“ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?” Lord Belshazzar asked as he placed my crown on my head. “You can always say no. I won’t make you be a sole ruler. You have a choice right now.”
I swallowed my nerves down on a dry throat. “I’m nervous, but I know what I want. I will be the queen my people need me to be.”
Lord Belshazzar lifted his right hand and caressed my left cheek with the tips of his warm fingers. “You already are, your majesty.”
This man was ruining me—in the best possible way. I couldn’t have chosen a more caring lover. With the simplest of words, he could knock the breath out of me.
Our gazes locked on one another’s. His frosty blue eyes betrayed no emotion, but his touch had been gentle. I was so lost in those chilling orbs of his, and he didn’t look away, either.
Maybe he was just as screwed as I was.
“Ahem,” Lord Pippin muttered. “If you two can do that shit at another time, that would be great.”
“I agree.” Lord Xenon glanced down at his watch. “We had to wait for your ass to wake up, another day gone. And we are running out of time, my lord.”
Lord Otto yawned behind a fist. “Not to mention, we get to do both of your jobs while you’re gone, not just Lord Belshazzar’s anymore. So let’s get this monumental time in history done with.”
Lord Cato flicked a finger to the side. “We really should have thought about a druid witness beforehand.”
Chester snorted. “I’ll take that as a compliment. I was so very glad to step in to help our combined peoples as the druid witness—when you fucking dragged me out of bed at two o’clock in the damn morning! And why in the hell are we doing it this early, anyway? Can someone please explain that to me?”
Lord Otto yawned again. “I already said why. We have to do their work, too. This is the new start time of our days.”
Lord Belshazzar sighed heavily and turned to the others, breaking eye contact with me. “Everyone, calm down. This is a joyful day. Let’s try to remember that.”
Open mouths quickly snapped shut.
They grunted their agreement and wiped the scowls from their faces, properly reminded that today, they were helping to create history.
Lord Belshazzar and I walked together to stand inside their circle, the four other Overlords and Chester (fuck him) surrounding us. We turned to face one another inside Lord Cato’s room, my mother’s loving face staring down at me. I had asked to have this done in here, and since it needed to be private, no one had argued or asked why—because they already knew.
Lord Belshazzar lifted the Original druid amulet in his right hand and the Original vampire amulet in his left hand. Our eyes caught again as he held them between us. He pressed them together. They instantly glowed a bright, pure gold and a deep blood red.
I still couldn’t feel the power coming off of them.
Lord Belshazzar stated, “All previous Original laws are now void for the druids and vampires living on Earth.”
The amulets pulsed.
Lord Belshazzar stated, “Belshazzar of Ota’ano is now the sole ruler of the druids living on Earth.”
The amulets pulsed.
Lord Belshazzar stated, “Gwynnore of—”
I held up a quick stopping hand, cutting him off. “I’ve changed my mind.”
Everyone froze…their eyes wide on their faces.
My lover’s eyes were the widest.
Oh shit. I should have clarified.
Lord Xenon snapped out of his shock faster than the rest and quickly raised his hand. “My lord, I’ll take the job.”
I shook my head and chuckled. “That wasn’t what I meant. What I meant was I no longer want to take my grandfather’s name. I was born here. I wish to be known as Gwynnore of Japri.”
Lord Xenon’s hand dropped to his side in defeat.
My father’s eyes…fuck…they glistened.
Lord Belshazzar’s chest heaved in relief.
Chester chuckled. “I’m happy I got to see that. I’m pretty sure we almost had a fight for the crown on our hands.”
“Chester?” I stated, keeping my eyes on my lover.
“Yes, your majesty?”
“Shut the fuck up.”
“Yes, your majesty,” he drawled, still snickering.
Fucking prick.
Lord Belshazzar cleared his throat, the amulets still pressed together and glowing. “Gwynnore of Japri is now the sole ruler of the vampires living on Earth.”
The amulets pulsed.
