Page 71 of Savagely Mated

“What’s so funny?” I ask the question, slightly confused. It feels like there’s something going on, a joke that I haven’t been let in on.

“You’re so close to the truth,” Rafe says.

“Okay. So what’s the truth?”

I really don’t know what’s going on. I thought they’d whip my ass when I got back, covered in blood, but the vibe of the room is variable right now. Kirin can’t handle whatever the hell it is, and every time I look over at him I feel myself about to burst into laughter as well, though I don’t know what the joke is.

Rafe looks amused, which also makes little sense, because I know he’s pissed. He has to be. I told him I had to go to work to fulfill my destiny or whatever and then nearly got murdered for what turned out to be a family-sized box of rice crackers, a new pair of boots, and a subscription of fruits.

Only Einar makes any kind of sense to me, and that’s because Einar being annoyed with me is starting to feel like a new kind of home.

“Should we tell her?” Einar looks around the room.

“Tell me what?”

The others nod.

“Yeah,” Rafe says. “Tell her. Whatever. It’s all so far gone at this point.”

“This was supposed to be a big reveal, you understand,” Einar says. “A dramatic moment, in which your life changed forever in an instant. We wanted there to be fireworks.”

“Why? Fireworks are stupid and they scare animals.”

“Rafe’s the true king,” Kirin interjects, before Einar can say it.

“Thank you, Kirin,” Einar sighs. “Yes, Rafe is the true heir to the throne.”

“What?”

“Yes. It’s true. I am.” Rafe smiles.

“And that means you are the princess of Eclipse,” Einar points out. “Or would be, if Rafe were on the throne as he should be. You would live in the palace. You would have the ability to help steer this city in ways you see fit…”

It’s my turn to laugh. I didn’t know they were actually capable of humor. I always assumed Einar wouldn’t know a joke if he fell over it. Kirin is still chuckling to himself, and his mirth only increases as mine does.

“Sure, Rafe’s the king. And I’m the emperor.”

“Darcy…” Einar says my name warningly.

“Rafe’s the king,” I repeat. “Sure. He’s pretty, but come on. He takes orders from you all day, and even I talked him out of his plan this morning. He was going to stay on me all day, but he got tired of trying to watch me pee and let me go to work. He’s not exactly king material, no offense, Rafe.”

“None taken,” Rafe says, though I am sure some has been taken.

“Darcy…” Einar repeats my name in a lower tone this time.

Rafe shakes his head, grinning. “Let it go, Einar. She’s too smart to be fooled that way.”

“Damn straight I am.”

At that moment, Einar’s phone rings. He checks the caller, then lifts a finger to all of us, as if we should all enter some form of stasis while he does this.

They should have told me Einar is the true king. I would have believed that.

“Einar. Do you know where Darcy is?”

I hear the academy director’s voice coming down the line.

“Of course. She’s right here.” Einar looks at me. He hits the mute button and looks at me with a scowl.