The Summer King Bundle: 3 Stories by Jennifer L. Armentrout

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  “You really believe that? That Caden and I being together is more important than the survival of the fae? Of the human race and our—?” I cut myself off as my stomach dropped.

  His eyes shot to mine. “And what?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Liar. What were you going to say?”

  Shaking my head, I looked away. “It’s nothing, Tink.”

  He was quiet for a moment. “What are you not telling me?”

  “Why does everyone keep asking me that?” I threw up my hands in frustration. Okay. Only he and Caden had said that, but whatever.

  “Maybe because there’s obviously something you’re not sharing.” There was a pause. “I’m offended.”

  “Are you now?”

  “Yes. I’m Tink. We’re roomies. We have joint custody of Dixon.”

  My brows puckered. “We do not have joint custody of your cat.”

  “Not true. He sleeps in your bed. That means we have joint custody whether you’re aware of it or not,” he said. “And you’re keeping something from me. You’re not telling me the truth, and I’ve just spent weeks with everyone keeping the truth from me. I expected better from you.”

  My mouth dropped open as I stared at him. A trickle of guilt crept into me, which I was sure he’d intended. “That is so manipulative.”

  “Is it working?”

  A short laugh escaped me as my gaze traveled to where my arms were folded over my stomach. I opened my mouth and then closed it. The need to confide in Tink—in anyone—hit me hard. It hadn’t even been a day, and I was bursting to tell someone.

  And Tink…if he was still living with me in a few months, would know. It would eventually become noticeable. I couldn’t hide it from everyone. I needed someone who knew. I could confide in Ivy, but she was prone to outbursts, and there was her own messy history with Caden.

  Lifting my hands, I scrubbed them down my face, covering my mouth. “If I tell you this, you have to promise me you won’t say anything.”

  “I promise,” he agreed quickly.

  “I mean it, Tink. You’re going to want to say something, but you can’t repeat this. Not to Fabian or Ivy or even Dixon.”

  “What in the hell would Dixon do? He’s a cat.”

  “I don’t care.” Lowering my hands, I looked at him. “You can’t repeat this. If you do, I will…” I searched for the worst possible thing that could happen to Tink. “I will find a way to blacklist you from Amazon, and until then, I will throw every single one of your packages in the garbage. I will cancel your orders. I’ll discontinue the internet.”

  His eyes widened as he pressed his hand to his chest. “That’s harsh.”

  “I know.” I held his gaze. “Do you still want to know?”

  Tink tilted his head. “I can keep a secret, Bri. You have no idea how many secrets I already keep. I’m practically the keeper of secrets. You all don’t even know my real name.”

  I frowned. “What is your real name?”

  He smirked.

  “Does Fabian know?”

  “Nope.”

  “For real?”

  “For reals.”

  I was kind of surprised that he hadn’t told Fabian. There was power in knowing a fae’s true name. I nibbled on my lip and then it sort of just spilled out of me. Two simple words that were incredibly life-altering. “I’m pregnant.”

  Tink blinked slowly. “With a baby?”

  “What other thing would I be pregnant with?” I asked.

  He gave a little shake of his head, and then a wide, beautiful smile broke out across his face, briefly stunning me. “Does that mean I get to be a godfather? I’ve always wanted to be a godfather. I can babysit. There are so many things I can show this child. I can make his or her toys come to life. Did you know that? I can teach them the wonders of Harry Potter and Twilight. Oh! And Game of Thrones. Well, that will probably have to come later. But think of all—” He came to a grinding halt while I gaped at him.

  Tink drew back from me and then stood, lifting his hands. “I’m about to ask a potentially obvious question here. Bear with me while I collect myself.”

  “Yes, it’s Caden’s child,” I stated dryly.

  “You didn’t bear with me!”

  “Tink.”

  He clasped his hands together under his chin. “You are having his child?”

  I nodded.

  “You are carrying a baby inside you right now that has your and his DNA?”

