by Lila Jean
Behind Tina, Flynn let out a quiet sigh of relief. Tina, too, nearly did the same, but she needed to be supportive for Killian’s sake.
“I—I can’t—” Killian ran his hands through his hair, turning around, sucking in a deep breath as grief overtook him.
For the first time since they had become a family, Tina saw her white knight fall apart. She went to him, gently lifting his chin until he looked at her, and as soon as their eyes met, he pulled her into a tight hug, holding onto her as though the world were crumbling around them.
“We’ll find whoever did this,” she said softly in his ear. “We’ll find them and hold them responsible, I promise.” He held her closely, and she buried her face in his neck, wishing she could heal him with her touch alone, but knowing it wouldn’t be that simple. She could only cradle him, hold him, and comfort him as he had so often comforted her.
“Zane, what happened?” Flynn asked from behind her, his voice low. “What’s going on?”
“The details are murky,” the tiger shifter answered, his voice a whisper she could barely make out. “We don’t know who did it, just that the king has been confirmed dead.”
“Officially?” Flynn’s voice raised an octave, clearly skeptical. “The kingdom came out with it publicly so soon?”
“Surprising, I agree, but it’s been confirmed by my spies inside.”
Flynn snorted. “Of course, you have spies in the—wait, you don’t have any here, do you?”
“Flynn, come on,” Zane sighed. “Of course, I do.”
“Ass.”
“Well, we’ll need to keep an eye on things, just in case.”
“Guys, focus,” she said softly, reining them in.
“No, it’s okay.” Killian released her, sucking in a deep breath, his shoulders tense and a furious expression on his face that, when coupled with the dark circles under his eyes, made him look deadly. Despite herself, despite the situation, the space between Tina’s thighs warmed as she watched Killian command the room, radiating power and authority as his jaw tensed.
“This isn’t a time to grieve.” He squared his shoulders, shifting his intense expression to her. “In the morning, I’m going to reclaim my birthright. My brother has taken over, but he’s a child, easily manipulated, and I suspect whoever did this did it because I’m not home to put them in their place.” He cracked his knuckles and nodded to Zane. “You and I have some arrangements to make. Come on.”
Tenderly, Tina grabbed his hand, slowing him as he made to leave. “How can I help, Killian?”
“You have.” He pulled her into a deep kiss, his mouth soft and warm against hers as he cradled the back of her head. Her heart fluttered at his powerful touch, and he released her too soon. “For now, rest,” he told her. “Tomorrow, I’m going to need you more than ever.”
15
Killian
Killian’s headset wasn’t enough to block out the thundering sound of helicopter blades chopping the air as they flew the last leg toward Aurous. Killian held tightly to a handle on the ceiling as he peered out the open side door of the aircraft. Draven manned the other door while Tina, Flynn, Anthony, and Zane were buckled up in the back, each of them looking as tense as Killian felt. This time, Killian wouldn’t risk an aerial attack, especially with his father’s killer still on the loose and possibly controlling the strings in his kingdom, so he and Draven were prepared to jump and shift at a moment’s notice.
In the distance, dozens of golden forms raced toward the helicopter. Killian squinted, his keen eyes picking them up before anyone else did, and he recognized the shining wings of massive eagles.
“Company at two o’clock.” Draven’s voice came through the massive headset covering Killian’s ears. “Twelve, I think.”
“Fourteen,” Killian corrected, adjusting the microphone by his face. “Standard patrol guard for guiding visitors into the kingdom. Nothing to be concerned about.” He paused, reflecting on his statement. “Yet.”
The eagles quickly surrounded the helicopter, and for the moment, Killian allowed it. This wasn’t an act of aggression, more a silent reminder of the eagle’s power and awareness over their domain, and each of the eagles watched him closely, albeit without surprise. In truth, there was little reason to be surprised, given what happened to his father.
“So, you’re just going to walk in, huh?” Draven asked over the headset. “Declare your birthright?”
“Pretty much,” Killian answered. “With my father de—” He coughed to clear the painful knot in his throat, not quite able to say the word yet, but he managed to push through for Tina’s sake. “With my father dead, the rules of succession are clear when there are multiple people in contention for the throne. In a situation like this, it’s a duel.”
“Between you and your brother?” Zane asked, his voice piping through the headset as well.
“Right.” Killian nodded.
“What about your sister?” Tina asked, her voice soft and delicate, a sharp contrast to the painfully loud clip of the helicopter blades above them. “Will she fight for the throne?”
At that, at least, Killian could laugh. “Helen just wants to live her life in peace and fly.” An affectionate smile hit Killian’s face at the recollection of his happy-go-lucky sister. “She wants nothing to do with the throne. That always fell on my shoulders.”
“One less duel, then,” Anthony said, his tone even and steady.
Killian looked back at the wolf shifter, an only child, and wondered if a lack of siblings to fight with while growing up had at least partially contributed to his dark and brooding nature.
“We’re here,” Draven said through the headset.
Killian turned around in time to witness his beautiful home city appear in the mountaintops. The dazzling gold spires shone like beacons through the clouds, the vast and endless white rooftops reflecting the late morning sun as the massive palace consumed the mountain, more and more of its endless windows and walls appearing as the clouds began to part.
