Page 67 of Pain

“Lerris has tried to kill me several times. He killed my aunt—the spellcaster-mage—and kidnapped my best friend—a human. She is healing back on Earth right now. Zandren’s father—the Shifter King—suggested we find Kenvin Jol as he hates Lerris, was a fan of my father, will be able to train me and my powers, and help us set up a trap to stop Lerris once and for all.”

Two sets of wide brown eyes stared back at me.

“We were out in the desert because Maxar’s parents are both at Helltower. They’ve been there for centuries. We thought maybe their incarceration had changed them to be better people. Drak’s aunt—the Dowager Queen Mother, Quintella Volmark—is also there. She alerted us to Lerris’s presence here in Hell. He paid Quintella a visit just yesterday.”

Fear flashed in both Shoy and Vip’s eyes. Was it because Lerris was in Hell?Or something else entirely?

“We believe that King Howar—King of the Vampires—is working with Lerris to stage a coup and usurp me from the throne. A throne I’ve never even sat on. Drak is not only Howar’s cousin, but was also in his court and head of his security. However, when we asked Howar for the location of a portal on Earth, the one he sent us to had an ambush and we were nearly killed.” I exhaled and let my shoulders slump. “So you can see why I’m careful who I trust.”

Had Vip blinked yet? She picked up one of the mugs, steam rising from the aromatic depths, and set it in front of me. Then she came around the counter, took my hand and bowed her head, pressing her forehead to the top of my hand. “My Queen. We are at your service.” Lifting her head, she blinked up at me, tears in her eyes. Then, for the first time since I met the woman, she smiled. And holy hell, did it light up the damned room. “I should have known you were his heir. You have your father’s eyes. And his kindness.”

Shoy bowed as well. “We are humbled by your visit, Your Majesty.”

Well, now they were making me all uncomfortable. I smiled shyly. “Just call me Omaera, please. I’m just … me.”

They both beamed and Vip straightened. “We were briefly part of your father’s court, when he first came into power after the war. We helped him restore peace to the Realm.”

My heart hammered against my ribs. More people who knew my father. People who could tell me about him. A thousand questions pinged around uncontrollably in my mind, each one vying to be asked first.

Shoy’s smile was small, but real. “After about thirty years, we asked Donovar to be relieved of our duties in his court. We wanted peace and quiet. He let us go without hesitation, offering us land wherever in Hell, or on Earth that we wanted, along with an annual stipend for our services and loyalty.”

I swallowed, and hot tears pricked my eyes.

“It would be our honor to help Donovar’s daughter. The new queen,” Vip said with another little head bow. “Anything we can do to help, name it. We are your humble servants.”

Relief swamped me so quickly that those threatening tearsburst forth and a sob clutched in my throat. I gripped the edge of the counter and let out a stuttered breath through pursed lips. I had to believe that all of this was happening for a reason. That we stumbled here of all places after being captured by the bisibra because we were meant to meet. I was meant to meet people who loved my father and who could help me defeat Lerris and Howar.

After I regained a bit of composure and the ability to speak, I wiped the tears from my eyes and smiled. “We do need your help. We need to find Zandren and Maxar and get back to town. I’m worried that somehow Lerris will have found out about Kenvin helping us. I’m not sure Kenvin is safe.”

That made Shoy snort. “That old goat could kill an entire army of Lerrises without breaking a sweat. You don’t need to worry about Kenvin.” His expression turned more serious. “Your mates on the other hand … out in the desert at night …” He shook his head. “Do they have any cover?”

“They’re in a truck that is missing a door.”

“And you say it’s a bear-shifter and a fire-mage?” Vip asked.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“But you’ve mated them?” Shoy asked.

I nodded again.

His lips twisted, but a shimmer of relief twinkled in his dark eyes. “They should be able to find you based on your scent. Even though it’s easy to get turned around in the desert, your scent should direct them this way. If they keep driving, I suspect we’ll meet them by morning.”

Well, that made me feel a little better.

Vip’s smile really was extraordinary, and the way her eyes glittered now—with flecks of copper among the brown—she went from beautiful to striking just by smiling.

“Thank you for helping us,” I said, reaching for Vip’s hand and giving it a friendly squeeze. “Hell has been … it’s been very strange.”

They exchanged knowing, amused glances.

“Have either of you ever been to Earth?”

Both nodded.

“A few times throughout the centuries,” Shoy said. “We find it very strange.”

That made me laugh. “I guess it’s all about what you’re used to, hmm?” The delicious smell of the tea made me pick it up and take a sip. A burst of fruity and floral flavor danced across my tongue. “What is this? Everything in Hell has tasted terrible. Why does this taste so good?”

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