Chapter Sixteen
The next week flew by as Summer settled into her new life as Queen of the North tribe. She still spent a few hours each evening behind the bar, giving the regular bartenders time for breaks to eat and rest. Otherwise, her days were filled with Fenrir, alone in their bed in the penthouse.
The biggest change for her to get used to was remembering to call down to the security office and let them know when she planned to leave the penthouse.
Liam and the other bodyguards had been banished from hanging around the penthouse whenever they were in residence.
Fenrir did not want to have to rip out eyeballs if one of his men saw her naked.
Once the hibernation was over, there were plans for their personal bodyguards to be moved into apartments on the floor just below the penthouse. They would also move the security offices to that floor as well.
As she dressed for the last night of the two-week party, Summer had to admit she was sorry to see the hibernation come to an end. Having no job to worry about, no money issues, no stresses from the outside world had been nice, but now she needed to figure out what she would do for a job tomorrow.
“Share your thoughts, my love,” Fenrir said as he brushed a kiss on the side of her neck. At the same time, he brushed her hands away from the zipper on the back of her dress and pulled it up himself.
“I was just wondering about what happens tomorrow. I need to find a job, and probably a new place to live, and though I don’t want to go back to bartending, I’m not sure what else I want to do with my life.”
Fenrir had a confused frown on his face when he turned her to face him.
“You don’t need another job. Or a new place to live.
As my mate, you have a lifetime position as queen of the North tribe and you’ll live here with me.
Or don’t you want to live here? I suppose we could find somewhere else, maybe somewhere in the country, though I’m not sure we could find somewhere for the whole tribe, but we can try. ”
Summer blinked. “But I have ... nothing to offer. No money. No title. No great job that will pay off in the long run. Are you sure you want to keep me as your mate?”
She held her breath until his expression eased and he grinned at her, his fangs hanging low.
“My love, you are my mate for now and for always. You don’t need to offer anything except yourself.
I have more money than anyone else on earth thanks to many years of working and saving and investing.
It will be my pleasure to spend all my wealth on you, as you were the reason I built it. ”
“But I don’t want you to think I’m here for your money because I can work,” she countered, though the thought of leaving and going somewhere for a job had her shoulders hunching in regret.
“No, Summer, no one will think that of you. Besides, as their queen, you have subjects who will need you to listen and advise them on any number of subjects that they won’t bring to me as their king.
You’ll also be my number one advisor and comforter, which might prove to be a full-time position in itself.
” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her until her bones and muscles forgot how to work.
Sagging against him, she broke the kiss and smiled up at him, already feeling drunk without having had anything stronger than soda all day.
“All right, you win, my king. I won’t go looking for a new job. But what about Vincent? Do you have to obliterate his memories and return him to that shitty apartment and struggling for his next job? Can’t we keep him?”
Fenrir had explained what would happen at midnight, at the end of the evening’s formal banquet, and she didn’t want to lose her friend just because he was human and she was now queen of a tribe of supernatural beings.
Fenrir chuckled as he hugged her. He did not answer the question immediately, instead stepping back and looking her up and down. “You look magnificent, drottning minn. Very regal and queenlike.”
Summer felt heat rising to her face as she twirled around once before dropping into a low curtsey before her mate.
The blood red ballgown was everything she’d ever dreamt of as a little girl wanting to be a princess.
Never one to like pastels, the deep ruby red color was perfect against her pale skin and blonde hair.
She’d parted her hair on the left and then left it loose, adding several braids that went from the part down the right side of her head for interest.
She’d traded the high heels that matched the gown for a pair of black flats that did not hurt her feet and would allow her to walk around and be on her feet all night. Her only jewelry was the big ruby and gold ring Fenrir had slipped on her finger after they’d completed the mating.
“Thank you, my king. But that did not answer my concerns about Vincent.”
Fenrir held out his hand with a smile that said he knew something she didn’t. With a huffed sigh of frustration, she laid her hand on his and smiled as he laced their fingers together. As soon as their skin touched, calm flowed over her, chasing out the worries.
As they crossed the living room, Fenrir finally said, “Vincent is not a stray cat you keep or don’t, my love.
