magic.”
“He had a way with everyone,” Ian chimed in, remembering his friend. “Trust me. You thought I was the playboy? You have no idea.”
Raya playfully smacked his chest, and he kissed the side of her head before sobering. “He would’ve figured out how to care for them and loved it.” Ian pursed his lips, holding Raya tighter to his side.
I could tell Ian was trying to keep himself together. He always relied on Corbin as a confidant, especially when it came to Hidden Henchman activities. The bond between them had been special, and I prayed we could end this so my friends could grieve. So we all could.
“What do you think they eat?” Jax mused, his sole focus on the strox.
Kalliah rolled her eyes, standing with her hands on her hips next to Ian. “Why are you always talking about food?”
“What?” Jax put up his hands in confusion. “I mean, they’ve got to eat at some point, and I don’t want any of us to become a late-night snack. We need them at their fullest potential.” He eyed the creatures warily one more time. “You know, I’d just like to state for the record, I don’t think I’m the most qualified for dinner duty.”
“Chicken,” I muttered under my breath.
Jax winked at me. “They answer to you, Your Majesty. Not your favorite general, Jax Wilder.”
“Did you actually get promoted?” Raya snorted.
Jax dramatically let his jaw drop. “Excuse me? It’s a very busy time for Her Royal Highness. It’s at the top of her to do list, already a done deal.”
I laughed, realizing just how far Jax had burrowed into my heart. His levity, his playfulness. He’d been through so much too, but he didn’t let it change him.
Storm stepped forward. “Come on, Kade. Let’s go before Jax promotes himself to a prince or some shit. We’ll go figure out what to do with the strox.”
Kade looked slightly dejected but resigned himself to join Storm. He pinched my chin between his finger and thumb. “I’m in awe of you,” he said, quickly planting a kiss on my cheek before making his way to the arena steps and huddling to devise a plan.
“Be good to my ferocious friends,” I yelled as they walked away.
Kade and Storm turned and bowed in jest. “As Your Majesty commands.” Storm smiled.
I didn’t want Kade anywhere else but by my side, but if he had to be with anyone, I was glad it was Storm. The bond between us tightened, my chest expanding to enclose theenormity of my feelings. It begged to remain close to him, not just from desire, but from the unknown of what still lay ahead. At the forefront of that fear was the knowledge that the prophecy had yet to be fulfilled. The darkness in Kade still remained.
Bickering beside me brought me back from my concerns.
“Is there a duty you do think you’re qualified for?” Kalliah asked with a slight smirk.
Mischief glimmered in Jax’s eyes. “I’m going to get some dinner for us, but save me a spot in your room tonight, Kalliah. I can show you exactly what I’m most qualified to perform.” He winked and disappeared quickly back toward the castle.
“You can’t be trusted alone in that kitchen, Jax,” Leif shouted, running after him. “I’ll come with you to make sure you don’t break anything, or Lucinda will have my neck. I refuse to be fired because of your incompetence.”
Kalliah sighed, letting her head fall back. “Because Leif is the person who never pisses Lucinda off.” She shot me a look that I couldn’t decipher as exasperated or happy, but she ran to catch up with Jax and Leif. “Meet you in your room in an hour, Lana.”
Ian and I couldn’t help but laugh. I was beyond pleased my best friend had found the love of not just one but two men.
“I promise I won’t fire you,” I said, crossing my fingers over my heart. “Or Leif.” I narrowed my eyes. “And apparently, not Jax either.”
Draped across the chaise, I shoved the last bite of biscuit smothered in jam into my mouth. Despite how unladylike it may have been, I licked the sticky sweet substance from my fingers.
Ian and Kalliah sat across from each other in front of the unlit fireplace, inhaling the last pieces of their dessert.
“My compliments to the chef.” I nodded toward Kalliah, savoring every last bite of the sweet bread.
“You know, for as ridiculous as Leif is sometimes, he really is a fantastic baker.” Kalliah wiped her hands on a nearby napkin. “He may have taught me a thing or two over the years.” She leaned forward, whispering, “The secret is honey in the dough, but don’t you ever tell him I shared his family secret. I’ll deny it until the day I die.”
I giggled. “Your secret is safe with me.”
