https://ebookmass.com/product/dark-faes-secrets-a-whychoosefantasy-romance-2nd-edition-eve-newton/
Instant digital products (PDF, ePub, MOBI) ready for you
Download now and discover formats that fit your needs...
Dark Fae Princess: A Whychoose Fantasy Romance Newton
https://ebookmass.com/product/dark-fae-princess-a-whychoose-fantasyromance-newton/
ebookmass.com
Dark Fae's Desires: A Whychoose Fantasy Romance (Dark Fae Kingdom Book 2) Eve Newton
https://ebookmass.com/product/dark-faes-desires-a-whychoose-fantasyromance-dark-fae-kingdom-book-2-eve-newton/
ebookmass.com
Her Desire: A Dark Whychoose Mafia Romance Eve Newton
https://ebookmass.com/product/her-desire-a-dark-whychoose-mafiaromance-eve-newton/
ebookmass.com
Eco-design of Maritime Infrastructures Sylvain Pioch
https://ebookmass.com/product/eco-design-of-maritime-infrastructuressylvain-pioch/
ebookmass.com
The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy Philip Gorski
https://ebookmass.com/product/the-flag-and-the-cross-white-christiannationalism-and-the-threat-to-american-democracy-philip-gorski/
ebookmass.com
MGMT5 Chuck Williams
https://ebookmass.com/product/mgmt5-chuck-williams/
ebookmass.com
Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications of Graphitic Carbon Nitride Sabu Thomas
https://ebookmass.com/product/synthesis-characterization-andapplications-of-graphitic-carbon-nitride-sabu-thomas/
ebookmass.com
The American Promise, Value Edition, Volume 2 7th Edition, (Ebook PDF)
https://ebookmass.com/product/the-american-promise-value-editionvolume-2-7th-edition-ebook-pdf/
ebookmass.com
Introduction to Computing 1st Edition David A. Joyner
https://ebookmass.com/product/introduction-to-computing-1st-editiondavid-a-joyner/
ebookmass.com
Introduction to Linear Regression Analysis (Wiley Series in Probability and Statistics) 6th Edition Montgomery
https://ebookmass.com/product/introduction-to-linear-regressionanalysis-wiley-series-in-probability-and-statistics-6th-editionmontgomery/ ebookmass.com
DarkFae’sSecrets WhychooseFantasyRomance DarkFae Kingdom Book3 Eve Newton
Copyright©EveNewton,2020 2ndEdition2024
ExclusivetoAmazon Ifyoupurchaseordownloadacopyfromanyotherwebsite,thisisillegalpirating
Thisbookisaworkoffiction Anyreferencestohistoricalevents,realpeople,orreallocalesareusedfictitiously Othernames,characters,places,andincidentsare productsoftheauthor’simagination,andanyresemblancetoactualeventsorlocalesorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental
Allrightsreserved,includingtherightofreproductioninwholeorinpartinanyform,storedinorintroducedintoaretrievalsystem,ortransmitted,inanyform,orbyany means(electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,orotherwise),withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthecopyrightowner
Chapter 1 Savannah LookingbackintoRath’Na’seyeswithahugegrin,Iblinkacoupleoftimes,andthenIstartlaughing,wigglingawayfrom himtodancearoundandflapmywings Ifeellikeasmallchildagain,anditis fun!
He chuckles, indulging my less than Queenly behavior, but then I stop dancing and frown. There is a thud on the windowlikesomeonehasthrownsomethingatit
We exchange a look,andbothsteptowards the window atthe same time,peeringout.Ican’tsee much,soIopenitand lookdownwithagaspofhorror
Thegroundoutsideofmywindowiscoveredindeadravens.Ilookup,andtheskyisfilledwiththebirdsinflightandthen droppingoutoftheskylikerocks.
“Whatthefuck?”Ishriekandturntogetdressed,automaticallystashingmywings awaysomehow,justbythinkingthatI needthemgonesoIcanpullmydressovermyhead.
“Savannah,wait,itcouldbeatrap,”Rath’Naurgesbutispullinghispantsbackonanyway
“Idon’tcare!Theyarealldying!AmIdoingthis?Isitme?”Iamterrifiedatthethought.Rath’NaandI,makinglovethe waywedid,openedupsomethingepicinsideme DidIaccidentallysendawaveofmagickouttherethatkilledmybeloved ravens?
Idon’twaitforhimtoanswerme,IjustgrabhishandandPuffportusoutside.Ichokebackthesickeningsob,lettinggoof Rath’Natoputmyhandstomymouthasthetearswellup
Undertherumblingnightsky,thelightningflashesandarainofravenspoursdownfromupabove.
“No!”Iscreamandlookaround,walkingthroughthefieldofdeadbirds,seekingoutoneinparticular,asmyheartthudsin mychest.
“Savannah,”Rath’Nasayscalmly,butIignorehimasmyeyeslandonaraventhesizeofaneagle,lyingdeadafew feet away.
“Rook!” Ishriekand race over, droppingto myknees. “No, please, come back.” Itell myselfthathe reincarnates every timeandthathewillbefine,butwhatifthistimeheisn’t?Whatifthelasttimewashislast?
“Savannah,”Rath’Nasaysagain,puttinghishandonthebackofmyneck.
Itcalmsmeenoughtolookupathim Iseeaswirlofsilverribbonsallaroundmeandgasp Istandupagainandfeelthe magickcomingoutofmyfingers.Iholdmyhandsout,andtenwispystrandsofmagickthatIhaveneverseen,letaloneused before,findsthedeadravensandtouchesthemlightly.Theyspringup,onebyone,comingbacktolife,shakingtheirheadsand thenflappingoffwithscreechesofrage.
Open-mouthed,IspintoRook,holdingmyhands outover him.Thesilver ties floatdownintohim,bringinghimbackto life HeShiftsbacktohishumanformwithaloudgroan
“Thankthegods,”Icryandfalltomyknees,takinghisfaceinmyhandsandkissinghim.
“Whathappened?”heasks
“Idon’tknow,”Iwhisper,pressingmyforeheadtohis.
Onceagain,Rath’Naplaceshishandonmyneck,andIlookupathim.“Thiswasn’tyou,Savannah.Youdidn’tdothis.” Hopingthathe’sright,Ichokebackasob
Rooklooksbetweenus,andIpressmythighsclosertogether.Theyarestillslickwithcumfromthemagnificentsexfrom onlyafew minutesago ThefactthatIwanttodoitall overagainrighthere,rightnow,issomethingthatispressingonme
ThepowerthatI’veusedtobringthesecreaturesbacktolifeis…overwhelming,andI know ithaseverythingtodowiththe
goddessinmeandnottheQueenpartofme.
“Yourpoweristoheal,Savannah,notharm,”Rath’Nasays. Igivehimahardstare,whichhefrownsat IturnawayandlookbackatRook.“Areyouokay?” “Fine,”hecroaksout “Thatwasnotliketheothertimes” “BecauseSavannahdidn’tdoit,”Rath’Nagritsout.“Thiswasamaliciousattempttohurtyou,”headdstome. “Howdoyouknow?”Iaskquietly “Becauselook…”HepointsovertothefarsideofthePalacegrounds.Underthestormysky,Iseeaflashofyellow silk andknowthatitisAmbrosia.
“YouBITCH!”Iroaratherandleapup,launchingmyselfforward,butevenasIdo,withanevillaugh,shePuffportsaway ShewillbebackintheprotectionoftheLightFaePalacebeforeIcantakemynextbreath.
“FUCK!”Iscreamatthesky “Whyisshestillallowedonthesegrounds?” “Givetheword,myQueen,andshewillbetakenoutthenexttimeshestepsfoothere.”
IturntoJerrick Ihavenoideahowlonghehasbeenstandingthere,butclearlyenoughtimetofigureoutwhatisgoingon He gives Rath’Na a cursorynod, butthenhis focus is completelyonme. His gaze is boringinto mine. He is clingingto whatevershredofcontrolhehas.
“Word,”Iwhisper,andhecracksasmileasI’dhoped Hebobshishead,comingtometogivemeadeepkissbeforehePuffportsawaytogethisGuardinorder.
Rath’NahashelpedRooktohisfeet Mylittleraveniscompletelynakedandtemptingmewithhisrock-hardbody Rakingmygazeoverhim,Ifeelterrible.HelookslikehewashitinthesideoftheheadbyaDragongod.“Goandrest,my sweetraven,”Imurmurtohim,takinghishandandkissingit.“Iwillcomeandseeyouinafewmoments.Iwanttowakethe restfirst.”
Henods,hisfacefull ofconfusion.Idon’tblamehim. I’m still tryingtowrapmyheadaroundwhatis happeninghere.I leanovertogivehimasoftkiss,andthenhePuffportsout,whichIhopedoesn’tmakehimfeelanyworse IturnbacktoRath’Na.Heisgivingmeanexpectantlook.
“Why haveyounotmentionedyournewstatus,deargirl?”heasks,leaningonhisgodstaff
“Idon’twantto.Notyet,”Imumbleandholdmyhandsouttotheremainingdeadravens.Thesilversliversworktheirway aroundtherest,andsoontheyareallflyingoff,annoyedbutalive.
“Whynot?”hepresses.
“Ihave just becomeQueen,”Isay,turningtohim.“Icannotevenbegintoprocessthis…”Idropmytonetoawhisper,“… goddess thing”
“This goddess thingis who youare,” he says. “Youare myother half, Savannah. We have muchto accomplish, and you can’tdothatbyhidingintheshadows”
Ishakemyhead.“Whatdoyoumean‘your other half’andwhatdoweneedtoaccomplish?Ineedtobehere,rulingmy Kingdom.”
