The brown-eyed beauty asked bluntly, “What is your question, Master Niallan?” Her gaze flicked to me. “Unless you’d like to ask the question, Queen Gwynnore?”
I took another fake sip of my tea. With extreme politeness, I said, “No, thank you. It’s Master Niallan’s favor to ask of you.” I wouldn’t ask one single question while I was here.
Disappointment flashed over her features, but she turned her attention to the man next to me. “Ask your question.” She elevated a pointed finger into the air. “But know that you will owe us one favor. This time, we’ll take it in the form of a question after we answer yours.”
Master Niallan was just as blunt. “How do we stop the coming war or, at least, find peace within it?”
Their heads snapped back as if on puppet strings.
Their eyes closed and their mouths dropped open.
I quickly tossed the tea behind the couch, and then placed the empty china on the coffee table.
Master Niallan’s bloodshot green eyes turned in my direction. He took a calm sip of his drink. His throat bobbed as he visibly swallowed the liquid. The druid ruler lifted a blond eyebrow.
I shrugged one shoulder and peered back at the Three, who were starting to shake in their seats like they were having the best orgasms of their lives. I leaned my left elbow on the arm of the loveseat and placed my chin in my hand, hiding my amused smile behind my curled fingers.
Druids could be damn entertaining.
Their bodies slumped in their chairs.
The Three groaned in ecstasy, all as one.
I wanted to ask them if they wanted a cigarette, but I kept my mouth firmly shut. My sarcastic nature would end up screwing me over if I didn’t watch it in here.
Without opening her brown eyes, the leader of their group stated, “The war will not be stopped. Travel to S’Kir to find the Breaker. Only then will true peace be obtainable.”
My blink wasrealslow.
Was crazy-pants talking about the Unseen Gods?
My brows puckered in thought.
What. The. Fuck.
Her eyes fluttered open, and her voice was breathless. “Now, it’s our turn, Master Niallan. Why do you really want the vampire crown?”
I tilted my head and studied his profile.
Master Niallan’s lips curved up at the sides—it was his ugliest smile to date. “So I can hold the Original vampire amulet in my hands and finally end a murderer’s life.”
And there it was.
I stayed quiet with my own thoughts.
Her brows lifted. She stated patiently, “Forgiveness, Master Niallan. Never forget to forgive. Even if it’s simply forgiving yourself.”
He eyed her features. “Forgiving oneself is not as simple as you say.”
She waved her hand to the front of her home. “You may leave now.” Her brown eyes lit from within. “Unless you have another favor to ask?”
“Thank you, but no.” Master Niallan patted my right knee. “Time to go, your majesty.”
Both of us were out the front door before anything else was said—or any questions were accidentally asked. Out on the black rocks, I watched him create his transport circle with my right hand firmly placed in his free one. We stepped back through the magical opening and landed in the center courtyard of his castle, the dead grass under our feet snapping.
He tossed the Original druid amulet high above his head and whispered in the ancient druid language while it soared. It suddenlydisappeared, no longer glimmering under the sun and sky.
My brows snapped together. “Uh, where did it go?”
