Page 68 of Queen Takes King
Daire scooted out of the way so the doctor could take a look at my arm. “Much better. The wound is closed, though the skin is still pink and fragile. You may actually have a few smallscars.”
“A small price to pay. Thankyou.”
While she wrapped my arm in a clean bandage to be safe, Gina filled me in on herdevelopments.
“I know you’re tired, but this could be really important. I spoke to Bianca Zaniyah, the consiliarius for Mexico City’s queen. Her queen is very eager to meet you and offers her nest to you. Shara, that’s… unheard of. A queen would never open her nest to another queen without meeting herfirst.”
I was silent a few moments, letting my weary brain process the ramifications. “Atrap?”
“I don’t think so. Mayte Zaniyah isn’t known for political maneuvers. I think she wants to be yourally.”
I wanted to see what a nest was like, and the chance to see how another queen ran her court would be fantastic. But… not now. I wantedmynest. My manor. First, I needed to rest. I wanted to go into my first possible kinship with another queen with a fresh mind, and preferably not with a hostile dragon in myBlood.
:I’m not Blood,: Levi growled in mymind.
Ignoring his words, I sent a wave of healing power through his simmering bond to heal the last of his injuries. I could take away the physical hurt with a thought—but there wasn’t anything I could do about his hatred and rage. Notimmediately.
He needed love. Steady, unfailing love. Like what I had with the rest of myBlood.
“Please tell Bianca that I’m honored by the invitation and will accept—but at a later date. I don’t want to wait any longer.” I snuggled into Rik’s chest as he stood, cradling me against him. “Let’s gohome.”
30
Shara
Islepton the car ride back to the airport. I slept on the plane. I slept on Rik as he carried me to the car again for the winding drive into Eureka Springs. I was vaguely aware of arriving at my new home at dawn on Christmas morning. Enough to open my eyes and see the towers of my house. But I couldn’t keep them open even to meet Winston or look around the guest house he directed us to. I was aware of low voices around me. Clean sheets, fluffy pillows, soft mattress. Heaven. Dr. Borcht checked my arm again, her murmured words too soft for me to make sense of. Though I sensed no urgency fromanyone.
Rik tucked me against him, hot against my back, his arm a band of granite around me. Another Blood pressed closer. Xin. His wolf touched me with his nose and darted off into the silentforest.
That left Daire, Guillaume, and Levi. Someone needed to watch him. I didn’t wholly trust himyet.
:He won’t breathe without my knowledge, my queen.:Guillaume whispered in my head.:Rest well. Daire and I have firstwatch.:
I woke once, when Guillaume traded places with Xin. I felt for Daire, and found his bond curled up on the floor by the door. Rik had banned him from my bed—but evidently not the room in which I slept. My brain still foggy with exhaustion, I lifted my head, worried that he’d be uncomfortable on the floor. He peeked at me from a mound of pillows and blankets and starting purring. :Sleep, my queen. I’d sleep on a bed of nails to be close to you. I’m more thanfine.:
Xin ran the new property as a wolf, scenting for any predators or thralls that were close. Surprised, I felt Levi with him, walking through the woods, soaking in sunshine. I figured he’d be asleep somewhere after firstwatch.
:I’ve had thousands of years tosleep.:
His bond felt steadier in my head. Less frantic and angry was a good thing—but he also felt… bigger. More at home, more confident, and definitely more arrogant. Of all my Blood so far, he was going to be the biggest risk to the status quo. Right now, he didn’t want to be at my side or in my bed. But eventually, he’d want to feed. He’dneedto feed, and my other Blood weren’t going to indulgehim.
He’d have to come tome.
Which meant facing off against Rik. Because the king was eager to challenge myalpha.
I rolled toward Rik and burrowed against him, terrified and angry at myself, and yes, at Isis. Why did She send me after such a threat? Why couldn’t life be easy for a change? Why did everything have to be turmoil andstrife?
He made a low, rumbling sound like a distant earthquake and kissed my shoulder. “I’m not worried, myqueen.”
“If he hurts you, I’ll never forgivemyself.”
Rik snorted and scratched me lightly with his fangs. “Have a little faith in youralpha.”
“But he’s thousands of years older.” I tipped my head back, searching Rik’s face. He smiled back, confident, eyes hard, ready to fight. No doubt in his mind at all. “Doesn’t that make himstronger?”
He kissed my nose. “He’ll realize the truth of it soonenough.”
“What?” He wouldn’t answer, and his bond gleamed hot and bright like a well-stoked forge. Confident. Hot. No doubt whatsoever. I rolled back over to look at Guillaume. “Do you know what hemeans?”
