Page 155 of Gemini Wicked

Great.

V’s, like, ten times more elegant and royal than I am.

Just wait’ll they get a load of my Gemini ass parked on their throne.

Zephyr’s fingers tighten around mine, like he can sense my trepidation, even if he can’t read my mind. Gracefully he lifts my hand to his mouth and presses a kiss to my gloved knuckles.

“Here is the essence of the matter,” Zephyr announces to the staring multitudes. He doesn’t even need to raise his voice, because kiva magic does the projecting for him. “Tonight I crown this powerful Gemini witch, the first of her kind, as my most worthy and beloved queen.”

A spark of warmth kindles in my chest and swells. That warmth spreads outward through my whole body till even my fingertips are tingling.

Of course, Zephyr never actually said he’s in love with me. He didn’t exactly spell out the letters just now either. But, hell, I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck.

He loves me.

The King of the Dark Fae loves my aerobicized mortal witching world ass. And it feels freaking amazing to hear him say it out loud to his whole kingdom.

“Tonight, as well,” he goes on calmly, “I claim my beloved queen’s warlocks—all of them—as mine own consorts.”

My heart gives a huge leap. I gasp and turn to gape. He’s watching the murmuring crowd, but his hand tightens around mine in a warm clasp.

“I trust you’ll enjoy your wedding gift, my bride,” he whispers under the crowd’s restive rustle. “All seven of your warlocks fucking in one bed for your pleasure.”

Oh, that effing Fae.

He’s been planning this.

My entire body tingles with anticipation and excitement.

“Whoa,” Neo whispers beside me, eyes shining behind his glasses. “I can’t believe it. Am I really a king’s consort?”

“That’s right, baby.” I literally feel like my heart’s gonna explode. I link my free hand with his. “Believe it. He’s claiming you. All of you.”

I desperately wanna sneak a peek at Ronin, whose emotions through our bond are really turbulent. Telepathically, he’s all over the map. But physically, he’s not in my direct line of sight.

Besides, Zephyr isn’t finished.

“The Unseelie crown is hers.” Zephyr’s cool voice hardens to rock. “And the Unseelie throne is, most emphatically, mine. If any here dare oppose me, know that you do so at your utmost peril.”

Every soft Unseelie syllable falls on those staring heads like stones. “Be warned.”

Unexpectedly, my Dark Fae turns to me. Gracefully, gauntlet glittering in the witchlight, he gestures toward the pillar.

“My queen,” he says gently, “’tis time to claim your crown.”

I blink in surprise and my mouth falls open.

Somehow, I assumed he was gonna crown me himself. I mean, I’m not even Unseelie. It’s not like I was born to wear that thing.

But fuck if I’m gonna make him tell me twice.

I close my mouth, release my mates’ hands, raise my chin, and walk through my guys into the danger zone. Close up, that witchlight dome hums like it’s electrified. Static races across my skin and sparks across my fingers, and I haven’t even touched it.

Vasili lowers his feet from the arm of Zephyr’s throne to the floor and leans forward, his sharp gaze intent on my face.

“Be careful, little queen, do,” my snake whispers. “We really don’t know what that forcefield can do.”

But this isn’t something he or any other of my guys—not even Zephyr—can do for me.

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