Page 8 of Queen Takes More
I listened a moment, trying to find the queen trapped in darkness. Was she safe yet? Had she called her Blood? How would I know?
I could probably go to the tower in New York City and use the darkness in the basement to find out, but I didn’t feel like budging. Not now. Maybe not for days. Weeks.
“Sounds good to me.” Rik kissed my shoulder. “But we could always build you a place of darkness here so you don’t have to travel. In fact… remember the grotto?”
I was already too sleepy to answer him. I’d wished for a place like Mayte’s grotto, and when we’d returned from Mexico, it was here. Exactly like I’d imagined.
Sinking deeper into sleep, I built my ideal place of darkness in my mind.
I walked down curving steps, trailing my fingers along the cold, stone wall. A spiral staircase, carved from layers of rock. But it wasn’t claustrophobic or tight. I could feel open air on my skin. As I neared the bottom of the staircase, deep purple flows of shadow inched up my legs. My waist. My neck. Until with the last step, I sank completely beneath the pooled darkness of my father’s legacy to me.
Welcome home, Daughter.
2
Queen Takes Alpha
For Kimberly
(Takes place after Queen Takes Queen but before Skye Tower falls in Queen Takes Rook)
SHARA
Rik gave me a smoldering look that made my fangs ache. “How would you like us tonight, my queen?”
I didn’t answer right away, allowing my gaze to touch each of my Blood. Each man was a magnificent warrior and protector, eager to fulfill my every fantasy. Mehen’s emerald eyes glittered, locked to my every move, very much the mighty Leviathan. My warcat’s purr rumbled like deep thunder, making my bones vibrate even though Daire wasn’t touching me. Yet.
Xin didn’t say a word or move a muscle, but his wolf poised inside him, ready to pounce.
My twins. My Templar knight. My burly bear. My dark raven.
How could I possibly choose?
“I have an idea,” Mehen said in a silky voice of menace that managed to carry a hint of his dragon’s hiss. “Let Rik choose. Let him be alpha.”
“He is alpha,” I replied slowly, not sure what point he was trying to make. “Always.”
Rik cupped my cheek in his palm and gently tilted my face up to his. “He means let me dictate who and how tonight.”
His warm palm was so big. So strong. If he chose, he could palm my head like a basketball, or smash me like a melon. Yet when he touched me, he was unfailingly gentle.
Images flickered through my head. Of Riknotbeing gentle.
Demanding. Dominant. Possessive. Dangerous.
Alpha.
Like when he’d put Mehen in a choke-hold and fucked him into submission.
Rik had never handled me like that. Ever.
We’d fucked countless times in multiple combinations with my other Blood. Even another woman. But he’d nevertakenme.
He bent down and brushed his lips against mine, his words a caress that made my eyes flutter shut. “You’re my queen. I love you more than life itself. I will give you anything you desire, my queen. Gladly. We all will.”
“Aye, “yes,” “my queen…” Echoed around the room as my Blood agreed with him.
I wrapped my arms around Rik’s neck and stared up into his eyes so I could watch his reaction. “Tonight, I want my alpha to take me any wayhedesires.”
