I lifted a shoulder. "Then open the realm up again."
His sigh was frustrated. "It's not that easy. To do that, there must be a king—or queen—" he gave me a meaningful look "to feed the land."
I shook my head. "No, absolutely not."
I wasn't going to slide into those shoes. I'd likely be dead in a week. Not to mention I had a life to get back to.
He contemplated me for several seconds. I held my breath, sure he was going to try to force the issue.
"Fine." He waved a hand. "You choose then. I'm sure there is one among the Scattered who kidnapped you and would have tortured you to force you to retrieve the crown suitable as a king or queen."
I stared at him, not missing the gleam in his eye. He thought he'd force my hand with this.
I shook my head and let out a soft snort. "You do it. You're the one who wants to save them."
"Ah, but you see, the last time I chose, I ended up here." He indicated the stone prison. He leaned forward. "Now what will it be? You? Or one of them?"
I couldn't hold the realm even if I wanted to. This was a no-win situation. If I accepted, I burned myself out trying to defend it and proved myself unworthy.
If I chose, he and everyone else got exactly what they wanted—except Travis.
"Fine, but you will appear and confirm my choice."
His smile was dark, as if I'd done exactly as he expected.
"Deal struck." He considered me. "A word of advice—listen to your instincts."
I didn't have time to ask what he meant as his hand breached the stone's perimeter, a fingertip touching my forehead. The world dissolved around me.
I stumbled out of the veil, falling to my knees.
The stark relief in Liam's eyes, as if he was witnessing a miracle, would live with me for the rest of my days. He looked like a man whose world had burned down around him only to find his greatest treasure survived.
His arms closed around me. I pressed my face into the crook of his neck, the comfort of him whispering in his original language washing over me as he rocked us back and forth.
"I thought I'd never see you again," he said in broken voice.
"Same."
He pushed a piece of hair back, his gaze searching mine.
Someone approached. Liam lifted his head, a snarl twisting his features.
Nathan held up his hands. "It's just me."
Liam went silent, but he didn't retract his fangs. His eyes were still wild amid features that were nearly feral.
Nathan looked at me as if asking me to help out.
I nodded, patting Liam's chest.
Vampires, contrary to myth, were beings of immense passion. Everything we felt was more intense. Sadness. Happiness. Hatred.
It was no wonder he was a little off balance. I was too.
"I'm okay," I told him. "We're okay."
Finally, he looked down at me, an emotion as immense as the night sky in his eyes, coupled with a defenselessness that made my stomach flutter.
