Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
SILVANUS
Iawoke at sunset with the elf’s head on my chest, his arm curled around my waist, enveloping me with his honey scent, his mortal warmth, his body fitting against me perfectly.
My spark in the dark belongs there…
But not tonight. I had to resist stroking his hair or pulling him closer to me. There was too much to do, and basking in his beauty would have to wait.
Carefully, I pushed him away.
He groaned softly, rolling over to face the other wall.
I wish I could stay with you…
Rather than lift the bed from the ground, I opened the floor and climbed out, aiming for the bathroom.
Thank goodness Medusa wasn’t waiting for me while my cock stuck out so achingly hard.
I wanted to touch it, for him to touch it, kiss it, suck it, allow me to bury it inside him.
A cold shower tempered my desires.
After showering, I dressed in a black muscle tee and leather pants, pulling on my boots and red jacket.
Medusa slithered from her cave within her favorite rock, shifting from serpent to woman.
“Evening, sugar,” she greeted me. Her scales were fully healed, gleaming like polished emeralds against her skin.
“How are you?” I asked, opening the drapes.
“Much better, thanks. Yourself?”
“Ask me again when this over.”
I pushed the balcony doors open. Fresh ocean air blew into my chambers, refreshingly cool but warmer than last night. The storm was gone, and there were plenty of stars and a full moon scattered across the blanket of darkness above.
I stepped outside, leaning on the balustrade to take in the water, lunar light rippling across its surface.
“It’s been a gorgeous day.” Medusa joined me. “So sunny, so filling.” She patted her stomach. “I ate two bunnies and five mice.”
I looked her up and down. “How did they all fit?” Her appetite always seemed too big for her stomach.
“Sugar, I’ve eaten a cow before and still had room for dessert.”
“And what was the dessert?”
“A silver finch,” she said. “Selene delicacy.” Licking her lips, she heaved a weary sigh. “Such sweet meat and blood.”
“I see.”
“Don’t look so appalled, bloodsucker.”
I tittered. “No judgment, bovine devourer.”
She punched me lightly on the arm. “Silly.”
“I enjoy a touch of silliness.”
“I remember.”
Me. Running free in the forests, frivolous, living a life of greater light than one swaddled in crippling darkness.
I miss the old me…
Tough. He is dead. Forever.
Medusa patted my arm. “When we first met, do you remember that?”
“Yes. I saved a hedgehog’s life.”
She frowned deeply at me. “You spoiled my supper and told me not to be so bristly because I’d never live up to him, the hedgehog.”
I remembered saying it. “A poor joke.”
“The poorest. But it sealed the deal of our friendship for me.”
I smiled, feeling so much sympathy for her. She didn’t remember anything about her life in Selene Haven other than what I knew and when we’d met, her journey entangled with mine.
One day, she’d have her own answers, maybe even meet loved ones she’d forgotten.
If they’re still alive…
Medusa gave me another playful jab, then turned to face the doors. “Where’s Paris?”
“In my bed.”
She went completely still. “Was that wise?”
“We slept,” I retorted sharply. “His idea. It helped him sleep.”
“Okay.”
I went to say more, but she interjected.
“I’m not telling you what to do, sugar. I like the elf, he’s a cutie. But at the same time, you need to be careful. Nothing changes overnight. You’re both experiencing a surge of emotion not even the most level-headed person could deal with.”
“Are you saying I’m not level-headed?” I countered.
“Yep. Especially lately.”
Should I be insulted?
“Sorry if that stings,” she added, every ‘s’ a hiss. “You can’t deny it, though.”
Correct. But it didn’t make it any less insulting.
“I’m going back inside,” I said.
A rumbling stopped me, the glacial blue streak of the waterborne frostbrood passing the island. It quickly vanished beneath the waves.
“What is that thing doing?” Medusa scowled at the ocean.
“It might be time to hunt that thing,” I answered, striding back into the bedroom.
Medusa meant well, and she only had my best interests at heart. But did she have to be so insulting about my mental state?
I knew I wasn’t exactly in the best shape mentally right now. Still, I didn’t need to be reminded of it.
Stop whining!
She followed me. “I know you’re annoyed with me, but I’m worried. Really worried.”
Without looking at her, I responded with, “I have business to attend to.”
“Please don’t be mad.”
“I’ll get over it,” I said, pausing by the door. “Keep an eye on him. Get him food and drink when he wakes, please. I’ll arrange more clothing for him.”
“I really am sorry for upsetting you,” she answered.
The delicate regret in her voice softened me. She spoke from a place of love. A true sage, a true friend.
I couldn’t leave under such a dark cloud. So I went to her, surprising both her and myself by pulling her into a hug.
“What’s this for?” she questioned in a squeak.
“Thank you,” I said. “For everything.”
“You’re welcome.”
I ended the hug, cupping her chin. “Never change.”
She grinned, poking in me gently in the side. “Be careful. With everything.”
“I will.”
She nodded. “I’ll look after the elf.” Sadness danced across her gaze. “See you soon.”
Tough love was meant to help, not hinder. In my situation, I needed to stop playing with fire. It wouldn’t take much to spark a bloodbath or any other incident. I walked an incredibly thin line, my rage a thing of peaks and valleys, in need of being wrangled into a steady pulse.
Getting away from the palace might do me some good.
With Paris by your side?
“Where did you go?” Medusa’s voice yanked me out of my thinking.
“Sorry.”
“Are you sure you want to leave for Glimmer City tonight? Maybe you should take some time to decompress and think this over.”
I folded my arms. “Thank you for the suggestion.” I didn’t mean to sound so cold, especially after the warmth we’d just exchanged. “But the sooner we fix things, the better.”
“Agreed,” she answered, although the doubt in her voice betrayed her.
“I have some business to attend to before we leave,” I added.
Time wasn’t on our side.
I glanced at the patch above the bed.
Let Paris be the release you need…
I frowned at myself, leaving my chambers to be met by two guards. They bowed as I passed, my target the ballroom.
Honestly, I enjoyed sleeping with Paris. I found my own comfort having him beside me. After he’d arrived, I’d slept the best I had in long while.
The ballroom that had been attacked was almost back to normal, my vampires flexing their engineering skills to the fullest, repurposing the debris and destruction into something new. It was like watching a pack of weavers weave wool into fabric.
Within the next couple of hours, every inch of this space would be repaired.
Vaughn greeted me with a phone in his hand and a scowl on his face.
“Majesty,” he said, voice tight.
“What’s the matter?” I asked.
He handed me the phone. “I have President Walker on the line.”
Perfect timing.
I took the phone. “Madam President.”
“Your Majesty, please accept my sincerest of apologies for what transpired last night.”
A litany of backside kissing followed, complete with a new security deal for all eight of my palaces. An entire army of mortals arrived while we were on the call—air, land, and sea, surrounding the island.
There was also a team of investigators dispatched to find those responsible for this travesty.
“Rest assured that the perpetrators for this attack will be found,” the president said.
I wasn’t reassured completely but took the deal. Increased protection for my people had come at the right time.
After thanking the president and promising an in-person meeting soon, I made more calls to the lords of the other palaces.
They were well on their way to fixing the damage, each one suffering from a missile attack but with no losses.
And all the executioners were dead, with some mortal prisoners in their dungeons undergoing torture.
With that done, I returned to my task at hand.
“Come with me,” I told Lord Vaughn. “There’s something I need to give you.”