“Oh, darling, I can’t believe you didn’t accept the invitation. Queen Mia said they sent you one. You missed out on one hell of a party.” She continues to tell us all about the party, gushing about the various dignitaries and celebrities who were there, the outfits, and the food, then she shares random little pieces of gossip.
This gives the rest of us enough time to eat dinner, clean up, and make a pot of tea. She’s on her third glass of wine by the time she finally winds down, and none of us have had to say a word except for an occasional murmur of acknowledgement.
“That sounds like a lovely party, dear.” Granny pats Mom’s shoulder as she takes a seat on one of the sofas in the living room, placing the tea tray on the coffee table and then proceeding to pour everyone a cup.
My mom made herself comfortable while the rest of us cleaned up dinner. She declines tea and sticks with wine, but I happily take a cup from my granny. Leaning back, I blow over the top so I don’t burn my mouth before taking a sip.
“Sounds more like a pain in the ass,” Grampy grumbles, and I hide my smile behind my cup. He would hate the idea of dressing up and making small talk. I only hope he will suffer through it for me, because I don’t doubt there will be a party to celebrate the arrival of a new royal, and I will want both of them there.
“Anyway, how was your trip, darling? You’re looking a little strained. You really could use a holiday somewhere nice andsunny by the beach and get yourself a tan.” She eyes me critically, and I consider not telling her my news. I really am tired and don’t have the energy to deal with her today. I’m sure she will find some way to make this about herself.
“I’m a little tired,” I admit. “I just needed to get away for a few days and sort a few things out in my brain. That’s actually what I need to talk to you about and why Granny and Grampy are both here.”
“Oh, do tell?” She doesn’t sound particularly interested. Her eyes get that glazed look, which tells me she’s thinking about something else and only pretending to listen, so instead of telling her my news, I remove the necklace from my neck and show her instead.
The marks reappear as soon as the necklace is removed, and they are even darker now. There’s no denying them anymore, but it seems to take her a few moments to respond, and when she does, she shrieks.
“You got tattoos? God, could you be any more cliché?” she snaps, and I just stare at her. “Tattoos are so tacky. How are you going to find yourself a classy, distinguished man if you have tattoos? And around your wrists like shackles! God, Colbie, I thought I taught you better.”
“Enough, Malina,” Grampy snaps, and my mom shuts up. Wow, I want that superpower. “Let the girl explain.”
I take a deep breath. “Mom, these appeared on Saturday night,” I say slowly, and she purses her lips as she thinks. “Magically appeared,” I add.
I see the exact moment she comprehends, because she shakes her head like she can’t wrap her brain around the information. “You’re the next shifter queen?” She sounds perplexed.
“Looks like it,” I mutter, and she rolls the information around in her brain before her eyes light up with maniacal glee and she leans forward, forgetting all about her wine.
“What the hell are you still doing here? Why haven’t you presented yourself to the palace yet? God, you’re already failing at this.” She stands up and starts pacing. “You ungrateful little brat. You’re going to make a bad impression. They are going to think you don’t want to be their queen.”
I flinch at the barbs, and Grampy growls, sounding almost like a shifter himself.
“Malina, that’s enough. It’s a huge adjustment, and Colbie will do it at her own pace.”
“I don’t want to,” I admit, and my mom looks like her head will explode.
“Why the hell not? You’ll be the most powerful person in the kingdom of Aramis.” I can see the exact moment she starts to scheme. She pauses, and a small smile crosses her lips. “Of course, you will need an advisor. I should go pack up my things and get ready to move into the palace when you do.”
“What about your business?” Granny points out diplomatically while I stare at my mother in horror. What the hell makes her think she is qualified to be an advisor to a shifter queen?
“Pfft. That’s not as important as assuring Colbie doesn’t embarrass me or herself when she doesn’t dress right or say the right things to the right people.”
My cheeks heat, and I feel a pang of hurt in my chest before it turns to anger. Before I can say anything, though, my granny does for me. “Malina, you’re human, and Colbie will soon not be. You will not be allowed to be an advisor for the shifter queen. They don’t even allow humans to reside in the shifter zone.” Granny’s tone is cool as she calmly shoots down my mother’s crazy scheming, but it doesn’t dampen my mother’s enthusiasm.She spins and looks me up and down and grimaces. I’m wearing jeans and a T-shirt and have my sandals on my feet. My hair could probably use a brush, and I’m pretty sure there’s a stain on my top from dropping some dinner on it.
“This will not do.” She waves her hand up and down. “I will go look in your closet to see what you have that is suitable.” She doesn’t wait for a response and hurries toward my bedroom.
The three of us are quiet, and I feel tears well in my eyes.
“We shouldn’t have told her,” Grampy grumbles, and Granny reaches over and pats my leg.
“Ignore her. Soon you won’t have to deal with her at all. If there was any reason for jumping at the chance for the queen job, that is it.”
“I just hope she will keep her mouth shut for a few more days,” I murmur as Mom bustles back into the room, her nose turned up.
“Ugh, you have nothing fit for a queen in there. I’ll just have to make you something new. You’ve waited this long, so another twenty-four hours won’t make any difference. I’ll get started on it now.”
She doesn’t wait for a response and leaves my apartment, letting the door shut behind her with bang.
I slump on the sofa and groan. “I guess I have twenty-four hours to get my shit together.”
