Series: Lords of Rathe Series by Meagan Brandy
Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 98580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“You doubt me?” Our mother rises from her throne, dark energy seeping from her skin.
“I do not doubt. The results did show young Kova as first seed, however—”
“Odin,” our mother warns, and I watch the woman closely.
“As much as you wish to control all—” the Monster boldly interrupts, continuing, and my mother's entire being begins to shake. “Some rules cannot be broken. Those of the court are one of them, but you know this, Queen Cosima, so I’m sure it was just a ... small oversight on your part, yes?”
“Do not—”
“Reveal the fifth, Monster.” My skin prickles. “I haven’t got all day.”
The man’s eyes move to mine, a man my father knew well, and after a long, steady hold, he gives a slow nod.
He dips his head, closing his eyes, but no glass cube comes forward.
Instead, a portal begins to take shape before me, the whirling colors lighting up the room completely. It opens, and a husky, rhythmic laugh fills the air.
My insides clench, my pulse spikes, all to come to a complete standstill.
I fly to my feet in seconds as frosty hair burns my retinas, soft hands curving over the back of a couch, fishnet fucking stockings wrapped tight around her curves. With the speed of light, I jerk forward, grabbing the white hair by its roots, and haul it through the opening.
Someone shouts, but the gateway is closed before I can figure out who it was, and then London is lying at my feet.
Her wide eyes snap all around, glossy and intoxicated. Finally, her glass eyes land on mine and my fucking fingers ache to ease her... but when five seconds later she jumps up with a glare, I want to wring her fucking neck.
“Who the fuck was that, and where the fuck were you?!” I demand.
“Excuse me?!” she screams. “Fuck you! Who do you think you are?”
“Watch your tongue.”
“Watch yours, you coward! Murderer! I—”
Her mouth seals shut, lips disappearing, and fear instantly clouds her eyes. I look at my mother, whose eyes have turned completely white.
“Enough,” I snap.
My mother’s head turns my way, her glare slowly appearing as the color comes back to her gaze. She faces forward then and eventually, London’s lips are freed.
It takes a moment, but I remember why we’re here... and that I was waiting for the fifth and final chosen who would be on the court for the Evolution of a King.
“No.” I look to the Monster. “Fuck no.”
I can’t live in the same quarters as her.
Can’t see her every fucking day.
Can’t go an entire fucking day without seeing her either...
Fuck!
Odin takes a single step forward. “Rejected or not, the fated holds the first spot in the courtship. This is how it has been since the beginning of time. Fate demands it.”
“Wait...” London shakes her head, spinning to look at the boxes in the corner, the girls hung up and on display, like toys in a store. Essentially, that is what they represent. At least at this stage anyway.
“Wait!” she shouts this time. “I have to be on the courtship? The courtship that is only taking place because we don’t want each other as mates?!”
My chest bows, and I have to slam my fist into it to straighten.
Her words shouldn’t fucking hurt, yet it feels like the dagger at my side is digging into and twisting beneath my ribs, and it’s bullshit.
I don’t want her.
I rejected her.
Not the other way around.
“Knight.”
I look to Creed, who holds my gaze, speaking without words.
There is no getting out of this.
Baring my fangs, I look to London. “Fine. But know now... this isn’t your opportunity to work your way back, traitor.”
Rather than sink into herself, London steps up. “Oh, don’t you worry, my Lords, I won't ever let you forget what I did to you, just like I will never forget what you did to me.”
“I will make you regret ever laying eyes on me.”
“Oh, baby...” she coos, her eyes growing dark. “You already did.”
Bitch.
Nine
London
I glare back at Kaia as I relay what just happened. “Did you hear what I just said?” When she doesn’t answer me, I click my fingers in front of her face in an attempt to pull her out of whatever the fuck is going on inside that cute little head.
“Sorry—” she blows out a cloud of smoke, before butting out her joint and rounding the kitchen counter to meet me. Her hands come to my upper arms. “I can’t help you with this, Lon.”
I sigh, shaking my head. That wasn’t what I was asking her, even though I love that that was the first thing she thought about straight after I told her I’d been courted into the castle of corpses with his royal fuckboy and his four little hoes. Okay. That may not be a fair observation—actually, no. Fuck him and fuck them.