“Savenirtoldmethatyouwouldcome,thatIneededtobepatientandwaitforyou Shewasn’ttheoneforme Ourhalves didn’tmatch.ButyouandI…oh,Savannah,youfeltitwhileweweremakinglove.Iknowyoudid.”
Idid
ButhowdoItellmyothermenthat?
“Whatarewesupposedtoaccomplish?”Iaskquietly
Hestepscloser,lettinghisgodstaffhovernexttousashetakesmyhands.“TheDragonsandFaewereneversupposedto liveapart.Wearestrongertogether.Wecanridtheworldoftheweak,ruleasweweresupposedtoinsteadofhidinginour Realms WearemeanttobringtheFaeandtheDragonsbacktogether”
“What?”Ishakemyheadinconfusion.Whatishesayingexactly?
“WeneedtogototheDragonRealmsandbringthembacktoourside”
“MysisteristheDragonEmpress,”Ipointout.“Areyousayingyouaregoingtoremoveherfromherrule?”
“No, ofcourse not Igave the title ofEmpress to the females ofthe race Ihave no desire to take thataway However, Delindawillhavetoalignherinterestswithmine.Ours.”
Itakethatin.Hemakesitsoundlikeshedoesn’thaveachoice.That I don’thaveachoice.Butapartfromthat,heappears tobetalkingaboutwipingouthumanssothatsupernatural creaturescanrule I’mnotsurethatissomethingthatIamall that interestedindoing.Ihavenothingagainsthumans.Idon’tknowmany,sure,buttheycan’tbeallthatbadthattheydeservetobe sweptaway
“Icansee your hesitation, and Iunderstand it. Ihave thrownthis atyouwithoutprior warning. Itwasn’tmyintentionto comeoutwithallofthishere,now.ButthefeelingsthatIhaveforyouarecloudingmyjudgmentrightnow.”Hegivesmethat slow,sexysmilethatmakesmemelt,andIstepinclosertohim,wrappingmyarmsaroundhim.
“Ihear whatyouare saying, andwe candiscuss itinthe future, whenI’ve settled into this new role, this new power of
beingQueen first,okay,Rath?”
“Rath?”heasks,lookingdownatmewithasmirk.
Ireturnitwithashrug
“Okay, Savvie,”hereplies.“Wecancertainlydiscussourbiggerplansatalatertime;however,youdo needtoinformyour other menofyour goddess nature now Youhave alreadyshownthatyouhave the magick Your Fae Queenpower does not includebringingthedeadbacktolife,mysweetgirl.Theywillknowsomethingisupsoonerratherthanlater,andwell,quite frankly,Iinsistonit”
“Why?”Iask.“Whycan’titjustbebetweenusfornow?IwanttoseehowthedynamicfallsbetweenusallwithmyQueen power first. Bringing in an all-powerful Faerie goddess who can reanimate dead creatures is something that I need to understandfirst”
“Notalldeadcreatures,”hemurmurswithafrown.“Onlythoseyouareconnectedto.Donotgoaroundthinkingthatyou canbringeverydeadthingbacktolife,Savvie”
“Yousee!Ihavesomuchtolearn.”
“Iwill teachyouwhatIknow aboutyourpower,whichisalot,butnotall Therestisuptoyou,mylove Iwill remain quietaboutyournewpowers, for now.IcannotreiterateenoughthatIwantyoutotellthemsoon.Iwantthemtoknowwhowe aretoeachother.”
IwanttotellhimthatIdon’treallyknowwhatwearetoeachother HowcanIwhenIdon’tunderstandanythingaboutthis powerandhow… why…I’mconnectedtohimashis‘otherhalf’.
Hetakesmychininhishandandkissesmelightly “NowthatIhavefoundyou,Icannotletyougo,”hemurmurs “Don’t,”Iwhisper.“Don’teverletmego.”
Ideepenthekiss,needingtobeasclosetohimasIcanpossiblyget.Ifeelthiswaywithallofmymen,butthis is different. Icanfeelitinmybones,myblood,andIneedtimetofigureitoutandfigureouthowtonotletitgetinthewayofwhatIhave withmyothermen.
AsRathrunshishandsdownmybody,bunchingmydressupinhisfistsroughly,tuggingatituntil thefabrictears,Ifear thatthisisn’tgoingtobeaneasytask.WhatIfeelforhim,hefeelsbackformewithmoreunderstandingandclarity. Mostimportantly,heonlyhasme
Wesinktothesoftgrass,andIturnmythoughtsoff.Ijustfeel,andoh,fuck,doesitfeelgood.
Chapter 2 Jerrick In the Palace, in a darkened corridor where no one passes by much, I look out of a window that faces directly where SavannahandRath’Naarefucking Sheisbeingveryblatantaboutit MaybenowthatsheisQueen,shedoesn’tcareabout privacyanymore.
Itdoesn’treallybotherme IknewthesecondthatIsawherlookathimthatthisiswhatwouldhappen Iwasexpectingit Whenhecametousandtolduswhathisintentionswereafewhoursago,noneofusweresurprised,andnoneofusfoughthim. IfSavannahwantshim,thenweallacceptthat Thereissomethingdeepthere,I’mjustnotsurewhatitis Ithinkshedoes,but shehasn’tmentionedityet.Iwon’tpushher,norwillIusemyempathicpowertosiftthroughherfeelings.It’suptohertotell uswhenshe’sready.Idon’tdoubtthatshewill.
“Jerrick,”asoftwoman’svoicepurrs
Closing my eyes briefly, I grimace. Somehow, I knew this would come back to bite me on the ass. She wasn’t that impressedwhenIdumpedhersuddenlytobewithSavannah
“Letisha,”Imutter.“Whatdoyouwant?”
Shelaughs “Isthatanywaytotalktothewomanwhousedtoserviceyourcock?”
Turningtoher,glaringintoherpurpleeyesthatIusedtothinkweresopretty,now,Iknowherfeaturesdon’tdoitformeat all.
“I’vetoldyou,it’sover,”Igritout
“Oh,Iknow,”shesnarls.“Aftereverything,youjustdecidedonedaythatIwasn’tgoodenough.Well,I’mno Queen… ”
Sheleavesthathangingthereandlooksoutofthewindow Idon’tknowifshecanseewhatIcan,butImoveacrossitto blockherviewandfoldmyarmsovermychest.
“Whatisthatsupposedtomean?”Igrowl.
“Oh,please,”shescoffs,flickingherdarkhairoverhershoulder.“Everyoneknowsyou'rebangingthenewQueen.Iguess shetookafancytoyou,andit’s your job toserviceher.”
“Fuckyou,Tish Youhavenoideawhatyou’retalkingabout”
“Oh,butIdo.Yousee,us servants seethings,andwetalk.Seemsyouaren’ttheonlyone,soI do hopethatyouweren’t expectinganythingoutofit Sheisusingyou”
Iclenchmyjaw.Wasshealwaysthisvile,orisshejustbeingvindictivebecauseIhurther?
“Tish,I’msorryfor thewayIendedthings,butyouhavetoacceptthatit’s over andstoplookingfor troublewhenthere isn’tany,”IsayascalmlyasIcan.
“Acceptthatit’sover,”sherepeatswithscorn.“Weweretobe married,youutterasshole.Then,oneday,youjustdecide thatit’sover?No,I’mnotbuyingit Didsheorder it?Doesshewantyouall for herselfandtoldyoutogetridofme?”Her eyesflashdangerously.
“Our Queendoesn’tknow aboutyou,” Istate coolly Yes, itis possiblya foolishmove, as she seems to dislike Savvie immenselyrightnow,butIcan’thelpit.Sheispushingmybuttonsallwrong.
“Oh?” she sneers. “Is that right? You never once mentioned me in your little chats or when you were supposed to be protectingher,orhaveyoubeenscrewingherthisentiretimebehindmyback?”
“Stop this right now,” I bark. “You are upset, and you will say something that you will later regret. Remember that Savannahisnowyour Queen ”
“Aboutthat,”shesaysinthatwheedlingtonethatshehasusedonmetogreateffectbefore.“Youwillspeaktoherabout
makingmeoneofherladies-in-waiting.”
Igiveheradarkglareandgrowl.“AndwhywouldIdothat?”
“I’mtiredofbeingjustacleaner,thelowestofthelowaroundhere Iwantabetterstation Youwilltellhertopromoteme, or Iwill go outthere…” She points to the window, makingitclear she knows Savvie is outthere and withwhom, “ … and informher thatthe Headofher DarkGuardis a brute whoforcedme toservice himwhile he watchedher fuckingthatnew guy.”
Iletoutalowrumbleattheblackmail “Shewon’tbelieveawordofit,”Isnarl,losingmycoolstanceanddroppingmy arms,fistsclenched.“Besides,I’mprobablynottheonlymanaroundherethatknowsyoulikeitthatway.”
“Oh,Icanbe very believable,”shewhispers andthenrips her dress open,tearingthebuttons freeandexposingher tits. “Help!”shecriesoutabitlouder
Growling,Igripherarmtightly.“Stop!”
“Help!”sheshoutslouder,herfaceacruelmaskoftriumph
Irealize mymistake instantlyas her lips curve up into anevil smile. Ipull myhand offher, to her disappointment. She baitedme,andIfellforit Wedidengageinroughsexonmostoccasions,she does likeitthatway ButIfellintohertrapby layingahandonhernow.Itmakesmeshuddertothinkabouthowsheaskedmetotreather.
“IfyouevenutteronewordtotheQueenaboutanything,Iwillmakeyouwishyouhadneverbeenborn,”Ihiss. She straightens her clothes and gives me a wicked smile “Youknow whatto do ” She saunters off, givingme a little wavethatmakesmewanttoripherhandoff.
