Chapter 17

Chapter

Seventeen

Boundaries or Bust: Drawing Lines in the Sand Without Tripping Over Them

From A Beginner's Guide to Berserker Bliss

Author Unknown

I made my way to the kitchen. Women and men of various ages bustled still about, cleaning. The eldest—Cook—noticed me and bounded over like a mother hen concerned for her chicks.

"You look famished, Mrs. Bruce. Are you famished? Come, come." She wrapped an arm around me, herded me toward a counter separating the kitchen from an employee break room, and urged me to sit. "I'll make you a plate."

"Oh, I don't mean to trouble you. I'm happy to grab a snack all by myself and?—"

"Nonsense. It's no trouble." She waved away my words and marched on, issuing orders to the others. All hints of sweetness were gone. A commander had taken over. "Only the best for the lady of this house," she called .

Gah! "I'm not cozying up to Callen to buy your affections," I stated flatly.

For some reason, I received more grins and even a thumbs up. A heavy sigh escaped. They didn't believe me.

Voices rose from behind. I turned my head to face the servant's quarters. Multiple tables and chairs, a tea and coffee station, refrigerator, and sitting area complete with a big screen TV, couch and two rockers. Dang, I missed my classroom and sanity breaks with my fellow teachers.

Two maids entered the kitchen, deep in conversation. Spotting me, they stopped and quieted before remembering they were supposed to like me; they forced smiles and waved before hurrying out.

An agitated Mackenzie raced past the doors. Relief glittered in her eyes as soon as she spotted me. "There you are."

"Is something wrong?"

"Miss Mirren is headed to her bedchamber, about to tuck in for the evening. No one wants her to see the doll in its current condition."

Good point. My questions about Tavish could wait. "Tell Mirren that Skye is in the critical care unit, where she'll spend the night, but her doctor is expecting a full recovery by morning, then return here to collect my food and bring it to my bedchamber. Most importantly, remind everyone I refused your deal." I was queen. Might as well take advantage of my position in some way.

"I have. Many times," she said, arms spread. "But Mr. Bruce didn't beast-out at the ceremony of kings, and he hasn't killed anyone lately, so no one believes me."

I puckered my lips. He had not killed people all willy-nilly before the wedding. Had he? "Well, be prepared to stay in my room a while." We'd finally have our talk.

"Of course," she said, giving me a nudge toward the door. A familiar gesture. Almost friendly. "The doll, remember?"

Right. I raced to the room, gathered my tools, supplies and Skye, then beat feet to Callen's suite. Thora stalked from the closet and watched as I set up shop at the desk, aka the critical care unit.

"Hey, baby girl. Miss me?" I checked my phone for messages. Nothing from my nemesis, but there was a text from Callen. Anticipation pricked me.

Mr. Bruce: Are you staying out of trouble, wife?

Warm pleasure spread through my veins as I reclined in the chair. Yes, I might have smiled as I typed my response.

Probably not. Are YOU?

A reply arrived only seconds later.

Definitely not. Now stop distracting me. I'm in the middle of a wolf execution.

No he was not. Was he? And did he have to be so charming, even now?

Heart thudding, I typed:

Did you capture Tavish?

Not adding a hundred extra question marks required a strength of will I hadn't known I possessed.

I waited for a response.

Still waiting.

I tried a different route.

By the way. As queen, I've instituted a new law. Ladies choose their dates. No one chooses for them, not even a king. Say nothing if you agree.

Mr. Bruce: I will allow you to convince me of the law's merits upon my return.

So. He refused to answer anything regarding the wolf king. Noted and accepted. Worry about Tavish would do me no good. Honestly, worry ruined everything, paralyzing my efforts to proceed with my goals, making me miserable in the process. Maybe Callen had captured the shifter, maybe he hadn't. I would get my hands on the potion either way. Someone, somewhere, knew how to mix it.

Focusing, I got to work, going hard and fast, with zero distractions. Until three steps from the finish line, Mackenzie arrived with the tray of food.

"Because you're pretending to be American," she muttered, motioning with her chin to the hamburger and chips that overflowed from the plate. Red berries and clotted cream accompanied a shot of whiskey.

Mouth watering, I set Skye aside and cleaned off a spot on the desk. Mackenzie placed the tray in the now empty space.

"Thank you," I said, waving to the chair across from me. "Hungry? Would you like half?"

"Nay," she replied, easing into the seat. She wrung her hands.

Nervous? "Tell me all about you. Start with who you're dating." I'd get her talking freely before I mentioned the clan's greatest enemy.

"Certainly. But first." She reached into a large pocket of her uniform and lifted a small electronic tablet of some sort. "A messenger arrived with a gift from Mr. Bruce."

A gift? For me? Speaking of, I still needed to check out whatever gifts Malachi had sent.

Frowning, I accepted the device and pressed the power button. Lights flashed on and a page opened up to reveal a digital library with seven books, each part of the cozy mystery series that featured the delightfully bonkers gravekeeper I adored. The series I'd looked up on Callen's computer while snooping in his office. But, but. This was so sweet. So thoughtful. So personal .

