Page 13 of Queen Takes King
“You don’t knowhow?”
“No one does, though there were rumors another queen must have helped him, though none were brave enough to admit to it. Marne was furious. With Desideria dead, she took over as the high queen of the Triune. Guillaume fled and has evaded her attempts to call him to her ever since. And back to your original question, a Blood only becomes a thrall if they start feeding on humans. Guillaume only drank fromqueens.”
She paused when Daire stepped back in with a gigantic sandwich and a glass of ice water for me. I couldn’t focus on the food, though, because he wasbleeding.
He knelt before me and looked up at me through ridiculous lashes and his longer hair that definitely emphasized his feline nature. “I had an accident with theknife.”
“On your neck?” I tried to keep my tone light and teasing, but his blood called me. My hands started to tremble, my pulse jumping frantically, like I was an addict going through theshakes.
“Guillaume helped.” He leaned closer, draping himself across my knees, tipping his head to bare the long, sexy line of histhroat.
I. Could. Not.Resist.
I gripped the column of his throat with my teeth and drank him down, sucking on the slim, neat cut when it didn’t flow quite as hard and fast as I needed. He tasted too good to resist and I wantedmore.
His rumbling purr rattled against my thighs and he nestled against me, letting me take my fill. But I couldn’t seem to getenough.
Rik cupped my chin, gently lifting me away. “Enough, my queen. Daire won’t make it up the stairs if you drink muchmore.”
I shuddered, my face flushing as I turned away. Gina had just told me how Guillaume had been tortured by his queen, and I was trying to drain Daire to the point that he wouldn’t be able towalk.
“Mmmm,” he nuzzled my stomach, his purr still rattling my thighs. “I’m in no true danger. Rik’s just beingcareful.”
“As he should.” I pushed on Daire, trying to get him off me. So I didn’t lean back in and lick the trickle of blood still flowing from the cut. “Go help G. I still haven’t gotten the update fromGina.”
He lifted his head and kissed me softly, and then stood and padded back to the kitchen. Though he did send a flirtatious look over hisshoulder.
Of course he caught me staring at hisass.
Gina coughed, probably to hide herlaughter.
Through the bond, I felt Rik’s readiness to give me more of his blood too, but I put a halt to that. “You already gave me blood today too, so don’t even think aboutit.”
“I’m far from weakened and you could use an alpha kick. Guillaume took more than he should have from a breeding queen, let alone one who’s just come into her power. Youneed—”
“I’m fine.” I interrupted and smiled brightly at Gina. “What update did youhave?”
“I’ve hired a private security company to act as bodyguards.” Rik started to growl and she raised her hand. “I know, I know, you’re in absolute charge of her safety. The guards are for show. They’re going to be outside only, at the gates and perimeter. If you drive anywhere, they’ll either follow or lead the way in a separate vehicle, just to be safe. Anyone who gets too nosy will deal with them first, and that way we hopefully won’t have to explain anything supernatural going on inside. These are good, solid, dependable people and if they meet your expectations, the firm is eager to take over external security in Eureka Springs aswell.”
My stomach rumbled and before I could move, Rik reached over and got the sandwich for me. I took it from him and started to eat—because he had that narrowed look in his eye that said he’d feed me each bite personally if I balked. It wasn’t a grilled cheese sandwich, but Daire proved himself to be an impeccable sandwichking.
:I try.:If he was trying to sound humble, he failedmiserably.
“Winston leaped at the chance to serve as your butler and is on the plane this very moment. He’ll work with Marissa to ensure the house is ready for you, including hiring thestaff.”
“I had a few ideas of things to change, or fix…”If that’s not too much trouble, I bit off, sure that Rik would growl about that too, and remind meagain…
:My queen does not worry. No want or wish you have istrouble.:
“Of course. Marissa is going to take pictures of every room and angle this evening. I’ll send you to the link once she’s uploaded them to the cloud. She’ll also include the contractor’s recommendations for fixes, which right now are a new roof and central air and heatingsystem.”
I winced. A house thatsize…
Gina only smiled. “Which has allowed us to knock another hundred grand off the price. The more things he identifies as needing repairs, the more money we’ll save on the purchaseprice.”
My phone buzzed on the coffee table. I’d forgotten to charge it last night so it was almost dead. I picked it up and read the text from a number I didn’t know. “I guess the woman from the clothes store is here. It’s the guard at thegate.”
“I gave all of them the number to your phone, and they’ll send updates to you if anyone tries to come inside. If you don’t reply, no one will get in. I can add them to your contacts when you’re ready so you can call any of them when you need to step out or want somethingdelivered.”
