Umrik cleared his throat, trying to regain control of the conversation. “Queen Gwendolyn, might I inquire about your family history? Any unusual abilities? Strange occurrences?”
“My mom left when I was seven,” I said flatly. “Dad’s in jail. My grandparents raised me until they died a few years ago. Nothing particularly magical about any of them. Unless you count my dad’s magical ability to be a complete piece of s-”
“What’s jail?” Killian asked immediately.Shit.
“Time-out for grown-ups.”
His eyes went huge. “FOREVER time-out?”
“Pretty much, yeah.”
“Wow. He must’ve been REALLY bad.”
“Yeah, he was.”
“Did he not eat his vegetables?”
Mal actually smiled at that. “Something like that.”
Umrik was watching us carefully, his ancient eyes sharp despite his age. Then he looked at Mal, really looked at him, and something passed between them. Some unspoken understanding that I was definitely not part of.
“Your Majesty,” Umrik said slowly. “You have been remarkably quiet. Do you have something in mind about the origin of the Queen’s abilities?”
Mal’s expression closed off immediately. Shutters slamming down. “Apologies. I am listening.”
That look. What the hell did he know?
Also, why did he still look hot when he was being shady? This was completely unfair. I was potentially about to be mad at him and my stupid brain was like “but look at his jawline though.”
Traitor brain.
“Or perhaps,” Umrik pressed, “you already suspected something?”
Mal said nothing. Just stood there avoiding eye contact like it was an Olympic sport.
“Mal?” I prompted.
“We should do a blood test,” he said abruptly.
“Don’t change the subject.”
“I am not...”
“You absolutely are.”
“I would very much like to test the queen’s blood,” Umrik interjected. “It may provide answers.”
I was still glaring at Mal, but my hands were trembling. “Fine. Test it.”
“NO!” Killian shouted, practically launching himself out of my lap. “Needles HURT!”
“It’s okay, Killian.”
“But you’re scared! I can feel it!” His face scrunched up with worry and determination.
Right. He could literally feel my anxiety radiating off me.
“I’m okay. I promise.”