Reeling, I petted the device. I didn't have time to read right now. Not more than a chapter or three of the second book. Just the quickest of check-ins with the quirky cast of characters. Maybe a description or two of the blueberry pancakes they loved, because yum. Then I would jump into my plan of action with renewed energy and focus. Time was ticking, after all.

"I'll be with you in a jiff. Only need a few minutes," I muttered to my guest. Settling deeper into my seat, I keyed up the opening pages, stuffed a chip into my mouth, and began reading…

Dude. I finished the book. My eyes burned, my lids seemingly lined with sandpaper. And my poor, sweet back! It was far worse than before, but worth it. Ow, ow, ow. I stood and stretched, hoping to loosen the tight, knotted muscles.

Though I'd never heard Mackenzie leave, she was long gone. So was the tray of food I'd munched on while devouring every word in my tale.

Thora slept on the bed, curled up in a little ball.

A yawn nearly cracked my jaw. I checked the time on my phone. 3:46 a.m. Yikes! Time to finish Skye.

I worked the rest of the night. Or morning. Whatever. When the time came to head down to breakfast—please, please, please serve blueberry pancakes today!—I was exhausted but satisfied. The doll survived her surgery, with only the promised scar to prove she'd pulled through.

Showered and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt with grinning cartoon stars, I cast the sleeping Thora a fond glance. My snoozing darling hadn't budged. Steps light, I strode from Callen's bedroom, the repaired Skye in hand. Well, well. My two guards stood at their posts.

"Slacking yesterday, but not today?" I quipped.

"Just because you don't see us, doesn't mean we aren't nearby," Buzz responded.

Good point. Was he the mole or not? "Is Callen punishing you for something? Is that why you're stuck guarding me while your brethren are out wolf hunting?" Such a circumstance might explain his allegiance to the wolf king.

He rolled his eyes and motioned me onward.

Okay, so, my attempt at an interrogation had revealed nothing. I made my way to the dining room, where Gavina and Mirren awaited me, eating porridge in silence. Two perfect ladies at their best, not a hair out of place. Gavina hadn't borrowed my clothing but upped her elegance with a sunny yellow dress.

"Someone is fully recovered and ready to see her mama," I said from the entryway.

"Skye!" Mirren exploded from her seat and flew over, snatching the toy and hugging it close. "She's alive?" Features scrunched up in concentration, the little girl studied the doll from every angle.

Tense, I waited for the verdict.

"She is, she is!" Mirren exclaimed, only to deflate. "She'll probably get sick again and die."

Yikes. Tough crowd. "She just needs fresh air. After breakfast, we'll take her to the guard tower. While she strengthens her immune system, we can study—I mean drink in the layout of our land, as any good queen and princess should."

Mirren thought for a moment, then heaved a sigh. "Verra well. For Skye."

I smiled at Gavina. "Come with us. I'll take full blame for the deviation in Mirren's schedule." My attention caught on a platter of muffins. Not pancakes, but a fabulous second choice. Don't mind if I do . I moseyed over and snagged one. My eyes closed as I bit into it. Red berry and honey. My new favorite.

"But. The guard tower?" the other woman said, scandalized. She popped to her feet. "Why would you go there? Guards are on duty. You can drink in the land's layout from a map."

"It won't hurt to see what's being done about our safety while Callen's away." Not a lie.

Gavina's jaw dropped. "She's teasing, obviously," the other woman informed everyone and no one. Scrambling my way, she whispered fiercely, "If you do this, you'll be questioning your husband's care of you. A great insult. He'll be forced to punish you."

Um, if his punishment was anything like the last one, bring it on. If not, well, let him try. I would finally stop indulging in those foolish moments of attraction and admiration.

On the other hand, I had no desire to embarrass Callen. "As queen, I take my duty to help my husband protect the people seriously. I'll be showing him great honor by admiring what he's done with the tower guard."

The other woman chewed on her bottom lip and nodded, as if she wanted to believe me. "Since I'm not his cherished mate or beloved child, I willna risk his wrath. Better I rest in my room until your return. If you'll excuse me." She hurried off before I could protest, vanishing beyond the door.

I sighed. I hadn't meant to frighten or stress her. She was the first person to show the hated Isobel any kindness, and I would like her forever for it. Now, though, I wondered what kinds of punishments Gavina had endured over the years to instill this fear.

No. Focus! After I visited the wall and checked out the path I'd use to escape the castle grounds, I would complete the rest of my To-Do list. No more distractions. I'd have my chat with Mackenzie, try to interrogate Buzz and Ponytail again, and search for the credit card Callen promised to leave for me.Unless Malachi sent items I could easily sell.

That's right . The gifts. I'd take a gander at them before hunting a traceable card.

"What's taking so long?" Mirren asked behind me. "I'm pretty sure I heard the death rattle when Skye breathed. She needs fresh air now ."

The death rattle? Where had the child even heard that phrase? Maybe I could nip this particular brush with death in the bud. "Are you her doctor, young lady? I don't think so. I am and I say her breathing is fine." Determined, I offered Mirren my hand. "But by all means, let's go."