Page 15 of Queen Takes Checkmate
I looked at the owl and inclined by head. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Winnifred.”
The owl picked up its tail and pooped another stringy white glob on Carys’s shoulder.
Carys didn’t seem to mind and scratched the bird’s chest. “Oh, she likes you.”
Daire snickered.:I didn’t know that bird crap indicated friendship. Why haven’t you crapped on anyone, Nevarre?:
:I’m saving that signal of friendship for our challenge on the green,:Nevarre replied.
Gina stepped inside, drawing my attention. “Your Majesty, the other candidates are ready for you. How would you like to proceed?”
Carys scrambled to her feet, the owl flapping her wings and digging in so hard that I winced, though the other queen didn’t seem to mind. “Excellent. Let me show you how my power works, Your Majesty, before we make things official.”
“How many, Gina?”
“There are five queens that seem strong enough to make decent sibs, though there are twelve all together still remaining.”
I looked at Carys again, trying to sense her power and strength, but I still had no idea what she had to offer. “I only want to do this once, so let’s get all the queens in one place.”
“Even Virginia and Alessandra?” Llewellyn asked, his voice carefully even and without censure.
“Yes.” My mouth twisted and my stomach tightened with dread. “And the former Furies. I’ll get all the unpleasantness dealt with at once.”
As I stood, Guillaume came closer and went down on one knee before me. “Your Majesty, your sword waits only for your orders.”
Llewelyn and Mehen both joined him on either side. I wasn’t surprised by them. But then Daire and Ezra both pushed away from my knees and joined them. And Nevarre.
Xin still waited behind me, guarding my alpha’s back, who guarded me. :I eagerly await for your orders, my queen.:
“And I,” Itztli called from the door, unwilling to leave his post.
Tlacel added, “My brother and I are ready, my queen.”
Rik took my hand and lifted my fingers to his lips, drawing my gaze.:If you wish me to give the specific orders, I will do so gladly as your alpha. I will see your will done in all things, especially the unpleasant ones.:
I cupped his cheek, soaking in each of my Blood’s calm, unquestioning loyalty. They would do anything for me. Even something as distasteful as execution.
“It’s not distasteful,” Guillaume said aloud.
I turned, searching his face. “You told me Desideria used you to exterminate entire nests before. I won’t be that kind of queen.”
“You could never be that kind of queen,” he retorted, shaking his head emphatically. “A queen must protect the nest and her House. Sometimes that involves punishment. Sometimes that involves death. As your Blood, it’s our honor and privilege to assist you in any way possible. Use your weapons, my queen, because we revel in your every wish and command. There’s a reason that your goddess gave you the last Templar knight. There’s a reason She gave you the king of the depths. A silent assassin. A deadly shadow. We’re killers. We’re here to protect you, and we’re here to enact your law. My sword is yours to command.”
“I thirst for retribution,” Llewelyn said.
“I didn’t kill nearly enough of these assholes yet,” Mehen growled, his voice deepening with a hint of Leviathan’s roar. “They would have seen you hurt. They would have seen Rik tortured to death for that demon child’s amusement. Let me roast them in hellfire and toss their charred bones into the streets of this fucking city as your warning that there’s a new queen in town.”
My eyes burned, and I swallowed a giant lump in my throat. “My Blood. How I love you all.”
They pressed closer, each of them touching me. My twins stayed at their post, but in our bond, I felt Itztli’s black dog press a cold nose to my palm, and Tlacel’s feathered tail curled around my back like a shawl. Closing my eyes, I soaked them in a moment. Drawing on their courage and strength.
When I opened my eyes, I gave them a fierce, hard smile. “Let’s go finish this, so we can go home.”
5
Shara
With my arm tucked around Rik’s bulging biceps, I paused outside an ornate door. My stomach ached with cramps. I was barefoot, with raw spots on my heels and toes from heels that I wasn’t accustomed to wearing and couldn’t even remember where I’d left them. At least my clothes were clean. Mostly.
