I scrolled through my phone with quick jerks of my finger, not really reading anything in front of me. My blue eyes continued to flick to the back of our bedchamber’s closed door, and then back to my cellphone. I was tempted to bring in Cracked-and-Nosy just for entertainment.

Two more days had passed of doing nothing.

Searching with no outcome.

Stuck in this fucking castle and looking over my shoulder at every unusual sound—and there was a lot of weird shit that happened in a druid’s stronghold.

I was going stir-crazy while the Overlords left every day for Challenges, without the means to even speak about them with me later in the evening. Damn law. Three Challenges had passed, all with Master Niallan completing them. I knew he was done with today’s because his mother’s eyes in the painting had started blinking so fast she might as well have taken flight by her eyelashes alone.

That had been an hour ago.

I kept scrolling on my phone.

There was nothing else to do.

The door to our room finally opened—fifteen minutes later. I jumped to my feet and stuffed my phone into the back pocket of my black leather pants. I shoved a finger at the closest window, and growled, “We are going out tonight! It sounds like a party in the village, and I want to get the fuck out of here for a few minutes.” Or an hour. Or three.

The Overlords halted in place. Shocked and mute.

The door swung shut behind them.

I waggled my finger at the window. “I. Need. To. Go. Out.”

Lord Xenon cleared his throat and glanced at the other lords. “I believe her majesty would like to go out tonight. I’m not positive, but I think she’s had enough of this room. What do you think?”

My eyes narrowed. I crossed my arms.

Lord Pippin’s lips trembled. “It’s a possibility.”

“A strong possibility.” Lord Belshazzar tapped a finger on his lips while his eyes glimmered with mischief. “Isn’t there a party happening in the village, my lords? I think I heard that somewhere. Maybe she’d like to do that?”

Lord Otto swayed his hips in quick jerks. “Sounds like dancing music to me out there. I doubt she’d want to do that.”

“Oh, for the love of God.” I tossed my hands up into the air. “You’re all absurd.”

Lord Cato lifted a finger up. “I said not a word, darling. Do not group me in with them.”

I tapped my right foot. “So, can we go to the party? Or would you like to crack a few more jokes at my expense, my lords, before you decide if I’m a prisoner in this castle for another fucking minute?”

Lord Otto snorted. “We should probably change our clothes before she decides to castrate us.”

Lord Belshazzar grunted. His lips curved up at the edges as his eyes drifted down my body. “She is dressed for a good time.” A black eyebrow lifted. “Your majesty, are you planning to have a good time tonight?”

“Maybe, my lord.” I rolled my eyes when Master Niallan’s mother started blinking like crazy. I turned and pointed a finger straight at her face. “That was not an open invitation for you, asshole. I haven’t decided who I’m going to have a good time with tonight. So fuck off.” I shrugged a shoulder. “For now, anyway.”

Business was business. And I had no real leads where I’d searched so far. The druid’s private bedroom still needed to be explored. And I was running out of time here…

Lord Otto exploded with a deep laugh. “I really need to get that on camera sometime.”

Lord Cato hissed, “Don’t even fucking dare.”

I pivoted and lifted a black brow. “Or do. And I’ll take a video of you running away from a deranged toy helicopter.”

Lord Otto’s face blanked. “You wouldn’t.”

“Like hell I wouldn’t.” I stared. “Try me.”

Lord Belshazzar chuckled quietly, glancing between us. “That, my royal friends, is called a stalemate.” He twirled a finger into the air. “Let’s get changed and take her out. Maybe it will remove the bitch who has overtaken our queen the past two days.”

My jaw dropped. “That was rude.”

“And fucking true,” Lord Pippin griped. He stared pointedly. “Your majesty, I never thought I’d say this first part, but here it is. None of us likes to stay up until all hours of the night with a beautiful woman—who won’t shut the fuck up. We realize you’re bored, but your need for interaction has been a little…extreme.”

I snapped my mouth shut. “Oh.”

Lord Pippin nodded slowly.

I huffed and pointed at their bags. “Hurry up and get changed then. And I promise not to bother,” my gaze swung to Lord Belshazzar and then away, “any of you tonight. I’ll sleep elsewhere.”

Master Niallan’s mother blinked. A lot.

Lord Belshazzar stared directly into my eyes.

The entire room went quiet. Not a word.

Not a breath was taken.

The other lords weren’t there in our world.

All that was, and all that would be, was locked in a stare down. The new Queen and the powerful Overlord. Tension mounted and buzzed between us, more tangible than any faith.

