Chapter 26

I n the last two days, the castle was in bedlam, and trying to sneak away to Greyson was harder than expected. Especially when my newfound twin, Sir Reid, had all but attached himself to my hip. The brute reappeared after being gone on a personal trip for my mother, only to gloat about his new role, being my extra shadow. Every step I took, he was there. Whenever I wanted to be alone in my room or my enchantment room, I had to get permission from my appointed twin.

It was even more infuriating that he hadn’t broached the subject of me being in the Swiftwater camp. Although, when I found him staring at me, I knew he wanted to ask me. It seemed to be on the tip of his tongue, but Sir Reid knew better than to question Royals about personal affairs in front of the staff, let alone me…Even though some stupid part of me, deep inside the dark recess of my mind, wanted him to ask me about it.

Silly, yes, I know.

To top it all off, Greyson was still upset with me. Even though he tried to play it off, his face showed it all. Every hello was met with a tight smile that made those gorgeous brown ones that I love seem distant and tired. Every chaste kiss was met with a slight nod. Not wanting to leave him alone, I bought him books I held dear to me, only to find it cast to the side. But that only seems to make him even sadder than before we arrived. Somewhere inside of me, I knew he probably felt like I was the source of all of his problems. And now I have to add not doing enough to find out more about his mother’s death to the list. I have searched through almost every journal from my family and risk asking people who knew the Mueller's about his mother. Some of the older housekeepers I asked would shrug me off with a “She was so smart and too independent.” While others pinned me with a confused look upon their deeply wrinkled faces, asking, “Why do you want to know about her?” Every corner I searched, I came up short, which had me questioning if Mary Ann really existed.

I guess tonight, when I finally question my parents, I will get some answers.

Staring at the stark white ceiling as the afternoon sun sank behind the horizon, I heard the frantic shuffling of shoes against my hall's floor. The sound drew a curse from me as I opened my eyes just wide enough to see the person who barged into my room through the slits of my eyes. Instead of Ms. Kincaid bustling into my room, disturbing my little peace, a newly meek housekeeper almost tripped over herself into my room. The housekeeper’s black and white uniform was a crumpled mess. I knew she was running behind because if Ms. Kincaid had seen her like this, she would have had a stroke. Her pale skin was beet red as her small hand shook me awake. She didn’t need to try hard because my sleepless nap had me tossing and turning, leaving me barely functioning.

Forcibly, I said, “I’m up!” causing the housekeeper to leap back from my bed, stumbling over the edge of my rug before she caught herself.

“I’m s—sorry, Princess Kaydian, forgive me. Ms. Kincaid is attending to the Queen…I mean your mother…A—I was so busy I forgot to wake you up.”

A smile graced my face. With my hands up in surrender, I tried to calm her nervousness. “It’s okay, no harm done, and it’s my fault. I’m sorry. We still have thirty whole minutes before this place is overrun with stuffy old men…what’s your name?”

The lady paused. Her eyes shifted between the space over my shoulder as she fidgeted with her fingers with a nervous giggle. Clearing my throat, her brown eyes landed on my face. My eyebrow raised, asking her the question again.

“Oh, sorry, it’s Ann, my Princess. Ann Petit, my family, runs the bakery in town.”

“Oh, I know your parents very well. I used to sneak into the bakery and steal some of those amazing chocolate beignets.” A deep sigh fell from my lips. I could almost taste the creamy chocolate. “I could go for five of them right now.”

Ann offered me a bright smile. Her shoulder dropped from their hunch position.

“Yes, my mother always gloated when you came into the shop. I’m glad they were to your liking, Princess Kaydian.” She paused. “I’m not as fond as my family about baking. So, it was my decision to work in the castle.”

Luckily, the Petit had four other children who were eager to run the shop.

