Page 80 of Hot Vampire Next Door: Season Five

But thankfully, my brother takes the pressure off, and sinks to one knee in the short grass.

“Just until I claim my throne,” he tells me with a smile and a wink.

“Of course,” I answer quickly.

“You look beautiful, little sister,” he says and bows his head as the final show of respect.

My eyes well up and I press my lips together trying to keep the tears at bay. But it doesn’t work. One spills out and I swipe at it feeling a rush of emotions.

Excitement. Relief. Joy. Hope. Pride.

It’s finally sinking in, really and truly, that I’m a fae princess and I have a duty to this realm and to all of the fae here to reclaim my throne and reunite the courts.

I’m a fae princess.

Soon to be a queen.

The fae rise to their feet but only after Arion does.

“Shall we march on to the Summer Queen?” my brother asks. “Do you feel up to the task now?” As if we are only discussing a quick jaunt to the store and not murder.

“I think so,” I answer.

“Think?” Arion arches a brow.

“Yes,” I correct. “Yes, I’m ready.”

He gives me a nod, then glances at Bran. The scouts have returned—one fae and one vampire—to report that the path is clear ahead.

“Jessie and I in the middle of the procession,” Bran says. “Insulate her on all sides.”

Arion nods. “I’ll be in front of her a few paces. Baspin and Bianca should be behind her with the rest clustered throughout. Fair?”

“Fair,” Bran answers.

I don’t want to get giddy about my fae brother and my vampire boyfriend making war plans together, civilly, but dammit, I am. Arion said that if Bran and I always remain on the same page, we’ll be a force to be reckoned with, but I’d have to add that if Arion is with us, we’ll be truly unstoppable. He and Bran think a lot alike and there are things to admire in both of them.

With everyone in their places, and me at the center of the line, we move forward outside the protective bubble Baspin had created for us. But just a few steps on, and I start to feel off.

It’s a little unease in my gut at first. Anxiety or trepidation, I tell myself, and push forward.

We walk another ten, maybe fifteen minutes, and a cold sweat breaks out along my hairline.

Maybe it’s the humidity?

The climate in the fae realm hasn’t changed since my first visit. It’s still muggy, still insufferably thick and warm. Summer is in full force, but there’s a different energy in the air that I can’t quite put my finger on.

In the distance, the sky is starting to turn soft blue with the rising sun and mist swirls at the horizon.

“How close are we?” I ask Arion.

He glances at me over his shoulder as he answers. “We’ll be upon the Summer Palace grounds within twenty minutes.”

That’s so close.

Shit.

My stomach cramps.

---