I sucked in a harsh breath. My smile grew so large my cheeks hurt. I peered up at my mother’s portrait, and then looked over at my father. My blood family was watching this epic moment. And my father’s happiness was as loud as mine was with his own grin plastered on his face.
One day, I would need to speak with him.
I looked back to my lover, unable to stop beaming.
His lips curved up at the edges in a private smile meant solely for my eyes, the amulets’ glow reflected in his eyes. He stated clearly, “Only a child born of Belshazzar of Ota’ano and Gwynnore of Japri together, and of their descendants, may be a ruler of either the vampires or druids living on Earth—never ruling both the vampires and druids living on Earth. The current ruler of the vampires or druids living on Earth will decide who takes their place as sovereign.”
The amulets pulsed.
Lord Belshazzar broke the connection, pulling the two amulets apart…then he tossed the Original vampire amulet to me.
On pure instinct, I caught it. Still smiling.
No old Original laws. I could hold this bastard.
I stared down at my hands that held so much power—
“Um, I have a question,” Chester stated offhandedly. “So, only your kids or their kids and so on can rule? I didn’t think that was part of what was going to be said or maybe Lord Cato skipped that part? I thought you two were it…like, forever.”
My head snapped up, and my smile vanished.
Wait… I was too excited. What had he said again?
Lord Xenon growled deeply, “It wasn’t part of the plan. Lord Belshazzar, what the fuck do you think—”
“King Belshazzar,” my lover interrupted, correcting him. But he never turned away from my shocked and confused gaze, staring me directly in the eyes. “I added something to the new law. It is no different than a succession in a typical monarchy. It will merely be our children eventually who take our places if we wish it.”
“Uh…” I blinked and tried to understand. “Did you say our children? As in, you and I having babies together?”
“I did say that.” King Belshazzar pocketed the Original druid amulet and then crossed his arms. “We can talk about that later.”
My mouth bobbed. “I don’t understand. We aren’t together in that way. I mean, we obviously care for one another and enjoy each other’s intimate company, but we are nowhere near a stage of even discussing children. We aren’t even together-together right now.”
He shrugged his left shoulder. “We should talk about this later, Gwen.”
I stared, and babbled stupidly, “I don’t want to have children.”
“I don’t either right now.” He gazed down at me pointedly, his mere size dwarfing mine. “Gwen, let’s talk about this later in private when you’re no longer in shock. In private. All right?”
I snapped my mouth shut. My eyes darted to each of the men standing around us in a circle, all wearing varying expressions with their feelings blatantly displayed on their faces. I cleared my throat and turned my attention back to my lover, and mumbled quietly, “Yes, in private would be best. Sorry.”
King Belshazzar’s lips twitched. “I thought you might see the reasoning.”
Chester laughed deep and clear. “And so begins their reign as king and queen. This should be damn entertaining based on what I’ve seen so far.”
I snapped my attention to him. “Chester?”
“Yes, your majesty?”
“Shut. The. Fuck. Up.”
“Yes, your majesty.” He kept on laughing.
Bastard.
Lord Otto shook off his stunned shock, and stated, “I believe we all need a small drink to celebrate, don’t you think? After all, King Belshazzar lied to all of us—including the woman he apparently wants to hump until babies spit out of her spread thighs.” He went straight for the sidebar. “Or maybe a large drink, anyone?”
Lord Pippin flicked a hand in the air. “I’ll take my usual, double scotch.”
“Then come and get it,” Lord Otto retorted. He grabbed a beer from the mini-fridge and turned around to glare daggers at the other lord. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you slacking on picking up duties. I had to field nine calls yesterday that should have been yours, and Lord Cato picked up half of the emails you were supposed to respond to.”
Lord Pippin’s eyes narrowed. “I was tired.”
“As are we all,” Lord Cato grumbled, jarring the other lord’s shoulder as he passed by him to the bar. He grabbed a goblet and poured blood into it. “But we’re still doing our damn jobs, and I didn’t appreciate that yesterday.”
