Page 57 of Queen Takes King
I had just enough magic left to drop some on my knee. I tried to imagine the torn flesh knitting itself back together, the swelling easing, but I was no doctor. I really didn’t know what meniscus or MCL meantexactly.
Exhaustion sucked me deeper. I strained to hold on, to open my eyes and let Rik know that I was okay, but I don’t think my eyelids even cracked aslit.
A brush of scales, the tick of claws on stone. Leviathan brushed against my mind, reaching for me this time. “What is yourname?”
“Shara.”
He paced in my mind, his claws digging into me. I flinched, both mentally and physically, but I didn’t try to push him out. His loneliness ached like a foot-long thorn in his massive paw. “Come and find me. Now, Shara. I won’t last much longer, even with that sweet dollop of power melting on my tongue. You must come soon or all islost.”
“How long do wehave?”
“Hours. Days. Nomore.”
“Why? Why are you dyingnow?”
“I felt the moment you took the first breath on this earth and the countdownstarted.”
Oh fuck. Knife straight to the heart. Me. I was killing him, just by being alive. Worse, because I’d been on the run for five years, lost to my consiliarius and the legacy, I hadn’t had the power to know that the king needed me.Myking.
I must have made some sound of pain, because I felt Rik pressing tighter to me, all my Blood in fact. Daire’s warcat was draped on my legs. Xin and Guillaume on my right. Rik on my left. Distantly, I felt Gina and Frank leaving the room, probably with Dr. Borcht, though I didn’t feel herdirectly.
I wanted my Blood crowded close. Definitely. But the horror of the skeleton grabbing me was fresh in my mind. If they were all here, unable towake…
:We’re all taking turns on guard duty even in your bed. He won’t catch us unaware this time, myqueen.:
It felt like Leviathan’s chains were tangled around my legs, dragging me deeper. I fought to stay awake. I needed to make plans.:He’s dying. He doesn’t have much longer. I don’t think we canwait.:
:We’ll tell Gina. We’ll go tomorrow if you must. Sleep. Rest. All is well, myqueen.:
No. All was not well. My very existence was killinghim.
:I feel him in your mind,:Rik’s bond glowed brighter, and for a moment, I was afraid he’d try to drive the massive beast out. Leviathan watched him from the darkness, one great slitted eye that gleamed in my mind.:Did he taste yourblood?:
:I gave him power, but he hasn’t had my blooddirectly.:
Distantly, I felt Rik giving Xin a silent order to race after Gina and tell her we needed to move our travel plansup.
I guess we wouldn’t be decorating or shopping forChristmas.
I’d be unchaining a monster the god of light had chained up thousands of yearsago.
Let’s hope he didn’t destroy the world when I freedhim.
25
Shara
Inever thoughtI’d spend this Christmas Eve on a gorgeous jet—that I actually owned—on my way toVenezuela.
My team was assembled: my Blood, consiliarius, human head of security and three guards, and my personal doctor. I was glad Dr. Borcht came, even though she hadn’t wanted to become a blood servant. I was fine with that. More than fine, actually, as long as she was willing tohelp.
I didn’t know how bad off Leviathan would be when I freed him. Or if he’d try to kill me or injure someone. Having a doctor close made me feel like we might have a chance of pulling thisoff.
My knee was much better today, though it felt weak. I wouldn’t want to run or do jumping jacks on it, but I could walk without a limp orpain.
Gina hung up a call and gave me a nod. “Angela is taking care of locking up the Kansas City house, and I returned the legacy to the safe first thing this morning. Though the main house in Eureka Springs won’t be ready for a couple of more weeks, Winston recommended a smaller guest house as a temporary residence on the property. That way you can establish the nest and begin powering your defenses as soon aspossible.”
“Good,” Rik replied. “Once she establishes the nest, it’ll be impenetrable. Ra won’t be able to open a portal insideagain.”