Ann got to work, taking over Ms. Kincaid’s job, running my bath, and picking out my green wool dress that fell to my calves. With my hair washed and magically straightened into a low bun, we headed downstairs, following the typical royal event turmoil. Chef Dubois’ high-pitched voice carried over the ear-splitting noises of the pots and pans as the staff hustled to prepare the food for the Royal meeting tonight. Clarissa almost collided with me as she shuffled out the kitchen door with the food in serving ware trailing behind her.

How wonderful!

When I got word, the royals, Sir Muller and Sir Cross, wanted to stop by for dinner. The rocks on my shoulder became boulders. My mind raced with foreboding thoughts as I imagined the worst likely outcome. Why in the hell would they want to come and visit out of the blue? I thought about when my mother told me two nights ago. I’d only imagine my father told them I found my mate. They’d probably have taken bets on me if I went crazy and ran off. Didn’t they know I was too busy flipping through old books and journals of past Royals, seeing if I could find anything about Greyson’s mother?

Why do men like to put their noses in others’ business?

Since I avoided going to the shed all day, finding anything to take my mind off of the current state of my “love” life. Just the thought alone made my magic bristle inside my chest. Even now, alone in my sitting room, I wanted to go out to Greyson, and…the cup of Fae wine I poured for myself paused in the air. The dreadful thought crossed my mind every so often after my last visit with Del. She had opened up Pandora’s box and didn’t even know it.

Not to mention, Red had made a reappearance again, this time speaking his disappointment from between my thighs as he tsk and shook his slightly long red hair, muttering.

“A damn shame,” his husky voice said before his sinful tongue slipped inside of me.

My mouth parted as a soft sigh drifted from my lips right before he pulled away, leaving me chasing his mouth with my pussy. He chuckled lightly and continued, “He’s wasting my favorite treat. This pussy is made for worshiping. For savoring.”

“It—He’s not used to being with someone.” I panted out, hoping he would return his tongue into my heated core.

“Bullshit. He’s all wrong for you,” he said from between my legs. The wisp of his breath tickled my drenched pussy as goosebumps appeared over my body. “He made your first orgasm about himself. Greedy bastard. When I find you, there will be no more guessing whether you’re satisfied.”

I opened my mouth to respond but quickly forgot the words that I was about to form when my brain short-circuited as he replaced his tongue back into my waiting cunt.

The damn bastard. If I hadn’t known any better, I would have suspected Red knew everything that was going on.

Imagine going from being without a mate for so long just to having one that couldn’t stand you even when you’re trying your best. It would be just my luck. Turning the small crystal tumbler to my mouth, draining the purple contents. Ann scurried in with her head bowed, like she couldn’t look me in my eyes. I never liked that Ms. Kincaid scared the newer housekeepers so badly that they were afraid to death of me. It ostracized me, making me feel lonelier than I already am.

When she nearly ran out of the room, my intrusive thoughts tried to return as I glanced at the brown grandfather clock that ticked down my freedom. Greyson needed to be deodorized and ready since my mother all but ordered me to invite him to dinner. She couldn’t wait to meet the witch that I was fated to. “If only she knew,” I said out loud in the empty room.

A deep sigh left me as I maneuvered my tired body from the castle to the tiny shed with my hand clutching the skirt of my dress so that none of the branches and dirt stained the dress. Curse words slipped from my mouth as I sped walked down the path. A sigh of relief left me when I finally made it to the tiny shed with only a small leaf stuck to my dress. Sera and Luc were moved to the coliseum to avoid them making the Royals snacks. I could only imagine Sir Muller willowy, and Sir Cross’ portly bodies running to escape, most likely, Sera. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Greyson asked, causing my laughter to die in my throat.

I hadn’t even noticed when I opened the door to the shed.

“Nothing,” I replied with a smile. “You cleaned up nicely.”

Before my last visit, I stocked the tiny shed with everything he might need. Something to shave his scruffy beard, books, writing tools, and his outfit for tonight. Which was made for him. The brown three-piece suit molded his tall, muscular frame, which was paired with brown penny loafers shoes. His long hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and his shaky smile adorned his beautiful face. My tongue was thick in my mouth as heat pooled in my stomach. He looks so handsome. It almost made me forget he made me feel guilty about my sexual needs.

