Page 14 of The Shattered Kingdom (The Cursed Kingdom #2)

ABBY

I KEEP MY pace fast in an attempt to put space between Mason and me, but he easily matches my speed.

He probably suspects what I’m trying to do, but he doesn’t acknowledge it. Neither do I, and when we reach the front door of the house Lill and I have been staying in, I rush inside and try to slam the door in his face.

I’m hoping to lock him out. Mason’s huge, but I doubt he can break down a door.

It seems I’m not going to find out today.

Mason sticks his arm through the open doorway at the last second, preventing me from shutting it. I still try, because I’m not one to give up easily, but I quickly realize it’s useless. Mason doesn’t even seem to be struggling.

I release the door, and Mason steps inside with a shit-eating grin.

He’s amused, and I turn away before my anger gets the best of me. I can’t let it. I’m still reeling over his earlier accusations, and there are more important things to focus on than wiping that grin off his face.

What if his suspicions are true? He has no reason to lie about not feeling a mate bond with Lill. It makes no sense. If she were lying, why wouldn’t she tell me? Does she think I would run to Kie and Mason with the truth? I’d never betray her, and I think she knows that.

Lill emerges from the hallway, her hands behind her head as she works on braiding her hair out of her face. She’s already looking healthier. It’s only been two days, but I can see the effects of finally having magic coursing through her system.

The dark bags under her eyes are vanishing, and her shoulders no longer slouch forward as if holding up the weight of the world. She’s still exceptionally thin, but that’s not something that’ll be improved overnight. She’s eating, and the weight will come with time.

Her violet eyes widen as they land on me.

“You’re still here,” she blurts out. “Are they not letting you leave?”

Her gaze flickers between Mason and me, her eyebrows furrowed in genuine confusion.

“Nope.” I shake my head. “Kie wants me to stay until everything with you is cleared up. He claims that should be soon, but I’m not holding my breath.”

Lill drops her arms to her sides. “I’m sorry, Abbs. I didn’t think he’d force you to stay here with me.”

I’m sure not surprised by it. Kie and Mason like to say we’re not prisoners, but I know better. It just frustrates me that I understand where they’re coming from. Somebody was murdered, and I’d also want answers if I were in their position.

Mason brushes past me and takes his usual spot on the couch. He’s not much fun to be around, and I glare at the side of his head as he flops onto the cushions. I’ve known Lill for most of my life, and she’s never given me any reason to believe she’s untrustworthy. She’s a good friend—a good person.

Mason’s conspiracy theories won’t change my mind on that matter.

Lill purses her lips, then turns toward Mason. I slip out of the entryway, fading into the background as I watch them from behind the kitchen island. What’s Mason thinking? What’s Lill thinking?

Mason’s already told me his secrets, so I focus on Lill.

She appears earnest as she peers across the room at the shifter, her hands twisting around themselves.

Unless she’s magically turned into an award-winning actress, there’s no way she’s faking the desperately longing looks she gives the shifter.

She truly believes him to be her mate. She very well might be.

I still haven’t ruled out the possibility that it’s Mason who is broken.

I much prefer that option because if Lill is lying, then who is Kie and Mason’s mate?

Mason hinted that he believes it to be me, which is a terrifying thought.

If I can get my hands on one of them and prove there’s nothing there, I’ll feel a thousand times better.

Mason’s on high alert, though. Kie will be my best bet.

“Are you all right?” Lill asks Mason. “You look tense.”

Mason crosses his ankle over his knee, the picture of confidence. “I’m just fine.”

I wish he would leave. I’ve been avoiding poking the small holes in Lill’s story, but it’s time to pry. She should know that Mason suspects her.

“Are you nervous for your coronation tomorrow?” Lill tries. “It’s a big day.”

“Nervous? No.”

Lill nods, her head slowly bobbing as her tentative smile falls.

Mason’s doing a shit job pretending to be her mate, and I chew at my bottom lip as Lill closes the distance between them.

Mason doesn’t pull away, but he doesn’t appear particularly welcoming as Lill bends and kisses his forehead.

It’s forced and so painfully awkward, and I fight back a wince as Lill immediately retreats .

“Are either of you hungry?” Lill clears her throat. “I’ve been looking for a reason to cook. I can pick some ingredients up from the kitchens and make lunch.”

Despite the thousands of conflicting emotions roiling through me, my lips curl. Lill has always loved cooking—really anything related to homemaking—and it warms my heart to see her returning to her old habits. I give it only another day or two before she begins redecorating.

“I could eat,” I say.

My appetite is practically nonexistent, but I’m willing to force something down if it breaks the ungodly tension between Lill and Mason.

He’s cold, refusing to speak more than a handful of words at a time.

It’s a drastic change from the way he was behaving with me just a few minutes ago.

He was spilling all his secrets, and I didn’t even have to work that hard for them.

Is that because I’m his mate? If that were the case, shouldn’t I feel something more for him?

He infuriates and annoys me, and I find myself wishing for his death more than anything else.

