“Yes, your majesty?”
“Shut the fuck up.”
“Yes, your majesty,” he drawled, still snickering.
Fucking prick.
Lord Belshazzar cleared his throat, the amulets still pressed together and glowing. “Gwynnore of Japri is now the sole ruler of the vampires living on Earth.”
The amuletspulsed.
I sucked in a harsh breath. My smile grew so large my cheeks hurt. I peered up at my mother’s portrait, and then looked over at my father. My blood family was watching this epic moment. And my father’s happiness was as loud as mine was with his own grin plastered on his face.
One day, I would need to speak with him.
I looked back to my lover, unable to stop beaming.
His lips curved up at the edges in a private smile meant solely for my eyes, the amulets’ glow reflected in his eyes. He stated clearly, “Only a child born of Belshazzar of Ota’ano and Gwynnore of Japri together, and of their descendants, may be a ruler of either the vampires or druids living on Earth—never ruling both the vampires and druids living on Earth. The current ruler of the vampires or druids living on Earth will decide who takes their place as sovereign.”
The amuletspulsed.
Lord Belshazzar broke the connection, pulling the two amulets apart…then he tossed the Original vampire amulet to me.
On pure instinct, I caught it. Still smiling.
No old Original laws. I could hold this bastard.
I stared down at my hands that held so much power—
“Um, I have a question,” Chester stated offhandedly. “So, only your kids or their kids and so on can rule? I didn’t think that was part of what was going to be said or maybe Lord Cato skipped that part? I thought you two were it…like, forever.”
My head snapped up, and my smile vanished.
Wait… I was too excited. What had he said again?
Lord Xenon growled deeply, “Itwasn’tpart of the plan. Lord Belshazzar, what the fuck do you think—”
“KingBelshazzar,” my lover interrupted, correcting him. But he never turned away from my shocked and confused gaze, staring me directly in the eyes. “I added something to the new law. It is no different than a succession in a typical monarchy. It will merely be our children eventually who take our places if we wish it.”
“Uh…” I blinked and tried to understand. “Did you sayourchildren? As in, you and I having babies together?”
“I did say that.” King Belshazzar pocketed the Original druid amulet and then crossed his arms. “We can talk about that later.”
My mouth bobbed. “I don’t understand. We aren’t together in that way. I mean, we obviously care for one another and enjoy each other’s intimate company, but we are nowhere near a stage of even discussing children. We aren’t even together-togetherright now.”
He shrugged his left shoulder. “We should talk about this later, Gwen.”
I stared, and babbled stupidly, “I don’t want to have children.”
“I don’t either right now.” He gazed down at me pointedly, his mere size dwarfing mine. “Gwen, let’s talk about this later in private when you’re no longer in shock.Inprivate. All right?”
I snapped my mouth shut. My eyes darted to each of the men standing around us in a circle, all wearing varying expressions with their feelings blatantly displayed on their faces. I cleared my throat and turned my attention back to my lover, and mumbled quietly, “Yes, in private would be best. Sorry.”
King Belshazzar’s lips twitched. “I thought you might see the reasoning.”
Chester laughed deep and clear. “And so begins their reign as king and queen. This should be damn entertaining based on what I’ve seen so far.”
I snapped my attention to him. “Chester?”
