Myanin had not expected the show of understanding or compassion. She found herself unsure of what to say.
Peri squeaked, an almost gleeful sound. “This is one of those awkward moments where you’re grateful for a person’s understanding but at the same time you know saying ‘thank you’ isn’t really sufficient so everyone just sits in silence and wonders who will break the strained tension in the room.”
Before anyone could respond to her ridiculous but pointedly correct statement, the door to the room flew open, and two warlock warriors stood in the threshold. Myanin, Tenia, and Peri jumped to their feet.
“My queen,” one of the males said, his words rushing out of his mouth as he seemed to catch his breath, “Lysander is here and demands to see you. He says he has a declaration of challenge to the warlock throne.”
“Well, looks like the awkward moment has been saved by the enemy. Myanin, you’re off the hook.” Peri’s eyes gleamed way too excitedly for the current situation. “Queenie, you’re up.”
“There is seriously something wrong with you,” Lilly said at the same moment Peri snapped her fingers. Lilly’s clothes instantly changed from casual to warrior/queen chic.
The queen wore dark pants with black leather boots that laced up to her knees and matching leather arm braces. The dark vest around her torso fit her like a glove. Her shoulders were bare, but a second finger snap gave her a dark indigo cape attached to a piece of hard leather that ran from one shoulder across her neck to the other shoulder, completely protecting the vulnerable flesh and bones. The final touch was a silver crown that rose into sharp points all the way around her head. Myanin smiled. It was what the trolls would have called badass.
“A crown, Peri? Really?” Lilly said as she looked at herself in the mirror. “Will it even stay on?”
“Of course it will stay on. What do you think I’m here for? Eye candy?” Peri rolled her eyes. “It makes a statement.Youwear the crown. It is rightfully yours.Youare the queen. He has obviously forgotten that. The wicked, pointy thing on your head is a perfect reminder.”
“Well,” Lilly said as she looked around the room, “I really thought we’d have a little more time to plan for this.”
“Unfortunately, bad guys don’t care about your timeline,” Peri said.
“You don’t seem worried,” Lilly pointed out what Myanin had been thinking.
“Why should I be?” Peri asked as she motioned toward the door where the two warriors were still standing.Theylooked worried. “Your mate passed his power to you. The Great Luna has blessed your position as queen. Who can stand against what the Great Luna decrees?”
“Apparently, lots of people,” Lilly said. “Like ... the Order, packs we didn’t know existed, and Lysander. Should I continue?”
“No, we don’t have time. You need to march your kick-ass looking self down there and take care of the rat who thinks he has a right to your throne. Later I can say, ‘I told you so.’” She looked at Tenia and then at Myanin. “You two need to stay out of sight. Right now, we don’t know if Lysander or anyone in his clan is in league with the Order or if some will rebel once he’s taken out and join them.”
“Of course,” Myanin said as Tenia nodded.
Lilly turned to Gerick. “Gather the warriors but instruct them they are not to engage.”
Myanin watched as Gerick’s jaw clenched. He didn’t like what his queen was telling him.
“You know they can’t,” she said. “I must defeat him on my own.”
Finally, Gerick nodded. He turned to Myanin and, to her utter shock, pressed his hand to her cheek. She didn’t slap his hand away this time. The general leaned forward until his mouth was next to her ear. “I apologize, mate. But I’m going to have to disagree with your ‘no touching’ rule. I find that I rather like touching you.” He pressed a swift kiss to her neck before releasing her. She didn’t have time to respond, as a second later he was out of the room giving orders to the two male warriors.
“And the awkward moments just keep coming,” Peri sang as she grabbed Lilly’s arm and then her mate’s.
“Wait,” Lilly said as she leaned down and picked up a rather ancient looking book that had been sitting on the coffee table. “I’m going to need this before I kick the rat’s ass.”
“Queen Lilly,” Myanin said before Peri could flash.
“Yes,” Lilly asked. Her voice was a bit strained, but her shoulders were pulled back and her chin raised.
“Look for his tell before he attacks. Everyone has one. It will be a shift in his eyes, maybe a slight turn of his torso or even the slightest movement in one of his feet,” Myanin said, hoping she could help even now. “And you can’t show him any mercy. One of your own that is willing to attack in a time of war shows he has no respect for authority. For a king or queen responsible for thousands of lives, that cannot stand. You must kill him whether or not he yields.”
“Yep, I like her,” Peri said with a disturbing smile. If that was how Myanin smiled, she reallydidneed to work on it.
“My mate said the same thing,” Lilly said as she looked at Myanin.
“Your mate said he liked her?” Peri asked, her brow furrowed and the weird smile gone.
“No, you weirdo,” Lilly huffed. “He said I couldn’t have mercy on Lysander. Cypher said if he were in my place, he would kill Lysander simply for attempting this takeover.”
Myanin nodded. “He’s wise. I’ve no doubt you will be victorious. And then we can focus on getting you ready to deal with the Order.”