His smile seemed genuine this time. “Thank you, Kay. You look amazing as well.”

And now I was smiling like a fool. “Listen, tonight is really important, Greyson. We could finally get an answer about your mother’s death. I know we’ve talked about this before, but please remember less is more and to stick to our story. You’re Morgan James, a lost baron from England. Let me lead?—”

“Yes, I know. Let you lead the story because you know how to navigate these events,” he said dismissively, waving a hand in the air.

“Greyson…” Trying my best to keep the irritation out of my voice. Greyson held his hands up in surrender. His face melted into a smirk as his eyes softened. It will be alright … if not, I don’t know what I would do. “Come on, everyone should be already here. Let’s change your appearance. We don’t need to have any slip-ups tonight. Hopefully, this night can go by quickly.”

The corner of Greyson’s mouth twitched, but he nodded. Placing a hand on his dimpled cheek, calling and picturing what I wanted to change. My magic curled and…fought against my demand. I could hear Greyson asking if something was wrong, as a fine mist of sweat prickled my forehead. But I ignored it, putting all of my focus on my insubordinate magic until it gave in, curling angrily around his face like it wanted to strangle him but changing his appearance. His narrow brown eyes turned to the color of fog in the morning here in Houston, gray. The shape of his nose and lips changed, making them thinner than before. Last, he and I were able to see eye to eye as I shrunk his size.

Everything will be okay.

We will find something out.

Everything will work out for the best.

I thought to myself as we trekked down the small path with our hands filled with our garments. There will only be six people we have to entertain for an hour or two.

The closer we got to the castle. A frown etched onto Greyson’s shell shock disguised face. His head shook, side to side, almost a hundred times, and we hadn’t even made it to the entrance yet. My mind wanted to comfort him before we got to the castle, but silence filled the gap in our walk instead. I had to remind myself and my fickle magic that everything would be all right. Before we turned the corner of the castle, my magic washed the dirt off our shoes and straightened our clothing from the wrinkles made by our hands. Grabbing Greyson’s hand, giving him a tug along the brick path towards the front door. When we entered the castle, Greyson muttered, “Assholes.” Pausing, I wanted to make him take that back, but I decided against it. I’ll just have to watch him closer than I thought.

“Ah, Princess Kaydian! There you are. I’m going to have to put a tracking spell on you one of these days.” Ms. Kincaid called out, stopping in front of me and Greyson. Her eyes bobbled back and forth between Greyson and me. “Oh, this must be your mysterious mate?”

“Yes, Ms. Kincaid. This is Morgan James.” The lie we’ve practiced rolled off my tongue like it was second nature. As they introduced themselves, I continued, “His father was an old baron from England. Poor Morgan was living amongst the humans and close to a shifter camp when I found him.”

Ms. Kincaid gasped as rings of her white curls danced as she shook her head, “You poor child, Baron James. Don’t you worry. You’ve found your mate, and luckily, she’s a royal. So, no more living alone and near those dogs.”

Greyson’s grip on my hand tightened and trembled as I thanked Youna that he couldn’t break my hand. His skin was almost the color of the bright red painting in the hallway. Maybe I was a little optimistic about things going smoothly tonight. Did I jinx this whole night? Hopefully not. All we had to do was last one hour.

“Oh, yes…very dreadful,” I said quickly, pulling Greyson along. “See you inside, Ms. Kincaid.”

Dragging Greyson down the foyer to the dining room. As we approached the double door arch, I turned to him.

“Listen, I’m sorry for Ms. Kincaid.” Seeing him blink back tears made me pause. “It’s going to get worse like we prepared the other day, and for that, I apologize to them in advance.”

Greyson nodded, which wasn’t enough for me.

“Grey—” I said, but he cut me off before I could finish.