The eagles guided Killian’s helicopter to the landing pad, where fifty soldiers gathered in uniform. The eagle escort roosted on the walls along the tarmac, the only thing separating the landing strip from a steep cliff and the rocks far below. Gusts of wind tore through the helicopter, but Killian stepped out as if he didn’t feel them, ignoring the way the gale tugged at his hair and clothes.
To the left, a set of gilded double doors swung open, and a lieutenant marched out, saluted Killian, and gestured inside. “We’ve been waiting for you, Your Highness.”
Killian nodded once in affirmation and reached for Tina, who unbuckled her seatbelt and joined him. As she set her hand in his, Killian noticed her and Draven share the briefest of glances. She nodded subtly, no doubt as an indication of what Killian already knew, that this was safe, that there was no hidden plot to kill them all or kidnap them, not when the succession of the kingdom was at stake.
If things went south, they all knew what to do. Draven would shift, everyone would climb on his back, the princes’ pride be damned, and they would fly into the clouds, losing the eagles in the mists surrounding their precious home, even if it meant leaving Killian behind. If he was captured, at least there was nothing anyone could do to harm him physically. He was indestructible, but only so long as his woman and brotherhood were safe.
Tina stepped out of the helicopter and walked hand in hand with him through the white and gold hallways, and despite the gravity of the situation, he loved the way her lips parted with amazement as she took in the beautiful sights of his home, which was dug deep into the mountain. One day, he would show her all of it, take her through every secret tunnel, to every hidden bunker, to every top-secret corridor and room, but for now, they had to focus on the matter at hand.
Two white-gloved servants opened the double doors leading into the vast throne room. White columns rose to the ceiling three stories overhead, all of the delicate arches and artwork subtly leading the eye to the red throne on a pla
tform at the other end of the room. A gilded crown sat on the red cushion, and his brother Ethan stood beside it, hands behind his back, a deadly serious expression on his face as he watched Killian enter.
For a moment, no one spoke, and even though the throne room was filled with the kingdom’s elite and packed with guards, it seemed as though only Killian and his brother remained. His jaw tensed, hoping his brother would see reason, hoping that the kid wouldn’t get greedy or prideful. A fight for the throne was a fight to the death after all, and Ethan had never once been able to beat Killian in any sparring match, much less a real fight.
And that was before Killian had been rendered invulnerable.
“Shall we speak in private, brother?” Ethan gestured toward a door beside the throne.
“Naturally.” Killian nodded his head subtly, suggesting his brother go first as he scanned the familiar faces in the audience, most of whom were various socialites or advisors to the king. Each of them watched him in stunned silence, as though not quite sure what to make of his return. He suspected he would have to do quite a bit of damage control in the kingdom thanks to his father’s propaganda against Tina and the concept of the One Queen.
Killian, Tina, and the rest of the brotherhood followed Ethan into the side chamber. The young prince’s back arched in regal defiance as he waited in silence for them to all join him, but the moment the door shut and the seven of them were alone in the room, he raced to Killian and hugged him tightly.
Slightly surprised, Killian merely held his hands out for a moment before returning the embrace, grateful that through all the madness, his brother had remained true to him.
“I’m so grateful to see you, Killian.” Ethan’s voice broke, and he seemed to choke on his words. “This, being here when it happened, not knowing who did it, being expected to run the kingdom, it was awful.” He pulled back and held both of Killian’s shoulders, laughing even though his eyes brimmed with tears. “Killian, don’t you ever make me rule this fucking place, do you understand? Never.”
“Never, I promise.” Killian laughed and smacked his brother’s shoulder heartily, eternally grateful this had turned out so well. “I’m so glad I don’t have to kill you, Ethan.” He rubbed his face, his heart finally filled with a bit of joy despite the chaos. “Jesus, you have no idea how tense I’ve been.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Ethan blew a raspberry, dismissing the thought with a wave of his hand. “I know you’d win. I’m no idiot.” He surveyed the other faces in the room, a strange blend of confusion and gratitude on his face. “What a mess we’ve gotten ourselves into, eh?”
“Hey,” Tina said, a slightly playful air of annoyance in her voice. “Is that what I am, now?”
“No, dear goddess, not at all.” Ethan laughed, rubbing his jaw, a clearly relieved expression on his face. “Not at all.”
“Ethan, who did this?” Killian asked, his throat tightening again as he reined them back in. “Who killed Father?”
The smile on Ethan’s face melted away, and he watched Killian with such intense sorrow that it seemed as though the young man would cry at any moment. “I don’t know, Killian.” His voice cracked again. “I don’t know, but I think it’s one of the advisors. The whole lot of them have been shoving law after law under my nose, trying to get me to sign, trying to get me to declare myself king before you could arrive.” His jaw tensed, and he glared out the window with an intense expression of disgust. “If they did this, Killian, if someone Father trusted murdered him in his sleep …”
“Then we will make that person, or those people, pay with their lives,” Killian promised. “We will make this right.”
A thin smile crossed Ethan’s face, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I missed you, Killian. I really did.”