“My apologies. To both of you,” Lord Pippin grudgingly stated as he headed to the sidebar. He poured his own glass of scotch and took a sip of it. “Your majesties, when will you create the rest of the new laws?”
I swung the Original vampire amulet around and around by its golden chain, stating, “When we get back from S’Kir with the Breaker. No outward changes will occur for the vampire faction until we’re back. They couldn’t handle it. They’re barely handling seeing our troops amass around our strongholds. And when you send out the news that war is coming with the humans, it’s going to be even worse. The four of you have enough on your plates to shove more shit on it. We’ll tell them when they need to know.”
King Belshazzar grunted. “Perfectly stated. It will be the same for me.”
Lord Pippin peered straight into my eyes, his concern for me flashing in his brown gaze. “Be safe in S’Kir. It’s been thousands of years since anyone on Earth has been there. You don’t know what could be waiting—”
The Overlord grunted and stopped speaking.
His dark red brows furrowed over his eyes.
Lord Pippin cleared his throat, rubbed at his head, and tried again, “What I mean is—”
He snapped his mouth shut and massaged his throat, his eyebrows lowering even further over his eyes. The Overlord shook his head hard and placed his glass of scotch down onto the bar. His eyes widened on his face, and in a burst of movement, he leaned over and stuck his finger down his throat.
I stopped swinging the Original vampire amulet, my head jerking back in shock, as the lord proceeded to make himself vomit.
Blood and his dinner from last night poured out of his mouth onto the carpet in a sickening splatter as his body convulsed. He swayed hard and dropped to his knees, then jammed his finger back down his throat, repeating the process.
Lord Otto grabbed Lord Pippin’s shoulders, demanding roughly, “Someone call a damn medic. He’s been poisoned.”
Lord Xenon yanked his cell phone out of his pocket, even as I rushed forward toward Lord Pippin.
But the vomiting suddenly stopped.
As did his racing heart.
It no longer beat at all.
Lord Pippin’s body slackened and slid out from under Lord Otto’s hands. He fell to the side in a graceless heap, his massive body smacking the floor with a thud. His head bounced on the carpet, and then lay still, his arms under his chest at an odd angle and his legs on top of his own vomit.
I stopped breathing and stood in place right next to his head, staring down at the unmoving Overlord. Unable to believe the truth lying at my feet, I whispered, “Pippy?”
Lord Xenon dropped his arm down to his side, his cell phone crushed inside his brutal grip.
I quickly squatted and started running my fingers frantically through his wavy red hair. “Pippy, this isn’t funny. Open your eyes.”
My old love didn’t move.
“This isn’t happening.” I patted his cheek as my eyes burned. “I said open your eyes, damn you!”
Lord Cato murmured gently, “Gwen, look at me.”
“No! He needs to wake up, dammit!” I bent over as wetness started to coat my cheeks and pressed my mouth to his ear. My scream was tortured, “Pippy! Don’t do this! Wake up!”
King Belshazzar grabbed me under my arms and lifted me to my feet. He held my squirming frame tight as I struggled against him. My crown fell to the ground as he jerked me around to face him and seized my shoulders in a bruising grip, and still, I batted at his arms and tried to return to the man I’d once planned to marry. Through gritted teeth, he hissed, “He’s gone, Gwen.”
“No!” I wailed and beat at his muscular chest with my fists, the amulet swinging madly between us.
“He’s gone,” King Belshazzar growled. “Look at him, Gwen. He is dead.”
I flashed my fangs, and snarled, “You are a cruel man.”
He showed his own fangs and his eyes turned blood red. “Yes, I can be.”
A sob broke past my lips as I stared into his eyes, not one ounce of sympathy in his brutal scrutiny. But I slowly turned my head and looked down beside us to the vampire on the floor…dead. Another sob tore through my body, my shoulders jerking inside King Belshazzar’s hold.
“He’s dead,” I whispered.
King Belshazzar stated, “He is.”