“I know, Kaydian.” Holding up his hands in surrender. I guess it was too late to question him. The thought of trusting Greyson when he could barely stomach being around me made my hands slick.

I did what I knew best, shrugged it off, and grasped his heated hand. Here goes nothing. Holding my breath while we walked into the all-white lion’s den. Everything seemed perfect and spotless. White candles floated just a couple of inches above the Royals’ heads, and white décor graced the table, which offset the gold dinnerware. The white walls were trimmed with gold borders, which made the staff's white uniform blouses blend into the walls. There was a mint fragment that permeated throughout the room tonight. A stark difference from the usual citrus notes. If Bernadette were here, she would definitely show up to poke fun at Mother for going all out just for some stick-in-the-mud folks.

“Shit,” Greyson mumbled so low, I would have missed it if I weren’t standing in front of him.

My mother and the other guests, which included several other coven members, had already been seated. Great! Chatter buzzed around the room while my mother’s green eyes sort out mines. She took me in with a wide, toothy grin on her face, then she turned them onto Greyson. With an eyebrow arched, she combed over him, inspecting every detail of him. Those hawk-like eyes settled back on me, with her cheerful smile placed back on her face. I sighed heavily at the fact that I could pass my mother’s test.

Standing from the table, everyone quieted down. Her brown skin laminated under her silk green dress. My mother’s curls framed her pointy face, making her appear younger than her age.

“Ah, there is the young princess,” she paused, the high-pitched of my mother tapping her wine glass with her knife filled the room. Everyone Royal and Royal loyalists turned to us.

“And this must be the next King of Youna, Morgan James, isn’t it?”

Greyson, thankfully, played his part perfectly, mostly. His face was unreadable, thanks to the disfiguration incantation. He bowed slightly. “Yes, Your Majesty. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said with his jaw clenched so hard I thought it might shatter.

My father’s three-piece suit matched my mother’s green dress. The scruffy beard was back as he ran his long fingers through it. Looking around the room, I noticed his “daughter” sitting on the other side of Greyson and I’s seats. Her short, dark hair was pulled back into a low bun. The long-sleeved silver dress made her dark skin shine in the dim lights of the dining room. Even though she wasn’t royal, there were several men who attended whose eyes never strayed too far from her. Biting my tongue, I chastised myself for giving her a single moment of my time.

Jacqueline turned those hazel eyes toward me and Greyson. Her eyes swept over him just a beat too long for my liking. Her smile made my magic burn under my skin. “Hello, my dear sister. You look lovely tonight. Thank you for inviting me to dinner.”

I nodded at Jacqueline before I sat in my seat. If my father wanted me and his bastard to play nice, then he was doing a horrible job at it. She should work at the inn or bar cleaning the puke that lined the floors daily. Not here with the royal coven members in attendance, and surely not close enough to make the hairs on my arms stand.

“Morgan James, our daughter, has spoken highly of you.” My father started smiling, even though I wanted nothing but to shove that smile down his throat. Greyson greeted my mother, stiffly bowing to kiss her ring while doing the same to my father.

I’d guess he was paler than a ghost under this mask.

“Princess Kaydian, we all knew you just needed to leave the village to find your mate.” Sir Cross said, chuckling. Against the white chairs, he was so bright it strained my eyes. His red trousers with suspenders covered his white button shirt. Sir Cross’s hat, tie, and shoes are equally loud as himself. His ring finger was almost the same color as his family’s ruby ring. Poor ring!

Was it too early to start grinding my teeth? Probably.

“Yes, even though he’s just a baron, your mother, and I thought it would be another Royal…pity.” Sir Muller scoffed.

The corners of my mouth twitched slightly. He was a dreadful idiot on the best of days, but today, I wanted to choke him with the canary yellow tie he wore around his neck. It took all of my strength to place the wide, fake smile.

“Well, Sir Muller, it’s a pleasure to see you as well. I wonder what happened to Victoria. It’s a shame your half-demon daughter couldn’t attend.” I said sweetly with my smile directed at him. Sir Muller almost matched the white tablecloth. Greyson lightly squeezed my knee.

