Page 11 of Fatality on the Field

Slade’s energy changes—another thing I can sense because of my time in Faerie—and he says softly, “I’m sorry if everyone is punching the two of you in the gut to make a point to someone else. That has to be frustrating.”

“Normally, I’d be pissed, but…” I shrug even though they can’t see it. “The truth is… they’re right about the prickly royal and they’re right about us. Right, prof? We’ve got issues and whatever they are, we need to resolve them before we screw what the Fates believe will be the best thing to ever happen to us.”

Iggy huffs again, and I hear his shower turn off as he grumbles, “I suppose so. It got me to review my stupidity without attacking anyone, so I guess it coming from two blond jocks who seem to be the most amiable assholes in the universe didn’t hurt.”

My lips curve up as I realize that he’s certainly hit the nail on the head. I would have lashed out at any other people critiquing me, but those guys? They’re just head-over-heels for fated mates and whoever else they’ve found along the way—without once bitching about having to adjust their perspectives. I guess it makes sense that they got away with their bitch-slapping of much older, much more powerful beings who despise being told they’re incorrect.

Sometimes, wisdom is the folly of the young, after all.

By the time we finish the showers and head out of the bathroom, my mind has gone over the conversations about what I need to do a million times. The vibe from the siren and the mage has only gotten stronger, which makes me think maybe they talked or something well before this shared cleansing ritual. If that stick-up-the-ass humanoid magic user can let go of his bullshit about the dude he loves, I certainly can figure my shit out. Ignatius was barely even aware of his feelings before, and now he seems determined to fix himself—including his relationship with Slade.

No way I’m letting him beat me in the evolved being category; he’s smart, but his knowledge base isn’t even a tenth of mine.

Sniffing as we walk to the dorm where it’s happening, I straighten my spine and try to make my expression less intimidating for the people we’ll face. I have to use the skills I learned in the courts to blend, interact, and—shudder—befriend these people as Morgana and my prince will expect me to. When we get home, I will need to do the same within our family, including getting to know them all as clutch mates. We will be together for a much longer time than most of them realize after Liam and I have folded them into our bond completely.

That is a topic for another day, though. We are nowhere close to being able to do such a thing.

I shake my head as that thought smacks into me like a brick to the head. Never have I considered bringing anyone into that bond before—it’s sacred as the caliphate one is, I’d guess—and we didn’t even talk about bringing Angeline in before she betrayed me. I was certainly thinking about hand-fasting with her at some point, but I did not approach Li about her entering the Immortal Bond. He’s not mentioned bringing his new fated into it, either, but I believe that is because he knew I’d flip my shit before.

Now, I’m ruminating on the inevitability without him even prompting me.

“Son of a bitch,” I mutter as Slade opens the door to the dorm and people look up to greet us. Morgana eyes me, but I knew she saw my wet hair, so she goes back to working on her tasks in the kitchen.

“Next?” Slade says shyly as he makes a beeline for the kitchen. He’ll offer to cover whoever is going now because he’s kind and helpful—something I haven’t been very good at since they all came bursting into our lives like jugs of sugary water in a commercial.

Before I can do that, the dark-haired crow and the deity-esque golden cobra both drop what they’re doing. They exchange a smile that I suppose they believe isn’t obvious as fuck, and the small female demon hops up from the floor with the animals to brush off her hands. I’m not sure how she convinced all of them she was a male for so long—she stinks of dragon and woman now, plus other things I can’t quite place. Some are very familiar, both from the human realm and Faerie, but others are… nothing like I’ve ever smelled before.

Or are they? I can’t put my finger on it, and I have no idea why no one else in this room, even the other dragon, hasn’t commented on it.

“We’re next,” the demon in question says wryly. “I’m going to grab my change of clothes from my room, and you two should do that, too, then meet me in the bathroom.”

The pink-haired Fae waves her hand, nose wrinkled as she says, “Are people bringing clean clothes for everyone else while they’re at it? We could all use that if we’re going to eat and then do whatever all the fucking alpha males demand before the women re-organize later on.”

She’s a handful and a half. I almost feel sorry for her mates and the missing Fae guy. I look at my prince and he smirks, winking at me as if I should get used to that kind of shit. I suppose I should, so instead of snarking under my breath, I say, “That would be appreciated. Good idea, Rogue.”

Lucas blinks at me from where he’s working on the food. “I’ll be damned, big guy! That hot shower did the trick. Come over here and I’ll get you working on the stuff Oriel’s leaving. If that’s okay, Salem?”

The panda demon nods, and I walk over to where the polar bear is waiting with a proud, puffy chest and a big grin. My eyes narrow on him as I try to convey that I do not want him to continue making a big deal over my about-face. He frowns for a second, and then finally winks at me. I sigh, taking the spot he indicates and internally rolling my eyes at the constant ‘not-so-secret’ behaviors of my family members. They’re not fooling anyone, and I swear, I have no idea why they’re behaving as if they don’t know how to use stealth.

Iggy and Slade rejoin the kitchen crew, taking over for Xerxes and working together. I watch the secret girl go in and out of her room to grab a pile of clothing with a basket of supplies. Her escorts take her by the elbows—having ignored her suggestions to get their things and meet her—and they all exit the dorm room in line as she grumbles about being able to walk down the hall on her own. My eyes dart to Morgana and Rogue, noting their suspicious expressions, and I blow out a long breath.

This is my life now, and I have to get used to being social again if I want to be forgiven for the bullshit I put people through in the beginning—whether I’m good at it or not.

seven

MORGANA

I’m not sure if the slippery snake is going to make that crew with Kat go faster or slower, but I am certain that we won’t eat until the prince and his foxy friend get back. The demons have explained that time in Hell is different, and we’re likely to get back to the surface before our break ends even if it feels like it’s been much longer here. Oddly, I’m not hugely eager to rush back to all the bullshit up there, though I miss seeing Channing and even talking to Jax. My time at State University has garnered me more connections than I’m used to having since my trial, and this trip has netted even more.

Both of my sides are used to being loners, and my relationship with Magnus isolated me, so it’s been a long time since I’ve had such a network of people to lean on—I’m still getting used to it.

“Morgana, maybe you should have the techie help you access the internet so you can do that thing we talked about.”

My gaze swivels to Rogue in momentary confusion, but I remember as soon as she smirks at me. The books for my protégé—man, is that weird to say—are definitely important. She’s clearly made some moves since we arrived and helping her understand more than she does now is imperative. “Ah, I almost forgot! Good idea.”

The nerdy Kitsuné pauses in his efforts, wiping his hands on a towel before he approaches me shyly. “I’d be happy to help.”

“Exactly what is this thing you discussed?” The prince says imperiously, and I roll my eyes.