That must have been Wolf, responding, trying to save a pack member, trying to save her mate, and my vampire aching for her sire as he did for her.
While my emotions were eradicated, exorcised with the coronation, instincts and logic, obviously, they still didn’t leave my body.
That wouldn’t work. That wouldn’t work at all.
I needed my peace and my children. That was what I’d made the choice for. No more spiraling thoughts. No more restless mind. No more having to choose. No more being a slave to a curse or past love.
For that to happen, closure was a must.
Damien instructed the demons to praise my name. Theall hail the queen actwasn’t for me. I didn’t give a shit about ruling or any kingdom whatsoever. All I wanted was my babies and to raise them with no worry. I just wanted this ceremony to end so I could go on with my business and get things done. The sooner the better.
Damien kissed my hand. “My queen, what would be your first order?”
“You know what it is.”
His eyes tightened at me.Going back to Earth to say goodbye to your old mates can’t be your first order.
“Why not?”
You must lead a good example for the masses, Isabella. What would they think if their queen has more ties on Earth than at her kingdom?
“Why do you think I care?”
The red tinge of his eyes brightened menacingly. A few minutes ago it’d have frightened me but not now. Not anymore.Because I do. This is my kingdom. I chose you to rule it by my side, and when your king says you should care, you care.
“Or what? You’ll fuck me into submission again?”
“If I have to, darling.” He spoke for everyone to hear. Then he kissed my hand again, sucking on my fingers one by one. “Don’t act like you don’t want me to. Your body loves it when it’s forced. Remember how many times you’ve come for Declan when he beat and fucked the heaven out of you? When your precious mates cuffed you to bed and you screamed like a street whore for the stupid alpha you demon-fucked?”
I smirked, yanking my hand out of his mouth. “Good ol’days.”
“That will never come back.”
Damien’s true colors didn’t take me by surprise. There was no doubt now he’d never let me go back to Earth or see my mates. He’d never let me do anything he didn’t approve of or serve his purposes.
If I wanted those babies, I had to play along. There was no point in fighting. I might as well accept the destiny I chose and play my role.
“Do you wish to see your ex-husband, darling?” he asked. “He’s been rotting here for months. I think you’ll appreciate meeting the soul you brought here, torturing it for your liking.”
“Mmmm. Tempting, my king. But his ugliness isn’t something I wish to see on the best day of my lives so far. You know whom I wish to torture to my liking first?”
“Who, my queen?”
I looked at the people—demons—anticipating my response. “The angel. I want Heaven to see what happens to those they send to cross me and shudder at what awaits them.”
The demonic audience applauded frantically, and a satisfied grin painted Damien’s face. “Excellent choice. Well done, my queen. Well done.”
He made the demons who took Zavariel bring him back. They shoved him in my court, and the Knights took their places by the steps in a protective line. I rose from the throne and descended, ordering them to make way.
Zavariel, chained in fire shackles, on his knees, glanced up at me. His eyes glistened with tears as his gaze zeroed in on the crown. “You have chosen falsely, Belle.”
“Shut up.” I circled around his maimed, bleeding body, the sparkle of his hair and the light in his bright eyes dimming, dying. “You don’t get to judge me. You don’t get to speak.”
He swallowed. “What do I get to do then?”
I cupped his chin and lifted his face to mine. A tingle, a sneaky feeling familiar yet so hard to place went through me. The look in his eyes, the trembling of his lips, pure agony, humiliation and despair at their best, so beautiful, as beautiful as his looks. “I once thought, with your sparkling hair, odd eye color, formidable wings and incredible body, you were the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen. But now, with all of these are fading, your wing bleeding and your features are the epitome of loss and heartache and misery and hopelessness…now, Archangel, that’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
His tears dropped on my court in silence, our gazes glued to each other, that sneaky feeling getting strong enough for me to notice its nuisance.