  “Yes.”

  Tink bent at the waist so we were at eye level with each other. “You are impregnated by him?”

  “Yes. Yes, Tink. I’m pregnant. He’s the father. Caden’s the dad,” I told him, exasperated. “The King is the father.”

  “Holy shit.”

  I snapped my mouth shut.

  Tink blinked.

  My heart stopped as my belly rolled all the way to the tips of my toes.

  Neither of us had said that.

  Tink straightened.

  I looked over his shoulder.

  And I saw not one, not two, but three fae staring at us in utter shock.

  Chapter 7

  It was the fair-haired Kalen who’d spoken. He looked as shocked as I felt. Standing beside him, Faye looked as if a slight breeze might knock her flat on her back. And of all people to be here, Tanner was with them.

  He looked like he was seconds away from vomiting.

  The five of us just stared at one another in silence while my heart pounded against my ribs. I thought I might hurl. Tanner and I could go puke together.

  Tink was the first to break the silence.

  “I dyed my hair,” Tink announced. “Do you all like it? I think it complements my skin tone.”

  For the first time in, well, forever, Tanner ignored Tink. “You’re pregnant,” the leader of the hotel said. “By…” He seemed as if he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

  My throat dried. “I…”

  “We heard her,” Faye said, blinking as her features settled into their typical blandness. “I don’t think we need her to repeat it.”

  This couldn’t possibly be any worse.

  Well, if Caden had been with them, that would have been worse.

  “I knew…” Tanner paused for a rough inhale. “I knew there was something between the two of you. It was obvious even before your abduction. I thought it was a passing fancy, but the way he behaved while you were missing told me it was more.”

  “Told everyone it was more,” Kalen muttered under his breath.

  “Now I understand his reaction earlier, why he demanded to be with you—”

  “Wait.” I shot out of the chair. “He doesn’t know.”

  “What?” Faye’s brows lifted.

  “I haven’t told him. I don’t plan to tell him—”

  “What?” Tink echoed in a demanding tone.

  Kalen pinched the bridge of his nose. “I have a feeling I’m going to regret coming out here tonight.”

  “What do you mean you’re not planning to tell him?” Tanner asked.

  “In other words, are you out of your freaking mind?” Tink cried.

  “This is like one of those daytime talk shows,” commented Faye.

  Kalen glanced at her. “You’re thinking of Maury?”

  The female fae nodded.

  “Love that show,” Tink chimed in.

  “He behaved that way and doesn’t know you’re carrying his youngling?” Tanner asked.

  “I’m going to be the godfather,” Tink announced.

  “Thoughts and prayers for that child,” Kalen said.

  “I know humans have their own views on these types of matters.” Tanner lifted his chin. “But we believe that the father has the same rights as a mother—”

  “Okay, everyone needs to shut up for a second, stop judging me and listen,” I snapped, a fine sheen of sweat dotting my brow. “I just found out today, and I am planning to tell him eventually. But not right now. None of you are going to say a word to
him. For two reasons. Number one—it’s none of your business.”

  Tanner sucked in air, looking absolutely affronted. “He is our King.”

  “And this is still not your business,” I told him. “The second reason is because I’m trying to do the right thing, and that does not involve giving him a congratulations card at the moment.”

  Kalen’s brow wrinkled.

  “I’m about to tell you all something that I hope shines a whole new light on this situation. Caden chose me. Not his betrothed. Not any other fae. He ended his engagement with Tatiana.” The stunned gasps from the three fae echoed like thunder. “I don’t think he’s going to pick another fae, and I’m sure as hell not into a party of three. He loves me. I love him, but I know what will happen if he doesn’t choose a Queen. I know what’s at stake. I assume each of you understands as well.”

  Tanner was slow to nod, even though he looked a little green under his silvery skin.

