I pivoted and lifted a black brow. “Or do. And I’ll take a video of you running away from a deranged toy helicopter.”
Lord Otto’s face blanked. “You wouldn’t.”
“Like hell I wouldn’t.” I stared. “Try me.”
Lord Belshazzar chuckled quietly, glancing between us. “That, my royal friends, is called a stalemate.” He twirled a finger into the air. “Let’s get changed and take her out. Maybe it will remove the bitch who has overtaken our queen the past two days.”
My jaw dropped. “That was rude.”
“And fucking true,” Lord Pippin griped. He stared pointedly. “Your majesty, I never thought I’d say this first part, but here it is. None of us likes to stay up until all hours of the night with a beautiful woman—who won’t shut the fuck up. We realize you’re bored, but your need for interaction has been a little…extreme.”
I snapped my mouth shut. “Oh.”
Lord Pippin nodded slowly.
I huffed and pointed at their bags. “Hurry up and get changed then. And I promise not to bother,” my gaze swung to Lord Belshazzar and then away, “any of you tonight. I’ll sleep elsewhere.”
Master Niallan’s mother blinked. A lot.
Lord Belshazzar stared directly into my eyes.
The entire room went quiet. Not a word.
Not a breath was taken.
The other lords weren’t there in our world.
All that was, and all that would be, was locked in a stare down. The new Queen and the powerful Overlord. Tension mounted and buzzed between us, more tangible than any faith.
Lord Belshazzar asked quietly, “Are you doing this out of spite for what Lord Pippin said?”
I scoffed. “No.”
The Overlord’s head cocked in an animalistic fashion—and it was like I could see those magnificent black horns above his head. He was frightening and beautiful, all at once.
My lips thinned. “Don’t ask me questions like that again. You should know me better than that by now.”
Ice blue ices flicked between mine for a brutal moment. He straightened and tossed his long black hair out of one of his eyes. The lord stated calmly, “We’ll see you in the morning then.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’m glad I have your approval, my lord.”
He scowled. “Don’t.”
Then fucking trust me.
Work fucks were work fucks.
But they weren’t easy to swallow.
My nostrils flared. I turned my attention to the lords who were trying to look anywhere but at us. “Are we going to the party or not?” I clapped my hands twice. “Hurry up, my lords. It’s time to bust out of this joint!”
* * *
Lord Belshazzar stepped forward next to me, and his eyes brightened at the view before us. The whipping flames of a bonfire lifted fifteen feet up into the air. Scantily clad druids painted with white chalk markings on their faces, arms, and chests danced to a brutal tribal beat of drums—all gathered around the flames.
Their bodies contorted and flung in every direction, each motion charged and beautiful. Heads snapped back. Arms rose. Bare feet kicked up dust. Legs bent and jumped. Torsos arched. None matching the person next to them, but the rhythm was all the same. They felt it in their bones.
The Overlord broke his moody silence. His words were quiet and reverent. “I haven’t seen this in forever.” He took a step forward as if he couldn’t help himself. “Fuck, I want to get in there.”
