72. ANGEL

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all…

It was too late to back out now. My teeth sank into my bottom lip as I carefully carried the tray. It was silent except for the echo of my footsteps.

Goosebumps covered every inch of my skin despite the layers of clothing I wore. It was colder down in the basement where the dungeons were.

I hated the smell.

At least most of the cells were empty. It consisted mostly of a bare room with a toilet and a thin mattress on the floor. It was clean for the most part except for a few questioning stains.

My steps slowed as I neared the cell Xavier said Dorothy was locked up in. There were no signs of the council members which I was thankful for.

I didn’t know what I was going to say to their mother, especially since she hated me so much, but I was hoping that I might be able to find something that could help my mates.

My steps faltered when she came into view.

She looked nothing like the woman I first met. Former queen Dorothy was a mess and if I had to be honest, the look didn’t fit her at all.

Cold eyes locked on me, making me swallow.

I hesitated a moment before I stepped forward and lowered the tray to the flood, close to the bars so it was within easy reach.

She snarled. “Coming to rub this in my face?”

Swallowing, I took a few steps back and then focused my attention on the bitter woman.

“I can because I thought you might like to have a warm meal,” I said softly. “And to find out if you need anything else. Like maybe a blanket or something.”

The laugh that fell from her lips made shivers race down my spine. She jerked to her feet and stormed towards me, but a chain around her ankle prevented her from reaching the bars.

It meant that she also wouldn’t be able to reach the food I got her.

I debated calling Xavier and asking him to unlock the door so I could place the tray inside for her, but the look she gave me was making me hesitate.

Xavier had made it clear how much he disliked my plan. Lucas had told him to keep a close eye on me while he guarded me from our bedroom. They were busy searching for answers.

“Does he know you’re down here?” she sneered the question at me.

I didn’t answer her. “Are you cold?”

“I’m not like you. The cold doesn’t bother me.”

Right. She’s a shifter Angel! Stupid.

My mind raced as I tried to figure out how to word my questions. I knew she hated me, so it wasn’t going to be easy to get answers from her, if any.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” she said softly. “You will never be queen. This kingdom belongs to me and I’m not going to allow a human to take control of it!”

“Why do you hate humans so much?” I asked her.

She pursed her lips, refusing to answer me.

“Why do you want your son to fail so badly?” I tried another approach.

Her lips parted, revealing the tips of sharp teeth.

I studied the metal bars keeping us separated. They were thick and looked sturdy enough, but I wasn’t sure if it would keep her inside when she changed into her dragon. Maybe the chain would prevent that.

“He was never meant to be the king,” she growled. “Nathaniel was the one who was supposed to take over. He made it clear that he never wanted to get married. A kingdom needs a queen, and I would have taken that title again.” Her eyes darkened as her anger increased. “It used to be so easy to manipulate him. And then that idiot refused to be crowned and said that Lucas should take the title instead.”

It was strange hearing her call Nate on his full name.

“Then that idiot suggested Lucas marry that bloodsucker to form an alliance with another kingdom.”

The roar that fell from her lips made my ears ring. I stumbled further away from the cell until I bumped into the wall. She spun around to glare at me again.

“There shouldn’t have been any alliances!” Dorothy hissed. “This land is ours. It belongs to me! All of it!”

“There will never be a war, not for as long as Lucas rules,” I told her. “He won’t allow it to happen.”

Her lips slowly curled up into a cruel smile. “You seem so sure, human. It’s only a matter of time before they come for him. Especially if they find out that Lucas is the cause of the portals. The realm is crumbling, and he was supposed to take care of it.”

It took a few seconds for her words to settle in fully, and the moment it did, I spun around and hurried towards the exit.

Xavier jerked upright, instantly on alert.

“I need to see Lucas,” I told him.

“He gave clear orders that you need to stay in your bedroom.”

“It’s important, Xavier!” I hissed. “I need to see him. Now.”

He hesitated and then bowed slightly before he started leading the way.

We didn’t head in the direction of Lucas’s office, but towards the library instead. Xavier hesitated again when we reached the door. I moved around him, and just remembered in time to knock before I opened the door.

All three of my mates straightened, the expressions on their faces softening when they realized who entered the room.

I closed the door behind me and hurried over to Lucas.

“I told Xavier－”

“I went to see Dorothy,” I interrupted him.

“What?” he snarled, gripping my upper arms. “I told Xavier－”

“It wasn’t his fault. I sneaked out,” I lied. “I’m sorry. You can be mad at me later.”

“What did she say?” Mason asked as he stepped closer.

“She said that there was never supposed to be any alliances between you and the other kingdoms. She wants them to start a war, Lucas. The portals opening, it was all planned this way.”