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“Yes, exactly. Daire once fell asleep beneath my hair and slept through what could have been perceived as a dangerous attack.”
Mayte shuddered and bit her lip hard enough I smelled her blood.
Shara smelled her blood too. She leaned over and licked the dribble of blood from her lip and let out a low, hungry sound. “I’ll wrap you head to toe in my hair this evening if you’d like.”
“That would be… incredible.”
SHARA
As we neared the bottom of the steps, I gave light tugs on my other close siblings’ bonds, silently asking them to join me. Leonie had returned to the house, but since I was luxuriating in the bath and then my Blood, she hadn’t disturbed me. Not that I would’ve minded in the slightest, though a few quiet, private moments with Rik had settled some of the raw, bruised feelings in my heart.
Waiting with my other humans, Harvey bowed. “Good evening, Your Majesty. As the siblings arrive, we’ve been ushering them to the salon. Would you like to join them now or proceed straight to the dining room?”
“I would like to have a private moment first with my closer siblings.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. Right this way.”
“You too.” I gave Gina a nod and smile, then the rest of my team. “Winston and Magnum too if they can spare a few moments.”
Kevin flashed a grin and trotted off, presumably toward the kitchen. “I’ll grab them.”
“We’re going to the library,” Harvey called after him.
:Would you like all your Blood present?: Rik asked.
:This is more about dealing with siblings going forward. I don’t think you need to pull everyone from their guard positions. Though as always, any of you are welcome to join me. I leave it to you, my alpha.:
When Harvey said “library” I imagined a cozy, dark reading nook. Though I shouldn’t be surprised it was just as grand and almost as large as the ballroom. Two full floors of tall, massive bookshelves, all arranged in rows and stacks like a formal library, not just a private home’s study. No surprise, Carys was already here, poking through the shelves like a treasure hunter.
Mehen didn’t say a word, though I felt a surge of draconic smugness in his bond. My dragon loved his book hoard, especially if he could smuggle them away from Carys.
A plume of smoke filled his bond. :Not as much as I love my queen.:
:I love you too.: Though I couldn’t help but tease him a little. :Dragon baby daddy.:
His bond shimmered red-hot in seconds. :I volunteer as tribute anytime, anywhere.:
Several leather armchairs and sofas formed a rectangular seating area. I took a larger chair, though Rik moved to stand behind me rather than sitting with me. I still had my hair wrapped around Tlacel’s neck, loose enough he could have chosen to remain standing. Though he dropped down close beside my knees. Itztli on my other side, close enough I could stroke them both.
Though it reminded me of seeing them on either side of Coatlicue’s throne. My throat tightened, and they leaned closer, draping across my knees on either side so I could drape my arms around their shoulders.
Carys dragged herself away from the shelves—with several books tucked her arm—and took a seat on my right. Mayte chose a chair on my left, with her alpha and two of her Blood. I couldn’t remember their names. The rest of her Blood were prowling around outside in the gardens around the house.
Gwen and her Blood joined us in the library. Merlin sat beside her on the sofa across from me, though her knights all remained standing. My consiliari and Frank also sat together on a couch, leaving just enough space for Kevin to slide in beside Regina. Winston, Magnum, and Harvey also remained standing as they joined us.
Though I made a point to look at each of them. “You’re welcome to sit. I don’t follow strict hierarchies among my staff or Blood. You’re here because you’re my family.”
Harvey bowed low. “You honor us, Your Majesty, and so we honor you by standing in your presence.”
My Blood at the door opened it again for Leonie and Jenrade, then shut it behind them.
“Sorry for the delay.” Leonie let out a sheepish laugh that was also part tears. “I can’t seem to pull myself together.”
I opened my arms and she fell against me, sobbing harder. Clutching me like when we’d rescued her from beneath her own house. I wrapped her close, letting my hair slip free to glide around her shoulders like a warm velvet blanket.
“I don’t want to be here if you’re not here.” She tipped her tear-streaked face up to mine, her amber eyes anguished. “Please take me with you next time. Please, my queen. I beg you. Don’t leave without me.”
I brushed her tears away. “I may die again. Many times. Though I will always return as long as the Great One allows it. No one knows the exact time and date of their eternal death, though I certainly didn’t expect it to be today.”
