Page 52 of Queen of Vampire Hearts

We retrofitted the room within a few hours, complete with a 144-inch TV, surround sound, and a Netflix subscription. It was all the essentials.

The Romanian cable guys were still working on the WiFi, but I could breathe easier knowing the castle was slightly more welcoming. If I stayed, I could make this place a home rather than just a cavernous shell.

A furniture delivery arrived, including a massive sectional, big enough for all the lycans and vampires. I raised an eyebrow at Lucien at that delivery, and he shrugged. “In case you want to invite...people.”

I glanced away quickly. There was no one to invite. The feeling of isolation seeped in, escalating further when Lucien handed me a brand new phone. He had already programmed in some numbers. I pushed away the sappy warmth that filled me when I saw he had saved his number asSugar Fangs. He had put in Adelaide, Cassie, and, in case of emergencies only, Erik. The lycan’s number was saved asOvergrown Chia Pet.

I smiled sadly, realizing there was no one else to add to it. My parents were dead. My ex had betrayed me. My friends had turned their backs years ago. The cable guys’ rapid muttering became louder as they packed up their tools.

“What are they whispering about now?” I asked, hoping to distract myself as Lucien came up behind me and kissed my head, wrapping his arms around me.

“They think you’re being held against your will. They keep calling you Mina, like Dracula’s bride.” His voice held none of the suppressed humor from before.

I turned to face him, placing a soft hand on his cheek, drawing his eyes. “I’m not here against my will, remember?” I emphasized my bare wrists and couldn’t resist adding, “Notanymore,at least.”

His lips twitched in a ghost of a smile. “Cheeky female.”

I pulled Lucien in for a long, lingering kiss, giving them no doubt that I was therevoluntarily. When I moved away, he yanked me back, plundering my mouth, sweeping me into the kiss with little effort. When he finally released me, I felt a little dazed, forgetting my original intention. His forehead touched mine, and a smile of male satisfaction lit his face. I pushed away from him and shot a look at the two men who were trying to appear over-interested in their work.

I smirked at them, then back at Lucien, who was still smiling. “What?”

“I’m happy you’re here,” he answered, and I froze, unsure how to answer.

The cable men saved me from having to respond when they announced thevifeeshould be working. They shot cautious looks at Lucien, still hesitant around him. I wondered if they sensed his...power. Some mortals were more sensitive than others. The men hesitated, sending more tentative looks at us. Lucien’s eyes flashed red, and they sprinted out of Întuneric, screaming in Romanian.

I snickered and smiled up at him, his eyes green. “I suppose you had nothing to do with that?”

“Who me?” He gestured to himself. “I would never do such a thing.” He couldn’t stop the smirk. “Now, what does my queen want to watch on her new system?”

I bit my lip in thought and came up with the perfect choice, but I had to make sure not to laugh before I pulled up Netflix to pick out the show.

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer?Absolutely not.”

I burst into laughter and ignored him, starting the first episode. “What? She’s one of my favorites.”

He stuck his lower lip out. “There must be something else.”

“Hmm, we could watchVampire Diaries.”

He sent me a quelling look. “Not a chance.”

“True Blood?”

He didn’t even dignify that with a response.

“GiveBuffya shot. You can point out all the inaccuracies!”

He huffed, pulling me against his chest. “Fine. But note this sacrifice I’m making for you, my queen.”

I smiled sweetly up at him and said, “I’ll add it to the list.”

We cuddled together and binged through the first season, Lucien demanding to know, “Why the hells would a vampire’s face get wrinkled when he was about to attack?” I had no answer for that, but I admitted to having a major crush on David Boreanaz, which offended Lucien. He eventually settled back in when I patted his arm and assured him he was a much better vampire.

Erik and Gunnar filtered in and out. Unsurprisingly, the younger lycan was a hugeBuffyfan. When Lucien widened his eyes in surprise, he shrugged and said, “I’ve got a thing for powerful women.”

Cuddled into Lucien’s side, I drifted off somewhere toward the end of the first season, his chest too warm and comfortable to resist.

Suddenly, I was back in front of the room in Întuneric that led to the past. Would I see my parents again? I pushed against the door, eager to see them. The thought of seeing them again was compelling, but this time, when the wooden door swung open, it was to somewhere new.

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