Marcus sighed. “Okay, fine. But anyway, I think you need to start paying attention to what the monarchy’s doing. Cameron’s running the place into the ground.”
“I won’t be part of the royal family for much longer, so it’s not my problem.”
“Ava, this is serious. Ilamanthe’s the last line of defense against the Warden, and we might as well be waving a flag of surrender with Charlie’s dad on the throne. Charlie’s all fucked up in the head, and he’s monitored so closely now he couldn’t do anything, anyway. But you’re the princess, and you’ve still got a ton of power. The Elves respect you immensely, and no one holds anything against you for what you’ve done. If anyone can help us stand up to the Warden, even without your magic, it’s you. I really think you’re the only one who can.”
I combed my fingers through my hair. I’d failed to give a damn to style it nowadays, and that was unlike me. The world was falling apart. I couldn’t afford to let it crumble while my hair was having a bad day, too. “I’ll think about it.”
Marcus messed with his fan, nearly dropping it. “Anyway, that’s not the reason I came here. I need your help. You know about the hockey game that’s going on tomorrow, right?”
“I’ve heard about it.” When the fae had helped build Ilamanthe, they’d constructed an ice rink downtown. It was one of the few buildings that hadn’t been ruined by my rampage. The Elves and the fae were playing a hockey game against each other tomorrow evening, to boost morale around the city and lift spirits during the war. It was supposed to be an all-star game, with famous athletes from Malovia participating. Kallie’s dad and uncle were both playing.
“I need tickets. Specific tickets from the royal box, which means you need to get them, because I don’t have the clearance,” Marcus said. “It’s very important.”
“And what is this for?”
Marcus gave me a flat look. “You know what it’s for. I didn’t get a chance to ask Kallie to marry me, because the Dollmaker got in the way. But I still have the ring, and now that stuff’s settled down a bit I think it’s a good time to ask. I want to propose at the game in front of all our friends. Everyone should know how much I love her. I have everything set up except for the tickets.”
“Fine. I’ll reserve the entire royal box so you can bring whoever you want.” Kallie loved sports, and hockey was her favorite. This was the perfect proposal idea for her.
“Thanks, Ava.” Marcus messed with his top, trying to yank it down farther. “How do girls wear these cut-off shirts? I feel exposed.”
Kallie came striding in from the workout area. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Marcus. He froze, pausing mid-sentence with a goofy expression.
Kallie looked him up and down before she cocked out a hip. “Well hello, gorgeous.”
“Uh—” Marcus coughed to cover his deep voice before he squeaked, “Oh, hello, Princess Kalina. It’s nice to finally meet you! I’m Marcine.”
“Wow, that name is… clever.” She slid into the seat beside him and kissed his hand. “Why haven't I seen a girl like you around here?”
Marcus let out an impish giggle. “Am I a pretty girl?”
I nearly gagged. Were they really going to play this sex fantasy out in front of me? Ancestors above.
“You and I should go on a date. My place, tonight,” Kallie offered.
“Princess, I couldn’t! Won’t your mate be angry when he walks in on you with another woman? He could catch us!” He batted his fan in front of his long eyelashes.
“He doesn’t need to find out,” Kallie cooed. “Meet me in my quarters after dark. You can sneak in the back window. And bring the outfit. I would like to go exploring.”
Marcus blushed. “Whatever you would like, my lady.”
Yuck. These two could take their weird roleplay somewhere that wasn’t my personal space, thanks.
“It’s been nice meeting you, Marcine, but it’s time to beat it,” I said, thumbing at the door. “You’ve made your point. Now go find an outfit that covers up your exposed abs. No decent Elvish lady would be so immodest.”
“Oh, okay,” he groaned. He got up from the seat, and gave Kalina a sloppy curtsy that nearly sent him tumbling. “Farewell, fine lady!”
Kallie gave him a sensual wave as he tripped over his own feet on the way out. It made me sick.
“Your bisexual bullshit is bothering my day.” I put my smoothie aside, feeling disgusted.
“Sorry, not sorry I found a new kink.”
“Romance of any kind leaves a bad taste in my mouth lately.” Love was for dumb people who didn’t realize they were waiting to get hurt. “Though Marcine was pretty desperate to get in to talk to me. She thinks I need to do something about the whole palace being metaphorically on fire.”
“I think Marc— uh, Marcine— is right,” Kallie said. “I’ve been waiting for you to take some action since Cameron took over. I don’t know why you haven’t yet.”
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe because I don’t have any magic anymore, so I’m useless, or because I’m going through a devastating divorce with the man I thought was my everything, or maybe it’s because the world’s used me up to the point I don’t have any fight left in me.” My tone was dripping with sarcasm, but behind it was pain. Saying these words out loud was equivalent to carving a knife through my gut.