Some of the coven members humphed their distaste for my joke.

My mother cleared her throat, drawing my attention. Seeing her mouth twitch with just a twinge made my smile more triumphant. Sir Muller’s face became as crumpled as his bright yellow suit. I always pegged him as a leech, but I couldn’t help but stare at the large golden phoenix pendant that stood out against his suit. Has he always worn it? It was almost as large as his head.

“So, tell us about your family and journey to America, Morgan?” My mother asked. Her soft smile made Greyson strangle my knee. I would lose circulation to my lower leg if he squeezed again.

Greyson gulped. With a shaky smile, he said, “Well, from what I remember of my family. They were the last ones left in the small town of Fordwich. They passed away in our home, and a neighbor, a common witch who just so was moving to America, found me. I didn’t have any other family members, so I didn’t have any other choices. The gentleman took me with him, and I stayed with him until he went to the underworld. I had been alone for a long time until I went in search for more people like me. That’s when I took a trip to Sacramento and found Princess Kaydian in town. She was like a beacon of light that drew me to her and when we touched, I knew we were fated.”

My hands were a slippery mess as Greyson told the story we practiced to a tee. Coq au Vin, chicken stew, red Fae wine, and bread were served while Greyson spoke. Turning to him with a smile, I noticed his attention was stuck on the plate of food the staff had served while he spoke. Even though I could mask his appearance, I couldn’t mask his feelings.

Hopefully, he knows I’ve tried my best.

“I’m truly sorry for your loss, Morgan,” my mother said. “Hopefully, you guys can make new memories now.”

Greyson nodded as he excused himself from the table and made his way out of the dining room to find the restroom.

Jacqueline’s lowly snickered as she leaned over Greyson’s empty chair. She whispered, “That’s some farfetched bullshit if I ever heard.”

“Come again? I don’t know what you mean.” I whispered back.

Jacqueline’s smirk deepened, “Oh, my dear sister. You can fool your mother, but I see right through your half-baked lie. What are you hiding, Princess Kaydian?”

Turning to the bastard, she had the nerve to tsk me like a child. Shoving my fist under the table as I gritted my teeth. Greyson stalked back into his seat before I could curse Jaqueline out. The only thing I was thankful for was that no one seemed to have heard her, thanks to Sir Cross.

“James from Fordwich…” Sir Cross said, greedily chewing the stew while he spoke. Little red spots of sauce decorated his side of the table. “I’ve passed through the town before, but I never knew of any witches, much less a baron that lived there…surely my guards didn’t miss your family.”

“That’s unlike you, Sir Cross. You’re always thorough—” my father said, with his thick eyebrows melded together.

“Well, they were shunned by the other families and lived like the outcast witches. They tended to themselves to make sure they didn’t draw any attention to their family.” Hurriedly, I said, cutting off my father. I could throw this bread at him right now. Greyson muttered, “Right,” weakly, vouching for me.

“But that’s impossible!” One of the English Coven members gasped. He was almost the color of Sir Cross’s ring.

“I agree, father.” Jacqueline chimed in as she took a sip of the Fae wine. “Something seems a bit off. Don’t you think so?”

My mother and the inquisitive coven member’s gazes landed on me…well, Greyson. For Youna’s sake! I’m going to skin her alive and feed her to Sera and Luc.

Yes, then we can worship in her blood.

Maybe my dark voice wasn’t the only one with a murderous strike. Especially when Jacqueline’s repulsive soft hand reached around Greyson to pat me on the shoulder as her leech like smile appeared on her face. I swatted her hand away. I’m truly going to enjoy her downfall.

“Alright everyone, no need to cry over bruised egos,” my mother said, waving a hand in the air, coming to Jacqueline’s rescue. “We don’t need to show Morgan the ugly side of the Royals before he gets to the throne.”

