She put a hand to her stomach. “He breached the defense shield?”
“He most certainly did. There are bombs all around the shield as well as inside the control unit, thanks to Paelotin. He turned out to be much handier than we thought. All I have to do is push a button, and that defense goes down.” He lifted a hand. “Oh, I don’t doubt the Realm will fight and fight hard, but we’ll have the element of surprise. And I promise you, I’ll take out everybody you love.”
She gagged, needing to throw up.
“Don’t,” he said sharply. “Don’t even think about it. That dress cost me a fortune.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her all the way back to the front door. “I hope youunderstand me.”
“I understand you perfectly,” she said, wishing she had a Kurjan blade. She’d take off his damn head right there. “My people are better fighters than you think.”
“I’ve studied them my whole life,” he said. “If you need more incentive, here it is. If you don’t choose me in front of the cameras, then Paxton and Hunter will die in great pain.” He sighed and looked down at her again. “Paxton is a mutt. A Kurjan-demon mutt with no real past and no future. He’s a commoner. Too common. You can’t want that life for yourself or your children. He’s a nothing.”
“That’s not true,” she said, heat boiling through her veins.
Drake let out a piercing whistle. “It is true, and you know it. Do you really think that the only female ever born with vampire blood in her, the heiress to both the Kayrs and the Kyllwood legacies, and the keeper of the dreamworlds is supposed to mate a common soldier?” He scoffed and grasped her arm. “Nobody in this world has ever chosen Paxton Phoenix. Not his birth father, not even his birth mother. Not my people or your people. Fate has decreed that you shall be a queen. Start acting like it.”
The door slowly opened. “Why all the pomp and circumstance?” The heavy gown was weighing downher shoulders.
“A bit of pride, perhaps.” Drake shrugged. “A long time ago, in one of your dreamworlds, I told Paxton Phoenix that one day you would choose me. I would like to see his faceas you do so.”
She tried to shake him off, but he tightened his hold, adding more bruises on her arm to the ones he’d left the night before as he pushed her outside. “You have got to be kidding me,” she gasped.
“The Kurjans are entering a new phase of our history, and this is just the beginning.” Drake smiled and strode out into the now-sunny day. The beams shone down on the snow, making each inch sparkle like the diamonds on Hope’s dress. A red carpet led from the doorway to the center of the camp. Kurjan soldiers, all in their best uniforms, lined the way to the right, while Cyst soldiers, their white scalps shining in the sun, lined the left. The buildings werestraight ahead.
Therewas no escape.
Several cameras, complete with camera operators, stood on the buildings, zeroed in on her. She wavered. “What in the world?”she whispered.
“New era for the Kurjans,” Drake said. “We’re getting married in front of the immortal world. The Realm will have no choice butto accept us.”
“Why are you kidnapping enhanced females?” she asked suddenly, hoping to catchhim off guard.
He smiled, his grip unrelenting. “Stay in your place, Queen.” Then he strode down the stairs and along the red carpet, easily pushing her along.
“Where are the females?” She searched furtively around. There were no women anywhere in sight.
“They don’t belong at state functions,” he replied. “You’ll meet some of the mates of my generals after we mate. We’ll have a party—you’ll like them.”
This was surreal.
They reached the center of the courtyard and stopped. A door to one of the buildings opened, and soldiers shoved Hunter and Paxton out. Their clothing was ripped, and wounds covered their faces and bodies. A chunk of Hunter’s jaw was missing, and Paxton’s left arm hung at an impossible angle. Garrotes circled both their throats, and soldiers held them so tightly, the steel cut deep. Blood poured down their necks. Both males looked furious. Hope tried to move toward them, but Drake halted her with a hand on her arm.
Even across the distance, she could hear Paxton’s low growl.
Vero stood next to Hunter, a Kurjan slicing blade in his hands. The blade, a new kind of knife, imbedded itself in flesh and then exploded, slicing in every direction. It was the perfect weapon with which to decapitate an immortal. No expression was visible on his face, but his eyes swirled a wild blue surrounded by a silver ring. For a second, she could see his likeness to Paxton.
“We would consider outlawing those knives in a treaty with the Realm,” Drake said quietly.
Hope’s gaze met Pax’s. Fury and raw determination glowed in those silvery-blue depths.
General Ulric stepped forward, directly in front of two rows of Cyst soldiers. “The Cyst approve of this union, and I, as the leader of the Cyst, am present and willing to administer the vows. Our people are served well by King Drake, who will usher us all into a new and prosperous future.”
Hope’s legs trembled, but she kept her posture perfect and strong.
Across the distance, Paxton slowly lifted one hand, showing the mating mark. His was an intricate and deadly lookingPsurrounded by barbed lines. Beautiful and stunning but masculine, almost threatening.
Her bare back pounded, and the prophecy marks on both sides of her neck heated. She’d thought about his marking through the years, but she’d never imagined its rough beauty. Her entirebody trembled.
“I love you, Hope,” he called, his voice hoarse and sure. “Always have and always will.”