Turningbacktothewindow,Iglareoutofit SavvieandRath’Naarenolongeroutthere Islammyfistintothehardwall nexttothewindow.Idon’twantLetishaanywherenearSavannah.Myexwilluseeveryopportunitytomakeitknownwhatwe oncemeanttoeachother.EvenifIgotoSavvieandtell her ofthisunwanteddevelopment,itwill makeher curiousandshe willwonderwhyInevermentioneditbefore.Truthis,IhavelovedSavannahsinceIfirstlaideyesonherwhenshecamehere threeyearsago.ThingswereneverthesamewithLetishaandmeafterthat.Afterthatfirstkissinmyroomwhenshereturned afteratimeaway,IknewthatIcouldn’tgoonpretending MythoughtswerealwaysonSavannah Shewasmybeginningand myend.Letishameantnothingtomeafterthat.ShewasmerelyadistractioninthemiseryofmylifewithoutthewomanIloved. Iknow Ihandledour breakupbadly,andIshould’veknownthatshewouldn’ttakeitwell,butthereis nowaythatIcan have Letisha workingdirectlyfor Savannah. Apartfromthe obvious hatred thatLetisha feels for Savvie, itwill be fucking awkwardfor me.IhatethatIthinkthat.MythoughtsshouldbeallaboutSavvie’swell-being,butIcan’thelptheselfishness. ThelastthingIneedistoseeherfaceeveryday,wonderingwhatsheissayingtoSavvieaboutmeandourtimetogether. “Hey,”Savviesays,poppingupnexttomeinaswirlofsmoke.“Thereyouare.”
“Youneededme?”Iask,harsherthanImeantto Myannoyanceisn’tather Shegivesmeaconcernedlook.“Everythingokay?”shemurmurs,slippingherhandintomine. Iforceasmileonmyfaceandbringherhandtomylipstokiss “Fine Areyouokay?” “Weneedtotalk,”shesays,steppinginclosertome.“Afterwards,Iwantyouonyourown.All.Night.Long.”
Herheatedgazemakesmydickgohard.AllofmyworriesaboutLetishavanishasmyforcedsmileturnsgenuine.“I’dlike that,”Iwhisper,pullingherevencloser “Ineed it”
Shelooksupatme,thosevioleteyesfulloflove.“Ineed you,”shesays.
“Iloveyou,”Isayquietly,droppingherhandandcurlingherhairbehindherear Itracemyfingersdownherfacetounder herchin.Itiltherheadbackabitandplaceasoftkissonherlips.“EverythingthatIdoisforyou.”
Shefrowns “Jerrick ”
“Iloveyou,”Isayagain,wantinghertosayitback.
“Iloveyou,”shesays.“Areyousureyou’reokay?”Herconcernformemakesmehappy. “Perfect,”Isayandtakeherhandtoleadheraway
ThesecondbeforeshePuffportsusout,IseeLetishaskulkingintheshadows.Shesawandheardeverything.Icursemyself fornotbeingmorecareful Itwillonlyfuelherfire Shewon’trestnowuntilshehasdestroyedme,andSavannahalongwithit
Chapter 3 Savannah Jerrickisactingabitweird.Igivehimasneakystare,wonderingwhathashiminamood.ItmustbebecauseofRath’Na, andthatiswhyI’vecalledthemenheretomyroomtohaveaconversation
This conversation. Rookisthelasttoarrive Helooksbetterthanhedidawhileago Igotohimandask,“How’reyoufeeling?” “Okay,”hesayswithareassuringnod.“Itwasaweirdfeeling.Notliketheothertimes.”
“Ihaveatheoryaboutthat,”Imurmur “We’lltalklater”
Henodsagain,andthenIleavehimtofacetherestofthemen.“Asyouwillknowbynow,Rath’NaandIhavedecidedto betogether.Iknowthatit’sasurprise,andI’dhopedtospeaktoyouaboutitbeforeItookthestep.I’msorryforthat.Ihope thatyoucanforgiveme”
“Nothingtoforgive,”Treystates.“Itoldyouaftertheceremonythatyouhadourblessing.Wegetit,Savvie.Weallknewa whileagothatthiswasgoingtohappen”
Givinghimagratefullook,IthenfocusonTheo.Hegivesmeasmile,asdoesRook.Jerrickisalittlelatetoabsolveme, butheeventuallysighs
“Youhaveabsolutelynothingtoapologizefor,”hesays.
“Thankyou,”Imurmur.“Uhm,thereissomethingthatIwouldliketoaddaboutRathandwhoheis.”
“He’smynot-grandfather,”Treysays,“Wealreadyknowthat”
“No,there’smore.”IlookatRath.Hegivesmeanencouragingnod.Wespokeaboutrevealinghistrueheritageafter we madeloveinthegrass Istillwanttokeepmyownunderwrapsfornow,butthesoonerwetellthemenwhoRathis,thebetter “Rath’NaistheDragongod,”Isay,focusingonTreyasIsaythis.Itwillmeanmoretohimthantheothers. Althoughperhapsnot.
“What?”Jerrickthunders,steppingclosertome.
“Wait?What?”TreyinterjectsbeforeJerrickcanhaveanapoplexy.
“TheDragongod HeistheonewhocreatedTiamatandtheotheroriginalDragons,”Isayquickly Jerrickspins toRath’Na,hisfistsclenched.“Youshouldn’tbehere,”hespits out.“Is thatwhyyousuckeredSavvieinto rescuingyou?Fallingforyou?Sothatyoucouldcomehereandspyonusforthem?”
“Jerrick!”Isnap.“Don’tberidiculous.Rath’Nawasimprisoned,weallknowthis.Heis not aspy!”
Ican’thelpthestabofdoubtthathitsmeinmyheart,butwhenIcatchRath’seye,Iknowit’sfalse.Hewouldn’tdothat.
“I understand completely why you think that,” Rath says to Jerrick. “But I can assure you, that is not the case at all. SavannahandIbelongtogether.Iwouldneverhurther,ortheFaeinanyway.ItismywishtoreunitetheDragonsandtheFae. Wearetheoriginalcreatures Weshouldbeunited,notapart Tiamatwasafooltoestrangetheraces Shedidn’tseethebigger picture.”
“Whichiswhat?”Jerrickgrowls “LuretheFaeintoareunion,andthenyouoppressusunderyourrule?” “Jerrick!Youarebeingunreasonable.” Heturnstome.“AmI?”
“Yes,”Istate “I want theDragonsandtheFaereunited Toliveinharmonywithmysister’sEmpireiswhatweallshould bestrivingfor,notthisseparation.Therewillbenooppression,weareequals.”
Jerricktakesmyhandsandsqueezesthem “Doyoutrusthim?”heasksearnestly “Yes.”That’sallIneedtosay.
Henodsgrimly.“ThenIwilltoo.”
Isqueezehishandsbacktightly,knowingthatI’veleftoutthepartabouttheWorlddominationonRath’sagenda.ButIdon’t haveplansforthat,andIwilldomybesttotalkhimoutofit ThereisnoneedtotakeoverWorldswhenwehaveourown, whenwehavethe power betweenustocreateanewWorld,onewheretheDragonsandFaeliveinpeacetogether.
“Thankyou,”Isayandthenlookattheothermen
TheyalllookassurprisedasJerrickbutacceptthatRathdoesn’tmeananyharm.
AsIcontinuetolookathim,Treysuddenlybecomesangry,butheclampshislipsshut I’mguessingthatheandRathare goingtohavewords,reallysoon.Igetthat.TreyisaDragon,firstandforemost.Hewillbepissedoffaboutthisnews.
“Allofthisaside,andthankyouforkeepingusinformed,”Jerricksays,“Idoneedwhatyoupromisedme,Savannah.”His eyesareheated,andIgiggle
“Definitely,” Isay. “Rook, I’ll come and find youlater, and we’ll talk. Theo…” Igo to himand hold him. He has been silent,takingeverythingin “We’lltalklateraswell,okay?”
Henodsandbrieflytightenshisholdonme. IpullawayandturntoTrey
“IthinkyouandRathneedtogoandhaveatalkofyourown,”Imurmurtohim. “Wesuredo,”hegrowls,butthenshootsmeasmallsmile.“We’llcatchuplater.”
Heleansforwardtokissmequickly,andthenhegrabsRathbythearmandPuffportshimaway RookandTheofollow I feel badfor dismissingthem,butIcanfeel aswirl ofemotions comingfromJerrick,andIneedtofindoutwhatisgoingon withhim Heisworriedandpissedoff,butaboutwhat?Onlyhistellingmewillsolvethatmystery “Iknowthatwasrude,I’msorry,”hestarts.
“It’sokay,”Isaylightly.“What’sonyourmind?”
“You,”hesighs,“Alwaysyou.”
Ibitemylip.Hesoundssomelancholy.“AreyouupsetaboutRath?”Idaretoask.
Hiseyesfindmine “No,it’snotthat Well,notallthat Itrulyacceptthatheisnowpartofourcircle,butit’snotabouthim, moreabouthowyouareconductingyourselfaroundhim.”
Stiffeningmyback,Irearbackattheverbalslap “Whatdoyoumean?” “Isaw yououtside earlier, and Iwasn’tthe onlyone,” he says carefully. “The servants are talking, Savvie. Theyknow aboutme,himandtheothers.”
“Oh,”Isay,relieved.“Thatisaneasyfix.IamQueennow,andItoldyoubackonEarththatIwilltelleveryoneaboutus now.Iwilltellthemaboutallofyou…but…”
“Butwhat?”hepresses
“YoudoknowthatIhavetomarryTrey?Imean,first.ItwillappeasetheKingdom,andthatissomethingthatIneedtodo.” “Iknow,” hesays,comingtome “This isn’taboutthat Itis aboutthe rumor mill Idon’twantyour nametobe dragged throughthemud.However,youmeantotelltheKingdomaboutallofus,doitquickly,”heurges.
Inod.“Iwill.Isthatallthatisbotheringyou?”