“Well that makes one in the whole kingdom,” Killian said with a harsh laugh.
“No, not true.” Ethan shook his head. “Helen tore into Father, you have no idea. She eviscerated him, did everything in her power to make him accept you, accept her.” The young prince nodded to Tina. “When he wouldn’t listen, she left, telling him he would lose a daughter as well as a son until he saw reason. She’ll be home soon, I suspect, once she gets word of what happened.”
Ethan sighed, crossing his arms in frustration. “I told Father off, too, but I don’t quite have her way with words.” He chuckled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck, his smile quickly fading. “I thought for sure I would never see you again.”
“I’m here now, Ethan,” Killian said, setting a reassuring hand on his brother’s shoulder. “And I won’t abandon you again, I promise.”
“Yeah, that’s enough feelings for me.” Draven cleared his throat, interrupting the moment, and Killian shot the dragon an annoyed look that he ignored completely. “So, how are we going to do it then? Catch the killer?”
“I think it’s time we set a bit of a trap,” Killian said, a plan already forming in his mind. “Ethan, listen closely. I need you to do something for me, and when we’re done, we’ll have the person or people responsible. Do you have any leads?”
“I have a few ideas,” Ethan said softly, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully.
“Good, we’ll start there.” Killian sighed, squaring his shoulders as he stared intently at his brother. “I know you’re grieving, Ethan, but I need you to put that aside for now so that we can do this. All of us, together. Are you ready?”
The young prince closed his eyes, no doubt centering himself before he finally nodded. “Ready.” Ethan looked up at Killian, his expression intense and determined. “Let’s catch this asshole.”
16
Tina
Tina walked just a stride behind Killian as he and Ethan headed back out into the throne room, the entire space hushed and breathless, no doubt waiting for a duel to be declared and their two princes to go to war. Tina hid her grateful smile that wouldn’t happen since for now, she had to look somber and play the part.
“I concede!” Ethan shouted to the room, his back arched and regal, chin raised as he made his declaration. “As Princess Helen has conceded her right to the throne long ago, that leaves your new king, King Killian!” He gestured to Killian, and the room let out a collective sigh of relief before thundering applause filled the hall.
“Thank the gods there is no blood this time,” one of the nobles nearby whispered to a woman who was probably his wife, and Tina’s ear perked a bit with the comment.
“Each of my advisors will meet with me now, one at a time,” Killian said, his strong voice carrying through the room. “Coordinate your discussion order with Ethan and meet me in my office.” With that, Killian turned on his heel and walked into the hallway, Tina and the brotherhood in tow through the beautiful halls, each more dazzling than the next, past walls of windows that looked out onto a beautiful scene.
“I’m going to love it here,” she said under her breath, and with that, Killian peeked over his shoulder and shot her a sly smile.
When they finally reached Killian’s office, an ornately decorated room she supposed had once belonged to King James, Killian sat at the desk and took a deep breath, clearly unable to relax now that the game was afoot. “Anthony, you remember which exits you’re covering?” He looked at the wolf shifter. “You remember the map.”
“Yes.” Anthony nodded and left the room, nothing more than a rapid blur, off to monitor the most likely exits on the south side of the castle. The perk of living on a mountaintop with no land routes and a majority of the city in the mountain was that there were very few points off which even eagles could escape.
“And Draven—”
“Yes, Ma, we’ve got it, all of us.” Draven chuckled and turned to leave, but not before shooting a mischievous little wink at Tina. She shook her head, smiling as her dashing dragon left the room. Flynn and Zane followed suit, both serious, both focused, no doubt a bit on edge about having free rein to patrol a foreign nation’s castle. The doors shut behind them, leaving Tina and Killian alon
e in the massive office.
“And Tina, you’re the most important one of all.” Killian brushed his lips across her knuckles, the tender touch shooting tendrils of need through her core. “I need you to listen to their heart rates, not enough to glow, mind you, but just enough to feel their pulse from afar, and tell me if they rise sharply or if their pulse doesn’t match their expression.”
“You want me to be a lie detector,” she said with a grin. “That’s very clever, babe.”
“I try,” he said, chuckling. “We’ve left Ethan’s suspect for last to lure him into a false sense of security and give him time to play into our hands. Are you ready?”
“I am.” She nodded and set her hand on his shoulder. “I’ll do this if they’re lying since it’s subtle enough that they won’t notice.”
“Good.” Killian took a deep, steadying breath and leaned against the tall back of the office chair, clearly preparing himself for what would be a long afternoon of interrogation. “Let’s begin.”
Over the next few hours, a steady stream of calm but somewhat on edge eagle shifters were paraded through Killian’s office. Each of them expressed condolences and made assurances that he would be a good king, complimenting him for this, that, or the other, bringing up stories from his past as proof he will be perfect for the role.
He grilled them on the legislation that had been written since his father’s death, but no one knew who was responsible, and in fact, few had even heard of it at all or understood the complex legal terms written into the bills. As Tina tapped her magic, she felt that they were all clearly nervous, their pulses elevated but fairly even throughout the conversation, and each seemed to feel notable relief when they left.
