My heart swells with pride for my queen. She’s learning.
“No, the lords here are more…” I trail off, winking at Fenrir. “Delicate than the Dark Fae.”
“They’re just here to look pretty,” Mal mutters. “The royal guards patrol the territory and deal with all grievances. If they’re traveling here, they’re open to attack. My guards can’t be everywhere at once.”
“Then you should direct your guards,” Aoife snaps. “Go out there and protect the lords. Without their support, this palace does not exist.”
Mal’s shoulders straighten, nodding once. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
The tiredness in his eyes is evident. He’s spent weeks traveling with my mate, protecting my family, working with them to get me back. Mal has always been in my life—another brother, running after us as we stalked the Black Palace walls.
“We’ll accompany you.” Aoife’s eyes narrow and I smile easily. “With all of us helping, we can secure the paths for the lords. It will allow us time to gather information what Griffin has.”
The slimy bastard is still looking for ways to harm us. Fee said he was readying to attack the Black Palace before she left. I rightfully yelled at her—and my sister threw a dagger at my head for doing so—but I understood why. She chose me over the kingdom.
The sooner we have information, the better informed we’ll be when we return to the Shadowlands. And the sooner I can end his life.
“Then I insist on you remaining for the ball after,” Aoife offers. “The lords will want to thank you properly after you save them.”
“Aoife—”
“Kaden,” she says slowly. Max stills, eyes narrowing on the woman as if she’s said something revolting. “The lords financed the coup. They paid for the guards that helped you when Zelos fell. And when you return, you’ll need more help. It’s a simple dance, easy to attend.”
Max’s nails dig into my arm and she pays no attention to thewounds appearing on her own. My kitten is ready to unleash her inner hellcat.
I smirk, clearing my throat. “We can discuss this when we return.” Kissing my mate’s knuckles, I lead her away. My siblings follow, Mal trailing behind, seething. I can’t rightly blame him.
Something is wrong with Aoife.
Fee snorts. “She had nerve.”
“You heard it too?” Max growl, fingers red.
“I heard it.”
Reid winces. “It’s extremely obvious now.”
Glancing between them, we don’t stop until we reach Max—and my chambers. She throws her cloak on to the bed, stomping over to the window.
“What are you all going on about?”
My sister picks at her nail, smirking. “Your blood summoner is ready to rip out the queen’s heart, Kaden. She practically purred at you in the throne room.”
Max huffs. I can smell her jealousy from across the room, like a fresh bouquet of flowers. I’ve no idea what they mean about Aoife, but I can’t help but love this side of my mate.
Stake her claim, tell everyone I’m hers. I love it.
“Go get ready,” I command them. Fee winks at me, ushering the males out, before I stalk over to my mate’s side. She looks out the window, the greens of the meadows so vibrant, they hurt my eyes.
“Jealous?”
“She’s a horrid woman,” she mutters.
“But are you jealous?”
“She has no reason to dress like that.” She kicks the wall. “She’s practically throwing herself at you. A Fae she knew as a child.”
Gripping her chin, I halt her tirade, smiling into her bright eyes. “Are you jealous, love?”
