Three Little Words
“For the love of the gods, will you please stop hovering?”
“Shush, Ezra. You should be grateful that someone cares for you.”
“Don’t address me so formally. It’s Lord Gustafson to you,” he corrected.
“That’s nonsense. You took arrows for me. We are friends now. The best of friends. Roll?”
“Dr. Blackwood, please be merciful and end me,” Ezra pleaded. He hissed when the doctor ripped one of the arrows from his back.
“No worries, Ezra. You only have a few more to go. Pain is only temporary,” Matilda cooed in support.
Luka entered the infirmary and snarled when he found his queen giving his advisor special attention. “Stop touching him. He’s not a child who needs to be soothed by his mother.”
Matilda smirked. “How could you be jealous at a time like this? Someone tried to kill me.”
Ezra grunted when another arrow was dislodged.
“I can assure you I am not jealous!”
“Good. Because you have nothing to be jealous of. She doesn’t have the necessary parts to excite me,” Ezra said with a huff.
Matilda glanced between her betrothed and his advisor with wide eyes. “You’re… you fancy men?”
“Is that a problem?” Ezra snapped.
“No, not at all. I thought you didn’t have a woman because you were annoying, but this makes so much more sense. How do you feel about orcs? Belzar fancies women, but he once drunkenly ranted that a tight, wet hole was a tight, wet hole, and it didn’t matter who it was attached to.”
“I don’t want some beastly orc manhandling me!”
“A bottom, then. Wait… have you two ever…,” Matilda trailed off, pointing between King and Advisor.
“The dungeons you will go if you continue that sentence,” Luka threatened.
“There was no need to intimidate me. A simple yes would’ve sufficed,” Matilda said with a pout.
“Be silent, huntress!” King Alesi boomed.
“As you wish,” she whispered.
“I said silence.”
Matilda was itching to say something to be petty, but the look on Luka’s face convinced her otherwise. To the men’s surprise, Matilda curtsied politely and didn’t speak further. Luka eyed her suspiciously before addressing the injured man.
“The vampire who made an attempt on Matilda’s life is dead,” Luka reported.
“Has he been identified?” Ezra questioned.
“No. No one wishes to testify out of fear that their families would be targeted.”
“Ezra,” Luka said solemnly.
“Whatever it is, no,” Ezra said, knowing Luka was about to ask him to do something against his will.
“I’m tasking you with an important assignment.”
“Please don’t say it,” Ezra pleaded.
“Your bravery today was admirable. Until sentiment towards Matilda becomes more favorable, you’ll be her personal bodyguard.”
Luka ignored Matilda’s theatrics. She shook her head furiously, crossing her arms into an X as she remembered to keep her protest silent.
“There are others who are better equipped to serve as her guard.”
“You will be with her when she is not in my presence. Your compensation will be adjusted.”
“Am I expected to be both advisor and babysitter?”
“No.”
Ezra snorted. “I am expected to step down from my position,” he said matter-of-factly.
“Correct. And as I stated, you will be fairly compensated.”
“There isn’t enough money in the world,” Ezra insisted.
“Name your price.”
“Ten thousand gold coins monthly salary and your summer property in Garden Ridge.”
Luka’s jaw clenched at the mention of his Garden Ridge estate.
He loved his summer home and spent his youth roaming the property and getting into all sorts of mayhem.
It was also where he met Anastasia. He treasured the residence, but it was easy to let it go if that meant his queen and child were protected.
“Done. All I ask is that I be allowed to visit one last time with Matilda.”
“Very well. I, Lord Ezra Gustafson of Night Falls, officially relinquish my position as Head Advisor to King Luka Alesi, effective immediately.”
“I, King Luka Alesi of Night Falls, officially accept your resignation as Head Advisor, effective immediately. Thank you for your sacrifice. Take the next few days to yourself. Let us go, Matilda.”
She stared at him for a long moment before turning away without a word. Luka knew better than to mistake her silence for obedience. He was certain he would hear plenty once she decided he was worthy to speak to again.
***
Luka rubbed wearily at his temple as Matilda silently braided her curls at the vanity. It had been hours since he demanded her silence, and he had to be going insane because he missed her incessant teasing… immensely.
“You may speak.”
“I have nothing to say.”
“Your fever must’ve returned. You always have something to say.”
“Are you sure about this?” she asked, turning to face him.
“If you’re referring to Ezra becoming your bodyguard, then yes.”
“This estate in Garden Ridge must be something special.”
Luka sipped from his chalice with a scowl. There was nothing inherently wrong with the contents, but it wasn’t Matilda’s blood.