Hiseyessearchmine “Yes,”hesaysquietly Iusemyempathicpowertotrytogaugeifheistellingmethetruth.Ifindthatthepowerhasbeenampedupnow,andIcan feel everything fromhim Hisloveforme,hisworryoverthissituation,theresignationoverRath Istopstraightaway Ithas made me go lightheaded. I’m glad that I can turn this on and off now at will. Must be that bump in power, Queenly or otherwise
“Iseverythingokaywithyou?”heasks,tenderlytakingmychininhishand. “Alittleoverwhelmed,”Iadmit.“But,yes,allokayoverhere.”
He nods I’m not sure if he believes me, but I just don’t want to come clean about the goddess thing It will change everything.
Heleadsmetothebed Iclimbon,andhegetsonwithme “Ijustwanttoholdyouforawhile,”hemurmurs “BeforeI makelovetoyoulikethefirsttime.”
Igiggle “Well,notexactly likethefirsttime Itwillbeamazingthistime”
Hechuckles,anditseemstolightenhisburden.“Ihappentothinkthatitwasamazingthefirsttimetoo.Arevelation.” Ihidemysmileinhischestaswesettleineachother’sarms.
Sighinghappily,Isettle,butthenthecloudofthesecretsI’mholdingontostartstohoverovermyhead Ineedadistraction, soIrunmyhanddownhischest,downhisabs,untilIreachhiscockandslipmyhandinsidehispants.
“Thatdidn’tlastlong,”helaughs “Can’tkeepmyhandsoffyou,”Imurmur.
“Same,”hesaysandturnsusover,pressingmeintothebedwithhishugebody.
“Iloveyou,Savannah,QueenoftheDarkFae.”
Ismileupathimandhekissesme.
Pushingmyworries aside, includingthe one aboutAmbrosia, who had some nerve, comingonto my land and killingmy ravens.Itwasabigmistake.Shewillpay,andIwillenjoyeverysecondofmywrath.
Chapter 4 Trey “Y ouhavegotsomefuckingnerve,”IspitoutatRath’Na,lettinghimgoandsteppingback.I’vebroughthimtoJerrick’s roomforthisconversation “Dragongod!Imean whatthefuck?” “Justasitstates.GodoftheDragons.”
Lettingoutagrowl,Igivehimascathingglare “DidSavannahknowaboutthisbeforeyoufuckedher?” “Shedid.Sheknowseverythingaboutme,”hesayswithawickedsmile. “You’reafuckingasshole,youknowthat” “Iwon’tdenythatIcanbeabitofanasshole,butthensocanyou.Ithinkthat’ssomethingthatSavannahenjoys.” “Youwould,”Imutter,buthe’s notall wrong.Iwas adicktoher atthebeginning,andyetherewe are.“Justsoweare clear,you were therewhenIaskedhertomarryme,andshesaidyes YouareawarethatI’mherdestinedFaemate,theone thatshe has tobewith.”
“I’mawareofthedivide Although,ifIwereyou,Iwouldn’tgoaroundsayingthatshe has tobewithyou,whenshehasall oftheseothermenthatshe wants.Makesitsoundlikeachore.” Igritmyteethashetriestoholdinhislaugh “Beingwithmeprobably is a chore,” Ipointout “Iknow thatI’mnotthe easiestman.ButIloveher.Canyousaythesame?”
“Ican.Sheismydestiny,”hesayswithoutanyhesitation.
“Meaning?”Iaskwithnarrowedeyes
Hesighs.“Well,youwillhavetoaskherthat.Sufficeittosay,Ihavewaitedanexceptionallylongtimeforher.Ilovedher beforeIevenknewher”
“Ugh,”Imutter.
Hechuckles.“Yes,I’mawareofhowgushythatsounds,butit’sthetruth.”Hegoesseriousandregardsmecarefully.“I’m notouttohurtheroranyofyou.”
“Iknowthat,”Isigh.“ButaheadsuptotheonlyotherDragoninthisplacewould’vebeennice,youknow.Solidarityand allthat”
“Yes,not-grandson.Igetthat.IfeelthatIcantrustyou,andIshouldhavetoldyouwhoIreallywas.Forgiven?” Iglareathim Heismockingme
Actually,nowthatI’mgivinghimtheevileye,Idon’tthinkheis.Heseemstobequitegenuine.Heis,inaword,odd. “Sure,” Isigh. “We all need to be onthe same page here. Youmayhave gottenSavvie onyour owntonight, butbe very awarethatitisararity.”
“Sheiswithonlyoneofhermenrightnow,”hepointsouttomyannoyance.
The fact that she dismissed the rest of us in favor of Jerrick is needling at me Does this mean that she will take us individuallymorenow,ordoesitmeanthatsheisfavoringhim?Ishakemyhead.I just toldRath’Nathatweneedtobeonthe samepagewithregardtoher Ican’tletmysuddeninsecuritiesreartheirhead Itwillendindisaster
“Can’t answer for that,” I say shortly. “But she does enjoy having us all together.” I lower my voice. “She likes it downrightdirty.Youupforthat,oldman?”
IseethatI’veputthoughtsintohisheadthathehadnoideaabout,soIgivehimasmugsmileanddriveithomejustalittle bitmore.“Shecallsme‘Daddy’whenwefuck.Sheismybabygirl.Theothershavetheirroleswithher.Don’tgetintheway ofit Findyourown Gotit?”
“Sheismygoddess.Iwillnevertreatherasanythingbut,”hesays,puzzled.
I’malsoa bitconfusednow.His goddess? Is thata termfor the womanofa god? Or is he justcallingher thatbecause, well,she is afuckinggoddess?Notlikehe’sagod,sure,butman,sheisspectacularineveryway.
Confused,Ishakemyhead “Haveyouever fuckedawoman’s pussywithanother manupher ass?”Iaskwithavicious smirk.
Herollshiseyesalittletoohard “I’msixthousandyearsold,youfool OfcourseIhave Whatisyourpoint?” “Thatshelovesit.Cravesit.Wantsasmanydicksinheratthesametimeasisphysicallypossible.Wehaveonlytouched onwhatwecando,andwithyouthere ”IbitemylipasI’mkindofgettingmyselfallhotandbothered “ Ijustwantyouto knowthatthereisnoplaceforinhibitions,jealousyorpossessiveness.Areyouclearonthat?” “Quite,”hesays,hiseyeshard.
“Hmm”Igetthefeelingthatwhenitdoeshappen,heisn’tgoingtobesocalmaboutit
“Ifsheasksmetojoinyou,thenIwilldoasI’mrequired.ButknowthatIcanout-fuckallofyouputtogetherandthatwhen SavvieandIaretogetherthatway,itsurpassesanythingyouwillhavewitnessedinyourshortlife” Isnortathim.I’mfifteenhundredyearsold.Okay,I’llgrantitis shortforhim.
“Goodforyou,”Isaywithawickedsmile “Gramps ”
“Pah,”hechokesout.“Callmethatagain,andIwillbeatyoublackandblue.”
“Where’syoursenseoffun?”Ilaugh.
Hegivesmeahalf-smileandshakeshishead “Longgone Isupposeitistimetoregainsomeofmyhumor” Hesoundssosad;Ialmostfeelsorryforhim.Hewaslockedawayforsolong,a god imprisonedandoppressed.Itmust’ve beenHell
“Look,Iwannabefriends.Canwedothat?”
Hegivesmeasearchinglook.“Solidarity,andallthat?”
“Sure,butmorethanthat.Irespectyou,whoyouare,whatyou’vebeenthrough,your age.Ienjoyour conversations…I thinkyoudotoo?”
“Ido,”heagrees “Friendsthen IthasbeenalongtimesinceIhadanothermaletotalkto” “Whoknows,maybewecanlearnfromeachother?Modern-daylifeisquitedifferentfromwhatitwascenturiesago.” HesighsandlooksaroundJerrick’sroom “Somethings Somenotsomuch” “Well,okay,I’llgrantyouthathere isquitearchaiccomparedtoEarth.” “Earth.Ihaven’twalkedEarthinanawfullylongtime.”
“IlivedthereforquiteawhileinsteadofintheDragonRealms.It’samazing.Savviealsolivedtheremostofherlife.I’m sureshewouldlovetotakeyouandshowyouhowitisnow.”
“I’dlikethat,”hesays,hiseyesshining “Ihavetheneedtoseehowhumanshaveevolvedoverthecenturies”
“Itwillshockyou!”Ilaugh.“Butyouwon’tbedisappointed.”
“Dotheyknowaboutus?”heaskshesitantly
“No.”Ishakemyhead.“Imean,theyhavemythsandlegends,andallthatandnewmodern-daystoriesaboutVampiresand Shifters,buttheruleis…”Imimezippingmymouthshut.
“Thatshouldchange,”hemurmurs
“Iagree,toflyinDragonformovertheHimalayasortheGreatBarrierReef…oh,thatwouldbeatreat.”
“Idon’tknowwhatthoseare,butperhapsourinterestsaremorealignedthanIfirstthought,”hesaysmysteriously “Let’s talkfurther.Later,though,rightnow,IneedtobewithSavvie.”
Inod as Ihappento feel the same Toughthatshe wanted this time withJerrick It’s time for all ofus to take our newly crownedQueenandgiveheraCoronationnighttoremember.
Chapter 5 Savannah “Weareabouttogetinterrupted,”Jerrickinformsmesecondsbeforethedoorburstsopen,andtherestofmymenfilein.
“Sorry,butthisisn’tgonnafly Notrightnow ShejustmadeQueen Weare all havingapieceofthat,”Treysays IgiggleasJerrickgivesmealong-sufferingsighfromwhereheisontopofme,burieddeepinsidemypussy.
