Page 49 of The Shattered Kingdom (The Cursed Kingdom #2)
ABBY
I’M LIMPING.
I don’t enjoy it nearly as much as Kie and Mason are. I was under the impression Kie would use his magic to prevent me from feeling too sore, but he’s doing a shit job of stopping the jolt of pressure that shoots up my ass with every step.
He and Mason are practically beaming with pride, their chests so puffed, I’m surprised they don’t share blood with peacocks.
Mason huffs. “I apologize.”
Anox pointedly ignores him.
I love this, and I smile to myself as I limp alongside them. Kie is forcing Mason to apologize for kidnapping and dismembering Lord Bishop, and Anox is not making it easy.
“You will forgive me,” Mason continues, glaring at the back of Anox’s head. “I was protecting my mate. You would’ve done the same.”
Anox continues walking, pretending as if he doesn’t hear the shifter.
“I think I might like him,” I whisper to Kie.
Anox looks at me over his shoulder. “I like you, too, and I look forward to beginning our lessons this evening.” His eyes then shift toward Mason, and he scrunches his nose before turning back forward.
I’m surprised steam isn’t bursting out of Mason’s ears, and I slide my hand within his before he does something stupid. I’m not expecting to encounter clammy hands, though.
Mason’s nervous, but besides his sweaty hands, he’s doing an excellent job hiding it.
“You’ve got this,” I say, smiling up at him.
Mason glances down at me, licks his lips, and gives a curt nod. Then he turns back forward, his eyes narrowing at Anox’s back. He’s arguing with the faerie to distract himself.
I shove my hair behind my shoulder, my nerves spiking.
We enter the park where the announcement is being held, and the pain in my ass magically vanishes the moment we come into view of the faeries already waiting for us.
There are hundreds, and I keep my stride even with Mason’s as Anox and Kie break apart.
Mason leads me up the tall podium brought in for the occasion.
My family is somewhere within the crowd. I don’t see them, but I trust they’re safe. Kie and Mason have assigned three guards per person, just in case. They claim there’s always an increased risk when announcing to a crowd of this size.
Mason places a hand on the back of my neck, his fingers curling and pressing against my pulse point. I shiver but otherwise don’t react as I stare into the crowd below.
A hush falls over the garden as the faeries wait to hear Mason’s announcement. I can practically see their impatience. With all the change they’ve experienced these past few weeks, I can only imagine the fears rushing through their minds.
“Good morning,” Mason starts, his voice booming.
“I appreciate you coming out today, and unfortunately, I come to you with a startling announcement. It’s been discovered that Alpha Theon is housing a faerie fugitive, Callie Collins.
In doing so, he’s calling the Sylvan Harmony Treaty and his Alpha title into question. ”
Mason nervously runs his fingers along my neck, his palms sticky against my skin. This is a huge announcement, and it goes against everything he’s ever believed in. Mason’s drawing a hard line, choosing the faeries over the shifters.
“We have stationed troops along Redstall Forest,” he continues, “and we’re giving Alpha Theon one week to respond before considering the Sylvan Harmony Treaty null and void.”