Page 37 of The Shattered Kingdom (The Cursed Kingdom #2)
ABBY
KIE SLIPS HIS hand into mine, his bare palm pressing against me. He’s not wearing his gloves, and he’s openly touching me. He’s making a statement.
Mason should be well into his council meeting by now, and he will approve Anox’s request to have me formally titled. It’s a terrifying thought, one I’m not ready for. I’m not what the faeries want in a queen, and I’m okay with that. Zaha must have picked me for a reason, though.
Kie brings me to his office, and I sit on his oversized couch. I’m nervous and antsy to meet with Jackie, and I instinctively rub a hand over my chest. I still feel phantom pain from when the faeries tried to kill me, and it’s giving me anxiety. I’m scared they’re going to try again.
I don’t want to die.
I’m sure Kie and Mason are also eager to resolve this issue. It’s been days of hovering, the pair not letting so much as five feet of distance come between us. I have to practically beg to shower alone.
There’s a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Kie says .
The door cracks open, and a guard I don’t recognize pops his head inside. His gaze lands on me, then shifts immediately to Kie. Has he already heard about me being Kie and Mason’s mate? I doubt it will take long for word to spread once Mason gives permission.
“Jackie just entered the grounds,” the guard says. “Shall we permit her entry?”
“Yes,” Kie says. “Ensure she’s escorted directly here. I don’t want her wandering around.”
The guard nods, his gaze briefly flashing toward me before he leaves, shutting the door behind him.
“Do you think he knows?” I ask the second we’re alone.
“Most definitely.”
“Do you think he’s upset?”
Kie frowns, lacing his hands together on his desk. “Most faeries will be disappointed, but I anticipate the guards are quite fond of you. You’ve calmed Mason considerably, making working here less…well… less dangerous.”
I still remember how Mason attacked that guard on my first day here. It was violent and abrupt, and I can only imagine the terror the guards felt whenever the shifter was near. Mason’s an asshole through and through. Maybe that’s why he’s so protective of his. He identifies with it.
Kie leans back in his chair. “You’re going to be a queen. Queen Abigail Williams. It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
I agree. I want a gold scepter, one with a ruby on top.
I bet Kie and Mason could procure one for me.
I’ll carry it around everywhere I go. I’m not going to be a good ruler, I’m fully aware of that, but I still want to be remembered for something.
Being known as the human queen who carried around a scepter would be kind of fun.
“It’s a good thing you’re here,” I admit. “The faeries would revolt if it were just Mason and me. They like you. They respect you.”
Kie gives me a forced smile. They respect him, but it still might not be enough. They don’t believe he has any control over Mason. There’s a good chance they’ll revolt after learning their queen consort is a human.
“I—” I start. “I’m sorry Zaha took your title from you. You’d make a wonderful king.”
Kie shrugs, glancing away. “I don’t need to be a wonderful king.” There’s a nervous energy to his words, like he’s afraid of my response. “I just need to be yours.”
He whispers the last part, and his violet eyes flicker anxiously in my direction. It makes me wonder. Everything he’s ever cared about has been taken from him—quite publicly, too. That’s enough to make even the most confident person insecure.
“Kie.” I swallow past the lump in my throat. “You—”
Kie shakes his head, turning away from me just as Jackie pushes open the door. She welcomes herself inside, confidently stepping into Kie’s office as if she’d been here a million times. She probably has.
She looks beautiful. She’s in a long silver dress, and her blonde-white hair has been pinned behind her ears. I resist the urge to smooth down my frizzy strands as Jackie’s gaze flickers toward me.
“Why?” is all she asks.
The question is directed toward Kie.
“Sit,” he says, gesturing toward the chair opposite his desk.
All signs of vulnerability are gone, and now there stands a man who has spent his life preparing to be king. There’s not one hint of emotion in his expression, not one hint of Kie behind his cold, dead eyes and stiff posture.
Jackie glances at me again before taking the seat Kie offered her. She walks with natural grace, and I can see why she was chosen to be queen.
“What have you learned?” Kie asks.
He wants to extract as much information as possible before telling her I’m his mate. Jackie doesn’t take the bait. She crosses her arms over her chest and leans back in her chair. Then her head swivels toward me.
I maintain eye contact, refusing to cower.
“I’d like to know who tried killing me,” I say, hoping it explains why I’m here.
Jackie rolls her eyes. “I’m sure.”
She knows. She knows who I am to Kie, and she won’t tell us anything. She purses her lips together and wrinkles her nose, subtle disgust shining through her otherwise-neutral expression.
“What do you know, Jackie?” Kie says, drawing attention back toward him.
He’s calm and even-tempered. It’s impressive. Attractive, even. I’ve never seen Kie in a professional setting, and he’s good at it. He would’ve made a wonderful king, and while Mason is great, he’s less… diplomatic . I don’t understand why Zaha forced them to switch positions.
“Why should I tell you anything?” Jackie asks. “My prospects only stand to diminish with Abby as our queen, and I don’t want to be on the wrong side of the divide.”
“Mason is your king, and I’m acting on his behalf. Do you truly wish to deny your—”
I interrupt. “There’s an open spot on the council.”
Kie shut down my idea when I suggested it earlier, but I stand by it. Jackie wants power, and this gives it to her. He won’t win her over with poorly concealed threats, but bribery always works. It’s how humans get things done.
Kie shoots me a sharp look, one that screams shut the fuck up and let me handle this . I’m going to be getting an earful from him later.
“That isn’t—” Kie starts.
Jackie lifts her hand, silencing Kie. Then she turns toward me, her violet eyes piercing. “Continue.”
Happy to. “You can’t be queen, at least not in title, but the work still needs to be done. Kie and Mason need somebody with influence, and you were raised for the position. There’s an open spot on the council for the duties I can’t fulfill, which is just about everything.”
There’s no arguing a mate bond. Jackie can’t be queen while I’m in the picture. This is the best offer she will get, and I hope she can see it.
“Lady Cassandra and Lord Bishop have shown interest in the position,” Kie says, continuing my lie. I fight back a victorious smirk. “They’re always looking for higher council positions, but we wanted to speak with you first.”
Jackie sucks her lips into her mouth, almost appearing as if she doesn’t know whether or not to believe us. Vanity seems to win out, though, as she straightens her shoulders and bobs her head.
“Lady Cassandra doesn’t understand strategy, and everybody knows Lord Bishop only got the position through his family name,” she says.
“Giving either of them meaningful responsibility would be a mistake.” She hums, tapping her fingers against her thigh.
“New members must be voted in by the council and approved by Mason. I wish for them to be present for this conversation.”
Why?
My leg begins to bounce, and I press my palm against the top of my knee to keep it still. I don’t want Jackie to see how nervous I am. Anox and the other council members will probably cream their pants when they hear we’ve made this offer, but Mason will be livid.
I didn’t discuss my plan with him, mainly because I didn’t realize we’d need his approval. He’ll never go for it.
“In front of Mason?” Kie asks.
Jackie nods, confirming. “Yes.” She rises from her chair. “I heard there’s a council meeting currently in session. Shall we go?”
She exits the room before Kie responds.
I avoid looking at Kie. Instead, I clear my throat and rise from the couch. Kie meets me there, and he places a hand on the small of my back as he guides me outside, where Jackie’s impatiently waiting.
“We will be discussing this later,” he whispers, his tone sharp.
Jackie turns and smiles at us over her shoulder, her eyes twinkling. She heard Kie’s threat, and she’s pleased he’s angry with me. I hope I don’t come to regret my decision.