Page 36 of Fae Farewells

Maybe it was a royalty thing?

I have no fucking idea.

“We’ll show ourselves to the front,” I politely commented. “I’m sure we’ll find someone on the way.”

“And you and I will catch up later,” Sarge warned, causing her to duck to hide her embarrassment.

“Be careful, Dragon,” Tilly warned as she wandered away. “She's really losing it these days.”

“Who?” my vampire asked.

Briggs gripped Novak’s shoulder. “Not Freya.”

“The queen,” Sarge grumbled, motioning for us to move.

We quietly maneuvered through the corridor, following his lead. The end lit up like a neon white beacon as neared; though it wasn’t a light I was excited to enter.

Gigantic doors greeted us, the material and etching too familiar to be a coincidence. They belonged in the Underworld, or maybe they were a gift. I didn’t know, but I was curious about how they ended up here, of all places.

A dusty, sage green fae woman startled when Sarge cleared his throat. Then she smiled and threw her dust cloth at him.

“You’ve got nerve, dragon. I’ll give you that.”

“Lashul, it’s nice to see you again.”

“Flattery.” She scoffed. “Always with the sweet words. That isn’t the way to my heart.”

He swung his backpack around, digging in the side pocket until he pulled out a chocolate bar. “Does this help?”

“It’ll go straight to my hips, but yes, Fire Prince. Chocolate will get you whatever you want.”

York nudged my shoulder, and I rolled my eyes.

Orgasms were my number two, but chocolate was a close third.

Death and destruction would always be the front runner.

What could I say?

I was good at what I did.

The sage fae women, Lashul, tucked her chocolate bar into the pocket of her apron, motioning for us to follow her. She ushered us across the hall, her footsteps lightly clicking against the marble foyer. After bowing curtly, she bolted in the opposite direction with no explanation.

No one wanted to deal with the queen, including me, but I was prepared to make an entrance. I rolled my shoulders back and cleared my mind.

Sarge pushed the nondescript door open, and I briefly wondered if she overspent her budget and couldn’t afford more fancy imported woodwork. Then I nodded to him when he stood on my right side.

We would tackle this shit together.

Our mates were important, and they wouldn’t truly feel safe until this monster was dead.

Alania didn’t know it yet, but there were a few new bosses in the building. I would only play this game as long as I had to, then all bets were off.

I could take all the hits she could throw, and then some.

Just not today... Sadly.

At first glance, the queen looked elegant and benevolent, perched on her throne. But her gaze held wicked intent. Nastiness oozed from her pores as if an invisible fog clouded her true image. Her smile was broken glass, the shards waiting to be spat at unsuspecting visitors.