With that, the conversation turned light around the dinner table. My mother and I spoke about the latest messy gossip from the last weekly town meeting. And I wanted to be interested, but I was too busy kicking Greyson so he could pay attention while keeping my eyes on Jacqueline. Dessert was served, Crème Br?lée, between Sir Cross and Sir Muller, fought over Victoria and Liam about who is better than the next, as they typically do when they are around one another. Of course, my father gloated about my return home. Liam was now attending Grand Central School of Art in New York. I definitely bit a hole in my tongue as the very thought made my teeth grind. He probably doesn’t even know the nuance of art. My father caught my sulking face and turned his unwanted attention towards me. Almost coddling me like a child. Since I’ve been back, he has avoided speaking with me. It was as if I had leprosy. But here he sat, his smile as wide as the Pacific Ocean, telling me to cheer up. It almost made me want not to finish the Crème Br?lée—almost.

Turning to the sulking giant next to me, Greyson had redirected his attention from the plate of food, which was empty, to staring a hole into Sir Muller’s narrow head. My mother had been eerily quiet this evening as she sat back with her keen eyes taking us in. I had to nudge him to get him to act accordingly. The staff refilled the wine glasses with the sweet Fae wine as, one by one, the coven filtered out of the dining room and into our sitting room. The Fae wine mixed with the rocks in my stomach made me nauseous.

I couldn’t wait for this night to end.

Greyson’s POV

My mood hung over me like a heavy cloud, ready to open up and soak all of us who remained in the dining room. Since I’ve stepped foot inside of this grotesque castle, my wolf jolted and tugged, begging me to shift. And he almost won when he caught wind of Muller’s scent. It reminded me of the rotten food behind the stores of San Claude. When his snake-like eyes connected with mine, mask or not, it was as if he could see beneath the magical veil. Even when the grand witch and her puppet kept speaking to me, I had to remind myself that Kaydian wouldn’t approve of me jumping up onto their finely decorated table and coating it with their blood for my mother and my pack. I may not gut all of them, but I will suffice by getting Kaydian’s parents and my so-called uncle, who did nothing to help avenge my mother’s death.

I should feel bad because, despite everything, they were still her parents. But something deep inside of me made my stomach reel from the knowledge. Of course, I won’t utter a word to Kaydian about it. It’s just something I will have to take to the grave.

Kaydian grabbed my hand, pulling me up from the stiff seat. We trailed along with her coven members, putting a few members between her murderous parents and us. The goal, as we rehearsed, was to find Sir Muller to ask him about my mother without her parents hanging over our shoulders.

She hoped things would be peaceful while I had my doubts even now, as I pulled at the tight neck of the uncomfortable white shirt. My mind warred with the idea of abandoning the plan. Coward! The wolf wanted blood just as much as I.

Luckily, I was the only one thinking, since he would get us killed.

“If you pull me any harder, you’re going to rip my arm out of my socket.” I hissed into Kaydian’s ears as we entered a blue sitting room. It reeked of wealth and dread. And all I wanted to do was to run far away from this castle and these people. One of their staff had lit the wood fireplace, amplifying the orange scent with lavender, which made Kaydian relax as her shoulders, which were pinned to her ears all night, slumped down to their rightful place. She loosened her hand from my arm. Shifting on my feet, I peered around the crowded room where everyone was mingling. When it dawned on me, my mother used to be one of them. Royals, as Kaydian called herself, dancing and grinning in each other’s faces while contemplating on whose life they could ruin next. And from my standpoint, I couldn’t view Muller.

“Do you see him?” I asked.

On her tippy toe, she whispered into my ear, “Okay, remember our plan, Greyson? We corner and ask him without causing too much attention, okay?”

“Yes, Chief,” I replied, saluting her, even with my nefarious thoughts.

I ended up closing my eyes so she wouldn’t see me rolling them as a curse word caught on the tip of my tongue. When I opened them back up, I gave Kaydian the biggest fraudulent smile I could muster and nodded. She opened her mouth to most likely give me a piece of her mind, but paused when she spotted Muller, who left the small group and headed out of the sitting room. I could hear her mother calling her from across the room, but she ignored her as she hightailed it out of the room, leaving me in the middle of the killers.

