Morgan’s gaze drifts towards the dining room, to where Kingston’s just emerged from the kitchen, and it hits me.
Mallory has no idea. She has no idea her stepson killed her husband. She doesn’t know.
And Kingston knows she doesn’t know.
My heart aches, sharp and sudden, for him.
No wonder he could barely look her in the eye.
“Yeah. Happy fucking Easter, right?” Morgan gives my hand a squeeze. “How about some food, huh?”
There’s morefood than all of us can eat—more food than anyonewants,I’d guess, but we all take to the table regardless. The Camlann House dining room is grand and proper--all dark wood, leaded crystal, and fine china--although nothing compared to the Black Table. Decked out for Easter brunch, it's almost laughably incongruous--the table with the floral centerpiece of lilies and greenery, the colorful spread of honey-glazed carrots and peppercorn-studded ham and arugula-blackberry salad, and the picture windows revealing nothing but stark white as the snow bears down in full force.
“Have fun sunbathing and skinny dipping?" Kai slugs back some wine. "Sure weren't in a hurry to get back, it seems."
Beside me, Morgan tenses her jaw. "For your information, there was only one flight a week back from the island, so it's not like we could get back any sooner. Unless you wanted us to, like, hijack a plane or something.”
“What, like, it's hard?” This from Lanz, who flashes a quick grin that dies just as quickly when Kai glares at him. Lanz pales even further, if that's possible.
“It's all been kind of a mess,” Kingston says tersely, neatly slicing his knife and fork across his plate, but not actually eating any food.
“I'll say.” Morgan eats a strawberry, thinking. "But she's good. Mom.”
Kingston and Kai both look at her.
"Yeah?" Kai says at last.
"Yeah," Morgan confirms. "Well, emotionally? Who knows. A hot mess. But in terms of—you know.” She pauses. “I told her what you told me to." She swallows and sticks out her fingers,ticking off items as she speaks. "Heart attack. Sudden. Embassy will coordinate repatriation of the remains." She glances at her stepbrothers. "Is that right?"
Kingston stares at his plate, saying nothing. Kai glances at him, then at Morgan.
"It's what she needed to hear," he answers.
"Mm." Morgan purses her lips and slides a glance at me. I give her a half-smile, a sort ofI don't really know what to tell you and I'm sorryexpression, because I don't. As far as I know, Luther Pendragon's body still lies on a distant airstrip, untouched, unmoved.
And, if I'm being honest? I hadn't even thought of the logistics until now. Hadn't considered that killing a powerful man like Luther--
I wince in spite of myself. Across the table, Kingston stares into the middle distance.
Hadn't considered thatlosinga powerful man like Luther Pendragon would have so many…implications.
"We informed the trustees." I look up, surprised to see that Kingston's speaking. "They sent their condolences."
"And this fucking bouquet," Kai adds, nodding at the centerpiece.
"Lovely," Morgan says, eyeing it like it's booby-trapped. "And what about the rest of the, you know. Details." She looks around the room. "I take it you all are handling that somehow?"
At that, Kai looks to Kingston. So does Callahan, and after a moment, Lanz. I do too.
Kingston stabs a leaf of salad onto his fork. “We’re getting to it.”
“Getting to it?” Morgan says. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Your mom will get paid out,” Kai says. “Relax.”
“Oh, fuck you, Kai,” Morgan spits back. “That's not what I meant. I just meant—” She looks at me. “This is a big deal, isn't it? For your whole quest?”
Kingston swallows and sets down his fork.
