I do as he says and spend some time in both my pegasus and fairy forms. My wings are smaller than Titus’s, and they are purple, silver, and black. They are so freaking pretty. He said mine are smaller because that’s the normal size of fairy shifter wings. His are larger because of his fae heritage, but not as big as full fae wings. Flying as a fairy is way harder than as a pegasus or phoenix. I crash a couple of times, have bruises all over my body, and am bone tired by the time they call a halt to the session.
We head back to the castle, and Titus takes us straight to our room where I have another shower and change into a dress that someone laid out for me. We reconvene in my father’s living space for lunch. The goddess taps her foot impatiently as I devour the meal. I know she wanted to go this morning, but what I did was important. I feel so much more confident in my abilities now, and I’m in tune with my creatures. None of the other kings and queens ever had to contend with multiple animals, so I think everyone needs to cut me a little slack.
“I sent a message to my parents this morning,” Gryffin tells me as I’m finishing up. “They are preparing for a coronation, but they said it will take time to invite everyone who needs to be there. They suggested we put it off for another few days.”
“Nonsense. No one needs to be there, but we need her crowned today,” Aramis argues, her face showing signs of stress. Her mouth is pinched, and her eyebrows are turned in. She is obviously worried about something. “As long as there are shifters to witness it, it doesn’t matter about any of the other kingdoms.”
“Because that’s how I want to start my rule, by insulting the other royals,” I say dryly, taking a sip of wine my father produced for me.
“It won’t matter, because none of them will be ruling alongside you,” she argues, and I guess she has a point.
“What about tomorrow? I’m pretty tired after this morning. That will give Lucas and the queens a chance to put something together we all might be happy with,” I suggest, trying for a compromise, and she gives in with a reluctant nod.
“Fine, but I want you crowned by sunrise tomorrow. Make sure Lucas and his queens know this. I will see you then.” She disappears in a flash, and I grimace.
“Not sure I’m winning any allies at the moment,” I grumble.
“She will be fine. She’s not used to having to compromise, and she’s definitely not used to someone saying no,” my father explains. “But good for you for standing up for yourself. Don’t become a slave to their whims like I was.”
“Will you be coming to my coronation?” I ask him, and he winces.
“I want to be there more than anything, but I am worried I will run into your mother.”
“Shit, I hadn’t even thought of her. Do you think your moms and dad will invite her?” I look at my tiger who grimaces.
“I don’t think they want to, but it might cause more issues if we don’t.”
I sigh but nod my agreement. “Okay, but I’m warning all of you, she will get handsy and probably try to seduce all of you.”
Liam doesn’t look surprised by my words, since he’s already experienced her delightful ways.
“She already tried,” Brodie says gruffly. “When we escorted her back to the neutral zone, she offered us sex in exchange for us to look the other way and let her go.”
I gape at him, hurt beyond comprehension that my mother would stoop so low, and that was when she didn’t even know they were my mates.
“She will be worse now that you are my mates. It will be a game to her,” I tell them quietly. “It isn’t something she hasn’t tried in the past and succeeded in.”
I feel their sympathy for me and disgust for my mother inside my chest, and it aches but also reassures me that they have no intention of falling for her games.
“Maybe they won’t be able to find her,” Gem says hopefully, but I’m probably not that lucky.
ChapterThirty-Nine
Colbie
When we return to the Aramis palace, we arrive in an office. The nausea isn’t so bad for me this time, and both Nox and I look on with amusement while everyone else groans and clutches their heads and stomachs.
A throat clearing behind me has me whirling around. Lucas is behind a large desk, his eyes wide with surprise. He stares at Titus, and he gives him a look of consternation. “You really know how to make an entrance, don’t you?” he grumbles before getting up and giving Gryffin a hug before doing the same to me. He envelops me in his arms and presses a kiss to my head.
“I’m so proud of you. What an unstoppable queen you are going to be,” he murmurs quietly. His praise makes me feel all warm inside, grateful to have his support, and I squeeze him back.
“Though, I do feel sorry for you having to put up with that one.” He nods his head at Titus, who just narrows his eyes at the king. “I’ve been dealing with that pain in the ass for years now.”
“Ah, he’s not so bad. Under that dark and deadly facade, he’s a big softy.” Titus is back in his assassin garb, but Gryffin informed his dad of his mate status.
“Yes, well, it certainly eases my worries knowing you have such a formidable mate to watch your back.”
“Hey,” Brodie grumbles, throwing himself into one of the chairs and pulling me down to sit on his lap. “We aren’t completely defenseless.” He scowls at the king whose eyes twinkle with delight.
