His brown eyes flicked in my direction. He huffed in exasperation—and exhaustion. “Quiet. I just saved your ass from the green-eyed beast. Show some respect.”
I choked off the witty retort I wanted to spew. Because that second statement was fairly accurate. Instead, I sighed and changed topics. “I can’t believe we’re going to Cape Argent.”
“Believe it!” Master Niallan shouted from the back of the jet. “And I’ve made sure my people know to show you the same hospitality as your people showed me!”
My expression blanked as dread flooded my body. I hurriedly glanced at the lord sitting next to me. I hissed quietly, “Please tell me we didn’t actually starve him on certain days.”
“No, we did not.” Lord Belshazzar scratched his chin in thought. His lips eventually thinned into a straight line. “But we weren’tcompletelyhospitable either.”
I slowly turned my attention straight ahead, not even seeing Lord Xenon in front of me. My eyes practically crossed at the impending doom we were walking in to. I grumbled, “Fuck me.”
Master Niallan hollered, “Okay! My room is at the top of the tallest tower. Come by anytime, your majesty. I’ll make sure your name is on the approved list.”
Shit. I probably needed to take him up on that.
I closed my eyes and groaned.
* * *
I yawned wide and smacked my gums as I nuzzled my head against my soft pillow. Fatigue tried to pull me back into the shelter of slumber. I let it pull me, floating in that sweet spot right before you fall back into sleep.
A hand landed on my shoulder and gently shook my frame. A voice I knew well muttered, “We’ve landed. You need to wake up.”
Sweet, sweet sleep wanted me. I wanted it.
With a swat at his hand, I slurred, “Too early, Pippy.”
Lord Otto’s voice. “Did she call you…Pippy?”
My eyes snapped open. A pair of familiar brown eyes glared right in front of my nose. I sat straight up in my chair, my gaze darting, taking in my surroundings. My chest heaved with huge gulps of oxygen. There were too many Overlords standing close by, and all were staring right at me. I rubbed at my eyes, and mumbled, “Huh?”
Lord Pippin straightened and ran his fingers through his hair. His brown eyes continued to scowl right into my blurry gaze. “Thank you, your majesty. I’ll never live that down.”
“Pippy,” Lord Otto stated thoughtfully. A cruel smile erupted on his face. “That has a certain ring to it, don’t you think, my lords?”
Lord Xenon even smirked. Not good.
“Fuck,” Lord Pippin growled. Then he pointed a finger at every single Overlord. “Not a fucking word from any of you. You owe me. I got you out of that jam with those activists in 1914.”
Lord Cato stared, and his words were slow and pointed. “You’re calling that debt in? Over a ridiculous pet name? I think you should take a moment and think about that.”
“I’m calling the debt in.” He shook his head hard, and his red locks brushed his cheeks. “None of you will ever repeat that nickname again.”
“Done,” Lord Belshazzar stated immediately. “Debt paid.”
Lord Cato’s gaze flicked to the eldest Overlord and then back to the youngest Overlord. His lips grimaced under the authority he couldn’t rebuke. “Well, that is that. Your only debt to us has been paid.” He shrugged a shoulder and sniffed. “Let no one say I didn’t warn you, though. You should have held on to that.”
Lord Pippin’s jaw clenched. “It was private. None of you should have heard it.” His scowl turned in my direction. “I’m never waking you again. Who knows what else will fly out your mouth. I’ll end up owingthemdebt after debt.”
I frowned and muttered quietly, “I’m sorry.”
I’d given him that nickname the night after we’d made love for the first time. He was right. It was private. I only used it when we were alone together, an endearment.
His jaw ground together, while he glowered.
I sighed heavily. “I said I’m sorry, my lord.”
Lord Cato scowled, his gaze tracking back and forth between us. “Ireallywant to know how serious that relationship was between you two.”