He is a talented man who has a life of his own.
But I did ask Vincent the other day if he would be interested in staying on as the entertainment coordinator.
Though we’ve never had a human as part of the North tribe, I have decided to make an exception for Vincent.
But only if he is interested, without any supernatural influences being exerted. ”
Summer could not help giggling while doing a little happy dance as they waited for their bodyguards to join them for the ride down to the ballroom. “Thank you, Fenrir. You are a most wise and gracious and caring king.”
“You are most welcome, drottning minn,” he said, tugging on one of her braids just as the elevator opened.
“Konungr. Drottning.” The four men in the elevator bowed and then stepped to the sides of the metal box to allow Summer and Fenrir to step in. As soon as they were situated in the center of the elevator, Liam pushed the button and the doors slid closed.
Entering the ballroom a few minutes later, Summer had to stop as she looked around, overwhelmed by the grandeur and beauty.
Glittery gold streamers flowed from the walls to the chandelier in the center of the room, creating a swaying glittery false ceiling that reminded her of a fancy tent that someone had held a party under when she’d been a little girl.
Bouquets of gold and ruby balloons filled the corners, and the tables that filled the room were covered with ruby red tablecloths.
Members of the tribe and their many guests were already seated and all eyes turned to them when they stopped under the tall arch of ruby and gold balloons placed just inside the entrance.
A dozen large television screens were placed around the edge of the room and would not be used until the end of the night, once she and Fenrir, and with any luck, Vincent had left the room.
A photographer stepped out and took several pictures of them before disappearing again. From helping with the preparations for this evening, Summer knew he’d taken pictures of everyone who’d entered the room, whether as a couple or alone.
As they sauntered further into the room, everyone rose and bowed.
Once they’d straightened, Fenrir waved that imperial hand and they all sat again while they walked to the table on the dais across the room.
Once they were seated, the meal began. Dozens of waitstaff that had been hired for the evening entered and began serving.
Between courses, various members of the tribe rose and sang songs, recited poetry, and provided other moments of entertainment. As expected, Vincent played mistress of ceremonies, wearing a black ballgown with thousands of glittering sequins on it.
When the last course had been served, Fenrir stood and pulled Summer to her feet. Moving to the microphone, he looked around the room and smiled.
“I hope you have all enjoyed summer hibernation. There are too many people to thank individually, just know that my queen, Summer Donovan, and I appreciate all the hard work that went into our two-week hibernation. Now, please stay and watch the video we’ve put together to honor the end of hibernation. ”
While applause filled the room the lights dimmed. Fenrir took Summer’s hand in his and looked at Vincent. “Are you coming with us?”
Vincent looked torn until Summer added, “Please, Vincent? I don’t want to lose my bestie.”
Vincent took a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s go.”
When the video began to play before they’d left the room, Fenrir instructed, “Take Summer’s hand and both of you close your eyes.”
Summer closed her eyes and held out her hand to her friend. Once his hand was wrapped around hers, Fenrir led them from the room. As soon as the door closed behind them, he said, “You’re safe. You can open your eyes now.”
“What’s going on in there?” Vincent asked as they began walking down the hall.
“We’ve learned that instead of wiping one mind at a time, we can use a video with a special track and series of sounds imbedded into it to wipe all the memories of all the humans by watching it.
It’s a thirty-minute video which will wipe the memories of the past two weeks while at the same time imprint new memories.
They’ll leave this evening and return to their lives rested and relaxed with the memory of having a vacation they don’t remember the particulars of, other than they had a wonderful time.
For tonight, why don’t you come up to the penthouse and stay in the guest room.
Tomorrow we’ll get you situated in a new apartment, and you can begin your new duties.
After all, there’s only five and half months before we come together for winter hibernation. ”
“Or you can stay in the apartment you’ve been in for the last two weeks, and we’ll get you moved into a better one later in the week,” Summer said with a grin and a wink at him.
“Hmm, that does make better sense. We’ll see you in the morning, Vincent,” Fenrir said as he tossed Summer over his shoulder and headed to the nearest elevator. “My queen and I are overdue for a few days of alone time while we discuss the rest of our lives.”
The End