Lord Belshazzar asked quietly, “Are you doing this out of spite for what Lord Pippin said?”

I scoffed. “No.”

The Overlord’s head cocked in an animalistic fashion—and it was like I could see those magnificent black horns above his head. He was frightening and beautiful, all at once.

My lips thinned. “Don’t ask me questions like that again. You should know me better than that by now.”

Ice blue ices flicked between mine for a brutal moment. He straightened and tossed his long black hair out of one of his eyes. The lord stated calmly, “We’ll see you in the morning then.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I’m glad I have your approval, my lord.”

He scowled. “Don’t.”

Then fucking trust me.

Work fucks were work fucks.

But they weren’t easy to swallow.

My nostrils flared. I turned my attention to the lords who were trying to look anywhere but at us. “Are we going to the party or not?” I clapped my hands twice. “Hurry up, my lords. It’s time to bust out of this joint!”

 

*  *  *

 

Lord Belshazzar stepped forward next to me, and his eyes brightened at the view before us. The whipping flames of a bonfire lifted fifteen feet up into the air. Scantily clad druids painted with white chalk markings on their faces, arms, and chests danced to a brutal tribal beat of drums—all gathered around the flames.

Their bodies contorted and flung in every direction, each motion charged and beautiful. Heads snapped back. Arms rose. Bare feet kicked up dust. Legs bent and jumped. Torsos arched. None matching the person next to them, but the rhythm was all the same. They felt it in their bones.

The Overlord broke his moody silence. His words were quiet and reverent. “I haven’t seen this in forever.” He took a step forward as if he couldn’t help himself. “Fuck, I want to get in there.”

I eyed his strong profile. My lips curved up into a slow grin. There was genuine excitement in his eyes. “What’s this called?”

“A duranki,” he whispered. “They’re showing their gratitude to the world around them for all that they are. The good and the bad.”

I watched the druids move with different eyes, enchanted. “It’s terrifying and exquisite.”

Lord Belshazzar nodded. His blue eyes shone from the fire. The Overlord took another step forward, and his chest heaved with a decision made. “Fuck it. I’m going in. Stay with the others until Master Niallan comes for you.” He basically bounced on his toes, ready to charge into the fray.

My lips twitched. “Have fun, my lord.”

He tore his shirt over his head and dropped it on the dirt, ignoring the other lords who watched him like he’d lost his mind. The Overlord bent over and removed his shoes and socks, and his black belt went too. Lord Belshazzar stood in a loosely fitted pair of dress slacks that hung low on his lean waist. The muscles in his stomach rippled as he twisted and smiled at me—full of fang and exhilaration.

He purred, “Fuck yes.”

“Wait.” I grabbed his wrist over his thick, black leather bracelet and pulled him close for a moment. I lifted on my tiptoes, and whispered too quietly for anyone—or the dolls—to hear, “The Original druid amulet. Do you think it’s in his room? I can’t feel it…and I think you probably can.”

Lord Belshazzar wasn’t completely like us.

Not like a vampire or a druid.

He was something other.

I knew without a doubt that was true now.

The Overlord pressed his mouth against my ear. “How do you know I can feel it?”

“Not the time,” I replied. My hooded gaze swung over the crowd while I stood absolutely still. I stopped searching, my prey found. “Answer me. He’s coming.”

He chuckled softly, his breath puffing against my ear. “You should have told me your exact reasoning for your liaisons with him earlier. It would have saved us an argument.” The Overlord pressed his heated body against mine. “We thought coming here would give us answers. Because you’re right. I should be able to feel its exact presence. Instead, it’s still everywhere that fucker goes and it’s not anywhere on his body. Try to figure out why.”

Fuck.

This was a game changer.

I needed to come up with a different plan.

Right. The. Fuck. Now.

I brushed my cheek against his. “Okay.”

Lord Belshazzar smirked and pulled away from me. He walked backward and stared into my eyes, heading for the duranki. The lord stopped at a wooden bowl and placed his palms inside it. When his hands lifted, they were covered in a mixture of white chalk. He ran the tips of his fingers down his face, from forehead to chin, leaving many small trails of white on his skin. Then he slammed his hands down on his bare pecs, two handprints now there.

The lord never stopped watching me.

I shooed my right hand and laughed. “Get going, my lord. Life waits for no one. And fun is even more elusive.”

“True enough.” Lord Belshazzar spun and disappeared into the celebration, no longer visible in the throng. He was simply part of the arms and legs and bodies, all pulsing together to the base beat of their existence.

His spy doll hopped on his lone leg after him.

