Page 28 of Queen Takes King
“Rik—”
He jerked his gaze to me, eyes blazing. “No, my queen. I’ll cut off my arm if you order it, but when it comes to Blood dealing with Blood, I’m his alpha. This is between him andme.”
“I couldn’t bear it,” Daire whispered, finally lifting his head. His eyes were swollen and red and deep lines grooved his mouth and eyes. “I couldn’t bear to feel you die and donothing.”
Rik stiffened against me, his shoulders squaring, his already impressive muscles hardening toward granite. “You failed me, but more importantly, you failed her.” He leaned forward, his chin jutting out, his voice rumbling with thunder. “You. Failed. Her. You were going to hurt our queen. And for what? To save me? So what if I die? I’m nothing. You’re nothing. We’re Blood. Dying in service to our queen is the greatest honor of all. You would have dishonored my death by hurting the very person I’m willing to diefor.”
Daire pressed against him. “Rik—”
“No.” He pulled back and used his foot to shove Daire backwards on his ass. “Love is no excuse for dishonoring yourself and me. What if you had succeeded in cutting into our queen? What if you had succeeded in keeping her from envenoming me? Who’s to say that we wouldn’t all die the next time a queen tries to overtake Shara’s territory, because her greatest weapon was never made? Becauseyoustopped her from doing what needed done? What if my blood was meant to poison Keisha, or Rosalind, or Marne herself, for daring to try and steal our queen’s power, but you stopped Shara from accomplishing it? Then we’re all dead. And for what? Because you love me? How does that serve any of us? We’re fuckingdead!”
Daire rolled over on his stomach, his face pressed to the floor. “I know. I’m sorry. My queen, please forgive me. Alpha, please forgive me. I failed youboth.”
“I banish you from our queen’s bed,” Rik said softly, though Daire’s shoulders flinched. “You won’t so much as sleep beside her until I’m satisfied that you understand the gravity of failing her again. Now get out of my sight before I shift to my rock troll and pound your furry ass into theground.”
Even as he said the words, he sent a surge of affection to Daire through the bond. He was angry, yes. He was punishing him, absolutely. But he understood, and yes, loved Dairetoo.
Daire slunk from the room and Rik sighed. “I love thatbastard.”
I threw my arms around him and pressed my face against his throat. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what I’d do without you. If I lostyou…”
He squeezed me so tightly I couldn’t breathe. “Never. You’ll never loseme.”
My stomach growled loudly, making him laugh. He loosened his fierce hug and started to pull away, but I touched the large punctures I’d left in his stomach. The skin was red and tender, though he had healed enough to close those marks. “I think this mightscar.”
“Good. I like wearing scars my queen has given me. It’s an honor badge for all tosee.”
I narrowed my eyes and glared at him. “No one had better get close enough to see these honor badges, or see you without your shirt, butme.”
“Possessive,” he purred, taking my hand and kissing my knuckles like Guillaume had done. “I likeit.”
14
Shara
Istaredin the mirror and I didn’t recognizemyself.
What am Ibecoming?
It wasn’t the clothes, though I couldn’t remember wearing anything so nice in years. Brand-new one hundred dollar jeans, a sweater that probably cost twice as much, and a pair of cute ankle boots with a wedge heel that I’d never have selectedbefore.
Wedge heels were a bitch to runin.
I ran my tongue along the back of my teeth on the top of my mouth and shivered. I had fangs. Big ones. I was both relieved…and terrified. Horrified. Every time I looked at Rik’s stomach and saw those brutal scars, I’d remember that I’d killedhim.
I’d been so concerned about hurting innocent people, or enjoying killing monsters too much, that it had never occurred to me that I ought to be afraid of what I’d do to my ownBlood.
What they’dallowme to do without saying aword.
That scared the shit out ofme.
I tried to sneak quietly into the kitchen, but I took one step into the room and four sets of male eyes locked onme.
G and the new Blood pushed their chairs away from the table and stood. Rik and Daire were in the kitchen rattling around. Uncharacteristically shy, Daire approached with eyes downcast, carrying a cup of coffee. I wasn’t even sure how or when he’d decided he was the one to handle my coffee, or how he knew how I liked it, but it was always perfect. No sugar, just a healthy dose of cream and strong, richcoffee.
“Thank you,” I murmured and he flashed a dimple at me. Before the cobra incident, he would have slid in for a hug or kiss, or at least teased and flirted with me, but he quickly retreated to his chair and stood waiting with the other twomen.
I looked at Rik as he brought our plates to the table, a bit worried. Maybe Daire was still mad at me, or worse, afraid ofme?