“Atleastletmefinish,forfuck’ssake,”hegrumblesand,withoutwaitingforananswer,bangsawayuntilhecomes I’ve alreadyhadmyturn,thrice,soIdon’tcomplainwhenhegruntsandthenclimbsoffme,hishugecockstillrock-hard.
IfindRath’seye Heiswatchingthiswithinterest Nodesire Notyet Notliketheotherthreemen Theoalreadyhashis fangs downand is stalkingme, as Rook, lookinga whole lotbetter thanhe did earlier, has leaptonthe bed withglee. Trey nudgesRath,butheshakeshishead.Hiseyesonme.“DoyoumindifIobserve?”
“Notatall,”Isay “ButIwillfinditdifficulttohaveyouwatchandnottouch”
“SowillI,”hemurmursdarkly.
Itmakesmeshiverandpuckersmynipples “Doyoulikethat?”Iask,gettingtomykneesasRookwrapshisarmsaround mefrombehind.“Doyouwanttowatchmeanddelayyourowngratification?”
GaspingasRookshovesmeforwardontomyhandsandkneesandthenramshisdickstraightintome,Ikeepmyeyeson Rath’s.Theydarkenconsiderably,andIdon’tmeanwithdesire.Itis withsomethingakintopossessiveness.Heis findingit hardtowatchthis.
Rookdigshisfingersintomyhips andpoundsawayasTheobrings hiscocktomymouth Itakehiminasheblocks the viewIhaveofmygod.
“Asmanydicksasphysicallypossible,”Ihear Treymutter andslideontothebed “Daddywantshisdickinyour pussy, littlegirl.”
Inodeagerly,knowingthatRookisn’tdonewithmeyet.Treyliesdown,andIclimbontopofhim,guidinghiscockinto me.IleanforwardtotakeTheobackinmymouthandsuckhimhardashegentlyfucksmymouth.I’mnotsurprisedwhenRook pushes his cockagainstmypussy, forcinghis wayinto the alreadyfilled-up hole. Igroanand clencharound the two dicks, cominghardandfast
“ThatleavesJerrickforyourass,”Treywhispers.“Areyoureadytotakehimin,baby?Daddywantstoseeyoutakehis monstercockintoyourass”
NoddingasmuchasIcanwithTheo’scockinmymouth,Ifeelapangofnerves.Ofallofthem,Jerrickisthebiggest,andI knowthisisgoingtobearavagingthatIwillfeelforaweek.
“No,”Jerricksaysquietly.
Allofthemenpauseinthepounding.
“No?”Treyasks,lookingovermyshoulderathim “Doit,”Rathsaysjustasquietly,comingcloser.“Iwanttoseehowmanycocksshecantake.”
“Ooh,”Imoanashiswordshavespikedmylustbyaboutamillionpercent “Oh,theoldmanisgettingaffected,”Treysnorts.
RathgivesTreyafilthylook.“I’llshowyouold,”hemurmursandsitsonthebed,hiseyesrivetednowtowheremypussy is Trey and Rook start moving again, getting into complete synch with one another as Theo lets me take over a little bit, suckingonhisengorgedcocklikeamadwoman.
“Savvie?”Jerrickasks
“YES!”Icry,pullingawayfromTheobrieflybeforeIplungemymouthbackonhim.
Ilovethatheasked.Really,Ido,butIwanttoshoutathimtogetonwithit.
“IwanttouseTheo’scumaslube,”hegrowlssoftlyinmyear.“Makehimcome,Princess.”
“Uhn,”IgroanatthesametimethatTheoletsoutaloudgrunt
Hecomesintomymouth,butIdon’tswallow.Instead,IturntoJerrickandspititoutontohisoutstretchedfingers.
“SweetJesus,”ImoanasIfeelhisfingersatmyrearhole
“Youareadirtylittlegoddess,aren’tyou,”Rathmutters,standingupand,withasnapofhisfingers,isasnakedastherest ofus
Idon’tanswerthatasitisclearlyrhetorical.
Withabitofshufflingaround,IfeelJerrick’shugetipatmypuckeredhole. Rathgrabsmyhairinhisfistandguideshiscockintomymouth,hiseyesonJerrick’sentry
“Oh,yes,”hewhispersasJerrickpusheshiswayintome.
IcryoutaroundRath’scock
Jerrickissplittingmeopen,andithurts,butit’sthegoodtypeofpain.Iwantmoreofit.Somuchmoreofit.Ireachoutfor Theo,takinghiminmyhandandbringinghissemibacktolife
“Unholyshit,”Treycriesandwithonelastpoundcomesinmypussy.“Fuck,yes,babygirl.Daddylikesseeingyoubeso utterlyfilthy.”
Moaning, Isuddenlygetlostinthe euphoria ofa multiple orgasmthatrips its waythroughme atlightningspeed Ifeel Theo’sfangssliceintomywristashefeedsfromme,andIdon’twantittoend.
“Yes,”Ipant,asRathpullsoutofmymouthandcomesonmyfacewithquickhotbursts Rookfollowsstraightafter,andJerrickisn’tfarbehind,spurtinghiscomeinmyass. “Fuck,fuck,fuck,”Igasp.“More!More!”
I’mflippedoversothatI’mflatonmyback,andthemenareonmeinasurgeofprimallust.Theyravageeverypartofme withtheirfingers,tonguesanddicksuntilI’msowornout,Ijustcan’tcomeanymore.
Hourslater,IwhimperasRaththrustsonelasttimeintomyassasTheocomesinsidemypussy,andI’mdone Icollapseon thebedinaheapofbodiestobekissedsweetly,wipeddown,andtuckedupintobedfeelinglikeaQueen. No,feelinglikea goddess Itisthebestnightofmylife.
Chapter 6 Rath Sittinginthe bigarmchair inthe growingdawn, IwatchSavvie sleep. She is peaceful. Itdoesn’tsurprise me. She was completelywornoutafterthefiveofususedheruntilshewasspent
I do not feel great about that. I got completelylost inthe hedonismof the moment, and I did not treat her like the goddessthatsheis Instead,Itreatedherlikeawhore Itwilltakemealongtimetomakethatuptoher
Shestirsandyawns,stretchingherarmsandlettingoutasmallgiggle.Shesitsupandspotsme,blinkinghersleepyeyes. “Howlonghaveyoubeenwatchingmesleep?”sheaskswithnarrowedeyes “Awhile.Doyoumind?”
“No,Ilikeit.”Sheshovesbackthecoversandcrawlsoverthebedtotheedge.Sheisnakedandglorious.Itrynottolook atherswingingbreasts,butIcan’thelpit
“Ineedtoapologize,”Istart.
“Oh?”sheasks,sittingback “Whatfor?”
“Forbeinganabsolutepiglastnight.”
Sheletsoutaloudlaughandclapsherhands “Don’tapologizeforthat Ireallyenjoyedit Imean, really ” Igiveherahalfsmile.“Iknow.ButthatisnothowIwanttotreatyou.IthinkitbestthatIdonotengageinsexualbehavior withyouandyourothermenforawhile.”
Shefrownsfiercely,climbingoffthebed “Idon’tacceptthat”Shecrawlsontomylapandsettlesherselfcomfortablywith herhandsclaspedbehindmyneck.“Iwantyouwithme,always.”
“Iwillalwaysbehere Butwhenmengetawomantodoanythingtheywish,thingsgetoutofhand” “NoneofyoudidanythingthatIdidn’twant.Youmightthinkthattheyweredictatingtome,butyouarenew.Thisismy show.Theyknowthat.TheytreatmethewayIwant,whenIwant.AssoonasI’mdone,theystop.”
Shewigglesslightly,enticingmetoreachupandrunmythumbsoverherpeakednipples.Sheloosensherholdandleans backslightly,offeringherdelightstometosuck.Itakeoneinmymouthandflickitwithmytongue.Sheletsoutthatsoftmoan ofpuredesirethatfiresupmycocklikenothingelseeverhas “More,”shewhispers.
Ipullback “No,”Isayinanormaltone “Youneedtimetorecover Youwereutterlysavagedlastnight” ShepoutsatmeinasexywaythatmakesmewishIcouldreconsider,butIcan’t. “Ihealquickly,”shepointsout.
“Youdo,butmyanswerisstillno.Iwishforyoutomaketimeforme,alone,lateron.” Sheshakesherhead.“Nothowitworks.”
“YouhadtimewithJerrickaloneyesterday” “Thatwasdifferent.Itwas my decision.”
“Oh,Isee,”Isay,givingherasmile
She leans forwardtokiss me.“Youwill continue tojoininwithgroupsex,” she murmurs againstmylips.“Ifwe finda momenttobealone,don’tletitslipby.”
SheclimbsoffmylapasIletoutasoftgroan “Youareabossylittlegoddess,”Imurmur “Youloveit,andyouknowit,”sheretorts,andthen,blowingmeakiss,shedisappearsintoherbathroom.Iwantnothing morethantofollowherandtakeherunderthetorrentofwaterthatcomesoutofthewall,butIwon’t “Isuredo,”Imutterandsitback,debatingonwhethertobeherewhenshecomesbackornot.
Afew secondslater,shepopsher headbackout.“Meetmeintheroomwhereyoufoundmemeditatingtheother day,in aboutanhour,”shesays.“It’stimeyoutaughtmeabitaboutmynewpower.”
Inodbutdon’tsayanythingassheducksbackintothebathroom Standingup,knowingthatIwasdismissed,theconcept delightsme.Idoloveapowerfulwoman.Itdoesn’tstopmefromassertingmyownstrength,butknowingthatsheismyequal, orwillbeoneday,heatsupmyblood IbumpintoTheoonmywayout.
“Feedingtime?”Iinquire
Hegivesmeahardstare.“What’sittoyou?”
