A pretty red shade steals over her cheeks again. “I… I don’t mind nicknames. But I don’t… I don’t know you. Any of you. Not, not really. And why are we even having this conversation? I amnota queen. Let alone anything important. I’m human. Ailsa Marvel. Nothing else. Simply me.”
“You’re everything,” Krolic counters, still holding her chin. “I realize your world didn’t respect you or make you feel like a queen, but I promise we will. Just give us some time to show you, Ailsa.”
She swallows, her gaze searching his before glancing at me and then at Craze. “This is insane,” she says again. I suspect she’s been repeating that phrase a lot in her mind as well.
“As I said, welcome to the mayhem,” Craze murmurs with a wink. “You’re in Monsterland now, Ailsa.”
“Where you will become queen,” Krolic adds. “Ourqueen.”
She shakes her head again but doesn’t speak. It’s like she’s utterly flummoxed and unable to fathom what to say next.
Which means it’s officially time for us to go.
“Remember what Krolic said about being a good girl for us,” I say as I call a portal with a flick of my wrist. “The Tea Village isn’t a place for Omegas to wander around alone.”
“We’re going to the Tavern?” Craze asks, his dark eyebrow arching upward.
I nod. “As Krolic said, there’s been a change in plans.”
Craze doesn’t ask questions, just shrugs. “I guess I’ll be getting that violet tea after all.”
“You and that damn tea,” Krolic mutters, his hand dropping away from Ailsa’s face.
Craze merely grins. “It’s excellent.”
“It’s a psychedelic trip,” Krolic tells him.
“Hence the reason it’s excellent,” Craze replies.
Krolic’s head sways from side to side. “Just keep your cards handy. We’re probably going to need them.”
“My cards are always ready, K,” Craze drawls, pulling the deck out of thin air to run them through his fingers.
Ailsa flinches, telling me she’s become quite familiar with those sharp little weapons. I have no idea who Craze has taken down in the last few hours since arriving in Monsterland, but I would guess it’s been more than a few creatures.
Things have not gone according to plan.
Well, that’s not true.
We wanted Ailsa’s presence to be known, and we accomplished that. What we didn’t desire, however, was the Crimson King’s quick response in dispatching his minions.
It’s a damn shame how gullible some of the beings of this world have become. They’ve all fallen for the imposter’s charm and truly believe he’s their leader.
Ridiculous.
The eldest of our world know how the kingdom should work—a real king hunts his prey.
This imposter simply sends others to do his bidding.
It’s fucking insulting that they actually believe he’s the Silver King.
I meet the gaze of the actual Silver King now and give him a nod. “It’s your show, Your Majesty.”
He grunts. “Fuck you, Second.”
My lips curl. “You hear that, Craze? I’m the second-in-command.”
Craze folds his arms. “Only because he prefers me as his Enforcer.”
