Bel snorted softly, not even working up a sweat. “We could kill a few more before we go.”
“I agree with your queen.” Dorian scowled fiercely at his brother. “We’ve had enough fun for now.”
“Not the return to Earth you were expecting?” Bel smirked, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. His pink tongue peeked out and lazily swiped at the human blood he’d sated himself on.
His brother merely continued to glare daggers. Not a word said.
I whapped my soul mate in the stomach with the back of my hand. “Enough games. We need to get back to the stronghold.” I leaned forward and placed my face close to his. “Use the damn amulet and quit fucking around.”
King Belshazzar cleared his throat, his frosty blue eyes scouring my face. His words were quiet while the world around us continued to shatter into chaos. “We will talk soon. I know you’ve been waiting and can’t wait to rip into me but try not to take your anger out on me right now.”
Dorian sighed and draped his arm over Kimber’s trembling shoulders, her eyes darting back and forth, watching the explosions in the sky above. He grumbled in exasperation, “Can you two hurry the fuck up?”
We ignored everything except for each other.
I bared my fangs. “You haven’t seen my anger yet.”
I was waiting to be alone with him. Then he would feel my wrath.
We’d been sorely lacking for privacy, as of late.
So many lies.
Too much for me to wrap my mind around.
My fucking soul mate had a lot of explaining to do.
His lips quirked up on one side, and he dipped his face, placing a delicate, chaste kiss on my pinched lips. He spoke against my mouth, whispering his threat, “You’re close to pissing me off right now. Don’t.”
“Fuck you.” I bit his bottom lip hard, slicing it quickly with my fangs.
Bel growled deeply in his throat as he straightened slowly. His chilly eyes stared into mine for a long moment, a promise of retribution—not the sweet kind, either—flourishing within their depths. But he did lift the Original vampire amulet from his pocket and stiffly turned to place his back to all of us. He grouched over his shoulder, “It’s time to go. This should only take a moment.”
Roran flipped his blond-brown hair off his forehead. “Are you positive you want to? Maybe Queen Gwynnore can work out more of that frustration—”
“Shut up,” Rilen interrupted. Thankfully.
I watched as Bel chanted softly, working the Original vampire amulet as it glowed blood red. He created the portal for us to travel through safely, with the background noise of screams of terror and roars of victory all around. The magic materialized before us.
Grudgingly, I held his hand as we safely stepped past the opening. There, I quickly released his hand, tilting my head up to continue scowling at him.
Behind us, Dorian barked, “Everyone, grab on to me. You won’t like the outcome if you don’t.”
Kimber, Rilen, Roran, Aiko, and Dorian followed us through.
CHAPTER THREE
~ Gwynnore ~
Jaapri, Ultima Esperanza, Chile
Pacific Coast
AIKO SCRUNCHED HIS nose. “Where are we?”
“This is my bedroom.” I turned my attention from my conniving soul mate and glanced at the sparse furnishings since I’d never gotten around to redecorating. “We’re at the vampire stronghold in Chile.”
“It’s very…white.” Roran rubbed at his eyes like the view hurt his vision. “This isn’t what I would expect for a vampire.”
I marched straight to the door. “Yes, well, I haven’t slept in here much. And it was recently decorated with Dorian’s son’s bits. Wasn’t so white then. Lots of red splatters.”
Bel grunted—all man—following fast on my heels.
The others trailed behind us silently as we exited my room, their eyes taking in their surroundings, ever watchful of the new environment, cautious and on edge.
Except for Dorian. The bastard had the same swagger as Bel.
The king and I rounded the corner, and my regard homed in on two vampires pressed against each other with their tongues down each other’s throat—while a war raged outside of this safe haven.
I stopped directly next to them. “Harmony, I’m sure there’s something else you could be doing right now.”
My assistant’s face snapped back in shock from my father’s assistant’s face she’d been sucking on. “Holy fuck. You’re back.”
“No shit. And there will be no fucking going on today.” I looked at Joshua, catching his eyes flicking to where my soul mate mark currently tattooed my wrist. And I did not miss the quick glance toward Bel, either. My spine stiffened, remembering what Belshazzar had said about Joshua after they saved me from the wicked bitch. I pointed a finger right at his face, stepping in close, separating him from my assistant. “You. You knew he was my soul mate, didn’t you? All this time, you knew!”
Joshua bit at his bottom lip. “I…don’t think I want to answer that question. Not with the look you’re giving me, Your Majesty.”
My left hand moved in a blur, backhanding my old friend right off his damned feet. I sneered as he crashed against the wall, satisfaction coursing through my veins as he tumbled down to the ground, landing on his back hard.
I stalked straight to him and leaned over, staring down into his blinking eyes. I spat, “Asshole.”
He touched the healing cut on his cheek, mumbling to himself, “Yep, didn’t want to answer that one.”
I jerked upright and turned to my assistant, fuming deep inside. “Where are Lord Cato and Lord Xenon?”
Harmony answered swiftly, “The conference room was converted into the command room. They’re always there now. I’m fairly sure they sleep there…or just pass out there…whichever comes first. They will be delighted you’re back.”
I sniffed. “Find Crow and Phoenix. Have them wait outside the command room.” My gaze shifted to the silent guests behind us and then back to my assistant. “Let them know they’ll be watching over our visitors.” Not only were they to be protected—especially Kimber—but they needed to be kept in line inside our home.
Harmony pushed her glasses up on her small nose, assessing the group behind us. She hummed quietly in her throat, her sweet features and demeanor hiding all things deadly and shrewd within her sharp mind. “Understood.”
Bel grabbed my left elbow and herded me forward, his long legs eating up the distance to the command room quickly. “Something’s happening. We should hurry.”
I wished I had his ears. None of this was fair.
I huffed, trying to keep up, my arm almost being yanked out of its socket. “You could be a little gentler with me.”
“I don’t think so.” His grip tightened on my arm. “You are not a woman to deal with by half measures.”
He was not an easy lover.
Wait. Correction: He was not an easy soul mate.
“I hate you a little right now.” I panted.
“Right back at you.”
King Belshazzar practically heaved me inside the command center, past all the guards outside the room. Over the clamor of frantic noise, he shouted, “We’re back. Fill us in.”