Page 64 of His True Beloved

“Is what like the books?” He kissed my forehead.

“Bergarian? Is it like the books they put in the human houses?” Sebastian leaned back to study my face.

“Mostly yes, about the foliage, the things that live there, out in the open. Fae, pixies, dragons, shifters of all kinds, yes.”

“What of it isn’t true?” I asked. Sebastian sighed, rubbing my back.

“It isn’t peaceful all the time. You know this from the story I told you in the restaurant,” his voice softened. “Right now, it is peaceful, as far as I know. King Darius was put to death, and a new queen has risen.” He smiled. “She’s wonderful, and her mate is quite the character,” he mused.

“So you know someone of royalty?” My eyes sparkled with amusement. That was almost as awesome as finding out supernaturals were hidden on Earth. Call me childish, but I was a big fan of far away fairytale of kings and queens, and now I could maybe meet one.

“Yeah, I do. For a long time, she was hidden away, treated as a slave under her half brother, Darius. She’s been freed and now working on rebuilding what was once lost,” he said solemnly. “Vermillion may be the darkest kingdom, hidden from most of the light sources rays, but the moon shines the brightest there. The vegetation, the flowers, the lands will come to life again, and the country will grow once more.”

“Do they need help to rebuild? Would you be expected to be there?” Sebastian shook his head, and a faint quirk to the side of his lip appeared.

“No, I’m but a merchant, but hiring some help would certainly stimulate the economy, bring new blood to the country to trade. In a small way, I could help, only if you wanted to take on that task.” Sebastian lifted my hand, kissing the palm. “Because making you happy is my priority.”

I blushed, feeling the heat on my cheeks. “I’d love to go, see a new land and watch it grow.”

Because how hard could it be to play a small part in a world he held dear?

Chapter 27

Christine

Pamelahadherarmrelaxing in the crook of mine as she joyfully skipped down the sidewalk, which was difficult for her to do since Sebastian had his arm snaked around my waist.

Today was the day of the massive mixer that would be held in town that was held as neutral ground for supernaturals to find mates. Many came from far and wide to attend such an event, trying to find their other half.

The streets were filled with lights, and many humans lay unknowing of the supernaturals that decorated the streets. The posters and flyers on power poles read, “Welcome fantasy writers and publishers,” and that seemed to do the trick.

Humans stayed away from that mess of a crowd and did their own thing while the largest convention center was built by the Black Raven coven. Supernaturals were the only ones allowed unless you were a human residing in the coven with a special ID card. Every single person was checked at the door.

Upon waking the next day after Sebastian told me that the Kingdom of Vermillion was, in fact, still healing from the former King Darius, we trudged down the stairs to speak with Rowan and the troubles that would soon be coming to the coven.

Wyatt was becoming bolder with his threats and called several more times through the night, trying to speak with me. One of Rowan’s men was able to trace the phone with the help of a luna in the Black Claw pack on the East Coast. Unfortunately, it was a burner phone found between my old hometown and the coven, and now new unknown numbers were beginning to call.

“He won’t get in here,” Elder Rowan said confidently. “With the mixer going on and security detail on high alert, he won’t get far. They have a strange burning smell to them.” He wrinkled his nose. “He’ll stand out like a sore thumb.”

My stepdad looked worse for wear when he sat in the infamous floral living room. Mom was peacefully sleeping at home, still trying to fight the blood lust.

“Should I go talk to Mom?” Justin shook his head and smiled.

“You are too good to her, but no, you shouldn’t. Your bond to your beloved is what is important. She will get there. She is at the end of it, and she is more than excited to see you and Sebastian.” Justin glanced at my shoulder. “I see you have taken the first step. This is good. I worried you would have trouble accepting.”

I blushed, Sebastian squeezing his hand over my thigh. “She’s stronger than she looks.” He kissed my forehead. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the change goes quickly for her.”

Pamela walked into the room, stuffing her face with a churro. Suron wasn’t far behind, sucking on a packet of blood. They officially invited Pamela to stay in the coven to help protect me. She was more than excited about the potential to beat up a demon. She said her dad would be proud that his little sigma would take on such a task. Her mom, not so much.

Many times, Pamela would stare off into space, her eyes clouded, only for her to shake her head and mumble curse words under her breath. “Ma is going to kill me if she keeps linking me like that.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what I would do if I was ever in a big pack. That has to be annoying.”

“What happens in a pack?” I asked, trying to forget about Wyatt and the constant banter about what to do with an incubus. Pamela plopped down, getting crumbs all over my lap. Rowan’s mate winced at the sight of her white couch with the sugar droppings.

“Links everywhere.” She exaggerated with her hands. “One person is talking in our mind, while you have your wolf giving you crap about something or other, then the alpha can send you a message. I swear, it’s worse than trying to open up my Discord and reading all the updates. Too many damn windows open.” She snorted.

“Glad we don’t have to worry about that.” Suron snorted. “The only thing that sucks about vampires is the blood lust when you hit puberty or for humans to change. Wolves come slowly and gradually. Vampires have to take it like ‘POW’.” Suron pushed his fist forward. “Gotta have some blood.”

Sebastian shook his head, holding me close. “It isn’t that bad.” Sebastian rolled his eyes.

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