Page 53 of Queen Takes King
“In case you hadn’t realized, I’m not exactlyhuman.”
He met my gaze steadily. “I got that. Um, YourMajesty.”
Daire snickered. “What was the clue: the giant warcat or the skeletons or the deadbodies?”
“All the above.” He came closer and though Rik didn’t move, I felt his readiness in the bond. If this human so much of flinched in a way he didn’t like, Rik would tear him apart with his bare hands. Frank went down on one knee. “I’m willing to do whatever you want to stay and make sure you’resafe.”
I tried to keep the surprise and doubt off my face. It was a really sweet offer. But I wasn’t sure what a human could do for me that my Blood couldnot.
Gina said softly, “Humans are generally beneath other queens’ radar. And they have access to places where you may not want your Bloodseen.”
:What do I do?:I asked Rik.:Is this like that human servant thing? Or do I just say fine, okay, and let itgo?:
“I’ve seen things before,” Frank said, drawing my attention back to him. “Things I couldn’t explain. Things that…” He sighed, trying to find the words. “It’s like they tugged on me. Just a string, a thread, but I felt it. I always knew there was more out there. Like if I just turned my head fast enough, I’d see it. I want to see it, YourMajesty.”
:He must have some Aima blood in him,:Rik said through the bond.:It would respond to yourmagic.:
:How?:
:If you want to magnify his gift, you would need to give him some of your blood. If he’s willing. That will make him whollyyours.:
I let the idea rattle around in my head a minute.:You wouldn’tcare?:
:It’s your blood, my queen. We Blood will always be your first and closestservants.:
“There is a way.” Gina met my gaze, her eyes gleaming with intensity. “And if you give it to him, I’d ask for ittoo.”
:There are ramifications,:Guillaume said.:They will live longer. Their appearance won’t age the same. They will not willingly leave your service if you change your mind later. Gina has proven herself, but I’m not sure that the man won’t regret itlater.:
Frank stared up at me. He was forty, maybe forty-five, I thought. A good looking tough guy, probably ex-military by the way he held himself. Maybe an ex-cop.
“Do you have anyfamily?”
He shook his head. “Only my business and the people who work for me. My partner and I served together two decades ago. He was the brother I neverhad.”
“Was?”
“He died last year. Cancer. I’ve got nothing but my business. My people. They’re good, loyal, smart people not afraid of anything. Even skeletons that crawl out of windows that don’texist.”
“I wouldn’t do this for anyone that I didn’t know. And I don’t even know if this is something you’d want todo.”
He looked at Gina a moment, weighing herreaction.
She was entirely focused on me, no doubt in her manner. “You know I’m more thanwilling.”
“What’s required?” He finallyasked.
I looked at Guillaume and he immediately came to me with a blade in his hand. I held out my wrist and he made a small cut, so quickly that I didn’t even feelit.
Blood welled. I felt a surge inside me, as if a gigantic wave swelled higher, lifting me toward the sky. Guillaume’s nostrils flared and all my Blood’s intensity sharpened. I held my wrist out toGina.
Her icy fingers trembled on my skin but her eyes gleamed with excitement. Joy. “I swear my life to Shara Isador, last daughter of Isis. I’ll serve you faithfully, as my grandmother served beforeme.”
I wasn’t sure what to expect as her lips touched my skin. When one of my men tasted my blood, even from someplace as innocent as my wrist, it felt like he was licking my pussy or nipples or hell, both. It was purely sexual, stirring my lust as easily as akiss.
I didn’t feel anything really as Gina swallowed my blood, just the rising power. She swallowed several times, but I didn’t count. I didn’t know how much was appropriate, but trusted that sheknew.
She lifted her head and her eyes swum with tears. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I never thought…” She cleared her throat and gave me a brilliant smile. “Thankyou.”
