Page 79 of Kingdom of Aramis

“I knew you were going to be an amazing queen, and this just proves it.” Evie beams at me. “You should definitely send invitations to them. Violet, do you know anyone who would be a good representative for the fairies?” She turns to my friend, whose eyes are glistening with unshed tears.

“You’re serious, aren’t you?” She looks at me with wonder.

“Of course. Why should they be excluded? They are shifters too. I’m just surprised no one has done it in the past. While we’re at it, what about one of the equine shifters?”

Lucas snorts. “The previous queen was as speciesist as you could get. She doesn’t even like the mythical shifters. I think jealousy played a huge part. She was a wolf and hated shifters who had access to magic she didn’t. All of the current council members are natural shifters except Emmett, who is a griffin.”

“Okay, well, my invitation will probably piss them off even more than when they find out they are being replaced. Gracelin, could you send invitations inviting the mer, fairies, and equines to put forward a member for council? They will still need to be approved by me. I’m not going to spend the next forty years dealing with an asshole, but ask them to send a few candidates to choose from. Talk to Violet for her recommendations, and maybe ask Bryson to speak to his mer personnel and see if they recommend anyone.” I sigh and slump back. “At least we have one thing sorted. Now we need to focus on those missing kids and ferals. Can we send a covert group into the human zone to search for them? Is there any way we can get a tracking spell earlier? Is the former witch ambassador still here or have they returned to their kingdom yet?”

Mia shakes her head. “No. They left with the witch consortium after the retirement party.”

“Is there any other way to track them? Do any of the mythical shifters have tracking abilities?” I ask, grasping at straws.

Lucas’s face brightens. “Actually, there is a mythical that can track. I’m not sure why we didn’t think of that in the first place.”

“Unicorns!” Gracelin sighs. “I’m not sure if any of them will help us. The previous queen did a good job of pissing them off, as well as encouraging the prey animals are lesser mentality. Theyand the pegasus have remained distant through your rule for a reason. They know how to hold a grudge.”

“Ugh,” I groan, unable to hide my frustration. “Why can’t one thing be easy?”

Lucas stands up and stretches his arms out wide. “I’m sure you sending an invitation for one of them to join the council will go a long way in trying to mend those bridges. I think we’ve done enough for the day. Why don’t you have some lunch and do some shift training with Watch Team One? They’ll also walk you through some basic self-defense, though they will go everywhere with you until your mates show up.”

My gaze goes guiltily to Gracelin, and I only just control the grimace that wants to cross my face at her stubborn expression. I know she said she was going to keep quiet for me, but it doesn’t feel right. I should be honest with the king and queens. They’ve been nothing but open and kind to me. I owe them that much.

“Yeah, about that… It turns out that none are going to show up,” I announce, and the king and queens exchange a confused glance.

“Of course they will, sweetie. Sometimes it just takes time,” Evie says gently, and I shake my head.

“No, you misunderstand. No one is going to show up because last night, we noticed that I have a bond mark on my back. Gretchin and Gracelin are familiar with the bond group I am matched with.”

“Really? That’s unusual. I can’t think of a time in shifter history when that has ever happened.” Lucas sounds partly intrigued and partly worried. “But the goddess bestows the marks, so she must be confident that you are a match for the bond group.”

“This is exciting!” Evie claps her hands and bounces on her chair. “We can get you coronated straight away then, no having to wait for you to choose.”

I wince internally, knowing that isn’t going to happen until I come clean about Nox.

“Is it anyone we know? I can’t think of any bond groups with six people in it.” Layla turns her attention to her daughter. Gracelin is staring at me with wide, surprised eyes. I shrug. I don’t want her to have to lie to her parents.

“Yeah, it’s Gryff’s mark,” she tells them, and Layla gasps, putting a hand to her mouth as the four of them turn their attention back to me.

“How wonderful! Welcome to the family, Colbie.” Evie reaches over and gives my hand a squeeze.

“They don’t know yet,” I warn them. “I wanted to take a couple of days to get to know them, but that doesn’t seem fair.”

Lucas grimaces. “Now that you wear their mark, they are going to find themselves drawn to you more and more. It’s going to confuse the shit out of them when their animals insist on being close to you, but you have to do what is right for you. Don’t be surprised if they can’t keep their hands off you and vice versa.”

“Hang on, there are only five shifters in that bond, but you have six crowns. The math doesn’t add up.” Mia frowns, but before I can admit to knowing the last member of Watch Team One’s bond group, there is a furious knock at the door.

“Enter,” Lucas calls as all of our attention turns to whoever is on the other side. The door flies open forcefully, and a uniformed attendant stands there, breathing heavily. He looks to be in military garb, and not the normal uniform of the palace staff.

“Your Majesty, come quickly. Something happened in the throne room—something you need to see right away.” I’m not sure whom he is talking to. His eyes dart between me and Lucas as if he’s unsure which one of us he should be addressing as well. Lucas pushes his chair back, and the rest of us follow suit.

“Report,” he demands as we make our way out of the conference room. Gracelin and I exchange a glance, and she shrugs as we follow the guard and her parents through the palace, Violet keeping pace with us.

“What’s in the throne room?” I hiss.

“I have no idea. Dad doesn’t use it unless there is an official engagement with another kingdom or he’s holding a grievance forum with the shifter nation. Though the crowns were moved there after the retirement party so maybe it;s something to do with them”

“What’s a grievance forum?” I ask, trying to keep up with the princess. Apparently, though, I’m now a shifter that doesn’t come with automatic fitness. I struggle to keep up with her, and Violet grabs me as I stumble, my coordination not any better than when I was human. I hear her snicker and glare at her playfully. Her wings are tucked away again now that the magic has dispersed.