Page 1

1

SHARA

Perhaps it was callous of me to take my entire house shopping after slaughtering House Valois.

But after all, it was Paris, and quite honestly, I needed a fucking break.

Something happy, a little time with my loved ones with smiles and laughter and excitement. Not dread and blood and contracts. Not bended knees and fearful stares and hopeful whispers from the thirty-odd surviving siblings inside the house, plus more arriving every second since their queen’s demise.

Charles—Rosalind’s first consiliarius—assured us that his former queen had over one hundred siblings who hadn’t even made the trip to Paris in time for the queen of Rome’s reception. They’d all felt Rosalind’s death and were descending on Paris in droves. If I could have them all make their oaths at the same time, that would be ideal. So a little extra time to allow them to make travel arrangements meant we had time to kill anyway, and I’d promised we could do some shopping.

Getting away from so many watchful eyes was a relief, though we certainly still drew a crowd of human gawkers. Charles had offered up Rosalind’s motorcade—which at least might be somewhat familiar to the humans near her house. But why would I touch anything of hers when I could imagine my mothers sitting in one of the sleek Isador cars Gina arranged to come pick us up? Especially now that I had three more faces of Blood who’d been with them for centuries.

I could imagine Khalid taking Esetta’s hand to help her out of the car. Or Selena threading her arm through Nox’s on one side and Gerard on the other.

None of the former Isador Blood contradicted my musings, but I felt a hint of denial in all their bonds, even the three new men’s. My happy little fairytale was just that. A fairytale.

I really knew very little about my mothers’ daily lives when they were both still queens, but especially Selena. To me, she was just Mom and she loved Dad so much I almost lost her the day he died. Until I came into my power and spoke to her at Isis’ pyramid, I had no idea she was a vampire queen like me. She’d shared ten Blood with my real mother and lived in the ancient city of London. For centuries.

Though she’d been so unhappy with her life that she’d left it all behind and lived as a human, without any of the power, wealth, or prestige of House Isador. She’d lived with Dad in Kansas City for ten years before she took me in, inevitably changing their lives forever.

I’d brought the monsters and constant danger. The attacks that ultimately killed both of them.

And I hadn’t even known why.

Waiting for my Blood to deploy, I stared out the darkened window at the elegant shops and busy sidewalks. Just a few short months ago, Rik and Daire had taken me on a shopping trip in Kansas City. For a girl who’d been on the run for five years and survived by working under-the-table jobs no one else wanted, it’d been a fantasy dream come true. I’d put on a silver fairy dress and new shoes and gone dancing for the first time in my life with my two hot, attentive lovers. Without a clue of what would come next. How many Blood would answer my Call. How much I would love my newfound family.

How many lives I would take in less than a year to keep them safe.

Standing outside the car, likely glowering at all the humans while waiting for the rest of my Blood to move into position, Rik finally opened the door and stuck his hand inside for me. I wrapped my fingers around his and let him pull me out to stand beside him. I’d changed back into the black silk dress I’d worn last night. Nevarre had offered to bring more outfits—or even to fly back home for something—but I’d refused. We were going to shop anyway. I didn’t need a bunch of dresses when all I wore at home were jeans, hoodies, and T-shirts.

As I wrapped my arm around Rik’s bulging biceps, I couldn’t help but notice he was still wearing the pants he’d split open.

His cheeks reddened slightly. “I’m sorry, my queen. I should have brought a spare set.”

“No, I’m sorry, my alpha. I’m far from offended by what any of you wear—but you should always be as well dressed and comfortable as possible.” I looked over to Gina, and she immediately moved closer from the other car. “Do you know where we can find a tailor to custom make some clothes for Rik that won’t tear every time he moves or breathes?”

Her eyes sparkled, her lips quirking as she scanned her phone. “Let me see…”

“I know someone,” Lew offered. “We used to go to him all the time. He made the coat I wore earlier.”

“No one’s going to have anything big enough to fit me,” Rik said.

“Kostas can handle it,” Lew assured. “He’s mostly human but has enough Aima blood in his family tree that he’s familiar with our world. I’m sure he’ll have some ideas.”

“That must have been before my time,” Gina said. “What’s the name of his shop?”

“Ikaros,” Lew replied. “It’s set around the back of one of the luxury shops, but I remember where it is.”

Leonie, Jenrade, Carys, and the rest of my consiliari joined us while Gina looked through her contacts.

“No offense, my queen, but are we allowed to split up?” Carys asked. “I was hoping to get a new bag and some shoes while we’re here.”

“Of course. Do you want one of my Blood to come with you?”

She huffed and rolled her eyes. “Do I look like I need a Blood tagging along like a bodyguard? No one’s going to bother an old lady shopping for shoes.” Luckily she’d convinced Winnifred to stay at the Isador house to “supervise” the other Isador birds, though not before her dress had taken some damage on the shoulder.

“I’ll come with you, if that’s alright?” Regina asked.