Page 85 of Monsterland Mayhem

“Will I even be able to enjoy it?” she asks, sounding exhausted.

“The only monsters up here are snow creatures, and most of them are loyal to Krolic,” I tell her. “And they don’t take kindly to intruders.”

She glances at me. “If you’re saying this is safer, then why didn’t we start here?”

“Because I thought my cloak would be enough to mask your presence while we worked on a few other details,” I tell her.

“What details?” she asks.

“Details regarding the royal court.” I turn toward the kitchen, determined to make her something to eat and drink. I’m guessing she needs it after… everything.

“Tell me what that means,” she demands, standing only a few feet behind me. “What details did you need?”

“Final plans for attempting to reclaim the throne,” I tell her. “But it’s all been a moot point. We haven’t been able to sit in the same place long enough to finalize anything. And, honestly, it really doesn’t matter. Our allies will either stand with us or they won’t.”

“What allies?” she asks. “Because everyone I’ve met so far seems to want to kill me.”

I shake my head and look back at her. “They don’t want to kill you, Ailsa. They either want to fuck you or take you to the Imposter King.”

She rubs her temples. “Master Pillar, I?—”

“Catum,” I interject, turning to fully face her. “Formalities can be fun, but right now, we need to be Catum and Ailsa. All right?”

She swallows, her exhaustion palpable. “Catum,” she whispers, making my lips tilt up just a little.

“Good girl,” I praise, leaning in to brush my mouth against hers. “Now, why don’t you take a seat at the counter since you didn’t want to relax in the living room. I’ll make you a hot chocolate, then we’ll talk more.”

She takes a step toward the stools, like she’s going to obey, then pauses and frowns. “No.”

“No?” I echo.

“I can’t sit right now.”

My brow furrows. “Why not?”

“Because… because…” She gestures at her thighs and then her hidden mound, the oversized shirt more like a dress on her. “I’mleaking.”

I bite my lip to keep from chuckling.

She notices, though, because she scowls. “It’s not funny.”

“You’re right,” I agree.It’s hilarious. But it’s also not the time to be laughing, so I don’t add that clarification out loud.

Instead, I step toward her and lift her into my arms, causing her to yelp in response. “What are you doing?” she shrieks.

“Taking you to the shower,” I tell her. “Where I’m going to clean you up while someone else makes something to eat.”

That last part is for Krolic and Craze—both of whom just joined us in the kitchen.

“She wants some hot chocolate,” I tell them, aware that Ailsa never actually said that, but I think she’ll like it. “Prepare food to go with it. We’ll be back in thirty minutes.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

AILSA

Master Pillar—Catum—pullsthe shirt over my head and drops it, his heated gaze roaming over me in a sweeping caress while the shower runs beside us. There wasn’t a knob or a handle to turn it on. Instead, all he did was wave his hand beneath the head, and water began to pour down over the blue marble floor.

I have no idea where we are or why we’re here. Or how these men have so many homes. I realize Krolic is royalty, but I’ve gathered that they’ve been hiding. “Are all of these places yours?”