“It’s just a house.”
“Is that why it looked as if your best friend stabbed you in the back when he requested it?”
Luka chuckled into his cup before saying, “Do you make it a habit to see things that aren’t there?”
“Thank you,” she said sincerely. She knew the stubborn king wouldn’t admit weakness.
“There is nothing to thank. Make haste and come to bed.” Matilda rolled her eyes, washed her hands in a basin, and dried them.
Luka licked his bottom lip as she sashayed to bed in her blood-red silk nightgown.
He hardened at the sight of her swollen nipples pressing against the material.
They hadn’t coupled since their carriage ride, and he was long overdue.
The stress of the day finally caught up to Matilda as soon as her back hit the mattress. She stared at the ceiling and threaded her fingers through Luka’s hair as he assumed the position with his ear pressed against her abdomen.
“How is it?” she asked sleepily.
“His heartbeat is strong.”
“Her,” she corrected.
“Sleep, Beloved,” he whispered. “We have a journey tomorrow.”
She grinned before sleep took her. “I look forward to it.”
***
Luka quietly moved about the bedroom, packing necessities for their impromptu journey. They didn’t require much where they were going, but there were some essential items he couldn’t part with.
Matilda cracked an eye and was surprised to find she wasn’t being smothered by the vampire king. Dare she say she missed waking up to the weight of his head on her belly?
Rustling caught her attention. “What are you doing skulking around in the dark?” She grinned when he snorted.
“I am not skulking around. I’m simply completing tasks silently to avoid waking you.”
“Well, you failed.”
“It is delightful to have someone remind you of your shortcomings,” he replied sarcastically.
“I agree. Tell me why you’re dressed like a commoner?”
“We are journeying to Garden Ridge incognito.”
“When?” she asked, trying to hide her excitement.
“As soon as possible.”
Her excitement died as soon as she remembered there were parties out there that’d love to see her in a deep grave. “Is it safe for us to travel? I guess the question is, should we travel, considering our lives are in danger?”
“There is no better time than now. We’ll be gone for three days, and once we return, we’ll enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts.”
“That sounds ominous,” she murmured.
“Uncertainty is always ominous. When we return, I’ll announce our nuptials, we will wed, and you’ll be officially crowned Queen of Night Falls.”
“Before or after we go to war with Moonshire?”
“It will be before if the gods favor us.”
“I hate to break it to you, but the only being, supernatural or otherwise, who has favored me has been you.”
“Then we’re fucked.”
The forbidden pair chuckled in the moonlight that spilled into the bedroom.
“Why do you favor me, King Alesi? Is it the thrill? Is it because society and your biological makeup tell you no?”
“Dress,” he demanded, handing her one of the dresses he swiped from a maid servant.
“Will you tell me one day?” she asked, slipping out of bed and hissing when her feet missed her slippers and touched the cold floor. She smiled warmly when Luka knelt before her and guided her feet into the slippers. “Thank you. I could’ve done it myself.”
“If you could’ve done it yourself, then you would’ve,” he replied with a sardonic smirk that ramped up her lust for him.
“You never answered my question.”
“Which was?”
“Will you tell me one day why you favor me?”
“When you’re on your deathbed.”
“You plan on me dying?”
“No, but humans are not immortal. You will die, and I will live on. It’s the circle of life.”
Matilda’s eyes rapidly blinked in surprise. “Y-you didn’t plan on me turning me?”
His laughter was dark but robust, leaving her on the edge of her seat as she waited for his response.
“No, I don’t plan on turning you. I have a tolerance level for your annoyance, and it’s not eternity.”
Matilda scoffed. “Thank the gods we’re on the same page. Are we taking provisions?”
“There will be no need.”
“There will definitely be a need for Armando’s rolls.”
“Armando is dead.”
Matilda paused. “Excuse me?”
“I killed him for betraying your loyalty.”
“Are you—”
“I’m jesting again. That’s the second time you’ve fallen for that. No wonder you were suckered into a hair-brained assassination scheme.”
“For your information, I wasn’t suckered into it.
The money, of course, was enticing, but the bastard killed two children by the river and promised to kill more innocents if I didn’t cooperate.
Luka, I think we should put more effort into finding this man.
He took innocent lives, and his crime is punishable by death. ”
“Some would say the same for you.”
She tilted her head contemplatively. “They did bring out the robe.”
“Indeed,” he agreed, approaching her. He grasped her cheeks gently between his cool fingers.
She narrowed her eyes. “Do not attempt to distract me with affection.”
