Our gazes locked on one another’s. His frosty blue eyes betrayed no emotion, but his touch had been gentle. I wassolost in those chilling orbs of his, and he didn’t look away, either.
Maybe he was just as screwed as I was.
“Ahem,” Lord Pippin muttered. “If you two can do that shit at another time, that would be great.”
“I agree.” Lord Xenon glanced down at his watch. “We had to wait for your ass to wake up, another day gone. And we are running out of time, my lord.”
Lord Otto yawned behind a fist. “Not to mention, we get to do both of your jobs while you’re gone, not just Lord Belshazzar’s anymore. So let’s get this monumental time in history done with.”
Lord Cato flicked a finger to the side. “We really should have thought about a druid witness beforehand.”
Chester snorted. “I’ll take that as a compliment. I was so very glad to step in to help our combined peoples as the druid witness—when youfucking dragged me out of bed at two o’clock in the damn morning!And why in the hell are we doing it this early, anyway? Can someone please explain that to me?”
Lord Otto yawned again. “I already said why. We have to do their work, too. This is the new start time of our days.”
Lord Belshazzar sighed heavily and turned to the others, breaking eye contact with me. “Everyone, calm down. This is a joyful day. Let’s try to remember that.”
Open mouths quickly snapped shut.
They grunted their agreement and wiped the scowls from their faces, properly reminded that today, they were helping to create history.
Lord Belshazzar and I walked together to stand inside their circle, the four other Overlords and Chester (fuck him) surrounding us. We turned to face one another inside Lord Cato’s room, my mother’s loving face staring down at me. I had asked to have this done in here, and since it needed to be private, no one had argued or asked why—because they already knew.
Lord Belshazzar lifted the Original druid amulet in his right hand and the Original vampire amulet in his left hand. Our eyes caught again as he held them between us. He pressed them together. They instantlygloweda bright, pure gold and a deep blood red.
I still couldn’t feel the power coming off of them.
Lord Belshazzar stated, “All previous Original laws are now void for the druids and vampires living on Earth.”
The amuletspulsed.
Lord Belshazzar stated, “Belshazzar of Ota’ano is now the sole ruler of the druids living on Earth.”
The amuletspulsed.
Lord Belshazzar stated, “Gwynnore of—”
I held up a quick stopping hand, cutting him off. “I’ve changed my mind.”
Everyone froze…their eyeswideon their faces.
My lover’s eyes were the widest.
Oh shit.I should have clarified.
Lord Xenon snapped out of his shock faster than the rest and quickly raised his hand. “My lord, I’ll take the job.”
I shook my head and chuckled. “That wasn’t what I meant. What I meant was I no longer want to take my grandfather’s name. I was born here. I wish to be known as Gwynnore of Japri.”
Lord Xenon’s hand dropped to his side in defeat.
My father’s eyes…fuck…they glistened.
Lord Belshazzar’s chest heaved in relief.
Chester chuckled. “I’m happy I got to see that. I’m pretty sure we almost had a fight for the crown on our hands.”
“Chester?” I stated, keeping my eyes on my lover.
