“No, we did not.” Lord Belshazzar scratched his chin in thought. His lips eventually thinned into a straight line. “But we weren’t completely hospitable either.”
I slowly turned my attention straight ahead, not even seeing Lord Xenon in front of me. My eyes practically crossed at the impending doom we were walking in to. I grumbled, “Fuck me.”
Master Niallan hollered, “Okay! My room is at the top of the tallest tower. Come by anytime, your majesty. I’ll make sure your name is on the approved list.”
Shit. I probably needed to take him up on that.
I closed my eyes and groaned.
*
I yawned wide and smacked my gums as I nuzzled my head against my soft pillow. Fatigue tried to pull me back into the shelter of slumber. I let it pull me, floating in that sweet spot right before you fall back into sleep.
A hand landed on my shoulder and gently shook my frame. A voice I knew well muttered, “We’ve landed. You need to wake up.”
Sweet, sweet sleep wanted me. I wanted it.
With a swat at his hand, I slurred, “Too early, Pippy.”
Lord Otto’s voice. “Did she call you…Pippy?”
My eyes snapped open. A pair of familiar brown eyes glared right in front of my nose. I sat straight up in my chair, my gaze darting, taking in my surroundings. My chest heaved with huge gulps of oxygen. There were too many Overlords standing close by, and all were staring right at me. I rubbed at my eyes, and mumbled, “Huh?”
Lord Pippin straightened and ran his fingers through his hair. His brown eyes continued to scowl right into my blurry gaze. “Thank you, your majesty. I’ll never live that down.”
“Pippy,” Lord Otto stated thoughtfully. A cruel smile erupted on his face. “That has a certain ring to it, don’t you think, my lords?”
Lord Xenon even smirked. Not good.
“Fuck,” Lord Pippin growled. Then he pointed a finger at every single Overlord. “Not a fucking word from any of you. You owe me. I got you out of that jam with those activists in 1914.”
Lord Cato stared, and his words were slow and pointed. “You’re calling that debt in? Over a ridiculous pet name? I think you should take a moment and think about that.”
“I’m calling the debt in.” He shook his head hard, and his red locks brushed his cheeks. “None of you will ever repeat that nickname again.”
“Done,” Lord Belshazzar stated immediately. “Debt paid.”
Lord Cato’s gaze flicked to the eldest Overlord and then back to the youngest Overlord. His lips grimaced under the authority he couldn’t rebuke. “Well, that is that. Your only debt to us has been paid.” He shrugged a shoulder and sniffed. “Let no one say I didn’t warn you, though. You should have held on to that.”
Lord Pippin’s jaw clenched. “It was private. None of you should have heard it.” His scowl turned in my direction. “I’m never waking you again. Who knows what else will fly out your mouth. I’ll end up owing them debt after debt.”
I frowned and muttered quietly, “I’m sorry.”
I’d given him that nickname the night after we’d made love for the first time. He was right. It was private. I only used it when we were alone together, an endearment.
His jaw ground together, while he glowered.
I sighed heavily. “I said I’m sorry, my lord.”
Lord Cato scowled, his gaze tracking back and forth between us. “I really want to know how serious that relationship was between you two.”
Neither Lord Pippin nor I responded.
Lord Xenon was stuffing his arms into his suit jacket. “I looked into it yesterday. Athena’s contact wasn’t hard to find. The man stated they were extremely private and hardly left their estate. He didn’t have a lot of information to give on them except for what was already in the articles.”
Thank fuck. I started to get out of my seat.
Lord Belshazzar cleared his throat and lowered a glass of blood he’d been chugging. His voice was soft with hidden steel behind it. “I found another vampire in the area. She had more information to give. Athena didn’t look hard enough.” He took another long drink from his glass, not looking at anyone.
I paused, half in my seat and half out. Shit.
“And?” Lord Cato pounced on the lord’s words. “What did the woman say?”
Lord Pippin and I visibly tensed.
Lord Belshazzar placed his glass down on the bar, the crystalware now empty. His arctic blue eyes lifted and turned straight on Lord Pippin, cold and ruthless. “That they were planning to marry before Lord Pippin left her.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!
Lord Belshazzar managed to find our one confidante there—from two hundred fucking years ago. And the apparent backstabbing bitch had blabbed.
Adelie hadn’t even known.
When Lord Pippin and I’d disappeared for seven years, we’d disappeared. Our relationship had been serious, very much so. It had been ours.
Now, it no longer was.
Our dirty laundry was aired for them to see.
Lord Cato’s shoulders tensed. He rounded on Lord Pippin. His brown eyes turned blood red and his fangs bared. “You fucking left her like that? Without a goddamn word? Not even a fucking good-bye?”
My shoulders drooped at this turn of events. I quickly finished pushing up from my chair and stepped between my father and Lord Pippin. I raised my hands into the air, and spoke softly, “I didn’t understand it then, but I understand his reasons now. As all of you should. You’ve been through the process of being crowned king before. You know the dedication it takes to rule.” I lowered my hands and shook my head. “I still don’t like Lord Pippin very much, because it affected me personally, but I won’t allow you to condemn him for it. That isn’t right considering what each of you has done for the crown. Our people are all.” My blue gaze snapped to each Overlord. “Or have you forgotten that?”
Behind me, Lord Pippin placed gentle hands on my biceps and moved me to the side. He stepped forward and met my father head-on. His jaw clenched, but he stated with respect, “The Queen and I have talked privately about this. I have apologized to her for my lack of judgment and cruel actions. As she’s stated, she understands. But I will apologize to you too, Lord Cato. I am sorry that I hurt your daughter.” He swallowed and ran his fingers through his dark red hair. His words turned quiet. “I also hurt myself with my actions. I have no one else to blame for my mistakes. It’s all on me. And I am sorry.”
Lord Cato’s fangs disappeared. His eyes gradually turned back to brown. His head of black hair cocked, and his eyes narrowed. “If I remember correctly, your little sister died in a tragic accident during the time of your Challenges.”
Lord Pippin’s jaws flexed again. “Yes, she did.”
My attention snapped to my father. “And if I remember correctly, my mother died unexpectedly during your Challenges, Lord Cato. You think I don’t understand what that means?” My nostrils flared. This whole damn conversation with my father was ridiculous. The man didn’t really give a damn about me—obviously. I hissed, “Can we all move along? We have more important issues to deal with.”
Lord Xenon nodded his head gradually. “I think to keep everyone within the bounds of our law, from saying anything they shouldn’t right now, that is the best course of action.”
Lord Otto stood blinking repeatedly. He mumbled, “I still can’t believe Lord Pippin was thinking about marriage.” His gaze landed on me, his fast-blinking eyes pondering.
Oh good Christ. I did not want to hear what he was about to say. Too bad he didn’t give two shits one way or another. The man had no filter from thought to speech.
With awe plastered on his face, he muttered, “You must be one hell of a fuck, your majesty.”
“Enough, my lord”—my nostrils flared—“unless you want me to make your life a shit storm for the entirety of my reign?”
Lord Belshazzar grunted. A small smile lifted his lips, and a malicious glint shone in his eyes. “And you know how long she’s going to be queen.”
Yes, he did. If I did my job properly.
Lord Otto’s mouth snapped shut. “All right. All right. Threat received and heard. You can all fuck off now.”