“Imeantnooffense,”Isay,puttingmyhandovermyheart.“Justmakingconversation.” “Oh,”hesays “Well,no IwashopingtocatchSavviebeforeshestartedherday”
“Sheisunderthebathroomwaterfall.”
Hiseyesnarrowbehindthosespectacleshewearsforshow IknowVampireshaveperfecteyesight “Didyoustaywithherlastnight?”heaskssuspiciously. “No,Ivisitedwithherearlythismorning”
Henodsslowly.“Isee.Iwantedtodiscusstheincidentlastnightwithher.ThewholePalaceistalkingaboutit.” “Theravens?Indeed.Infact,weshouldallgettogether,”IaddwhenIseeJerrickapproach,lookinggrimmerthanusual. “AreyoutalkingabouthavingameetingwiththeQueen?”heasks “Yes,”Istate.
Henods “I’minagreement”
“Good.”ItakeJerrickbytheelbowandleadhimandtheVampireawayfromSavannah’sroom.Iglareattheservantgirl whoishoveringoutsidetheQueen’sroom.
Shedropshereyesandscurriesaway.Ifrownandfollow herprogressdownthehallway.Ihaven’tbeenhereverylong, butIhavenotseenthatwomanonSavannah’sservice.
“Whoisthat?”Iask,turningbacktoJerrick Hisfaceisdark,verydarkanditpiquesmyinterest.“Noone,”hegrowlsandstalksoff,leavingmeandTheotocatchup. “Noone,myass,”Imutter “Findoutwhothatis,”IordertheyoungVampire “Findoutyourself,”hebitesback,metaphorically.“I’mnotyourfuckingservant.”
Hidingmysmilebehindafierceglare,Idecidehehasballs.Iappreciatethat.“DoitfortheQueen,”Istateandstalkoffto catchupwithJerrick.
“Fine,”IhearTheogrumblebehindmeashejoinsus,makingmesmileopenly. “IamtomeetSavvieinthemeditationroominalittleunderanhour,weshouldgothere” Jerrickjustnods,amanoffewwords.Irespectthat.Allofthesemenhavetheirownadmirabletraits. WecarryoninsilenceforafewminuteswhenJerricksuddenlysays,“I’llfindRookandTrey Yougoon” Inodandleavehimtogoonhisway…inthewrongdirectiontowhereIsuspectbothmenwill be,whichistheDining Hall.
“Whatareyouupto?”ImutterandthenturnbacktoTheo “HaveyoueverfedfromaDragonbefore?” Hislookofuttershockmakesmechuckle.
“Youoffering?”heasks,lickinghislips “Whynot?” Isaymagnanimously. “I’mrather intrigued aboutthe reactionthatSavvie gave lastnightwhenyoubither. I wanttoknowwhatshefeelsinthosemoments”
Hiseyesgoabitdarker.“Youwillfeelaroused,”hestatesandmarchesoffthroughthedoortothemeditationroom. “Isthatayes?”Ipress,followinghim,suddenlyquiteeagertoexperiencethis.
“You’reaDragonand agod YoumightbeofferingmesomethingthatIwillwantagain” ImoveinclosertohimandtakehisglassesoffsothatIcanlookintothoseremarkablegreeneyes.Heblinksonce. “Showme,”Imurmur
Hedropshisfangs,andIcan’thelptheshotofdesirethatbubblesup.ItwashisbitingintoSavvielastnightthatmademy climaxtearthroughmelikeaDragoninfullflight
Iholdupmywristforhim,andheletsoutalittlemoan.
“Doit,”Iurge.“IwanttoseeifIgetthesamereactionasyourforestfrienddid.” “Uhn,”Theogroansandtakesmywrist
Hegripsmyfingerstightly,bendingmyhandbackslightlytoexposemywristveinsevenmore.Hebendsdown,hisfangs scratchingmyskinlightlybeforehebitesdownharshly
Iclosemyeyesandridethemixofpleasureandpainwithasoft,“Aah.”Itiseverybitaseroticasitappearedlastnightto mygoddess.Iwonderifhenoticedadifferenceinthetasteofherbloodaftershereceivedhergoddesspowers.Hemusthave. Thepowerwouldbesomuchmore.Perhapsintheepicureanmoment,hemistookitforabsolutearousalandhernewQueenly powers.
Thisisthemainreasonforthisbite.Iwanttoseehow my bloodaffectshim.Thefactthatheisapleasuretolookatand engageinbanterwithjustmakesitevenmoredelightful.
Hepullsbacktomydisappointment,butthenhesays,“Well?Didyou?” Givinghimaslow,sultrysmile,Itakehishandtopressagainstthehugebulgeinmypants.“Whatdoyouthink?” Hegulpsandblinksagainbutdoesn’tremovehishand ItisonlywhenIreplacehisglassesandpushthemuphisnosegentlythathetakeshishandaway.
“Howdoyoufeel?”Iaskhimquietly “Likeagod,”hebreathesandleansforwardtopresshislipstomine.
Chapter 7 Savannah After myshower, Igetdressed quickly. Istill feel raw fromlastnight, butitmakes me smile. Whata night. Coronated QueenoftheDarkFae,andIactivatemygoddesspoweraswell
Ican’tstopsmilingasIheadoutofmyroomanddowntomynewoffice.Ipushopenthedoor,feelingstrangeasthis usedtobeGramps’soffice Istickmyheadaroundthedoor,butit’sempty Istepinsideandlookatthedeskwithhorror Itwas abouttenneatpilesoffolderslinedup,eachwithastickynoteattachedtoit.
Igulpandreadthefirstone “ReportsfromtheHeadoftheDarkFaeGuard” Ibitemylip.Jerrick.Iinadvertentlyclenchmybutt,rememberinghimtakingmetherelastnight.Iwantitagain.Iwantit now,inthisoffice.
Spinningaroundwithmycheeksred,thedooropens,andaslightwomanpokesherheadaround “YourMajesty,”shesays quietly.
“Hello,”Isaybrightlytocoverupmyeroticthoughts
“I’mPetle.I’mheretohelpyouwithallofthis.”Shegesturestothedesk.
“Oh,thankthegods,”Ibreatheout,handonmychest “IthoughtGrampshadleftitallforme”
Shelets outaprettylaugh.“Ohno!Iwill deal withalmosteverything.This oneis for your eyes only,though,”shesays, tappingtheoneIsawandlookingaway.
WhatJerricksaid resounds inmyhead aboutthe stafftalkingaboutus Iclear mythroat I’mgoingto have to make an announcementverysoon.
“YoualsohavetheRavenskeeperheretoseeyou,”sheadds,stillnotlookingatme Well,gee.Dotheyknowaboutall ofus?Isupposeso.Inhindsight,discretionhashardlybeenatthetopofmylist. “Lethimin,please,”Icroakoutwithaforcedsmile.
“Sure,”shesays,tryingtohidehersmile.
Okay,well,atleastsheisn’tbeingaprudeaboutit.
SheducksoutandletsRookin Heclosesthedoor,andIgotohim,steppingintohispersonalspace Hestepsbackandbowslowbeforestraighteningupagain.“Proprietyfirst,YourMajesty,”hemurmursandthengathersme tohimtokissmebriefly Helooksamilliontimesbetterthismorning “Howdoyoufeel?”Iask.“I’msorrywedidn’tgettotalklastnight.” “Wehadotherthingstodo.”Hegivesmethatcheekygrin.“Itwasweirdthough.Differentfromtheothertimes.” “Yes,Ithinkit’sbecauseitwasn’tme, my magick,thatuhm,killedyou,”Isayquietly.“ItwasAmbrosia,soitaffectedyou differently.”
“Huh,”hesays “Thatmakessense,Isuppose” Iletoutashallowbreathofreliefthatheboughtmyhalf-truth.Ithinkheonlycomesbacktolifeifhisdeathistiedto me. As itwas Ambrosia whokilledhim,I’mfairlysure he wouldhave stayeddeadifIhadn’tbroughthimbacktolife withmy silverribbons.Idon’tknowforsure,obviously,andit’ssomethingthatIneverwanttofindoutfordefinite.
“Whatabouttheravens?”heaskscarefully.“Theycamebacktolifetoo.”
“Ididthat,”Isaylightly “Weareallconnected” Henodsslowly.Ihavenoideaifheisbuyingthis,butIreallydon’twanttotellhimthewholetruthrightnow.He,andall theothermen,will haveamillionquestionsthatIjustdon’thavetheanswersto It’spoorreasoning,butitdoesn’tmakeme changemymind.
“Areyoubusy?WewouldliketodiscusswhattodoaboutAmbrosia.Everyoneiswaitinginthemeditationroom,”hesays suddenly.
“Oh,”Isay,takenabackslightly Ilookatthepileoffoldersonmydeskandthenbackintohisbrightblueeyes “Sure,”I sayandtakehishand.
Heleadsmeovertothedoorbutthenletsmegowithasorrowfullook “UntilthingsareofficialwithyouandTrey,Ithink itbesttokeepalowprofile,”hemutters.
Inod,feelingbad,andfollow himoutofmyofficeanddownthehugehallwaytotheroomwheretherestofmymenare gatheredandnotinthebestofmoods,itappears.
RathandTheoarestaringateachotherwhileTreyandJerrickscowlatthem.
“Everythingokayinhere?”Iaskcautiously
“Oh,justfine,”Treyspitsout.“Ifyouliketwoofyourmengettingitonbehindyourback!”
MybloodrunsslightlycolduntilIfullytakeinwhathesaid “Wait?What? Together?” “WewalkedinonRathandTheokissing,”Treysnarls.
“Not kissing,”Rathisquicktopointout,holdinghishandouttomeina‘hang-on’gesture “Surelookedlikeitfromwherewewerestanding,”Treygritsout.
