My heart skips a beat at the mention of my half-sisters. I haven’t even wrapped my head around that little nugget of information that my dad imparted on me. That was a future Colbie problem, but I guess future Colbie is now.
“And the vampire kingdom?” Evie asks, wrinkling her nose. “The king is an alright person, but his wives are fucking vicious. I don’t like them at all. He kind of lets them push him around. I think they are the true ruling faction in that kingdom.”
“But their sons are hot.” Gracelin fans her face, and Violet giggles, which lightens the atmosphere in the room.
Lucas scowls at his daughter, but she just shrugs. “What? They are. It’s a pity they are all so fangy and drink blood. I bet their breath smells rotten.” She mimes fangs with her front fingers in front of her lips, and Lucas shakes his head in exasperation.
“I don’t know, being bitten isn’t so bad,” I murmur absently, looking at Titus, and the room falls dead silent.
“I said that out loud, right?” I feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment as Nox chuckles and nods. “Crap! Ignore me and carry on.”
“I wasn’t able to get a hold of my brother in the vampire kingdom.” Titus is looking at me with a smirk. “But as far as I know, the transition phase hasn’t started there. They were supposed to have another year, I think.”
“But Aramis said her sister Eryx was going to change that. What about reaching out to the kingdom’s ambassador?” I suggest.
“Because we rushed your own crowning, there wasn’t time for the royals or their new representatives to arrive. We don’t know who they will be, and the previous vampire ambassador has gone radio silent,” Mia says, worry in her tone.
“And the prisoners couldn’t tell you why? They were shifters, right? What cause could be so profound that they would betray their nation for?” Emmett Coldicott asks.
“Money. They were guns for hire with no morals and were happy for an easy payday. They were too low on the totem pole to know why. They just followed orders and got paid.” Bryson sounds disgusted. “All three of them were rejected by the shifter army because none of them passed their mental evaluation. They were holding a grudge.”
A new set of concerns plagues me. The sisters I have only recently learned about are going to be in as much danger as I was until they can get their crowns. I only hope all of them are incorruptible. If this rogue faction can get their hands on one of them and turn them to their cause, then we will be in for a world of hurt.
The table falls silent as we all contemplate the possibilities. I wonder if we can send teams into each kingdom to help guard the new queens when they surface.
“We can’t interfere in other kingdoms’ politics.” It’s like Gryffin plucked the thought directly out of my head, and I give him a look of surprise.
“Did you read my mind?”
He chuckles. “No, I think I’m just starting to know you. I would want to do the same thing if my family was involved.”
I had given the guys permission to share Loki’s story with anyone they deemed relevant, so I’m guessing everyone at this table is considered such.
“For now, we are going to monitor the situation. Titus is in constant contact with his brothers, and your father has the rest of his assassin’s guild gathering information. There is nothing we can do until they surface once more, but I have a feeling when they do, it won’t be here in the shifter kingdom. They’ve blown their chance,” Bryson surmises.
“And my parents are going to continue their search, this time focusing on the Tideman family. General Bryson had soldiers grab some of their belongings from their abandoned rooms to make it easier for them to be tracked. If we can find them, hopefully we can get our hands on that book,” Nox tells me.
“What if he doesn’t have it? What if he gave it to whoever is in charge?” Liam asks, playing devil’s advocate, but Layla shakes her head.
“Vallen is a weasel. I bet he will hang on to the book and use it as leverage, because the minute he gives it up, he becomes dispensable.”
“That’s very true,” Evie agrees.
“So what now?” I ask, looking around the table.
Gem stands up. “Now, we let the rest of these people run the kingdom, because we are owed a honeymoon period.” All of my mates get to their feet, but I frown.
“As much as I want to, I can’t drop everything and let others deal with it because of a biological need to spend time with all of you. I would be failing my first few official days as queen,” I argue.
“Actually, you can. It is expected. It’s why the council is announced on the same day as the new royal is crowned. They take care of the kingdom during the royals’ honeymoon period, whichisa biological need that can distract them from making smart choices.” Lucas smiles at me. “Go and enjoy your mates. All of this will be here when you return, but you only get to enjoy the new bond frenzy once.”
“Let me get this right. You are giving me time off to go fuck?” I ask bluntly, and he winces but inclines his head.
“Yes, although I would rather not think too hard about it.”
“Quick, let’s go before they change their mind.” Brodie grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet before dragging me out of the room.
“But my food… I haven’t eaten,” I complain half-heartedly.
