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“What?” she asked. “It’s not as if you didn’t flirt with all of us from the very beginning.”
I put a finger up. “Charming. I prefer to say that I am charming. I charmed you if only so I would not turn into a midafternoon snack. But that wasn’t what I was shaking my head about.” I picked up one of the decorative pillows and chucked it at her with my magic. “Somehow your eyeroll isexactlythe same. Dragon form or this one.”
She caught it and chucked it back at me before heading for the tub. “I am scarier in this form, you know.”
“Of that, I have no doubt,” I muttered.
* * *
“Your chariot awaits,”Emric jested.
Amory brought in a push-able cart which she had brought our tea in on. It was the larger size, though, because she would be pushing Esta out on it. Out to her own quarters.
“I can’t wait for my own bed,” Esta said on a sigh.
Amory moved the tapestry aside to where the queen would hide. A pillow was already there waiting.
“That is going to be quite the ride,” I offered.
“Malachi is coming with,” Amory stated.
“Remember,” Esta said, her green eyes latching onto mine. “No changing anyone else until my meeting tomorrow. I will be setting clear guidelines about this. We will likely have to set up a lottery of sorts. Otherwise, you will find yourself being kidnapped by shifters.”
“I’d selfishly prefer to do Amory and Malachi next,” I offered. “Before the lottery. Are you sure I cannot just do Malachi tonight? There and back?”
“With a murderer on the loose? Yes, I am sure.”
“Dammit,” I muttered.
She got settled in the cart. “All in due time, Keir.”
“I’ve been in a waiting game my entire life. I have found I rather don’t like them,” I admitted.
“Me neither,” was her response from her new hiding spot.
“Me neither,” Emric agreed.
We both looked to Amory.
“Me neither?” she said more like a question. “Is that the proper team response?”
“Yes,” I laughed. “Proper level of commiserating anyway.”
“I will send word in the morning for the advisor meeting,” Amory stated. They were trying to decide how much of it I should be there for, being as Esta was just going to walk in there in her human form like she owned the damn place.
And she did. She was the queen.
* * *
I was beckonedto Amory at the queen’s quarters far sooner than expected. I knew the meeting was not to be held until mid-morning, so immediately I began to worry that something was wrong.
John, Emric, and I were taken on what felt like an hour traipse across the castle as we were delivered in front of the most massive doors I had seen since I’d been here. I knew I should have just convinced Malachi to fly me over there. The longer we walked, the longer I could think on all the numerous things which had gone wrong.
As soon as the doors opened, we slid in to find the queen and Amory standing there dressed in gowns which were stunning. A gorgeous black crown was perched atop Esta’s head.
I gave my head a shake. Esta’s gown was lavender, Amory’s bright yellow; both were far fancier than the normal advisor meeting attire. “What’s wrong?”
Esta wiped her hands along the skirt of her dress. “Nothing.”
