For my wife to see.
“I can still hear their screams.”
“Make it stop, Dickie. Kill me so I can rest in peace.”
Twenty-Nine
One in five men are abused in Raza. Which is a shame. Back in my day, it used to be one in four.
Not all progress is quick. I have to remember that.
- King Richard
When we step out of the bathroom, Fabia is there to meet us. She’s sitting beside the coffee table, setting up some sort of board game, with a bottle of wine already uncorked and waiting. My queen runs to her, and Fabia jumps to her feet to embrace her. Knowing that she’ll be in good care, I step up to the two of them and lay a hand on Arienna’s shoulder.
“I need to see Nicholas,” I say softly. “I’ll be back soon.”
She starts to untangle herself, but I shake my head. “You stay here and –” My eyes flick to the colourful forest of mini monster dildos set up on the board. “Play whatever that is.”
“It’s called Come Kill Karl,” she says with a small grin. “We designed it after Karl dumped me. Do you want to play with us?”
I grin for two reasons. First, because fuck Karl. Second… “You meanCumKill Karl, like jizz, right?” I ask dryly.
She nods vigorously, and I press a kiss on her forehead. Of course it’s called that.
“Some other time,” I say, meaning it. I wasn’t able to kill Karl in real life; this might scratch that itch. But even if not, simply spending time with my queen is something I won’t pass up. Especially if it chases those shadows from her eyes.
The scar on my hand burning, I turn from them. Jace is watching me, knowing damn well where my mind is.
And where I’m heading.
And how I’m most likely going to fuck this up.
“Stay with them,” I say.
“Richard.” He lowers his voice as he steps up to me. We head for the door as the two women start to play. “She told the entire Court that Nicholas is next. If anyone in the coup took that as permission –”
“It’s why I’m taking Echo.”
“She won’t be enough –”
“And Evangeline will most likely be there.” Somewhere in the shadows.
“You stole her leg. If she’s there, it’s to kill you herself.”
“I won it.”
That draws him up short. She’s too damn competitive to kill me in order to take it back. She’ll need to beat me.
Reaching the door, I pull it open. “Keep her safe.”
His jaw tight, he nods. “Don’t –”
I shut the door in his face, knowing damn well what he’s going to say. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to do what I’m about to do. I know exactly how to not fuck it up.
But knowledge doesn’t always stop one from being an idiot.
In that, Nicholas, we are the same.