“Greyson, I think he’s going to the bathroom or to harass the kitchen staff,” she said hurriedly, pulling me with my hand in hers. “He has a thing for Mary, the assistant cook. He’s always trying to siphon her away from us.”

I grunted in response, slipping out the door as her mother still called us from the back of the sitting room. We rushed down the stretch of hallway, passing the guest bathroom along the way to the kitchen. When we entered, Mary and Ruth, two staff Kaydian pointed out, greeted us, and busted our bubbles. Sir Muller wasn’t here. That only meant he was in the bathroom that we passed. I huffed, my new favorite thing to do, as we charged to the bathroom. Only to find it empty.

We missed our chance. I thought as I ran my hand over my face. The sharp points of my nails skimmed over my cheeks. Kaydian sighed deeply. When I noticed we were heading back to the sitting room. My breathing deepened as I tugged at the dampened neck of my dress shirt. My wolf, the other half of my soul, was trying to kill me.

“Are you okay?” Kaydian asked.

“I’m fine!” I snapped back.

My teeth were sore from clenching them, and before I could stop myself, “That was a stupid plan.” Tumbled out of my mouth. Which made her pause right before the double door as she turned toward me. Kaydian green eyes turned into slits as she tried to hide the way her balled-up fist by digging them into her thighs. I guess we were both fed up. For better or worse, she was giving her all to help me find answers about my mother’s death. I couldn’t care enough to say anything. She could do better. And between sitting with devils for dinner and being packed into a room with them, my patience was as thin as Muller’s hairline. With my hands balled up in fists, we entered the room with my fake smile plastered. I started a backward countdown from ten to stop myself from lashing out at him.

I knew I was really taking her kindness for granted, but my mind was filled with nothing but revenge.

When we entered back into the crowded room, Kaydian grabbed a glass of Fae wine for me. Sweat beads formed on my forehead when I pushed back at the pointed tips of my canines. Not that Kaydian cared because she kept moving without me. I swallowed the strain of my problems and caught up to her.

We walked over to Sir Muller, huddled in the corner with his wine glass filled with Fae wine, speaking with two of the English Coven. But between my sulking, miserable mood and my wolf being in a frenzied state, my patience was hanging on by a clear, thin thread. Which snapped, leaving my wolf and me to succumb to our anger.

“Sir Muller,” Kaydian said loudly enough for the two coven members to acknowledge me. “Can we speak with you?”

“Of course, Princess Kaydian,” Muller responded, excusing the two coven members. I watched them bow to her and excuse themselves to the other side of the room. “I’m all ears. What would you and the future king like to talk about?”

His accent dripped with honey.

Biting her lip, Kaydian was trying to keep her voice low. And it pissed me off to see her make the situation comfortable for him. Kill him! My wolf called out from within as he tried to take over.

“Well, Sir Muller, I would like to know about your sister, Mary Ann Muller?” Kaydian asked.

A little too nicely. If you ask me.

Sir Muller turned the color of paper, his mouth agape with his hands balled up in a fist. If this was any other time, I would have some sympathy. His hazel eyes widened to a painful point, and he stuck his trembling hands behind his back.

Sir Muller swallowed, “Oh—” he averted his eye to land in between Kaydian and me. “Right, my sister died tragically at a young age…I think she was like one year old. Our family thought it was best not to even mention her in our family book. It's old news.”

Something deep within me snapped. The harsh thud of my heart pierced my ears as my body became hot with rage. The lines between maintaining this “perfectly” planned setup blurred, and I could no longer hear my thoughts. Just the deep ache that had festered even before I met Kaydian. When I found my mother in the crop fields.

“Lies!” my wolf and I shouted. The glass in my hand shattered as the pieces embedded into the soft flesh.

That’s all I remembered before I slipped.