“Icanexplain,”RathsayscalmlyasIjuststandthere,lookingbetweenthetwoofthem,feelingsomethingthatIhavenever feltbeforeandhadn’teventhoughtof
Theideaofwatchingthetwoofthemkissinghasmademegodampbetweenmylegs.
“Uhm,”Icroak
“Savvie,”Rathsays,comingtome.“Itwasn’twhatitlookedlike.”
“Idrankhisblood,anditwas…”Theorasps. Ilookdeepintohiseyesashealsocomescloser.Heishighlyaroused.
“Whydidyoudrinkhisblood?”Iwhisper.Thishasjustgonefromerotictosomethingelse,somethingabitdarker. “Iofferedittohim,”Rathsays “Yourreactiontohisbitelastnightwasinteresting,Iwantedtoexperienceit,feelwhatyou felt.”
“Oh,” I practically pant, my emotions flipping back over into the erotic camp “And? Did you like it?” I ask darkly, steppingintohispersonalspaceandlookingupathim.
“Idid,”healmostgrowls.“SeemsyoungTheodidaswell.”
“Areyouupset?”Theoasks,comingdownfromhishighslightlytoaskmethis. Shakingmyhead,Isearchhiseyesagain.“No.Notatall.Theopposite,infact.” “Oh,really?”Treydrawls “Youaren’tbotheredbythis?”HealsocomescloserasJerrickglowersatusallhuddledinthe middleoftheroom.
Ishakemyhead
“You’returnedon?”heasks,hisvoicegoingabitlower. Inodandlickmylips,myeyesneverleavingTheo’s.
“Eventhoughtheydidthiswithoutyou?”Treypushesitwithareallydarktonethatmakesmeshiver Idon’tthinkheistryingtocausetroublenow;justgetthingsclear,asI’mnotsayinganything.
“I’dratheritwassomethingwe’ddiscussedfirst,butweallknowthatwecangetsweptupinthemoment Iamguiltyof this,evenmore so,”Ipointout.“Ifthis hadhappenedwithsomeone else,another womanor a manthatwasn’tapartofour group,thenIwouldfeel differently Butas itstands,ifyou,anyofyou,wishtoengageinarelationshipwitheachother that excludesme,thenI’mokaywiththat.”
“Youare?”Treyaskswithafrown. Withadeepeningfrown,Istareathim “AreyousayingthatIshouldn’tbe?”
Hegivesmeacuriouslook.“Itisentirelyuptoyou,babygirl,”hemurmurs.“Butfortherecord,youdon’tneedtoworry aboutthatfromme”
“Notworried,”Isaylightly.
“YouknowwhatImean,”hegrowlsquietly IsmileathimandturnbacktoRath.HeisgivingmethesamecuriouslookwhichturnsheatedwhenIlickmylips.“Want toshowmewhatImissed?”
“Maybelater,”hesays,hispuzzledlookturningtoasexysmirk “Rightnow,wehavethiswarwithAmbrosiatoaddress” I’mdisappointed,butIrealizethatImayhavethrownasmall catamongstthepigeons.IlookatRook,butheistoobusy lookingeverywhere else to notice Ihide mysmile as Ihold myhand outfor Jerrickto joinus as he is still standingonthe outskirts.
Heacceptsitandsays,“Weneedaveryclearplanbecausethiswomanseemstohavecompletelylosthermind,”hesays. “Didsheeverhaveit?”Imurmur,makinghimsnicker.
“Ihavethestartofsomething,butitneedswork,”hesays,gettingdowntobusiness.
Soon, we are deep inconversation, and all thoughts about mymengettingtogether are pushed aside, but hopefullynot forgotten.
Chapter 8 Theo Castinga glance atSavvie, she is infull-blownprotective mode, and itmakes me hide mysmile behind myhand. Even though she is basically telling everyone that I’m not strong enough to take on Ambrosia and win, it still lights up something inside me when she protects me. I guess it dates back to my childhood, which was a nightmare of epic proportions Abused,abandonedandhomelessuntilmyVampiresirefoundme,turnedmeandgavemeabetterlife Yes,she protected me fromother, older Vampires, but it’s not the same thingas havingsomeone care about youso much. Savvie is yellingatabunchofmentwicehersizetoprotectme Ithoughtitwasthesame IthoughtIwasinlovewithmysireuntilIsaw Savannah,andthenthatwasit.Iwasblownawaybythefragile-lookinggothicprincessthatturnedupandstolemyheart.From thatdayon, Iwas hers whether she knew itor not. Mysire was nothappyto have the attentionoffher, buther feelings no longerconcernedme Iwithdrewandfeltthehitbeingawayfromherforawhile Coldturkeyworked,though Idon’tthinkI needtobenearheranymore.
“Savvie,”Isayquietly “Themages areworkingtokeep Dark Fae outofthe LightFae lands Thatrules outJerrickand yourentirearmy,plusRook.Rath’Na,TreyandIarethebestweaponstodrawherout.”
“Afterlasttime,theywillbewaitingfortheDragonstoshowup!”shecries “Thatleaves you!Noway,notachance”
“I’vebeensoclosetoherinthatPalacebefore.Icandoitagain,”Iinsist.
“Andiftheyaren’texpectingyou,thenwhat?Whatareyougoingtodowhenyoufindher?Shemaybeasillylittlecunt,but sheisnoslouchinthemagickdepartment,andlestweforget,sheis pregnant Wecan’thurther”
Acrowdofgrimfacesstarebackather.
“Thenwhatareweevendoing?”Treyasks
Sheturnsahorrifiedgazetohim,butheshakeshishead.“Ididn’tmeanitlikethat.Imean,whatarewesupposedtodo withherifweevengettoher?”
“Bringherhereandimprisonher,”Savviestates.“Fortreason.”
“TheplacewheresheisaPrincess,andherfatherusedtobeKingformillennia,”Jerrickpointsoutquietly.“It’snotthe bestplan”
“Take her to Earth,” I mutter, not expectinganyone to hear me, let alone thinkit was a good idea. Too bad the support comesfromRath,whogivesmeabrightsmile
“Why,theyoungstudhasjusthadacrackingidea,”hesays. Savvieletsoutasighandglaresatme.“Earth?”
“Whynot?It’sneutral.”
“Precisely!”Rathbooms.Imean,Iappreciatethesupport,butafterImadeacompletefoolofmyselfkissinghim,Ifeellike crawlingunderarock
Idon’tknow ifhewascomingontomewithhisofferofabiteandmakingmefeelhishard-onfromitorifitwasatest or anynumberofotherthingsanancientDragongodmightdotoplaywithme Whothefuckknows?
“Idon’twantTheogoingto the LightFae Palace alone. Simple,” Savvie states, foldingher arms and givingme a fierce glare.
“Okay,saythey’veaccountedfor Dragonmagickandcanblockus,itwon’tbefor verylongwithagodonour side,and secondly,nowhearmeout,isthereanywaytobumpupthekid’spower?”Treyasks,givingmeapenetratinglookthatIwant toshyawayfrom
“Kid?”Icroakout,takingoffense,butIdon’thavealegtostandon.WiththeexceptionofSavvie,Iamtheyoungestofthis
groupbyamile.Ihavebeenaroundforaboutfiftyyears.TreyandJerrickarebothfifteenhundred,Rookistwohundred,and Rathis,well,Ican’tevenofthinksixthousandyearswithoutshuddering.That’s,like,OldTestamentold.
“Yes,”Rathstatestoeveryone’ssurprise,minemostespecially “Whatdoyoumean?”SavvieinquiresbeforeIcananswer.
“Savvie,”Isay,takingherhandandturningherfocusonme “Iknowyouareworried,andIlovethatyouare Youhaveno ideahowhappyitmakesmetoknowthatyoucaresomuchaboutmethatyouwanttokeepmesafe.However,I know Icando this IfIdiditbefore,itwill beeasier thistime Iknow whereI’mgoing I’mfaster andstronger thanIlook Please,letme helpyou.”
Herfacefalls,tearsspringingtohereyes.Itakeherfaceinmyhandsandkisshersweetlipsgently. ItakeagulpandrisksayingwhatIneedto “IfIdrinkRath’sbloodagain,Iwillbeevenquicker,evenstronger Therush is…”
Hereyesgowideandfillwithdesirebehindhertears
“Incredible.Sure,Iwillcrashonmyasswhenthehighwearsoff,butIcanbeinandbackoutwithAmbrosiabeforethat happens”
“Actually, thatwasn’twhatIwas thinking,” Rathinterjects. “Butglad to know thatmyblood affects youthatway.” He givesSavvieahardglarethatshefrownsatbeforeablankmaskfallsoverherface,andshelicksherlips.
IletgoofSavvie “Whatwereyouthinkingthen?”Iask,turningtohim “Icangiveyousomeofmypower.”
“Likeatransfer?”Treyaskswithafrown
“Somethinglike that. Iwill lend itto Theo, but…” His eyes bore into mine withall the ferocityofa Dragongod, and I flinch.“…Iwillwantitback.”
“Ofcourse,”Iscofftohidemyshameatbeingsoafraidofhiminthatmoment,Inearlywetmyself.Unfortunately,italso mademydickspringintoaction,andIshufflearoundtohideit.
“Thatdoesn’tsoundsafe,”Savviemutters “IfitgetsthatbitchoutofpowerandtheLightFaebackinturmoilwithoutaRuler,thenIsayweriskit,”Rookpipesup, havingbeenquietthusfar Savvieturns her hardglare ontohim.Iwon’tsaythatI’mgladthathe flinchedfromit,butyeah.Thankfuck,I’mnotthe onlyone.
“Itwilltakeguidanceandalotofself-control,”RathcontinuesasifSavviehadneverspoken,whichonlyfiresupherguns evenmore.“Come,wewillpractice.”Heholdsouthishandtome.
