Page 31 of Monsterland Mayhem

“And I do,” Krolic admits. “However, only with your permission.”

“Thatvoice”—I cut a glare at a grinning Craze before returning my attention to Ailsa—“was referring to the imposter on the throne. The Crimson King wants to force you to carry his heir. That’s how he’ll solidify his claim over the kingdom.”

Krolic winces at the formal name for the jackass who took over the monarchy. He was from a rival bloodline. A supposedly dead one.

Alas, we discovered the hard way that it was very much alive.

Rather than steal the throne back, we continued hunting for our mate. We just didn’t expect it to take hundreds of years to find her.

Now our home is nothing like it was before.

So many weak inhabitants, all of them under the Crimson King’s spell.

“I have no intention of forcing you to do anything,” Krolic adds softly. “The last two years are proof of that. I only ever followed you in the woods to keep you company. Your realm may not be as mad as this one, but there are dangers everywhere. Especially for a rare Omega.”

“If you knew what I was—and that’s assuming I believe you at all—why make me take the elixir?” she asks.

“The imposter is the one who issued the edict regarding the elixir,” he says. “And we needed to be certain.”

“As well as ensuring others found out about your existence,” I add. “Which brings me back to the portal.” I point to the swirling darkness. “We are expected at the Tavern.”

Krolic checks his watch with a curse. “Yes, and we’re very late.”

Craze simply stuffs his hands into his jeans pockets and rocks on the heels of his boots. “What’s it going to be, Ailsa?” he asks her. “Portal or more running in the Orange Desert?”

My nose curls at the formal name for this area of Monsterland. Primarily because it’s a misnomer.

Oh, the color is orange.

But it certainly doesn’t smell all that citrusy out here.

It’s more swamp-like, reminding me of mold and musk. I’m tempted to take a step toward Ailsa just to inhale her sweet perfume again.

The moment she swallowed that elixir, her alluring aroma sprang to life, nearly knocking me on my ass. I was speechless and starving at the same time. It took serious restraint not to grab her and bring one of those naughty fantasies of hers to life.

Ailsa glances between the three of us, her expression conflicted as she looks down at the dress I’ve fashioned for her. It’s a cloak that masks her scent. At least to everyone but us.

Enough inhabitants have picked up on her fragrant presence. They know she’s here. Now it’s time to make her harder to find.

Which means hiding her in plain sight.

No one will expect her to be staying at the Tea Village.

Not after we’ve left so many clues in the caves.

That’s the key to surviving in Monsterland—always having a plan A, B, C, D, and Z.

Ailsa will learn. We’ll teach her. And we’ll protect her in the interim.

Krolic holds out his hand once more. “Please, my queen?”

“I’m not your queen,” she tells him.

“See? She doesn’t like nicknames,” Craze says in his usual singsong voice, making it impossible to know which of his personalities is in charge right now. It could be a playful one or a deadly one. Fortunately, most of his personalities like us.

Mostbeing the operative phrase there.

“Noprincess. Norabbit. Nogorgeous, even though she’s fucking beautiful,” he continues, shaking his head. “A damn shame, really. I have so many nicknames. So many.”