Page 209 of Rise of the Queen

“We’re like the council of elders right here. Once the city is back to normal, we’ll preside over petty squabbles between the people,” Stephen said.

“I feel like you have experience with this already. How many feuds over goats have you settled in your nine hundred years?” I asked, trying to sound serious.

“Countless. Sheep and cows, too. Livestock was a hot topic a few hundred years ago.”

We stayed at the lake for a few hours, until our asses got sore from sitting on the ground. Stephen was much lighter after talking things through with me and Ivan. Hell, I was much lighter from talking things through with the two of them.

Ivan offered to be my legs for the walk back to the house. I’d trained them all quite well by this point. They all knew I didn’t walk back to the house. I felt a little guilty that they all spoiled me.

It lasted at least five seconds before I readily hopped on his back.

Stephen inhaled deeply as we started back toward the house. “I understand why Andrei and Misha won’t shut up about coming here.”

I laughed. “This place is magic.”

Ivan squeezed my legs as we walked. “Magic that we were all blind to until you came into our lives,” he said, sending me a little of his fire, knowing I would always appreciate it. I hugged his neck a little tighter.

I spent the rest of the walk back to the house completely lost in my own thoughts. Adrik was right when he said this entiresituation was easier because we had each other. That extended to the guys too. I couldn’t imagine my life without them. I couldn’t imagine feeling this confident knowing what we’re facing without every single one of them.

We were an unconventional family, but we were a family. We were all willing to die trying to protect it.

Chapter Sixty-One

Adrik

I had to laugh tomyself as I watched Sephie leaving with Stephen and Ivan. I felt like a lovesick teenager wanting to run after her. Never in a million years would I have expected to be here feeling this way about, well, anyone.

I wouldn’t change it for the world.

“Where’s the spider monkey?” Andrei asked as he walked into the kitchen.

“She took Ivan and Stephen to the lake.”

I saw the moment of disappointment on his face, but he quickly hid it. “I’m glad. He needs it right now.”

I smiled at him. I did enjoy how much they all enjoyed spending time with her. “There will be other times. You’ll go next time,” I said, putting my hand on his shoulder as he walked past me to the fridge.

He laughed, knowing full well I’d caught his moment of disappointment. “I can’t help it. She’s just so much fun,” he said.

“You don’t have to justify anything to me. I know her role in your lives is very important. I understand completely. I had to fight the urge to run after her.”

“She might be solely responsible for my self-confidence bouncing back after Tori,” he said, a small smile on his face.

“Oh? I didn’t realize your confidence took a hit from her,” I said, somewhat shocked at his admission.

“Yeah, I don’t think anyone but Sephie knew. Tori learned my one weakness and anytime we argued, she’d drive the knife a little farther into that wound. I didn’t think it affected me as much as it did until Sephie noticed my hesitation at connecting with my demon. She didn’t even need to look in my head to know what was holding me back. I still don’t know how she does it,” he said.

“Your brother?” I asked. He just nodded. Andrei’s younger brother was some kind of model and had been since I’d known Andrei. I’d only met him one time. To say they were complete opposites was an understatement. His brother didn’t have much to offer the world, other than his ability to take a great photo, but Andrei had to hear about how much better his little brother was for most of his life. I’m sure that wears on a person.

Makes me happy I have no siblings.

“I’m sure that I would agree wholeheartedly with whatever it was that Sephie told you. She was completely right. Everything you’re doing now has a much bigger impact on the world, as well as generations to come. If you like, we’ll start taking pictures and we can make your parents a scrapbook.”

Andrei’s laugh brought Misha into the kitchen. “What’s this? There’s fuckery and gazelle is nowhere to be found? Did we switch timelines?” he asked.

“Her fuckery rubbed off on him. It’s a perk from their recently strengthened connection,” Andrei said like it was fact.

I chuckled. “I tried to talk her into coming to more of my meetings recently and she turned me down. She actually said it was less time that she could spread the fuckery with you two.”

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