  “So I know that no matter what I want, what he wants, it can’t be.” My voice warbled, and when Tink opened his mouth, I pointed my finger at him. “I do not need to hear how love is worth everything. Do you think I don’t want to run in there and throw my arms around him and never let go? This isn’t easy for me, but I am pregnant. I am going to have a child. And even though I have no idea how to even raise a kid, I know I don’t want to bring him or her into a world that will go to hell in a handbasket. I know Caden needs to marry one of his own. I know the entire fae race and all humans depend on that. So, no. I’m not telling him anything until he’s happily married. Then, I will tell him.”

  Breathing heavily, I willed the knot of emotion swelling in my chest to fade. It had to. “So if any of you have any hope of preventing a catastrophe from happening, then you will keep your mouths shut about this, and you will do everything in your power to make—” I tried to swallow, but the knot had crept into my throat. “Everything in your power to make sure he marries Tatiana or another fae. That’s what you should be doing. But if you tell him what you overheard… I don’t know what he’ll do.” Pressing my lips together, I shook my head as I remembered him talking about his sister Scorcha. I tried to push away the image of him brushing the knots out of a little girl’s hair. I tried to forget how careful and gentle he was when he did it for me. I cleared my throat. “I have no idea what he’d do, but it won’t help to make sure the right thing is done. That much I do know.”

  No one spoke.

  Not even Tink. Not for a long time.

  It was Tanner who finally did.

  “You are doing the right thing,” he said. At his sides, his hands were opening and closing.

  Finally! Finally, someone realized that I was doing the right thing. There was no relief, though. No joy. Just a heaviness that threatened to drag me to the ground and then through it.

  “It gives me no pleasure to hide anything from my King, nor does knowing what you must be going through. But the future of our Court and of this world is paramount and trumps our needs and desires,” he continued. I felt myself nodding slowly. “We’ll keep your confidence, Brighton.”

  Sitting down in the chair, all the energy went right out of me. “Thank you.”

  His mouth tightened.

  “Neither Faye nor Kalen will repeat a word of what was overheard or discussed here,” Tanner announced, and for the first time, I saw his mask of civility slip a little, revealing the deadly creature underneath as he looked to the two of them. “Do you understand me?”

  Faye looked uncomfortable but she nodded. “I do.”

  “I was right. I regret this.” Beside her, Kalen thrust a hand through his hair. “I don’t like this. He’s our King.”

  “I’m not asking if you like it.” Authority bled into Tanner’s tone. “None of us do. But we must do things we don’t like to protect the future, no matter how distasteful we find them.” His hands stilled as his gaze met mine. “And I promise you that what you’re doing will not be in vain. I will do everything in my power to ensure that.”

  I nodded again because I felt distasteful. I felt wrung out. I felt everything and nothing as Tanner bid us goodbye. The others followed, but Kalen stopped and whispered something in Tink’s ear. The brownie nodded solemnly. At any other time, I would’ve been curious to know what was said, but right then, I didn’t have the brain capacity for it.

  Tink sat beside me. “So…”

  Wearily, I looked over at him.

  “That was awkward.”

  I laughed, but it didn’t feel right. “Do you think they’ll keep silent?”

  “I believe so.”

  “And you?” I whispered.

  “Of course. I don’t want you to throw away my packages.”

  I smiled at that.

  He leaned in, resting his forehead against mine. “You know what I think?”

  I was half afraid to ask. “What?”

  “I think you’ll make a good mom. After all, I’m one hell of a test run.”

  * * * *

  I spent the following two days with Fabian and Tink as my shadows. If I wanted to go out into the courtyard, they went with me. If I stayed in my room, they kept me company by either joining me on the bed to watch bad reality television or a movie in the living room area of the suite. I didn’t think I’d ever spent that much time in bed with one man before, let alone two. I knew they were there because Caden wasn’t, and I had a feeling they were with me at his request. Not that I believed they didn’t want to spend time with me, but it wasn’t like I was great to be around. I was the living embodiment of morose.

