Alwar grabs my wrist and extends my arm. I’m covered with moving black, geometric symbols.
The No Ones’ scriptures?
“You are not dead,” he says. “You are the new Blood Queen.”
I stare up into his sapphire-blue eyes. He must be joking.
My gaze flashes back to my tingling skin with shifting symbols. “How?”
“Uhrn gave you her blood. She was next in line for the throne, and you are her progeny—her daughter for all intents and purposes.”
I don’t understand. The symbols were on Benicio because he was the king of Monsterland, the keeper of the vows for everyone—not just because he was king of the Blood People.
Tiago bursts into the room. “The people demand answers. Is she ready?”
“In a moment. Tell them to stay calm.” Alwar waves him back.
“You tell them,” Tiago snarls.
“I am still your king, and you will find my foot shoved up your asshole if you do not leave this instant.”
Tiago exits the enormous hall, grumbling profanities.
“Alwar, please,” I say. “I’m begging you. Don’t lie. Don’t sugarcoat. What’s happening? Why are people outside expecting me to talk to them?”
“You are now the queen of two kingdoms—a first in our history. And you have somehow managed to get the Mountain People to kneel for you.”
I shake my head. “I don’t understand.”
“King Mato has pledged his sword to you, and he has amassed a respectable army. The No One king has also publicly declared his allegiance. They both expect you to rule while the new laws are negotiated to benefit all.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, unable to think straight. My heart is so calm, so quiet, but the rest of me feels like a racehorse sprinting for its life.
“Lake, the kingdoms have chosen you. So have I. You are the new ruler of Monsterland.”
“What?” I have to be dreaming. I don’t want anything to do with this place. I hate it here. This isn’t happening.
“Now bite. You must be hungry.”
I blink up at this giant beautiful man. “Alwar, stop joking. I’m not…” I suddenly hear the beat of his heart. I smell the juicy sweetness just under his skin. Oh God. I want him. I want to drink from him.
My teeth start throbbing.
What the…? I press my fingers to my mouth, feeling two little fangs where there were once human incisors. I look up into Alwar’s eyes, feeling lost.
“It is all right,” he says affectionately. “I am too large to be affected by your venom. And I am still your husband. Who else will you drink from?”
He gently urges my head toward his wrist. I don’t know what’s happening, but I know I want it. I want him. I want this man, who is a huge war machine, by my side. And somehow, I know this is all meant to be.
I am the queen of Monsterland. Official ruler of the Blood People and the queen of the War People. I have the support of the most feared creatures on the planet—the No Ones—and the Mountain People have offered me their swords.
Nothing stands in my way of changing things.
I bite down on Alwar’s wrist. The flavor is unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. Honey, copper, brown sugar, bliss.
I pull away, terrified by how much I enjoyed that. “What am I doing? Who’ve I become?” You’ve become a monster.
“You are alive. This is all that matters. Give yourself time to adjust,” he says.
“Adjust? To being a monster?” No. Never. “I need to go home. The bridge will cure me, make me human again.”
“I’m afraid that is impossible. You would lose the support of the Blood People.”
Panic overtakes me. “I don’t want to be like this. I can’t…” I stand and start heading for the door. I’m sure there’s a way out of here. Master’ll help me find my way to the wall. “Master! Where’s Master?”
“I am very sorry, Lake,” Alwar calls out, “but we are not going to let you leave.”
“Like hell.” Before I reach the door, Gabrio enters the room with Master by his side and stands to block the exit. Next comes Bard’s hazy form, followed by Tiago’s enormous frame.
“What’s going on?” Gabrio shouldn’t be here. Except that the No One threat is obviously over. He’s standing right next to Bard. “Why are you blocking the door?”
Alwar walks over and stands next to them, folding his arms and towering over me. All five men stare, and I’m not getting friendly vibes. “You have all the power now, Lake Norfolk. And it is far too precious an opportunity to waste.”
I suddenly have the feeling that they were planning this all along. I might be the new queen of Monsterland, but I am not in charge. “Shit.”
TO BE CONTINUED…