I don’t enjoy the thought of him and Kie with Lill, but that’s because I see their true colors. Lill deserves better than them.

I deserve better than them.

I brush my fingertips over my lips, my thoughts wandering. What would it be like to kiss Kie and Mason? I haven’t seen much of the faerie recently, but I can’t get rid of Mason.

He’s probably a poor kisser. He has full lips, so maybe it wouldn’t be too horrible. I’m willing to bet he’s never done it before, and I’m not interested in teaching. I don’t have the patience, and I highly doubt Mason’s a quick learner.

Kie would be the better lover. Kie seems like the type of person to enjoy the act of sex. Mason rushes to the end, impatient and eager to get his fill and retreat into solitude. Kie would have fun with it .

Has Mason ever made a woman orgasm? Has he ever tried? I very highly doubt it.

Does he have a big dick? Is it pretty? Is he circumcised?

I caught a glimpse in the bathhouse, but I didn’t take a close look.

I don’t have a strong preference as long as he keeps it clean.

What does he look like when he cums? Does he moan?

I’d guess not. He’s probably broody and silent. Or he grunts. Like a caveman.

Lill brushes past me, and I flinch.

“What are you hungry for?” she asks. “Something sweet? Savory? Do you want a whole meal or just a snack?”

Mason’s head snaps in my direction when I don’t immediately answer. We make brief eye contact, but it’s enough to send a cold chill down my spine. I don’t want him looking at me. I don’t want any more of his wild accusations getting into my head.

I shrug, trying to focus on Lill. “Anything. I’ll come with you.”

Lill hums and slips on her shoes. “No need. I’ll just be a minute.”

I linger, my heart hammering as she pulls open the front door. Is she lying to me? Is Mason lying to me? Is everybody fucking lying to me? I may be a human, but I’m not less than them.

Lill shoots Mason a smile. It’s sweet, filled with so much fucking emotion. I’m going to be sick. “I’ll be right back.”

The door shuts. Mason rises from the couch.

I lift a hand. “Stay away from me!”

My legs shake as I rush to the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind me. My mind is swimming, and I hang my head between my shoulders and lean over the sink, taking deep breaths. I’m in a full panic. It’s not ideal.

The door opens, and I groan as a shadow larger than Lill appears beside me.

“Get out.” I point to the door. “Go. ”

All I want is one fucking minute of privacy.

“This is your fault,” I continue. “And you should leave.”

Mason steps farther into the room, thoroughly ignoring me, and he takes his sweet time looking me over before shutting the bathroom door, trapping me inside. I push away from the sink, refusing to take my eyes off him as he wets a washcloth.

“Abby…” Mason pauses. “Is this truly my fault?”

He gestures for me to look down. I obey, still frowning as he brings the wet cloth to the back of my neck. The cold feels good, and I take a moment to focus on my breathing. I’ll kick him out in a second.

“Kie’s better at these things,” Mason admits. “I don’t have much experience with women. I’ve only ever been with prostitutes, and the interactions are simple. Kie has spent much time with the noblewomen, and they have a lot of feelings. He’s quite skilled at navigating these situations.”

“I don’t care to hear about your and Kie’s romantic history.”

Mason falls silent, then nods. “Look up.”

Despite his usual brutish behavior, he’s surprisingly gentle as he slides the washcloth along my forehead. I don’t know why I’m letting him do this.

“She believes the bond is real,” I say.

Mason doesn’t respond, but I know his silence is a denial. He doesn’t believe me. I push his hand away from my face.

“Let me speak with her,” I order. “Give me a chance to clear things up.”

Mason shakes his head. “I said no , and I’m not changing my mind.”

I’m not going to accept that answer.

“You are.” I mean it, too. “Or I’ll walk out of this bathroom and tell Lill everything you told me earlier.

” I’m about to make him really upset, but I don’t care.

“I found the map of the Redstall Forest in your bedroom. It was hidden in a pocket at the bottom of your wardrobe. You’re looking for something.

Your family, maybe? I’ll tell everybody. I’ll tell Kie.”

Mason’s jaw drops. I caught him by surprise.

“How do you think the faeries will feel to learn their future king is looking for his shifter family? That he misses his mommy and daddy and wants to know where they’re hiding out?”

Mason is furious, his nostrils flaring and chest heaving. The washcloth falls to the ground with a splat , and Mason’s gloved hands are around my head a heartbeat later.

“I should crush your skull.” He squeezes my head.

Not enough to hurt, but enough that I know he’s fantasizing about following through on his words.

I bet he gets off on the thought of hurting me.

“I should’ve killed you when I had the chance.

Should’ve snapped your neck the second I met you and been done with it. ”

He doesn’t mean that.

I ignore my pounding heart as I meet Mason’s eye, daring him to hurt me.

“You won’t,” I taunt. “Pussy.”

Mason squeezes his eyes shut and sucks in a slow, even breath, giving me the perfect opportunity to do what I’ve been trying to accomplish. I dart forward before he realizes what I’m intending, and I shove my bare finger straight down his throat.