Page 73 of Kingdom of Aramis

I stand, knowing the former rulers are being patient but have been waiting long enough. “Shall we get started then? I’m sure you’re going to overwhelm me again this morning, so we shouldn’t put it off any longer,” I say, and Lucas laughs, standing as well.

“Come on, Colbie, it won’t be that bad, I promise,” he tells me as the four rulers, Violet, and I make our way to the conference room we were in yesterday after bidding farewell to the remaining breakfast guests.

“I think you’re telling me lies, Lucas, but I appreciate it,” I retort with one last look at the men who I now know are my mates. All five of them watch us go, and Brodie gives me a wave and a wink.

“We’ll see you for training this afternoon. Can’t wait to see what you can do with your animal,” he calls, and I nod in response.

“What is she? I bet she’s a prey animal, right? Maybe an equine shifter?” Gianna asks loudly. “With that ass, I bet she’s a donkey.”

I don’t hear what any of the others tell her, the door closing behind us as we leave, but I know we are keeping the nature of my creatures to ourselves for now. The less people who know, the better for now. Lucas thinks I will have a target on my back once people realize how strong I will be, and after the council’s actions today, he may be right.

Chapter

Four

Brodie

Iwatch as the new queen leaves, surrounded by Gryff’s parents. My wolf feels longing and the persistent need to follow her. He pants after her like he’s discovered a female in heat and wants to mount her. I’ve struggled to keep a handle on my shift since she first stepped into the palace, her scent driving my inner animal crazy. He’s reacting like she’s his mate. Maybe Liam is right. Our animals have waited too long for their mate to be marked and they’ve finally had enough, and now they are seeking comfort in the first attractive female to walk their way.

“What is she, Liam?” Gianna asks, and I drag my attention away from the pretty queen and back to our table.

“Yes, I must admit I’m curious as well. If she is a prey animal, then that doesn’t bode well for her ability to keep our great kingdom safe.” Councilor Altmore’s eyes twinkle with excitement at the thought. “We should consult the archives today to see if there is a precedent for a ruler with a prey animal and no mates. Surely there is something we can do if this is the case.”

“Careful, Jonathan. Those words sound treasonous,” Emmett warns, a frown on his face.

“Why isn’t she sharing her animal with us? Why is it a secret if she has nothing to hide?” Sophia argues, jumping into the conversation.

“Well, if I could hazard a guess, it would be because it’s none of your damn business,” Bryson growls at her, and she glares at him. There is definitely no love lost between those two, and it’s even worse since he fired Gianna.

“Of course it’s our business. We need to be able to run damage control with the people if she is weak and unsuitable to rule. We owe it to our kingdom,” Councilor Mason argues. “It’s the council’s responsibility to keep our rulers in check.”

“Pfft,” Emmett scoffs. “You overestimate your importance, Andrew. We are here to help guide them, not make decisions for them, nor is it our position to speculate.” The oldest council member leans forward, his eyes blazing with anger. “I would worry about your own security before worrying about our queen’s. So far, none of you have realized that our own positions are on the line, and after that little performance, it would come as no surprise if she replaced us all.”

His words finally register with the rest of the council, and they shift uncomfortably in their seats.

“But I want to know,” Gianna whines, and I see the moment she pushes my bond mate too far. Liam shoves his chair back and wrenches his arm from her grasp.

“I won’t be the one to tell you. I’m under strict instructions to keep my mouth shut, and I won’t jeopardize my career for you,” he announces before storming out of the room. She gapes at him and starts to push her own chair back to chase after him.

“Sit down, Gianna,” her mother orders, her teeth clenched.

“I can assure you that none of you need to be concerned about what animal our new queen shifts into. Once she is ready,she will be happy to show you,” Gryffin, forever the princely diplomat, says calmly as Gianna drops back into the seat beside him. He wasn’t there when she shifted, and I don’t think any of us have told him what she is, but he trusts us.

“What about the fact that no mates have presented themselves? That’s something we can worry about. She can’t be crowned until that happens, so we are in limbo until such a time,” Vallen argues.

“It isn’t the first time that mates haven’t appeared and been instantly chosen,” Audrey points out. “When Emmett was king, it took weeks for him to decide on whom he was choosing for mates.” She looks at her husband affectionately. “He was such a manwhore, he thoroughly explored all of his options.”

He grins at her and shrugs unrepentantly. “I was going to spend the rest of my life with them, so I wanted to make sure I had the right combination. I didn’t hear you complaining when I invited you to help me with the interview process.” He leans back in his chair. “Ah, that was a fun time. So many eager and willing males and females, all vying for my attention. I would have been remiss if I made snap decisions.”

We can tell by his tone that the interviews involved more than an exchange of words. My wolf growls inside my chest at the thought of Colbie “interviewing” anyone.

“Disgusting,” Vallen grumbles loud enough for us to hear. We all know he has a problem with same sex relationships. Disavowing his son only proves it, and Emmett’s mates are two females and two males, and Vallen has never been friendly with any of them. Luckily most of the shifter kingdom doesn’t have the same prejudices.

“I don’t know about everyone else, but I am thoroughly done with breakfast.” Sable stands, followed by her husband, General Bryson, and their two younger children. “I have better thingsto do with my day than sit around in idle speculation. I have patients to attend to and an archive to visit.”

“Don’t go hiding any books from us, Sable. We will be down there later today to look over the histories of past kings and queens,” Vallen warns her, and she glares at him.

“How dare you question my integrity? I was awarded the position of historian by the king when none of you wanted to take that role. I will see to it that you have the books you need, but I can assure you none of them contain the information you seek.”