“It might do nothing,” I admit. “You’ll always be a vampire, my friend, but this is meant to sever your bond with me. Itshouldreverse the effects of a bloodbond and reawaken your humanity. It’s not perfected. Yet.” I clear my throat, locking intoher large oceanic eyes so she listens closely. “Please, Pala,” I say, gently shaking her shoulders, “I trust you, and I beg you not to let Liolen Sesk see this. Because once it is ready for use, the Silverblood elixir will be our greatest weapon against the vampire infestation.”
“I promise, Sephania.” Palacia looks like she might cry. It’s the first real emotion I’ve seen from her tonight, or since she’s become a vampirex, really.
I have to wonder if the outpouring of emotion across her face is because she’s touched I place so much trust in her . . . or because the prospect of her regaining her humanity suddenly seems possible.
Chapter 29
Sephania
As I step into the hallway and close the door behind me, leaving my friend alone in Liolen’s throne room, I adjust my top at the shoulder and take in the faces staring back at me.
No one has gone far. I feel sticky, clammy, and spent. My hair is a maelstrom of curls around my head, and with the vampires’ powerful sense of smell, I’m sure I reek like a sex den.
All conversations between my mates and Liolen Sesk stop when I emerge from the room, feeling like a changed woman. I should feel a groundswell of regret, staring at the men who love me, yet I don’t. I dare them to question my reckless decision this time.
Skartovius has his arms crossed, standing near the back. With his wild lion’s mane of red, he’s the first I see. He looks pissed, face a scowl. That doesn’t mean much because he’s looked pissed ever since losing Manor Marquin. The situation with Lukain clearly exacerbated the princely vampire’s sullen attitude.
Lukain, on the far side of the group opposite Skar, leans against a wall with his head tilted. He eyes me curiously, not possessing the same jealous rage someone like Skar does. He understands, surely, that as the most recent member of my coven, and as the previous master over me while enslaved to him and the Grimsons, he has the least say about how I wield my independence. He simply looks curious.
Vallan is a flat, stoic wall, practically unreadable at the best of times. Now is no different. The giant man stands in the middle, lowering his head to take me in.
Garroway, my jolly dhampir, is the only one showing any sign of favor toward me. He’s smirking, the wicked, devious bastard, slowly bobbing his eyebrows like he wants all the details.
Overliege Liolen is dressed in their golden robe, which is now thankfully—or sadly, depending who you ask—wrapped around their luscious frame.
They’ve all heard what I did.
“Tell us, little temptress,” Skartovius says, speaking for the group, “was it everything you hoped it would be?”
The question sizzles through me, instantly making me defensive. “Are you jealous, love?”
“Madly.”
My pinkie and forefinger spread as I lift my hand to point at him and Lukain on opposite sides of the hall. “You two have been at each other’s throats, so you’ve forgotten what you have right in front of you.” I spread my arms wide so they can get a good look at me. “Let it be a lesson to you both: I’ll fuck who I please, and if you two keep this up like you did in the Firehold, it won’t be you.”
They both go rigid. Skar sighs, shaking his head. “Let it be known: I’ve kept my word on never stealing your independence, temptress.Too muchagency, you ask me.” He looks more defeated than angry.
“Then it’s a good thing no one asked you, Lord Ashfen.” I feel the lesson is planted sufficiently. I never meant to humiliate my mates, so I move on. “Anyone else want to lecture me on autonomy? Monogamy?”
Vallan grunts. “Same question as Skar”—Was it everything you hoped it would be?—“but for a different reason. I want toknow if she is . . . one of us now.” The big brute looks around at himself, Garro, Lukain, and Skar.
“No,” I say. “Palacia will be staying here with Liolen Sesk.”
The overliege claps lightly. “Oh, joy.”
Vallan’s shoulders visibly loosen and he nods sternly, evidently grateful for my decision. Which is actually Pala’s decision, because the last thing I want is to leave my friend with this untrustworthy nobleblood. I don’t give a shit if the overliege is interfolk or both man and woman or neither. I don’t trust them far as I can throw them.
I clench my jaw, trying to suck in another lungful of air, but the hall is stuffy. Their unvoiced opinions are bearing down on me as deeply as their unwavering eyes, suffocating. I wonder if I’ve made a terrible mistake doing what I just did—if they’ll never forgive me for giving my body to someone who isn’t part of our found family.Why is it so hard to breathe right now, explaining myself to my men?
What the men don’t realize, Palaciaispart of my found family. She’s just different than them. I’ve known her longer than them, been through the trenches with her, and that’s that. It’s not like I’ve committed adultery with a complete stranger. That concept doesn’t exist in our fivesome, when it comes to me.
Is it unfair for my mates, who only wish to lovemeand no one else? Well, if it is, then perhaps they should stop fighting each other and start loving me again.
The honest truth, which gives me a vindicated feel, is that I am free to do what I want with body and my mind. That was part of the bargain when this all started. Theyaren’tfree to chastise or judge me for my decisions.
If I am the queen in this ragtag rebellion, then they are my subjects. Yes, even the great Skartovius Ashfen. And sometimes, a queen finds new subjects that pique her interest. Such was thecase with Palacia, who has always held an interesting, confusing place in my heart.
The confusion is no longer there. It had to happen for us both to realize it. Maybe if she was still human, without that eerie, flat affect, things would be different, and she’d be tagging along as the newest member of my court.