Page 37 of Fae Farewells

As we drew closer to the platform her throne sat upon, I peered at Sarge from my peripheral. The dragon shook with rage, though it wasn’t a normal thing for him. It was as if we’d switched personalities in this instant. I was calm and collected while he held onto anger that had built over the years, festering until I feared he may strike her before we were ready.

I would back him up, not let the moment go to waste…

But I was thinking about our mates too.

So we had to be smart right now.

I stuck my arm out behind me, angling him slightly at my back. If she was setting him off so soon, I didn’t want him to be any closer than necessary. I was prepared to shield him, all of them, from her attack... If there was one.

I longed to fight her, especially after hearing everything Vaughn and his grandfather had said.

“Welcome to my kingdom. It’s a pleasure to have so many visitors in such a wide variety of species. My son didn’t inform me he was bringing a party for his return.”

“We apologize for not informing you sooner,” Sarge sarcastically drolled. “We didn’t realize we were coming until this morning.”

“Sergio,” she purred. “You’ve just missed Princess Freya. She’ll be traveling the realm for the next few weeks, working to mend alliances.”

“The realm is but a day’s travel from one end to the other for a dragon my size,” he stated dismissively. “I can find her.”

The queen simpered. “I can’t allow you to spoil her quest. Queen’s orders, you see.”

“I understand.”

His voice said otherwise, though I couldn’t fault him for the you’re a lying cunt vibes he was throwing her way.

“And who are all these people with you?”

I smiled, channeling my most agreeable customer service demeanor. “I’m Sloane King. Many titles follow my name, but the most important one here would be Prince Vaughn’s mate.”

She replicated my hospitable tone. “I didn’t realize he had a mate.”

“Here I am.” I held my arms out. “In the flesh.”

“I can’t simply take your word for it.” She giggled quietly to herself. “You wouldn’t be the first to try twisting your way into my good graces by claiming one of my children as your mate.”

I raised a challenging brow. “How would you have me prove it?”

“I’ll ask him when he comes to see me. But since he isn’t here.” She glanced around, really making a show of it. “You see my issue.”

I opened my mouth, intent on telling her to check her fucking dungeon, when something heavy dropped upon my head. I could have rolled my godsdamned eyes, but I didn’t.

That wouldn’t have helped us.

So, I pretended like I was expecting a crown to be sitting there, tangled in my hair.

“Is that enough proof for you?” Sarge asked, bouncing his fingers between us. “Or would you like more of a display?”

I turned to give him a shut the fuck up look, but stopped when I saw the golden vines snaking around his forehead. Tiny pink sapphires sparkled between massive teal-blue topaz, the feminine jewels oddly out of place on the rugged head of security I was so familiar with.

Had we been behind closed doors, I might have even keeled over with laughter at his expense. Just a little. But I didn’t dare do it here.

United front and all that shit…

Alania’s eyes narrowed as her cheeks flushed with her rising temper. I wasn’t even trying to show off. I had no control over what the sentient land did with its magic... Though it had basically just delivered a big fuck you to the false queen.

“Where did you get that from?” she asked me slowly.

I shrugged, not really having an answer beyond, “The land gave it to me.”