  I hadn’t talked to Caden since I’d told him I didn’t love him, but I woke in the middle of the night, swearing that his scent was in the room. Often, when I was in the courtyard with Fabian and Tink, a shivery wave of awareness broke out along the back of my neck and over my skin. I’d turn, fully expecting to find Caden there, looking at me in that intense way of his. But he was never there, just like when I woke in the night—the room was empty.

  I couldn’t make sense of how I felt. I didn’t know what to think or feel. A stupid part of me had been pleased to know that Caden had possibly been the one to deliver the food or could be watching me while I was in the courtyard. The other half of me wanted to punch myself in the face.

  Tanner and the others had kept their vow so far. I figured I would know if they’d told Caden about the pregnancy, but when I walked out to the courtyard with Fabian and Tink Friday evening, I saw that he was diligently working to make sure that Caden chose a Queen.

  Stepping out into the courtyard, I felt as if I’d been sucker punched in the heart when I saw Caden standing to the right, under several softly glowing paper lanterns. Wearing black trousers and a white button-down shirt, with his hair loose and brushing broad shoulders, he looked as if he’d stepped off the cover of a magazine or out of some fantasy. He wasn’t alone. Tanner was with him, as were several other fae, including Kalen. So was the tall and elegant, raven-haired Tatiana. Her brother, who was equally striking with his dark hair and deep, silvery hued skin, was also there.

  There was a slight smile playing across Caden’s face as Tatiana said something to him. She reached across the scant distance between them and touched the forearm exposed by the rolled-up sleeve of his shirt.

  There was no mistaking that Caden and Tatiana would make a stunning couple found only in fairy tales and seeing them together made me painfully aware of the fact that no one in their right mind would ever believe that he’d chosen me over someone so flawless. So graceful.

  The bite of jealousy took a huge chunk out of my heart even as I told myself I should be relieved. I should be happy to see him speaking with her. It wasn’t like him finding another fae to marry would lessen the blow if he rekindled the arrangement with Tatiana.

  Tink had taken my hand the moment we spotted them and began talking about sea turtles. Or possibly opossums. I wasn’t sure. Caden appeared wholly unaware of us. The only person who seemed to know we were there was S
terling, Tatiana’s brother. His gaze tracked us until I could no longer tell if he was watching.

  The courtyard had lost some of its beauty that night, and I hadn’t lingered long. Caden and the group of fae were gone when we went back inside, but based on the amount of activity behind the frosted glass of the common room, I had a feeling the King was in there. There was a lot of laughter, and I thought I even detected music. I’d heard that they often threw parties, sometimes for birthdays or weddings, and other times just because. Envy joined jealousy, and the moment I was in my hotel room, I managed to get Fabian and Tink to leave. I hoped they joined whatever was going on downstairs. They belonged there. I didn’t. And while I knew I wouldn’t be unwelcome—well, I doubted Tanner would be thrilled if I made my presence known since he was obviously working hard to reconnect Caden and Tatiana. But I also knew that I was an outsider, no matter my relationship with Tink or Prince Fabian.

  Feeling older and wearier than I had in a very long time, I pulled on a sleep shirt that Ivy had retrieved from my house. It was lightweight and long, reaching my thighs. I climbed into bed, shamefully early for a Friday night, beyond thankful that tonight was my last night here.

  “I got this,” I reminded myself as I had every night since Monday. As I placed my hand against my belly, I repeated, “We got this.”

  Drifting off, I wondered why it was so easy to fall asleep now when I’d always struggled to do so before. Was it the pregnancy? I’d read once that it could make you more tired. Or was it my body healing and recovering? The bruises and the cuts had all faded. My eyes were no longer swollen, and most of the slices had become only faint pink marks. Or was it depression? It was probably all of it.

  The darkness of a dreamless sleep slowly broke apart, revealing damp bricks covered by thick, ropey vines. Two torches struggled to beat back the shadows of the…tomb.