Page 57 of Death God

“He’s cute,” my sister said. “Your prince snuck in your secret boyfriend and you don’t want anyone to find out. I get it. But aren’t you going to marry the Alpha King?”

I didn’t even know where to start to explain the whole affair, and I wanted to shock my family as little as possible. I’d stick to the simple truth and the current situation.

“Freckles is only a friend,” I said. “My true mate is the Vampire God.”

Sam blinked.

“They probably call him King Nyström on this continent,” I said.

“Everyone said the vampire king is very dangerous,” she said, looking alarmed. “He’s the enemy of the Alpha King.” Pausing for a second, she continued, “We aren’t all useless and naïve. We pay attention. Whatever mess you’ve gotten yourself into, we’ll help you untangle it. We’re your family.”

“That’s why I need to get you to safety at the earliest chance,” I said. “King Marlowe Nyström might be grumpy and dangerous, but he’s actually a decent guy. He used to sneer at me all the time until I was fed up with it and set him straight. Then he gave me this diamond necklace that’s called Dragon Tears. It’s worth fifty-five million.” I might have exaggerated the price tag a bit, but with the furious inflation, my diamond necklace should double in value in today’s market. “I’m not lying, Sam. If I sell it, it can last us several lifetimes. But I’m not selling it since I’m determined to make this matehood with Marlowe work. My point is, we’ll have a good life when we get back to my true mate. And that is my mission.”

She squeezed my hand. “Whatever you do, I’m with you, Pip. I’ve just gotten my big sister back, and I’m not losing you.”

We talked for a few more minutes. “We’ll catch up more when we have more time, Sam,” I said. “I promise. Now, I have to go take care of a few things.”

“Go,” she said. “Do what you must, big sister.”

I kissed the top of her head and left my family with the guards. With Freckles and Bruce guarding my family, I could breathe a little easier.

I moved into my quarters. Standing against the door, I let my senses reach out to detect if any unfriendly force had come in here while I was away. My spirit allies drifted from my cuffs and sniffed around the room in two streams of pale light.

They were handy. I’d miss them once they were free, but it all depended on if we could defeat the horseman of war.

I went ahead into the bathroom and shut the door, leaving the spirits guarding outside.

Sitting inside the bathtub with my knees up against my chest, I pressed the black gem of the talisman with my thumb, murmuring the spell Freckles had taught me, and let the talisman’s magic carry me toward Marlowe.

CHAPTER 15

I blinked, finding myself standing in the corner of a vast room where Marlowe was hanging out with a tall, gorgeous blonde woman. They couldn’t see me, as I was in my phantom form.

A white leather sofa set was placed in the center, not far from a delicate table and plush chairs on top of a Persian rug. Thick ivory curtains draped the windows.

I’d never been to this room before, so I took an educated guess that what I was seeing was a room in Spokane, Marlowe’s headquarters in North America.

My attention swept back to Marlowe and the woman.

She wore a nude gown that flowed down her lovely figure. The design was topnotch, with high slits showing off her long, creamy legs. The woman exuded wealth, elegance, and privilege, which I was lacking.

She leaned toward Marlowe, giving him a clear view of her cleavage and her bare thighs.

My nostrils fumed, as I could almost smell her sublime perfume that aimed to seduce. There was no doubt that she wanted my man.

If I could summon fire, I’d burn her right this second before she could proceed further.

“I’d prefer a more private setting, like your chamber, Marlowe,” she purred. She might be the only one who dared to call him that except me, which made me angrier. “We used to talk business in your chamber and indulge in wine and blood. Didn’t we love mixing pleasure with business? I hope you haven’t changed so much. You were reclusive for so long, my love, and now that you’ve returned to public life as the most powerful male, we should celebrate. Should we move to your chamber?”

Don’t do it, Marlowe. Don’t do it! I yelled. She wants to seduce you, taking advantage of you being lonely. One thing will lead to another. Don’t ruin what we have. I’ll come back to you. You need to hold the fucking fort for a little longer!

Yet I couldn’t reach him. Couldn’t block him from doing something stupid. My voice didn’t carry either. This phantom body was bound as an observer.

“This is as private as it can be, Princess Luna,” Marlowe said, his voice velvety.

He had never used that voice with me. In fact, I hadn’t heard him use that voice with anyone else. So, he probably reserved it for his old flame.

My nostrils flared more.

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