Page 175 of Devoured

She looks at me, her fingers working rapidly on something beneath the desk. “Yes?”

“I talked to Lyra and Evander tonight—”

“The spider-god-faerie who almost ate you?” she asks. “That Evander?”

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“Go on.”

“They need a new regent for the North American Court.” Immediately, as soon as the words leave my lips, she scoffs and glances back at her hands. “Listen to me. I know—I know you said you never cared about politics or schemes or violence. But isn’t that exactly what this place needs? You were the one who helped Evie and me make allies. You’re the one who coordinated the Antarctic soldiers’ and Valja’s return. Think about the mortals, Portia. Think about the city outside these castle walls. They need someone like you to keep them safe.”

“She’s right,” Evie adds. “You even managed to stay on Cora’s good side.”

Portia rolls her eyes.

“I’m being serious,” I say. “You’re smart, caring, and benevolent, and—”

“Not soulless,” Evie says.

“The bar is so high,” Portia deadpans.

“Just think about it,” I tell her. “You don’t need to decide now. But the faeries are going to remain for a few years, and you’ll have Lyra, and—I just know that you’re right for the job. You are a queen, Portia, as much as Evie is. You’re the queen this place needs.”

“We are in Florida,” she argues. “I am the Canadian duke’s daughter.”

Evie sighs as if the answer is obvious. “So move the castle. Or move your ass here. Or live in both places. If you’re queen, you can do whatever the hell you’d like. It’s a monarchy, after all. It’s a highly corrupt system to start. And North America having a less corrupt queen seems like great timing. You’re kind of the whole package. And Vanessa was right about the mortals. They need regents to protect them as much as we need regents to make sure we follow the rules.”

“The Ascension hasn’t happened yet either,” I say. “You have time to pick your pack, to hone your skills, to refine whatever it is you need to refine. And—I don’t think being the queen is all that great of a leap from being a duke’s daughter. You’re already a noble.”

“I am a Beta,” she reminds us. Her brow furrows then, and I realize—she’s scared. Not of the position itself, but that she’s not worthy.

“We have had two shitty Alpha regents. Maybe it’s time for a Beta.”

“Your gaze will be black, Portia. You will be queen through and through. What,” Evie adds slyly, “would Philip tell you to do?”

Portia throws her head back with a loud exhalation. “You’re fighting dirty.”

“I’m being honest,” Evie says. “Everyone would support you. Especially Duquesa Balam, who has reclaimed the Guatemalan palace. If anyone knows what this continent needs, it’s her. Maybe you could even work together to rule.”

Portia stands then, shoving back the seat and stalking toward me. She grabs my wrist and wraps something tight around it. When she draws back, a bracelet twined with purple, green, and black stems has been fastened shut. She moves to Evie next and ties a matching bracelet around her wrist too. Then she does the same for herself.

“Is this going to wilt?” Evie asks with a frown.

“I am not dignifying that with an answer.” Portia turns to me, leaning against one of the posts of Sin’s bed, and nods. “What about you, Vanessa? If I’m Queen of North America—which is ridiculous, by the way—and Evie is Queen of Asia… where do you fit?”

Where do I fit?

“I don’t know,” I answer honestly.

Evie sits up. She throws her legs over the side of the mattress. “That’s the dumbest shit you’ve ever said.”

“What? Why?”

She pinches the bridge of her nose. “You don’t know where you fit? Well, if Portia is here, and I am in Asia, then you’re as lucky as a kid with two divorced parents.”

I shake my head. “I’m… not following.”

“You have two homes,” Portia explains. “Two Christmases. Two places where you can stay whenever you’d like. Two people who love you wholly and unconditionally for all time.”