Her perfectly sculpted eyebrows rise in surprise. "No? But I assumed that's why he's been staying in Reinmich all this time. Surely there must be some connection between you?"
I feel heat creeping up my neck. "We were... involved," I say, choosing my words carefully. "But I have no idea why Azarel is in Reinmich." The bitterness seeps into my voice despite my best efforts to choke it down. "And I'm sure he didn't stay because of me, considering until recently, I didn't even know he was a prince."
The Queen's eyes widen. "No?"
"No," I say flatly. "Which is why I came here. For answers." I pause, letting a wicked smile curve my lips. "That, and revenge."
"Revenge?" The confusion and wariness in her voice, as if she's weighing whether she needs to call for her guards, would be amusing if I wasn't still processing the whole future-daughter-in-law bombshell. But I know better than to think that means Azarel actually told any of his family about me willingly. "For what, my dear?"
I look directly at Plague, who's suddenly found something fascinating about the embroidery on his sleeve. A dry laugh escapes me. "Oh, he didn't tell you?"
Plague shifts uncomfortably in his seat, and I can practically feel himwillingme to shut the fuck up.
Too bad for him.
"Your son and his merry band of masked vigilantes kidnapped me and used me for ransom in their war," I say sweetly, watching Plague's jaw tick. "So I thought it was only fair I returned the favor."
The transformation is instant. Queen Amaya shoots to her feet so fast her robes billow around her like storm clouds as she whirls on Plague.
"You didWHAT?!"
The Surhiiran that pours from her mouth next is too fast and too furious for me to catch more than every third or fourth word, but the gist is crystal fucking clear. She'spissed. Beyond pissed. She snatches a decorative palm leaf from the table arrangement and swats him on the arm with it to accentuate her final point.
Knight makes a soft growling huff sound that might be laughter. Raven and Geo are clearly fighting their less civilized impulses, but Nikolai actually lets out a howling laugh.
Yep. Animal.
And I have to take a gulp of my wine before I join him.
But then, Prince Revi himself barks out a laugh of his own, smacking his knee. "Well, well, well, if the golden son hasn't finally incurred our mother's wrath!"
I don't have siblings, at least none that I know of, but I can imagine how satisfying that probably is. Love that for him.
"You don't understand," Plague sighs, shooting his brother a withering look and not even trying to defend himself from the botanical assault. "We were in the middle of a war. She's Arthur Maybrecht's daughter."
"I don't care if she's the daughter of the great serpent himself!" The Queen's voice could strip paint. "Did I not teach you better than that?"
Plague's jaw works like he's chewing glass. "I'm sorry," he says stiffly, each word clearly costing him.
"Don't apologize to me!" She points the bent palm leaf at me. "Apologize toher!"
When Plague looks at me, I flash him the wickedest grin I can muster. His eyes narrow with exasperation, but there's the faintest hint of amusement there. He knows I've bested him.
"Mysincerestapologies," he grits out.
"Oh, I humbly accept His Majesty's most gracious apology," I say in my most syrupy sweet voice, batting my eyelashes for good measure.
I'm about as sincere as Plague is.
The Queen waves dismissively. "None of this formality. We're close enough to family." Before I can process that statement, she's come around the table and is taking my arm with surprising gentleness. "Come, my dear. We're going for a walk."
"Wait—" Nikolai starts to stand, and the other alphas shift like they're about to follow, too.
"I'll be fine," I insist, though the idea of being alone with Azarel's mother makes my stomach do uncomfortable flips. "Eat something."
As I follow the Queen out of the grand hall, it occurs to me that I probably should have specified to eat the food on the table andnot the attendants. Valid concern with Knight, but it's a little too late for clarification.
Worst case scenario, I guess he'll go for Plague.