“I would never.”
“You are a liar.”
“Sometimes,” he confirmed, thumbs sweeping over her cheeks. “But not about this. I have not forgotten Gregorio.”
Matilda’s shoulders sank in relief.
“Where is he?”
Luka released her to continue packing. “That is precisely what I have been attempting to discover. I have men scouring every settlement between here and the western border. They’ve searched every inn, tavern, and abandoned estate.”
“And?”
“Nothing yet.”
Matilda frowned.
“The name Gregorio has yielded surprisingly little,” Luka continued. “Which leads me to agree his name is likely false. Ezra has searched our records for any noble family bearing the name. None fit the man you described.”
“He had men working for him.”
“Which is why we have followed the gold.”
That caught her attention.
“What do you mean?”
“Five thousand gold coins do not simply appear.”
Matilda’s brows rose.
“The gold he paid you had to come from somewhere. My men have been questioning merchants, moneylenders, goldsmiths, and anyone capable of exchanging or moving such a considerable sum without drawing attention.”
“Any luck?”
Luka hesitated slightly before answering. “Several of the coins from your payment originated outside Night Falls.”
“Moonshire?”
“Some.”
“And the others?”
“That is what concerns me. They came from several kingdoms.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning Gregorio either possesses connections far beyond what we originally believed…” Luka paused. “Or several people contributed to the bounty.”
Matilda stared at him.
“That’s not very comforting.”
“You wished for an update.”
“I preferred ignorance.”
Luka almost smiled.
“I have also dispatched riders with sketches based upon your description. Every gate into Night Falls has been given his likeness. Ships, carriages, and trading parties are being watched. I have even offered gold for information leading to his capture.”
“You put a bounty on the man who put a bounty on you?”
Luka’s mouth curved into a pleasing smile.
“I appreciated the irony.”
Matilda smirked and closed the gap between her and her fiancé. “I think you deserve a reward of some sort for your diligence,” she purred.
“We don’t have time for such frivolity. We must leave before the sun rises.
” She dropped to her knees before him and tugged at the strings of his britches.
He cleared his throat before speaking. “I see. Perhaps, we have more time than I originally believed.” Matilda giggled and worked her prize out of his pants.
She bit back a moan when his hardened dick fell out and tapped her face.
She inhaled his heady scent that had become more and more prominent since becoming pregnant.
It was like a drug to her and the only upside to being chained to his side while he oversaw his duties.
“My Queen…” King Alesi whispered breathlessly through his teeth as Matilda’s tongue tortuously slid up his shaft.
“Yes, my King?” she asked before sucking the head into her mouth.
“As much as I’m enjoying… no, no, no… don’t do that,” he begged.
“Don’t do what?” she questioned in a tone meant to be innocent but was filled with deviousness instead. “This?” She sank him in her mouth again and hollowed her cheeks.
“Yes. Don’t do that.”
She did it again.
Matilda was surprised when Luka gently shoved her away and put as much space between them as possible. “Luka!”
“It’s King Alesi to you.”
“Look, you prudish vamp. I have needs,” she snapped, scrambling over the bed to get to him.
“Are you serious?” she exclaimed when he thwarted her advances by cocooning himself in his wings.
She scrunched her face when her fingers pushed against the stretchy winged flesh.
It was a little off-putting, but also slightly fascinating.
“We must leave at once,” Luka’s muffled voice came from the cocoon.
“Just give me five minutes of your time.”
“What would you prefer? Five minutes or five hours?” he posed.
Matilda paused to consider. “I’m listening.”
“Tonight… we hunt.”
She smirked. “Who will be the prey?”
“We can switch.”
“I accept. Hurry up, Luka. We should’ve been gone by now, but you’ve spent the morning dilly-dallying,” she accused.
“Dilly-dallying!” he exclaimed, unfurling his wings at lightning speed.
His wings drooped slowly when Matilda’s lips pressed against his.
He was no match for her and melted like snow on a spring day.
He blamed this new profound weakness to her on the child that grew in her belly.
He didn’t like the feeling because, as hard as it was to admit…
he was afraid… terrified, actually. What if he couldn’t keep her safe?
What if she was violently ripped away from him?
He gave her a bullshit speech about her being human and the circle of life.
He didn’t want her to die. He wanted her to rule by his side for a millennium, but how cruel would it be to turn her into the one thing she despised the most?
The thing that robbed her of her innocence as a young woman?
The thing that hunted and preyed upon her people?
He felt selfish even asking it of her, and relented: if she went, he’d go too.
“I love you.”