Page 103 of Kingdom of Aramis

My thoughts take on a toxic loop of doubt that is very unfamiliar and throws me off-balance. I’m unsettled and restless when the sun finally goes down, and I make my way through the forest surrounding Nox’s cabin on foot, but when I get there, I instantly know he isn’t in residence. I sift inside the building. He doesn’t have any wards up that would prevent me from doing so, but then he probably didn’t think he had to worry about a half fae shifter getting into his place. I can tell that it’s alarmed against human intruders, but my fae magic allows me to be imperceptible to them.

I poke around his things, trying to get a handle on Queen Colbie’s missing mate. There is a cat tree sitting in one corner of the room, but no sign of a cat, and despite the lingering scent of cinnamon and sugar, which I’m pretty sure belongs to this male, the place shows signs of him being gone. It has the slightly musty scent of a room that hasn’t seen fresh air for a few days. There are dishes on the drying rack near the sink, but they are bone dry, as is the sink. The bed is made in the bedroom, but there is a lingering scent of cupcakes and frosting that makes my cock twitch. Damn it, what is that smell? If I had to guess, I would say it’s the queen. I haven’t been close enough to scent her yet, and the water was masking it earlier. I would say this shifter and the queen know each other intimately. So why did he run?

I’m even more curious now, and after shuffling through some correspondence he left on his desk in the office, I learn this male is from Zalfari. He’s an equine, another one of those disregarded shifter races, much like the fairies that sent my mother running from any possible match in this kingdom and straight into the arms of my fae father. Her life was difficult, and that was without her having to worry about human wing hunters and collectors who make being a fairy shifter dangerous. They still exist in hidden, underground markets, but I’ve made it my mission to search them out in my free time and explain why hunting fairy shifters and the fae is a bad idea.

Knowing there is nothing else for me to learn here, I decide to return to the Chaos Kingdom and tell Loki everything I have uncovered. I also have to inform him of my new bond mark. That’s certainly going to be an interesting conversation.

Chapter

Eighteen

Colbie

Thankfully there are no parties, and dinner is a family affair with Gryffin’s and Hunter’s families, as well as Violet in attendance. My friend looks radiant, her skin glowing with health, and I mention it to her.

“Gretchin took me to the warded room, and I was able to shift, then Layla showed me the queen’s secret garden, and I was able to spend time playing with the plants.” She giggles happily, and I give the queen in question a grateful smile.

“Thank you,” I tell her, and she waves a hand.

“Our garden has never looked so incredible. I knew fairies were good with plants and animals, but I had no idea they were that good. Despite winter being on its way, the flowers are blooming again, and she rejuvenated the vegetables and herbs so they will continue to produce during the cold weather. She’s very talented,” Layla praises, and Violet blushes prettily.

“You’re a fairy?” Talon asks, and Violet blanches, biting her lip in worry before nodding.

“Yes. Is that a problem?” she asks, and I glare at Hunter’s brother, daring him to say it is. I’ll shift and bite his head off, future brother-in-law or not.

He shakes his head, and the sudden tension at the table eases. “No, not at all. I’d love to see your shifted form sometime. I’ve never met a fairy shifter before.”

I breathe a sigh of relief as Violet releases her poor lip and smiles shyly at him. “I’d like that.”

“You mated Liam!” Gracelin shouts, suddenly pointing at the matching bite marks on our necks. I was hoping nobody would notice—not because I’m embarrassed or ashamed, I just kind of wanted to enjoy it without the added pressure of sealing the bond with the others. Of course I can’t get anything past these shifters, and my beast really didn’t go for subtle.

Everyone’s attention switches to us, and it’s my turn for my cheeks to heat. “Yes, I did.” I glare at her for drawing attention to us, and she smirks at me.

“That’s wonderful, Colbie.” Evie claps her hands as everyone congratulates us.

“One step closer to being crowned!” Lucas beams. “Now you just need to mate the rest of them.” Layla nudges him in the side, and he coughs. “Uh, I mean no pressure or anything,” he mutters, and Layla rolls her eyes, but it makes me smile. I hope we end up with an amazing relationship like theirs.

“No!” The cry has me turning my attention to Archie, who is seated between his parents. He scrambles in his chair, standing up on it, and waves a hand at me. I frown when I see it’s bandaged, but before I can say anything, he shouts, “You are going to be my sidepiece, remember? I got you a ring and everything!”

My mouth drops open in shock as he digs around in the pockets of the robe he’s wearing over his pajamas. He frowns and pulls out a box. “Ha! Here it is.”

He scrambles out of his chair and, avoiding both his mom’s and dad’s arms, he rushes toward me. I push my chair back and crouch down as he approaches me, worried about how upset he is. Tears stream down his face.

“Please, Colbie, please be my sidepiece. I love you more than he will.” He holds out the box, and I gasp in shock when I find it contains a huge ass ring, one with a diamond big enough to feed a small nation. Archie glares at Liam, his eyes shining brightly, and he bares his teeth and growls.

Liam smothers a grin, but my attention returns to the ring in his hand. “Wow, Archie, that’s…” I trail off, not sure how to even describe it.

“Archie, baby, where did you get that from?” Mia asks, staring at the ring in confusion. “I’m almost certain it’s from the royal vault.” She looks at Lucas and the other two queens for confirmation.

“You know, I think you might be right,” Lucas says, frowning, but then he shakes his head. “But no, that can’t be.”

“Say yes, Colbie,” Archie pleads, ignoring his grandparents, and I take the box from him and put it on the table before pulling him into my arms, hugging him tightly. He sags against me and inhales deeply.

“You smell so nice,” he mutters, and I rub a hand over his back, trying to calm him down.

“Archie, you will always be my first friend here in the castle, but Liam is my mate, and so are Gryff, Brodie, Hunter, Gem, and our new friend, Micah.” Archie pulls away and glares at the men around the table before his gaze stops on Micah, and his eyes widen.

“I know you. You’re on Dad’s team. You’re a fish man, and you have a big weapon.” He pushes away from me, hurries around to Micah’s chair, and climbs up into his lap. “You’re going to be my new best friend. Can I see your weapon? Isit really sharp?” Archie mimes stabbing things while I gape in surprise. Archie has completely forgotten me in his awe of his new friend.