Zodiac Academy Fated Throne - Caroline Peckham Page 0,260

I'm one of the most powerful Fae in the kingdom, Grus."

"Second," she said haughtily.

"What?" I questioned.

"One of the second most powerful Fae in the kingdom. Although now I'm thinking on that, I wonder if you’re third really as my ladies jointly claim two places at the top." She tipped her head up towards the sky and placed a finger on her lips as she pondered on that and I arched an eyebrow at her.

"We disagree on that little nugget of shit, and you well know it. When the Vegas manage to put me on my ass and stand over me in victory, I might consider your point valid. But seeing as that day is unlikely to ever come, I'll sleep happy at night knowing the Heirs and I outrank them."

Geraldine burst into a fit of laughter, doubling over and clutching her stomach as Xavier raised his eyebrow at her like he was wondering if she was even sane and I folded my arms as I waited her out. It took a long time.

When she finally straightened again, all signs of mirth had fallen from her face and she looked fierce enough to shift into her Cerberus form and try to rip my head off.

"The day fast approaches, Master Lizard. Beware the bell that tolls," she said seriously, glaring at me.

"What?" Xavier asked. "Is that a prediction or something?"

"No, fine steed, I am not blessed with The Sight, but I do have a river of faith and a mountain of belief in my ladies. Now, quit lollygaging and let us set off." Geraldine took off into the trees and I arched a brow at her retreating back.

"Where the fuck do you think you're taking us?" I asked.

"I assumed you wished to visit your mother," she called back without bothering to look at us again and I exchanged a more excited look with Xavier before taking off into the trees after her.

"Really?" Xavier asked, hurrying to catch up to Geraldine and making me quicken my pace too.

"Of course. My dearest Papa is expecting us, and he has been making sure she is quite well looked after during her stay at our abode. I am certain you will be most pleased to see how well she is doing," Geraldine explained and I really hoped that was true, because our mom deserved the chance to be happy after so many years chained to that monster she'd been married to.

We kept pace with Geraldine as she headed through the trees towards the gap in the fence and I nudged my brother to get his attention.

"What did she lure you into the trees with?" I asked him, knowing his instincts wouldn't have made him follow treasure the way I had.

"Oh, erm." Xavier blushed a little and I was enough of a dick not to let him off the hook, waiting for the silence to stretch out before he admitted the truth. "Carrots."

I snorted a laugh and he did too, pulling a juicy orange carrot from his pocket and grinning as he took a large bite from it.

When we made it beyond the fence, Geraldine took some stardust from her pocket and swept us through the heavens to land outside her family's property. It was a huge white manor house set amongst a garden filled with every kind of tree and shrub imaginable, the clear use of expert earth magic making flowers bloom even though it was winter so the whole place was bursting with colour and life.

Geraldine led us through the gate, using her magical signature to open it and explaining that they’d given the staff the evening off to hide our visit as we walked up the gravel drive.

I found myself filled with anticipation as we drew closer to the place our mom had been hiding, wishing I could have come sooner and trying not to focus on all the horrendous shit she’d been through.

We entered the house and I was surprised to find that despite its huge size, the place was homely and cosy, full of warm features and the scent of freshly baked bread in the air. I knew Hamish Grus had been alone since Geraldine's mother had died years ago so I was guessing that he had kitchen staff whipping up the delicious smelling food and I was hoping we would be fed while we were here.

Geraldine kicked her shoes off and gave us a pointed look which made us follow her lead before delving into the depths of the house down