The shrill shrieking of an alarm had my eyes flying open and my head snapping up. In a sleepy daze, I squinted at my surroundings, my heart rate only slowing when I understood where I was. I dropped my head back down, complaining, “Fuck. It can’t be morning yet.”

Bel lifted a beefy arm and smacked his hand down on his alarm clock. The horrible noise stopped. His arm flopped back onto the mattress. With a grumpy expression on his face, he scowled at the read-out on his clock, his black hair a mess around his face. “Unfortunately, it is.”

“Can you hit the snooze button?” Please.

He grunted. “No. We need to get up. Busy day.”

I sighed in defeat and curled the blanket around me more, not wanting to leave the warmth of the bed yet. We were sprawled all over the damn thing, our bodies not even touching because his bed was so large. I was almost positive we’d passed out after our sexual affairs this way, not having moved during our slumber.

Bel rolled and sat up, throwing his legs over the side of the bed. He groaned with the movement, just as exhausted as I was. He placed his elbows on his knees and rubbed his face with his hands, his back muscles flexing. With a crack of his neck, he mumbled around a yawn, “I’m going to take a shower. We’ve got Cleo’s death to deal with this morning.” Another large yawn. “And there’s a present for you in the first drawer of the nightstand next to you.”

Wait. What?

I blinked, shocked. “You got me a present?”

With his back still to me, he stood and stretched, placing his hands on his lower back and arching to alleviate the kinks. “Yes. A gift for your crowning. And it’s for protection. Don’t lose it.” He trudged away to his bathroom, his naked body making it hard to pull my eyes away.

Stunned, I muttered quickly, “Thank you!”

Not even glancing at me, he yawned again. “You’re welcome.” The bathroom door shut behind him, the water turning on almost immediately inside his shower.

I stared wide-eyed where he’d disappeared.

No one else had given me a gift. Not that I had expected any. I didn’t have a shit ton of close friends. My life had been dedicated to making sure I’d be the best queen for the vampires when my time was finally called. I’d had my fun in the last thousand years, no doubt, but I’d made sure never to lose sight of my goal. I’d known what I’d wanted, and I’d made it happen.

I swallowed and turned my attention from the Overlord splashing around inside his shower. I pushed the cover back and rose to sit on my knees, opening the first drawer on the nightstand nearest me. A small black box sat on a pile of folders, with a sweet red bow on top of it. I lifted the gift from the drawer with gentle hands, holding my breath.

Carefully, I flipped the top open.

I stared. Damn.

It was a delicate necklace, stunning. The vampire royal crest in silver, two swords crossed and protected by the almighty crown sat atop a red gem the size of a pecan. I studied the jewel. I’d seen many in my years, and owned almost all of them, but I’d never beheld one like this before. It was the color of a blood red sunset and gleamed like one too.

The Overlord was a complex man.

I smiled at the gift and lifted my free hand, caressing the gem with a soft finger. I whispered, “Hello there.”

Magnificent as a crack of thunder, a surge of power slammed into my skull, my eyes, my thoughts. It pulled, and it pulled. I shuddered under the potent weight and closed my eyes, dragged under...

Sparkly blue waves crashed against a shore of pure, white sand, the tiny granules glimmering like diamonds. A piercing and glorious sun spun high above in yellows, reds, greens, and blues. And a small boy crouched down on the beach, wearing loose white pants that whipped in the wind. The twirling hues of the sun cast its rays down on the shore and its lone occupant with the dark red skin and two bitty black horns poking out from the top of his forehead. The child swatted his black, flyaway hair out of his face and dug into the iridescent sand with little red fingers. He bit his bottom lip in concentration, his small fangs peeking out.

A smile of delight flashed across his face before he glanced left and right, scanning the beach around him. His chest heaved with his heavy breaths before he returned his attention to the sand. The red-skinned boy pulled his fingers back, a red jewel held in the palm of his hand.

With one last glance around, he stood and stuffed the jewel into the pocket of his white pants. An impish grin curved his tiny lips before he raced down the beach, glittering sand kicking up under his feet.

The sun swirled above, watchful and amused.

My vision slowly returned, as if in a fog, battling to bring me back to reality. I yanked my finger away from the gem and choked on air, my mouth agape. I blinked again and again until the bedchamber was all I saw and not an enchanted beach. I peered down at my naked body. Nothing had changed. I was still whole. The lord’s room around me still appeared the same.

My blue gaze returned to the necklace.

What the ever-lovin’ fuck?

I lifted my hand again. My finger hovered over the gem. I held my breath. To touch it again or not?

The jewel hadn’t hurt me.

It merely had a story to tell. I think.

This was my first experience with anything of this sort. And living as long as I had, new experiences were a dream come true. Most of the time, anyway. There were a few new experiences in my life I could do away with—like, killing a friend.

