Page 5 of Queen Takes Triune
Taken aback, I stiffened enough that Shara noticed despite her conversation with Gwen. She leaned against me, pressing her body to mine. A distraction, for sure, but also a show of easy affection that tightened my throat.:What do you mean?:I asked Guillaume softly, trying not to draw more attention to our discussion.:I always listen to her bond. How else can I be sure she’s well?:
:A Triune queen will have a massive network of siblings to manage. You won’t be able to listen to them all, even if she wants you to do so. But there will come a time when her business is not our business.:
:She is everything. Always.:
:Agreed, but don’t be surprised if she doesn’t include us in all her decisions. She shouldn’t. Triune business is not our concern. Only her protection and health.:
I didn’t like that idea. At all. I loved being a part of her life. I loved when she bounced ideas off us and asked for input. Though his advice made sense. I couldn’t image Marne Ceresa discussing Triune aspects with her Blood.
Shara slapped the phone back into Nevarre’s hand. “I am not like Marne Ceresa. You’ve said that many times before. Don’t give me another reason to refuse such a call if it comes, because I won’t change our relationship to sit on the Triune.”
I wrapped both arms around her and curled my body around hers soothingly. I was so much bigger than her, a massive mountain of flesh and muscle. But she could topple me with a fingertip or a single thought. “There may come a time—”
“No,” she retorted, her bond crackling with fire. “I won’t keep secrets from you. From any of you, but especially my alpha.”
Standing in the crisp midnight winter air with moonlight illuminating her face, she had never looked more formidable and regal. Her skin gleamed like cold marble, her eyes flashing like chips of obsidian. A queen, yes, but more…
Our goddess.
Guillaume dropped to one knee before her and took her hand, lifting her knuckles to his forehead. “Forgive me for upsetting you, my queen. I thought only to prepare your alpha for the trials ahead.”
She softened immediately. Cupping his cheek, she rubbed her thumb over his lips. “As you told me, there’s nothing to forgive, G. But I am not Desideria or Marne or any queen who’s gone before and accepted such a call. If it comes down to loving my Blood as I always have and taking a seat on the Triune, I know exactly which one I’ll choose.”
Neither of us voiced the grim truth aloud.
The Triune would choose its queen.
Whether she wanted it or not.
2
Shara
Home.
Every light was on in my manor house. Winston, Frank, and Gina waited for me on the front porch, bundled up in heavy coats and gloves but smiling.
My family.
I’d never had a homecoming like this before. Surrounded by loved ones, with a place of safety and warmth eager for me to walk inside. I could feel the shimmering circle of energy as we drove through like a warm, tingling embrace. The land and house pulsed with excitement.
Because I was home. The nest was complete now.
Rik helped me off the motorcycle so I could join Gina, and because we were inside my blood circle, he didn’t hesitate to leave my back for a minute to put away his bike. Engine rumbling, he rode on around the corner to park with the other Bloods’ vehicles. It was quite the caravan, with everything from Xin’s Ducati to Vivian’s Hummer.
Nevarre, of course, had to land the helicopter in the field outside the grove.
Winston smiled as he bowed over my hand. “I believe we should add a helicopter pad to our list of to-dos, Your Majesty.”
“The roof would be best,” Gina said. “Though we’ll need a structural engineer to go over everything carefully and make sure the foundation doesn’t need stabilization first.”
It made me snort with disbelief. Just a few months ago, I was cleaning hotel rooms anywhere I could find a job, moving from town to town. And now, I owned this incredible house and we were talking about adding a fucking helicopter pad. “And probably more garages. I don’t know that they can fit all those vehicles into the one shed out back.”
Gina gave me a quick hug. “Especially when you call more Blood.”
I barely suppressed a sigh as we walked inside. I loved every single one of my Blood. Surely ten men and one woman were plenty for any queen’s protection. “I don’t think I need to call any more,” I finally said as I sat down in front of the fireplace. I wasn’t cold, but I loved the flames. My gift of power sparked with joy, whispering to the dancing flames on the hearth. “Since Vivian joined me, I’m not tired like before. I’ve finally filled my reserves. I’m not that exhausted now, even after dealing with Ra.”
Winston poured me a cup of tea and then quietly disappeared into the kitchen, though Gina sat with me. I eyed the stack of folders and notepads beside her chair and mentally sighed. Maybe I was more tired than I realized. Hopefully that stack could wait for the morning.
