She looked at him. “You don’t know me at all. I’m a strategist who likes to work. I’m happiest out in the field, Drake.”
“That’s unacceptable for a queen,” he said. “Your other hobbies won’t get in the way, I’m sure. Sit down.”
She sat and once again eyed the bookshelf. There were several tomes she wanted to get her hands on—maybe there was something in one of them about killing not only Ulric but Drake. Maybe that was her destiny. “How familiar are you with these books?”
“Not very. Several of them were just dug up,” he admitted. “Vero is usually the one poring over books. With Hunter.”
Fresh concern welled up in her. “What have you done with him?”
“He’s in a cage, much like Paxton. I don’t want to start our life together on a contentious note, so I’m going to make you an offer.” Drake nudged her glass toward her, and she picked it up.
A woman brought in two plates laden with steak and potatoes and placed them on the table. Without saying anything, she scurried away. Hope watched her go. “I don’t like the way your females look around here. They appear terrified.”
“Most of them have been recently kidnapped. I’ll set them free soon,” he muttered. “Human females scare easily. You know that.” His gaze was appraising. “You, however, do not. I appreciate that in a mate.”
“What’s your offer?” She sipped the wine. It was rich and full-bodied, but the tannins hit her stomach and made her want to throw up.
He leaned back. “Here is the deal. I will let Hunter Kayrs go immediately, and I will let Paxton live after a week if he can survive that long. Take that as a mating gift to you. In addition, I will give you full access to our medical database and all of the kidnapped enhanced females. You may speak with them, you may advocate for them, and you may see what we’re doing.”
“If I refuse?” she asked.
“That would be unwise. Should you refuse, I will tear both Paxton and Hunter apart, inch by inch, in front of you,” he said. “Then I will kill all of the enhanced females we have, and I will torture the ones we’re about to claim. Finally, you will mate me.” He shrugged. “So choose your path. You either come willingly or not, but one way, you will avoid monstrous pain for people you care about. Either way, you will end up in the same place.”
She couldn’t breathe. Her throat was closing, and the edges of her vision were narrowing. “Where are Paxton and Hunter right now?”
“I couldn’t keep my men off them the whole time,” Drake drawled. “I believe Ulric is having a chat with your cousin right now, and several of my men are interrogating Paxton. He’s not holding up very well. I think the genetic manipulation may have weakened him more than the scientists thought it would. I will spare his life if you do as I ask, but I truly don’t know what kind of life that will be.”
She had to get out of there before she threw up. “I need to think about this,” she said, her stomach aching. She stood, swiping a knife from the table into her sleeve with a sure hand. “I’m not hungry.”
“All right, let me sweeten the pot,” Drake said. “Not only will you be rescuing your friends and the enhanced women, but if you mate me, we will make peace with the Realm. There’s no other avenue, so in effect, you’ll be saving everybody. It’s a small sacrifice to make, Hope, and I think you know that.”
She had contemplated the sacrifice she’d probably need to make her entire life. When she had been younger, she’d believed that her path was meant to be with Drake, that maybe it wouldn’t be a sacrifice, and somehow they’d fall madly in love as her parents had after meeting in the dreamworld. Now that she was here, face-to-face with reality, she didn’t know which avenue to follow. Any romanticization of the situation had long been blown away.
Her heart ached, and she needed Paxton. Right now. “So you’re comfortable threatening or blackmailing me to be your mate,” she said. “That’s where you are in life.”
“That’s exactly where I am,” he said, not rising to the bait. “If you want peace and safety for everybody you care about, it’s a very simple decision. You may go now. Why don’t you think upon it tonight? At dawn, you will speak into the cameras outside this lodge, telling my people and yours about your decision. I think we both know what it’s going to be.”
Giving him a look, she walked gracefully in her long skirt to the bookshelf. “Fine, but I’m going to read and let my subconscious work on the entire situation tonight.” She tried to make her choices appear random as she grabbed several books, making sure to put the scaly black bound one in the center. She was sure it was the other half of the dragon book she’d read the other day.
“Very well. You may read all you want. Be ready at dawn, Hope, and don’t disappoint me. There are a lot of people counting on you.”
She strode to the door, her heart pounding, and made it nearly across the living area with her guards before Drake was suddenly there. “Wait a minute.” He leaned over and studied the books, a small smile tilting his lips. “You impress me.” He pulled the dragon skin–covered book as well as an ancient Greek book out of the pile and tossed them on a small table near the door. “Not those two.” Grabbing her arm and digging in, he pulled her toward him, his expression hard. “Don’t play games with me. Ever.” He pushed her away.
Pain vibrated from the bruises he’d just left on her arm. She swallowed. “I don’t know you at all.”
His sneer distorted his handsome features. “You never did. But you will now, and only you can decide what kind of life you want with me.” He turned, already dismissing her but addressing the guards. “Make sure she’s locked in for the night.”
Hope had to get her hands on that book, but she also needed to save her friends. She had no doubt both Paxton and Hunter were being tortured that very minute, and there wasn’t a thing she could do about it. More soldiers lined the roof outside, making it impossible to escape out the window. With the guards outside her door, she was truly secured for the night.
Lyrica appeared again to help her get out of the stupid dress. Together, they tried to find something for her to sleep in. “It’s all pretty sexy,” she said. “I don’t see anything all that comfortable.”
“There’s got to be some sort of T-shirt.” Hope pulled out the bottom drawer and rifled through it. It was full of silky camisoles with lace everywhere. “He’s got a lace thing,” she muttered. Finally giving up, she just pulled a pink-and-white silk sheath over her head. “Do you have any idea how I could get out of here?”
Lyrica threw up her hands. “If I knew, girl, I would’ve already gone that way. But we’ll figure it out.” She patted Hope’s arm, forced cheerfulness in her voice.