IlookatSavvie,feelingtheneedtogetherapprovalbeforeItakeit Herjawisclenchedasshestaresathisoutstretchedhand.“Ifhedies,thisisonyou,”shespitsoutathim. “Heisn’tgoingtodie,”Rathsays,fullofconfidence Iwishitwasinme,butI’mmoreinclinedtothinkitisinhispower transferthingy.
She glares athimand thengives hima triumphantsmile. “Iftheyare lookingfor Dragon’s, thenhe won’tbe able to get throughwithyourmagick!”
Hegivesherabeam.“Oh,don’tworryaboutthat,mygoddess.ThemagickIwillgivehimwilllatchontotheVampirein himandmakehimstronger It’slikeachameleon;changestothecreature” “Chameleon?”shemutters,herfacegoingwaryasshelooksdown.“I’veheardthatwordbefore…”
HereyespingbackuptoRath’s “Isitrare?” “Very.Onlyme.ThatI’mawareof.” Shegritsherteeth.“Andmysister,”shesays,liftingherchinup,almostdaringhimtocomment. Hiseyesnarrow “TheDragonEmpress?”heasks “Interesting Youknowthisforsure?”
“Iheardmymother discussingDelindawithUncleD.once.ShementionedthatDelindawas achameleon.Ididn’tknow whatitmeant”
Iseeherbottomlipquiverslightlybeforeshebitestheinside.
“Well,well,”Rathsays “NowIdefinitelyneedtomeetthissisterofyours” “Overmydeadbody,”Savviegrowlsunderherbreath. Rathgivesherapuzzledlook,buthedismissesitandturnsbacktome.“Come,youngVampire.Ihavemuchtoteachyou.” Igiveheraquickkiss,butshedoesn’treturnit Sheispissedoffasall Hell andwill makeusall payforoverrulingher later, I’msure. Ifollow Rathoutofthe room, withTrey, hopingthatthis doesn’tbackfire onour asses and thatIdisappoint Savvie Ordie. Yeah,thattoo.
Chapter 9 Savannah Furiousdoesn’tevencoverit.Ifappealingtothemasthewomanwholovesthemor theirQueenapparently,doesn’twork, thenwhatthefuckamIsupposedtodotoconvincethemthisisabadidea?AskthemtoreconsiderwhileI’mcomingall over their dicks? I pause in my action of stalking back to my office, having left Jerrick and Rook under a massive thundercloud
Shakingmyheadatthatpreposterousthought,Ikeeponwalking.ThatismanipulativeandnothowIwantourdecisionsto bemade ButnordoIwanttoberailroaded,outvotedornottakenseriously Thisisgoingtobecomeaproblemunlesswecan findawaytomakethisfair.ButI’mfuckedifIknowhow.Ifpushcomestoshoveonthis,Imayhavetothrowdownandpull rank,properly.Thatincludesaprettypairofsilverwingsandabadasswandbroughttotheparty.
IsnortasIrealizethatRathwillgetamajorbonerfromthat Truthis, ifwomengotboners, I’d have one too. The goddess power is highlyarousingwhenmingled withRath’s. Itis definitelysomethingIwishtoexplorefurther
Thinking of Rath’s power, I go cold suddenly. If I’d wanted to keep Trey away fromDelinda before, that was nothing comparedtohowIfeelaboutRath ThereisnowaythatRath’Nawilleverseteyesonmygorgeous,kickass,DragonEmpress sisterifIhaveanythingtosayaboutit.Iwouldbeafuckingfool.Hewasmarriedtothelastone,forthegods’sake.
IletoutasnarlofunfetteredrageandjealousywhichfrightensPetle,whoishoveringnearmyofficedoor.
Pullingitback,Igiveheratightsmileandslipthroughthedoor,closingitquietlybehindme Istareatthefoldersonmy deskandthensitwithasighandpickupthetoponefromJerrick.Ismileas Iseeitis afull outlineofwhathis armydoes, whatisexpectedofthem,whathecantellthemtodoandwhatImusttellthemtodoiftheneedarises Hehasaddedthelayout ofeverysecuritymeasurearoundtheKingdom,updatedwitha‘codepeacock’alertwhichmakes mesnicker uncontrollably. Whendidhehavetimetogetallofthisdonesincelastnight?
I’mstillsmilingwhenthereisasoftknockatthedoor,andTreypokeshisheadin.
“Youbusy?”heasks.
“Yes,butcomein PleasetellmetheygaveupontheirquesttogiveTheoapowerbump?”Ibeg “Sorry,no,butIwassurplustorequirements.So,Icametogiveyousomethinginstead.”
“Oh?”Iaskarchly,sittingbackinmychairandgivinghimasaucyleer
“Notthat,yousex-crazedwoman,”helaughs.“Although…”Helooksaround.“I’msurewecouldgetuptosomenaughty stuffinhere.”
“Pass!Thiswasmygrandfather’soffice!”Ishriek,laughingeventhoughthethoughtmakesmegogreen.
“It’snicetoseeyousmile,littleFaerie,”hesayssoftly.“Thingsgotabitheatedbefore.”
“Youdon’tsay,”Idrawl “I’mnothappyaboutbeingoutvoted” “Iknow,” he says witha sigh. “It’s not a great arrangement. Democracymaynot be the best optionsometimes, but I’m fuckedifIknowwhattosuggest”
“Same,”Iadmitwithasigh.“Anyway,whatdidyoucometogiveme?”
Hesurprisesmebycomingaroundtomysideofthedeskanddroppingtohisknees.Heholdsoutasmallblackbox,and myheartthumps
“Myproposalwasnotdoneright,”hestarts.“I’dwantedtosweepyouoffyourfeetandgiveyouathousandreasonswhyI loveyouandwanttobeyourhusband Seeingasthatdidn’thappen,butyoustillsaid‘yes’,Icanatleastgiveyouthis” Heopensthebox,andIgasp.“Ohmy,”Imurmur,asItakeinahugepurplestonesurroundedbysmallsparklingdiamonds.
“Itmatchesyoureyes,”hesayswithasmallsmile. “Oh,Trey,it’sperfect!”Icryandlethimslipitonmyfinger.
“Iknow thatthis is somethingovertand is notFae or Dragontradition, for thatmatter, butIwantyouto have it Iwant somethingthatsaysyouaremineandthatIamyours.Ialsoknowthatthiswillpushtheothermen’snosesoutofjoint,but…” Heshrugs “Youwillbemywife,andIwantthattobeacknowledged” “Iwantthattoo,”Isay,“butatsomepoint,Iwillalsobetheirwifetoo,”Iaddlightly.
“Iknow,”hesaysjustaslightly “Humormefornow,though,okay?” Inod and leanforward to kiss himsoftly. Idon’tknow how the other menwill feel aboutthis symbol, buthopefully, it won’tbeaconcern.Theyallknowthescore.TreyandIhavetobemarriedandproduceanheir.It’sthewayitis. Thereisasoftknockatthedoor,soIcall,“Comein”
TreyrisestohisfeetandstandsbymysideasIscootmychairforward.
“Ma’am,”Petlesays “Isnowagoodtimetogooversomeofthesereports?” “Sure,”Isaywithasmileandbeckonherin.“AndcallmeSavvie,please.”
Shegivesmealookofutterhorror “No,”shecries “YourMajesty I ” “Please,”IsaywithwhatIhopeisanencouragingsmile.
Hereyesarefulloffear,likeit’satraporsomething.“Okay,”shecroaksout,butIknowthatit’snotgoingtohappen. ThethreeofusstandinsilenceforaminuteandthensheglaresatTrey “Ifyoudon’tmind?”shesays,indicatingthedoor Hesnorts andgives her a quickbow.“Ofcourse,” he says andthenkisses thetopofmyhead.“We’ll catchuplater,my love”
InodquicklyandwatchasheleavesmeandPetle.
“Heisagoodchoice,”shestates,allbusiness-like,liketherewasanyotheroptiontobeginwith. “Hesureis,”Iagreewithagoofybeam,lookingatmynewring.
Petlecatchessightofitandletsoutasmall gasp.“Oh,that’sbeautiful.”Shebeamsatme,andIcan feel her approval of Treygoupbyseveralnotches
“So,doyouwanttostartwiththeniceornasty?”sheasks,sittingdowninthechairoppositeme. Ilookatheraskance “Nasty?”
Shenods.“Sorry,butyounowhavetodealwiththeprisoners,thoseontrial,thedisputes...”
“Got it,” Isayweaklyand thenclear mythroat, suckingit up. “Start withthe worst,” Iadd, “thenmydaycanonlyget better.”
“Goodphilosophy,”shemurmursandthenopensthetopfiletogointodetail aboutwhoisupforthedeathsentencenext week
IgulpandtrytoremindmyselfthatIknew theDarkFae,well, all theFaearearaceofslightlyarchaic,somewhatbarbaric beings,andthisiswhatIsignedupfor Thegood,thebadandtheugly Thesearemypeople,andthisismyrule Perhapsin time,Icouldtrytobringinmorelenientsentences,buttodayisn’tthatday.Tryingtoaccomplishsuchgreatactswilltaketime. ButitisdefinitelysomethingthatIneedtodo.FormyownsanityandtomaketheFaebetterandmoretolerant.Wewillneedit onceAmbrosiaisgone,andItaketheLightFaerulebythehorns
Iblinkasthatthoughtcameoutofnowhere.Sure,notcompletelynowhere,butitwasn’tonmymindthismorningwhenwe weretalkingabouttakingherprisoner
Irealizethatit’s thegoddess talking.TheFaearehers torule together,notapart.She– I –wantus unitedandlivingin harmonybeforeweevenattempttomakeupwiththeDragons Ihavetostartthinkingaboutthispowerasminenow Itflows throughme,itmakesmeRath’sotherhalf.ButbeforeIcanthinkaboutbeingagoddess,IhavetogetthisQueenthingright.
