Page 42 of Princess For All

He didn’t want to answer, giving me a look to fuck off.

I chuckled darkly. “I will shock your heart and make it stop before restarting it and healing you. Do you have any idea how painful that is? I will do it again and again until your body—until I can’t even heal you. I will do it forkicksand train everyone—”

“Yes, he told me,” he seethed. “He told all of us, you stupid bitch.” He spit at me this time. “You kill me and all these guest vampires will revolt. They will overrun you and take this place and all you have for themselves before—”

The completely clear sky turned instantly dark as thunder and lightning started. Two bolts hit the fencing and electrified it.

I chuckled darkly, shock and fear in the faces of the vampires near us. “Yeah, don’t make threats like that against Aether’s champion. She doesn’t like it. She wants me to live to beat Her brother and win this war so life continues on Her planet.” I looked up and took in a long breath. “Thank you for your approval and blessing that I punish your child, Aether.

“I will carry out your will and protect the humans of this world as best as I can. Only those who stand with me and live according to your teachings will be allowed in my coven. I swear it.” I looked out at all of the vampires. “No feeding from humans. None. Some of you aren’t even doing enough to deserve the blood you’re getting and that fucking ends.

“Get your asses in gear or get the fuck out. And saying we won’t do it because we need people—we’ll close ranks. We have enough good vampires and shifters to protect what we have. We have more than fourteen covens of loyal allies. We’ll be fine. More than fine.Youwill have nothing and every bridge will be burned.

“We will just stop expanding. No more extras. No more putting things back online, but you will go back to no electricity living in the Stone Ages shitting in buckets and expired anything you can find in Europe because you won’t live here. Or South America. No, you’ll leave and have to avoid any coven I’m allied with like the others we’ve tossed out.

“So now we’re going to have an in-depth sit-down and get real ground rules in place because the shock of everything has passed. People will step the fuck up and earn theblessingof being in this coven that others would kill to be in and beg to be a part of or you’re gone.” I gave them a moment with that. “And never forget this moment.

“Because this is the price of feeding from a human.” I went over to the vampire and slit his throat deeply until his head about separated off his neck. I kept my hand fisting his hair so his body weighed the wound down and he couldn’t put pressure to even try and let it heal. “Never forget this moment and know that my rules aren’t lip service.

“They aren’t bullshit. Men do not run this coven, and I am not a puppet. My husbandssupport meas they should. I also practice what I preach, and shifters and humans advise me, are my right hands. Everyone is equal in my coven. I do not care if you are shifter, human, or vampire. I care if you are a good person and live with integrity.

“I care if you are a benefit to my coven and will peacefully live our ways.” I dropped the now-dead vampire. “Or if you’ll be a problem and hurt my people like this asshole and have to be dealt with. If anyone doubts my words—well, I suggest you don’t. Just don’t. I’ve given you no reason to doubt me or think that I won’t live up to them.

“But if you’re still stupid and think it’s all bluster or I’m putting on an act—leave. We don’t want you here, and you’re wasting our time which pisses me off. Some of you are really pissing me off. I’m not acruelprincess like you had and then you think me weak. So we have to be cruel or we’re weak? Are we the problem or are you?

“Be cruel and monsters or you walk all over us? Geez, I wonder if we become monsters to survive?” I glanced all around again. “So the choice is yours. Leave or get in line because I won’t become a monster to survive. Aether has made it clear that with Her support, this is another way—She wants more for Her daughters that She gives this much power to.

“That you all have failed in respecting and supportingus. I don’t care how things were done. There won’t be this court bullshit of lazy, pompous assholes who think they’re special or get perks.Everyone works or get out!The humans aren’t slaves or cows. The shifters aren’t pets. Vampires aren’t top of the food chain. The only one at the top is me, andI serve Aether!”

“May the gods bless your vision, My Princess,” Cerdic said… As he lowered himself to one knee.

Darius said the same and did as well. Kristof saying it but moving behind me for protection, Vitor and a few others taking flanking positions just to be safe.

I was filled with hope when vampires all around the fence started doing the same even if they didn’t say “My Princess” but simply Princess or Princess Inez. Yeah, that was what they should do.

A few ran off though. I saw people nod that they caught it too.

They should leave… While we allowed it.

If they came back and started trouble though, they would get the same as the dead vampire at my feet.

11

We made it clear that some changes were going to come about with the vampires, and if they wanted to keep the lives they had, they needed to be willing to pay the price for that. And they should maybe pray on if this was the coven for them.

Also, to spread the word.

When we dismissed them, I turned back to the human and gave her a smile. “I’m so truly and very sorry you suffered this after I promised to protect you. What can I do?”

She blinked at me. “You more than did it, Princess.”

“No, I mean—yes, I punished him, but… How can I help you now?” I glanced at the woman who had been helping her. “How about you get some of your friends and take a break at the castle? Nick—our chef—can fuss over you and—”

“I’m not sure she will want to stay at a castle full of vampires after one hurt her, my love,” Kristof said under his breath.

The woman flinched and glanced around before meeting my eyes. “Yes, that would be great. Thank you, Princess.” She moved closer and nodded. “This wasn’t about him being a vampire. It was a derangedmanwho wanted to take too much from a woman. The fact he had fangs just gave him another way to do it. I would appreciate the security of the castle to heal.”

Perfect. Seriously, she was giving me an easy path to make this work and smooth things over.

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