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I poured a shot and regarded her amusedly, watching her comb out long, golden hair. Mirabelle was a beautiful creature. I’d met her when I went to see another Seelie fae. She had been part of my life ever since, for many years, and was as loyal as they came.
Taking a sip of bourbon, I let it burn down my throat and felt some of my tension ebb away. “You almost sound like you care.”
She stopped mid-comb and spun on her stool.
“I do care. I’ve been playing step-mother to that girl since she was twelve.”
“Next you’ll tell me you fell in love with her father.”
“Oh, hell no. That man was nearly as cold as you. He almost fucked as good, too,” she proclaimed with a smug grin.
“Ah, almost. His ashes are upstairs if you ever want to do a little role-playing.”
Her smile fell, another glare taking its place. “You’re sick.”
I laughed and tossed back the rest of my shot. Years ago, her mentioning another man would have gotten her throat torn out.
These days, I wouldn’t go near her pussy with a twelve-foot viper, but she was one of those rare things called a friend, so I made sure she wasn’t treated like the whore she was.
“I want you to know, in case you haven’t figured it out yet, that her memory of you isn’t completely gone. There were times she would seem so sad. I think it’s because she missed you.”
I rubbed my eyes. Her words were just that to me—words. Not something I would base any hope on.
There were times Duvessa looked at me as if she knew the truth. After tonight, I wasn’t sure what I’d find in her eyes; if she wanted to hate me, so be it. She was mine—simple as that. Her hatred wouldn’t steer me away from me or my brothers’ assimilation.
“Any sign of Cronus?”
“Not a single sighting. He’ll be scrambling to make his next move. I expect the news of our pairing to make him sloppy. He never could control his emotions.”
Mirabelle nodded in agreement, continuing detangling her hair. “Truer words have never been spoken.”
I took two more shots and then placed everything back as it was before my arrival. Surveying the room, nothing seemed to be out of order.
The space was large, open and equipped with everything the nicest homes would have.
That was part of our agreement for her to stay here until I was ready for Duvessa to know certain truths.
“I came down here to check on you. See if you need anything.”
“I don’t need a thing, and I am perfectly content taking a break from court drama. Go be king.”
“I’m always king.”
Her soft sigh followed my departure.
With an endless task-list, I hadn’t planned on returning here tonight, but the distress couldn’t be ignored.
There was a light sheen of sweat on her skin, and occasionally her fingers twitched. She was terrified and then in pain, soon after engulfed in deep sadness.
I had a very good idea of what she was dreaming about. It was confirmed seconds later when she sat up, clutching her throat.
Disoriented sage eyes looked up at me, partially shielded by strands of messy dark hair.
“Reyes…?”
I was at her side instantly, laying her back down.
“It’s all right. You’re safe. That won’t ever happen again,” I soothed, placing a kiss on her forehead. With it, I pushed out a small dose of my power to ensure she fell back asleep.
It wasn’t the first time she’d had this dream, but always before, I’d soothed her mind before it got to this point. Had I let it play out sooner, I’d have known the truth.
She did remember—at least fragments. I could more than likely break down the fragile barriers inside her head and bring everything back. I wouldn’t, though. This particular ability was still too new, and she and her friends’ minds had been altered enough.
This changed nothing.
It only strengthened my resolve.
~11~
I was woken nearly the same way as the previous day, with a snappy Edna in my face.
Considering I’d had one of my nightmares last night, I felt extremely well rested. Even stranger was me imagining Reyes was here, but his side of the bed hadn’t been slept in.
“Come, come. You must go to breakfast and then prepare for High Council,” Edna snipped.
“High Council?” I sat up abruptly.
“You are a queen, correct? It is customary for the queen to preside over things with the king. My sire has postponed things long enough.”
I narrowed my eyes and stared her down. Dressed in hot pink, she looked like a wad of gum that had sprouted arms and legs.
“You’re right; I am a queen—your queen, to be exact. Now, you can correct your tone and the way you speak to me, or you can get the hell out and explain to your sire why I’d like a replacement.”