I licked my lips, squeezed my eyes shut, and pressed my finger down on the jewel. My muscles were tight in preparation for the power to slam into me again, and I continued to hold my breath, waiting.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I peeked open one eye.

Yes, my finger was on the gem.

A snort of laughter erupted behind me. “What are you doing, Gwen?”

My head snapped around.

Bel stood outside his bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. His long black hair dripped water down onto the floor. All-consuming eyes stared back at me, amusement flittering in their depths.

I supposed I did look a little odd. “Nothing.”

I cleared my throat. My gaze went to his forehead.

Thinking…

Those ice blue eyes…

Distracted, I mumbled, “Will you help me put this on? It’s beautiful.”

Bel’s head cocked, his eyes running over my features. “So you do like it?”

“Yes. I do.” I stood up and walked on legs not quite steady underneath me. But I made my way to him and took the necklace out of the box. I held it out, watching as he took it from me—without any ill effects—and opened the clasp. With as much innocence as I could muster, I questioned, “What kind of jewel is that? I’ve never seen one like it before.”

He twirled a finger, motioning for me to turn around. When I was properly facing away from him, he brushed my hair aside and placed the necklace around my neck, studying the clasp again. His tone was quiet and brusque. “I’m not sure if it has a name. But I do know it’s a jewel of protection. When I first found it, I could feel the power emanating from it. It’ll keep you safe.” Done with the clasp, he patted my bare ass, his eyes over my head and on his bed—my clothes shredded on it. He mumbled under his breath, “I should probably get you something to wear before you leave.”

“That would be nice,” I stated absently, trying to understand all the information running amok inside my head. I gripped the necklace and watched as he dug around inside his chest of drawers. One thing was certain, though.

“Bel?”

“Hmm?” he murmured, tossing a pair of sweatpants at me, then searching again in his drawers.

I caught the sweatpants out of the air and tossed the box onto his bed. Stuffing my legs into the soft material, I spoke quietly, “Thank you for the gift. It really was considerate of you.”

“You already thanked me. There’s no need to do it again.” He turned in my direction, holding a plain white t-shirt up in the air. “This is the smallest one I have here. It’ll have to do.”

I snorted and pulled the sweatpants up, rolling them at the top. They still almost fell off me. And that t-shirt was so large the bottom of it would hit my knees. “I’ll have to sneak back to my room.” I caught it when he threw it at me. “Where are my weapons and phone and key?”

Back to digging through his drawers for his own clothes, he lifted his chin in the direction of the coffee table next to his couch. “Over there.”

I slipped the shirt on.

It fell to my knees. Knew it.

I grabbed all my items that were still in one piece.

I eyed my boots. Or what was left of them. “You know, you could have at least left my shoes intact.” I only had three pairs of these—now two. I’d have to go shopping.

I wouldn’t complain about that though.

Shopping. I loved me some retail therapy.

“They were in the way.” He grunted and dropped his towel down onto the ground. He pointed to his door—the silver security walls up now. “You better get going. We only have an hour before we’re needed.”

I took one last peek of all that naked flesh on display. “I’m going. I’m going.” But I paused. “I had fun last night.”

His lips curved up, cocky and satisfied. “As did I.”

I used my vampire speed to race in his direction, jumping and kissing his lips, and then I was at his bedchamber door and unlocking it, all in the blink of an eye.

His deep laugh followed me out.

 

*  *  *

 

I put my key in my lock, asking, “Anything I need know?”

Crow shook his head. If he wondered about my oversized attire, he didn’t show it. His dark eyes stared straight forward.

“Excellent. Let Phoenix know I’ll need him in a half hour for Cleo’s ceremony.” I opened the door of my new apartments and slipped inside. “And if a royal couturier comes by, I am never available. Make sure Phoenix knows that too.”

They would send one soon.

I didn’t care. I liked my clothes as they were.

I picked them to my tastes. Not what others said.

Crow nodded.

I shut my door on his silent form.

Time to hurry my ass up.

I took the quickest and most thorough shower ever. My hair dried fastest by running around a room at vampire speed. I grabbed the counter, my vision spinning. I hated doing that—dizzying shit that was. I shook my head, my black hair tumbling around my head. Time to brush it out now, even worse. I wouldn’t fuck with makeup today.

A knock came on my door when I was jumping on one foot to put my other black heel on. I shoved it on my foot and smoothed down my black dress. I only needed my crown and weapons after this.

I slipped my gifted necklace under the neck of my dress and opened my door.

Lord Pippin stood in the hall, his hands in his suit pockets. His lush lips tilted up into a honeyed smile. “Do you have a minute, your majesty?”

I glanced at the clock on the wall. “We both have, like, two minutes available before we need to go. Will that work?”

