Page 77 of Queen Takes Queen
Crap. I was going to make Mayte come in front of her entire court. She knew it, and she was still going to go through withit.
In her place, I wouldn't have minded, because my entire court was my Blood plus Gina, Frank and Winston. The latter two would be kind of embarrassing, I guessed, but nothing like the hundred or so people Mayte protected inside hernest.
"Then each of her Blood will come before you and you can choose whether to take them ornot."
Ugh. "No way. I'm not taking any of her Blood fromher."
"It's your right as herqueen."
"Nothappening."
Nodding, Gina paused outside a heavy set of doors where one of Mayte's Blood waited. "After that, the rest of her family will be presented to you. You can take her brothers at that time, or wait until later in private. That doesn't need to be done formally. Each sib will also be presented toyou."
"I don't have to taste any of them though,right?"
"Not unless you wantto."
"And none of them take my bloodeither."
"Again, not unless you feel moved to doso."
The Blood bowed low and pushed the doors open. "My queen, she's ready foryou."
Having complete strangers refer to me as their queen was going to take some getting used to. "Thank you. I'm sorry, I'm terrible with names. Which of her Blood areyou?"
"Luis, myqueen."
I waited while Rik made his orders about how to position my Blood. Guillaume, Xin, and Ezra went before me. Nevarre, Mehen, and Daire took the rear. I gave my hand to Rik and he tucked me close to his side as we walked through thedoor.
This time, Mayte had set the meeting in the library. The walls were broken into panels by dark wood with murals painted in each section. Books lined the walls from floor to ceiling. A large round table sat before a fireplace with several heavy wood and leather chairs placed around it. Larger leather chairs were positioned in front of the fireplace and around the room. Mayte stood at the table with Bianca and her alpha, with her grandmother, daughter, and the rest of her Blood behind her, includingTepeyollotl.
Her brothers stood on my left as I came in, but with a hard look, Guillaume kept them fromapproaching.
"Your Majesty, please let me formally introduce you to my grandmother, TocihZaniyah."
The older woman started to curtsy, but I quickly took her hand in both of mine. "I'm honored to meet you, Tocih, but please, let there be no formalities betweenus."
The older woman humphed beneath her breath. "The younger generation has no appreciation for formal courts or proprieties anylonger."
I thought she was truly offended for a moment, but then I saw the twinkle in her eyes. "I'm afraid I couldn't care less forproprieties."
She laughed more openly and patted my hands with her free hand. "Me neither, truth be told. Thank you for helping us protect Valle de Zaniyah and all who livehere."
"It's mypleasure."
I released her and Mayte stepped closer with Xochitl on her hip. Mayte was dressed in a formal pink princess gown with a huge sweeping train, and her daughter wore a matching dress in purple. With flowers in their hair, they looked like beautiful fairies dancing in a garden of flowers beneath a fullmoon.
"Is this the queen, Mama?" Xochitlasked.
"Yes, my precious. She's come to protect us from the badqueen."
Xochitl held out her arms tome.
Stunned, I glanced at Mayte to make sure she was fine with me holding her, and she nodded, smiling, and lifted her tome.
She touched the jet black and ruby necklace I wore and then gave a playful tug on a curled strand of my hair the hairdresser had pulled free of the braid she'd wound high on my head. "You'repretty."
"So areyou."