Master Niallan’s side brushed mine as he stopped beside me. Neither of us spoke while we watched the gathered crowd in their beautiful, chaotic celebration. His arms crossed and his sparkling green eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled in contentment.

I murmured, “You can go in there too, Master Niallan. Don’t let me stop you.”

The stunning druid shook his head with his gaze still on his people. “I’m content where I am for now.”

The Overlords stayed silent. Watchful.

I tipped my head up and examined his profile. “May I ask you a personal question?”

The druid ruler turned his head and looked down at me. A blond brow lifted. “If I may ask you one in return.”

I nodded in agreement. “What do you love the most about your people?”

His forehead crinkled in thought. “I think the easiest way to answer that is for you to look to your right.”

I turned my head and searched the area. “What am I looking for?”

Master Niallan snorted. “You are such a vampire.” He leaned over me and pointed over my shoulder. I followed his finger to a child sitting on a man’s shoulders. “Do you see the way his daughter’s pulling his hair?”

The little girl’s hands were fisted in her father’s hair. She bounced on his shoulders to the beat of the music, unknowingly, jerking her father’s head side-to-side. The poor man grimaced with each yank, but he only moved closer to the celebration, allowing her a closer view.

I lifted a black brow. While I continued to watch the pair, my tone wasn’t amused. “If you’re saying vampires don’t know unconditional love, then you’re sadly mistaken.”

The druid snickered softly and draped his arms around my shoulders from behind, hugging my back to his front. He placed his chin on the top of my head, and said, “It’s the daughter’s innocence, your majesty. My people are comfortable with their lives. They enjoy themselves.” He turned us to face the revelry. “As you can see.”

I sucked in a large breath, and admitted, “While I don’t agree with many of your laws, and your leniency if druids stray from them, I will agree that the majority of your people are happy with your rule.”

The celebration only became larger.

More druids poured from their homes.

“My turn.” He kept his chin on top of my head and started swaying our bodies to the heady beat. “This one is hard, so you may not be able to answer it. If you had the choice to die to bring your mother back, would you?”

Lord Cato’s head jerked in our direction. His brown eyes narrowed on the druid’s face over my head. My father’s lips thinned, but he stayed quiet, not interrupting.

“That is a hard question.” I crossed my arms over my chest, directly over where his arms were crossed over my shoulders. My black brows puckered. I stated, “The correct answer would be to say, yes, of course, I would.”

Master Niallan hummed softly. “I hear a ‘but’ coming.”

“You’re right.” I swallowed and scrunched my face. “My mother wouldn’t want me to take her place in death. No loving mother would—and she did love me with her whole heart. So, my actual answer would be no, I wouldn’t take her place. It wouldn’t be the right choice. Not for me. Not for her.”

We continued to sway to the music.

Until Master Niallan suddenly released me.

The druid held out his right hand. “And is it the right choice for you to come with me tonight, your majesty? Or is it the right choice to save yourself for Lord Biotch, a possible mate for you? You’re playing a very dangerous game by having sex with both of us.”

I stared at his outstretched hand. I asked quietly, “What if I just wanted to sleep there? With you?”

He was quiet for a full minute. His hand never lowered, though. In the end, he replied, “Maybe you should go back to your room with him. Having sex with me is much different than what you’re asking for. And I have no more room in my life for another romantic partner. The two I have are all I need and want.”

And, yet, his hand was still waiting for me.

Because…he’d watched me kill Adelie.

Because he knew he’d have to kill one—or both—of his lovers soon. In the near future, they would be dead. He would be alone. The love and devotion he still had for his mother showed he took loss hard.

Master Niallan would be at his weakest soon.

I’d been right to ask that question. I was slipping deeper under his skin when he needed someone the most. I would be that person for him—until I wasn’t.

I placed my hand in his and lifted my head to look into his eyes. I said quietly, “Sleep only, Master Niallan. I need to get away from it all for a little while. Out of my own head. Away from them.”

The druid’s green eyes held mine. His fingers gently curled around my smaller digits. Without an ounce of emotion shown, he turned and pulled me behind him. “Only for tonight, your majesty.”

We both knew that wasn’t true.

It would be any night I wanted it.

Because he would need it, too—soon.

I’d…managed to make him more than a friend.

I’d made us partners in our pain.

We now had a link, a bond.

And wasn’t that fucking perfect for a blindside?

I hid my victorious grin as I held his hand and followed him into his castle and all the way up the tallest tower.

When we lay down on his bed, with chilling golden mist floating on his bedchamber’s floor around us, we closed our eyes and fell into peaceful sleep right next to each other.