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Page 38 of Expecting a Royal Scandal

I took another sip of my tea, trying to keep my mind off how tempting Justice looked. To distract myself, I asked, “What are the Unseelie King and the Fae Queen like?”

He set his cup on his arm rest and scanned the horizon. “Garrick is a sly fellow. You have to be careful with him. He’s damn handsome and can wrap any woman’s heart around his finger. Steel yourself against his words. They’re magical and can lead you to do things you wouldn’t normally do.”

His description painted this guy as untrustworthy and someone I needed to put my guard up with. “And he’s an ally? Seriously?”

Justice glanced over at me, his eyes filled with caution and respect. “Like we said earlier, Maci’s father had stolen Garrick’s power, but the Unseelie King wasn’t helpless. Without his help, we wouldn’t have defeated her father.” His words hinted at the complex history between Garrick and our group.

I nodded, absorbing the information. “And the queen?” I asked, curious about the other potential ally in our fight against Maci.

“She’s a fierce warrior,” Justice replied, a hint of admiration in his voice. “So is her mate, Jonas.”

A question formed in my mind, and I couldn’t help but voice it. “Is Jonas a dragon, too?”

Justice chuckled, the sound warm and rich in the cool morning air. “No, he’s only a Fae.” He paused, shaking his head with a grin. “I shouldn’t have said that. It’s like I’m saying I’m only a vampire. Jonas can be arrogant, but he’s moved heaven and earth to protect his queen.” The affection in his tone was evident despite his lighthearted jab at Jonas’ character.

Damon walked outside, stretching his arms over his head. “What are you two doing out here?”

Justice raised his cup of tea. “Admiring the sunrise. You can’t sleep either?”

Damon leaned against the doorframe, a slight grin playing on his lips. “Nah, just figured I’d enjoy some of that world-famous vampire insomnia. Seriously, you guys look like you’re plotting to save the world or something. Everything cool?”

I glanced at him. “Not plotting anything yet, bro.”

As my brother leaned over, his hands gripping the back of the chair, his gaze swept across the landscape. The early morning mist clung to the rolling green hills dotted with ancient stones and wildflowers. Shadows and light danced together as the sun rose higher, casting an ethereal glow that made the ordinary scene look enchanted. “This is magical. Keep waiting for Lucky Charms to pop out.”

I looked up at him and grinned. “Leprechauns are from Ireland, not Scotland.”

His gaze turned serious. “Yeah, whatever. You and I are about to face new supernaturals we’ve never encountered before. Creatures from different realms.”

I frowned. “You’re worried?”

That wasn’t like my brother. He was more the guns-blazing type than Mr. Cautious.

Damon’s eyes filled with a warning. “I’ve heard stories that you can get trapped in their world.” His words hung heavy in the air, sending a shiver down my spine.

I furrowed my brow, giving Justice a questioning look. “Is that true?”

Justice took another sip of his tea, his eyes darting away from mine as if he were hesitant to reveal more. The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken secrets.

Damon’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and demanding. “Tell her, fang.” His glare bore into Justice, a challenge in his eyes.

Justice winced at his crisp tone, then sighed. “Yes, it’s true, though the Court of Blossoms won’t hold you against your will.” He met my gaze again, his expression somber.

Another chill crept down my spine, the implications of his words sinking in. “But the Unseelie—” I started, my voice trembling slightly.

Justice nodded, his jaw clenching. “That’s why you have to be on your toes around Garrick. The Unseelie have been known to take humans and keep them as slaves.”

The gravity of his warning settled in my gut.

CHAPTER SEVEN

As the sun crested the horizon, bathing the old stones of Edinburgh in a soft, golden light, Damon, Justice, and I retreated from the front porch back into the relative warmth of McDuff Manor. Despite the beauty of the dawn, an edgy tension hung in the air, a stark contrast to the tranquil morning.

I walked through the heavy front doors with the weight of impending decisions pressing down on me. The manor had begun to stir, sounds of the household waking up filtering through the air, yet the serenity of the morning did nothing to ease the unrest in my mind.

Maci and her demons were out there, waiting to pounce. We had already fought the Demons of Greed and Hunger, barely escaping with our lives. I shuddered at the memory of how they went from human forms to twisted faces and razor-sharp claws.

Now, as we headed toward the living room, I wondered which of the remaining demons would be waiting for us. Envy, pride, sloth, wrath, or lust, each one more dangerous than the last.


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