Page 122 of Their Fierce Little Monster

“You have my attention,” he snarls.

Corvin doesn’t hold back and reveals it all, starting with the maze, how Eve witnessed him releasing the beasts, the attacks in the mountains, the Gamemaster’s history, his revenge on Dawn, and ending with his plan to claim the throne of Ice Fire Court after massacring the royal family. “The bastard hid in your palace while waiting for the right time to exact his revenge.”

King Slate listens without a word, and I study his face as the bridge between his eyes creases deeper the more Corvin reveals about his second-in-command’s deceit. “Your Majesty, by the sheer shock on your face, I will assume you had no insight into his background or actions.”

“Of course I fucking didn’t,” he snaps, shoving himself to his feet. Corvin does the same, while I watch the king move to the edge of his balcony, staring out at the city.

For a long moment, he says nothing, and I glance at Lian, who simply offers me that sinful grin. He’s not worried, which eases me, because right now it’s our word against his.

Then he swings around, calling to his guards’ attention with a flick of his hand. “Bring me Corvin’s assistant. I want to hear her version. She’s an aide, correct?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. She can’t lie,” Corvin explains.

With the king now facing us, the gravity of the situation is obvious in his expression. “I appreciate your honesty, but I cannot just believe your words on this before I take action. First, I need to do my own investigation and verify it for myself.”

“I would expect nothing less,” Corvin answers.

Silence falls between us for a long moment. “I trusted that man for years,” he murmurs, his gaze dropping as he shakes his head. “I ask for your patience. My palace is yours to rest in until I finish my examination. I’m certain you all want to make yourselves more presentable and must be famished.”

It surprises me how logical the king is; part of me had expected him to be furious and even send us back to prison. Or maybe that’s my paranoid side coming through.

King Slate straightens himself, lifting his chin. “If what you say is true, then I’ll personally see to rectifying this injustice brought upon you four. For now, you’ll rest in my guest quarters until I summon you.”

His gaze shifts over to me. “Dawn, I can only imagine the hardship this has cost you.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, refusing to let myself drown in the weight of it all. I nod, just as he marches past us.

“Guards,” he calls out. “Take them to the west wing guest room. Bring them food, clothing, anything they require.” He glances over his shoulder in our direction. “I just ask that you don’t leave the palace until I collect all the facts.”

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Corvin says, bowing his head.

With that, we’re dismissed and leave his chamber, a guard leading the way.

Kazak slides his palm across my lower back as he guides us up a sweeping staircase with a golden railing. He smiles, and the permanent crease at the bridge of his nose is gone. “You should smile more,” I suggest. “It suits you.”

He looks pleased with himself, by how wide he grins. “Well, now I have reason to.”

I press into his side, and the four of us are led down a stunning hallway with red carpet and marble statues of more naked women.

I’m still coming to terms with everything we’ve been through, and I suspect I’m still buzzing on adrenaline. Maybe I ought to worry about other hidden dangers, something else coming for me, but after the mountain encounter, I’m starting to feel more comfortable around my three monsters. The girl back in Moonstone Village no longer exists. I’ve found my strength in my mates, and confidence in myself with my dragonfly mark. I still need to master both, but it’s a fantastic start.

They love me, and each time I remember that, tears prick my eyes. I want them to say it again and remind me that I now have a family.

We pause in front of grand white double doors. The guard pushes them open and steps aside. “Enjoy.”

We pour inside as the guard leaves and closes the doors behind us. Lian checks, and they’re not locked. I turn back to the room, and my mouth drops open.

“Now, this is a room,” I say.

It’s vast and flooded with sunlight from the glass doors leading to a balcony. Leather couches and low tables fill the room, along with a polished bar and a wall of bottles. Each holds different-colored drinks. Tapestries of wild beasts line the other walls.

“This is more like it,” Corvin says, stepping out onto the balcony. Kazak crashes onto a sofa, grinning, while Lian joins Corvin.

I don’t know where to look first, but I’m already rushing down a hallway, running my fingers across the white walls and more tapestries. The first room I walk into is a grand bedroom with a bed large enough for all four of us to sleep comfortably. It faces an oversized window overlooking the golden waterfalls, and I’ve decided I am moving into this guest room.

I’ve never seen anything so extravagant.

Next, I find the bathroom, and I pause in the doorway. How is this real? In the city, people have proper facilities, while in the village, some homes still have outhouses. But this room is something else, and I step inside.