“That’s more than enough.”

I waved him inside. “Come on in.”

The Overlord shut the door behind him, his gaze darting around my quarters. “I haven’t been in this room in forever.” Not since the last queen—his queen—had lived here. He pointed at the white walls. “They used to be red.”

“I’m sure they’ve been many colors throughout history,” I mumbled, strapping on my weapons. I surveyed his profile as he walked around the living room area. “You didn’t come here to talk about decorating, my lord. What is it you wanted to discuss?”

Though, I would need to get a decorator in here. The place was a blank canvas. Even my bedding was white. All in preparation for the new queen—me—to change it.

Lord Pippin turned in my direction, placing his hands back into his pockets. He rocked back and forth on his heels, his rugged, redheaded good looks just as formidable as they were when we’d dated. He stated simply, “I received a curious call last night. I’m not entirely sure why she contacted me either, instead of you. Or even how she had my private number.”

“Who was it?” My eyebrows puckered.

“Harmony.”

One name. Not even the last name. I didn’t need it.

“Damn. What did she want?”

“To be the Queen’s personal assistant.”

I stared. Blinked once. “And she called you?”

“Yep.” His brown eyes flicked around the room again. “She’s here for Cleo’s death. After that, she’s available to meet with you, if you’re interested in her offer.”

I snorted. “Are you fucking kidding? Text her ass now and tell her she’s got the job.”

His laughter was soft as he pulled his phone out, typing on it. “I thought you’d say that. I’ll let her know to come by your office today. We’ll be leaving for Cape Argent the day after next, so you’ll want to solidify her employment before then.”

My mouth dropped open. “We’re going to Cape Argent?” I shook my head. “Why the heck are we going there?”

His red brows lifted in surprise as he stuffed his phone back into his pocket. “For Master Niallan’s Challenges. I thought you…” He trailed off and shook his head, his eyes returning to mine. “That’s right. You left in the middle of the conversation—with flair if I remember correctly. It was discussed with him the night of the King Challenge. He agreed to it.”

My heart beat heavily in my chest, excited…and frightened. “But no vampires have ever been invited into the druid’s main stronghold.”

“It appears Master Niallan really wants the job.” His lips twitched.

I shook my head in awe. “I have no idea how the fuck you guys talked him into that, but bravo.” I clapped twice. “Seriously. Brav-fucking-o.”

His cheeks pinched as he chortled. “Thank you. But Lord Belshazzar had it all under control. He played him like a virgin on their wedding night.”

I snorted. “I think you need to drink a human who’s younger. Your metaphors are a little dated.”

Lord Pippin brushed his red hair out of his eyes, his smile only growing. “It was funny. Admit it.”

I opened a glass cabinet where my crown was held while shaking my head. “I’ll admit…it was bad.”

“Come on. There are hardly any virgins left anymore on their wedding night, so that means Master Niallan is a liar—”

I held up a stopping hand, cutting him off. “If you have to explain your joke, then it’s not funny.”

He flicked his right hand at me. “Or I misjudged my audience.”

“That too,” I conceded. I struggled to place the crown on my head right. “This fucker is heavy.”

“And it’s crooked too.” Lord Pippin stepped in front of me as he raised his hands and adjusted it on top of my head. He tilted his head, eyeing his work. “That looks right.”

I jiggled my head side-to-side. It didn’t fall off.

“Oh, my god.” Lord Pippin removed his phone from his pocket, aiming it at me. “Please do that again. I want to record that shit.”

Laughing, I shoved his phone away. “Stop it. We need to go.”

He sighed and put his cellphone away. His hands brushed down his black suit jacket, tugging at the bottom of it to remove a wrinkle. When he lifted his head back up, his brown eyes were hard—cold. The Overlord was staring out at me.

I lifted a black brow, murmuring, “I’d wondered where he’d run off to.”

His eyes narrowed. “I can cut off the business behind closed doors if I want to.” Lord Pippin cleared his throat. “And you were doing your Challenges. I had to behave a certain way.”

I decided to use his nickname. “You know, Pippy, I honestly don’t give a fuck.”

Lord Pippin stared. “Will you ever forgive me?”

Good question.

I sighed heavily. “It’ll go away with time. It’s only because I cared about you so much.”

The Overlord’s swallow was audible. He surprised me, bending at the waist to place his mouth against my ear, speaking softly, “Fine. You want the truth? I’ll tell you. I know I didn’t handle it right, but I was afraid to contact you. I was afraid you’d be a distraction to me, to the crown…because I cared about you so much too.” The lord straightened an instant later, brushing his jacket down again as if he hadn’t just blown me away with his honesty. He marched toward the door, barking over his shoulder, “Let’s go, your majesty. Death awaits us.”