“The plague is back?” Shit. Shit, shit, shit. “It’s the coven. They’ve been causing trouble.”
He gives a curt nod. “The first case popped up over a year ago. It’s affected about a hundred females in the southern part of the realm. Ninety-five deaths—the same mortality rate as last time. We’ve tried to contain it by quarantine. While that’s helped to slow it down, it hasn’t stopped the spread. Yet another village got hit last month. All those mothers, sisters, wives… lost.”
“The water—this Glow—does it heal them?”
“No. That’s the worst of it. It doesn’t work. I created a dangerous concoction that doesn’t even help for the reason which it was created. Word has gotten out now. Everyone wants some. Secret distilleries are popping up every day. There’s an underground network of distributors.”
“So you have an incurable plague, a widespread addiction problem, and witches who are after your fated mate,” I sum it up.
“My fated mate?” He turns a pointy ear toward me, as if he didn’t hear me correctly. “She’s in danger?”
“I have reason to believe so. You wouldn’t happen to know who she is? Where she is?”
“Not a clue.”
“Well, there’s a chance the witches don’t either. I can’t say for sure. But when they find out… Let’s just say it’d be best if you got to her first.”
“Strike,” he mutters under his breath, scratching the dark scruff on his jaw. The static electricity from his profanity sparks against my shoulder, and he sends me an apologetic look. “Sorry. And on top of everything, the female auctions still continue. I assume they’ll only get worse now that the sickness is back.”
“How can we assist you?”
“Soldiers and doctors would be a start. But no female fae. It’s too dangerous for them to be around the disease.”
“I know a troll who might be able to lend his medical services. He was already knowledgeable about the distilled Day water. I’ll have Torius round up a team. You’ll get what you need.”
“Thank you.” Zander heaves out a breath, seeming lighter as he sits up straight.
“I want to help.” Quinn’s soft voice comes from behind me, and I roll my eyes to the ceiling.
This infuriating girl. I knew she was near. I felt the vibrations in my soul, but I simply assumed she wanted to listen to our conversation, not offer herself up as a sacrifice. Although she isn’t fae yet, there’s no guarantee she wouldn’t catch this illness.
I grit my teeth. “I forbid it, Quinn.”
Coming closer, she places her hand on my shoulder and levels me with those chocolate eyes. “I’m queen now, right?”
I know where she’s going with this, and I won’t have it. “Yes, but my answer is still no.”
“I didn’t come to start a lovers’ quarrel,” Zander interrupts, holding his hands out in a placating gesture as he gets to his feet. “Besides, the Day Realm might be too dangerous for you anyway. There will be backlash for my father’s death. He had many faithful followers who enjoyed his lack of law enforcement. They’ll likely retaliate.”
His discouraging speech seems to instill doubt in Quinn.
Frowning, she asks, “Will there be a civil war?”
“Possibly. While I appreciate your offer, the soldiers and doctors are all we require for now.” A half-smile ticks up on his face. “Just enjoy each other. I know I would if I’d found my mate.”
As he walks away, I pull Quinn onto my lap and nuzzle her neck. Inhaling her sweet scent, I practically purr as my hands roam her thighs.
“Kirian. People are looking at us,” she scolds lightly.
“Let them watch. Let them see how much I love my mate.”
Giggling, she leans back, giving me a view of her beautiful face. I brush a thumb over her freckled cheek before tracing a pattern over the bridge of her nose.
When I touch a few spots above her mouth, she licks her lips. Her tongue grazes my finger, and my cock roars to life.
“The gnomes,” she starts, trying to distract me. “They’re asleep in the kitchen. After finishing off three gallons of butterscotch pudding and some scones, they couldn’t keep their eyes open.”
“Good.” I decide to stop torturing us both and keep my hands still, because she’s right—we have serious matters to discuss.
“The girls.” Quinn anxiously chews her lip. “Should I go talk to them? I don’t know what to say.”
We both look over to see the noble family who sheltered Quinn while I tried to defeat Gia. They collect their daughter, who seems to be the youngest of the bunch.
“Her name is Isla,” my mate tells me, her eyes filled with worry. “She needs therapy or something. They all do.”
Anger flares in me again, but I push it down. I need to be calm and rational right now.
Strategic.
“Let’s let their families take them home first,” I murmur. “We’ll call a council meeting to discuss how we should proceed. Above all else, our kingdom needs justice.”
“Our kingdom,” she repeats, giving me a soft smile. “I like the sound of that.”
I plant a swift kiss on her lips. “Get used to it, my queen.”
Quinn
Three weeks later
“Your Majesty, stop peeking,” Isla hisses, fussing over my hair. “Someone might see you.”
Quirking an eyebrow, I shoot her an amused look. “Are you sure no one’s allowed to see me in my dress before the ceremony? Where I come from, it’s just the groom.”
“I’m sure. The groom has to see you before anyone else. Or the union could be jinxed.”
“Except for you,” I tease. “You saw me.”
Wrinkling her nose, she doesn’t seem to catch my playful tone. “I’m your lady in waiting. That’s different.”
Kirian and I are fated mates. Our relationship is the epitome of good luck and fortune,
