Chapter 105 Here for me
❀ Maeve ❀
As I watched the revelry from my throne, my throne… music snuck under my skin with the smoothness of night.
The vampires danced with a grace that belied their innate violence. Long, fair limbs and high cheekbones. Shiny hair of every color and enough fangs to drain the world.
These were now my people.
The feeling that accompanied the recognition was heavy in my stomach. But excitement trumped all.
I was queen.
Imagine that.
Though I perceived food, none was in sight. Only bloodwine passed from hand to hand on the dance floor. I assumed that because only mortals ate, the food must be hidden.
I frowned. Shouldn’t the humans also have been allowed to attend the ceremony?
I couldn’t see Jessica—
“My queen.” A voice rumbled.
Delicious chills rippled over my skin.
I turned to him. The throne was so high I didn’t need to crane my neck. I smiled when he outstretched his hand.
“May I take you to the floor?”
I glanced around guiltily. “Is that allowed?”
I could tell he just barely withheld a wide smile. “You’re queen. Whatever you say goes, remember?”
I wished I could facepalm myself. Of course.
The music was enchanting, my subjects floating in tune, celebrating me. I would join them.
So I took his hand and let him lead me down the dais.
The music didn’t stop, but we attracted stares. Good-natured stares. Curious stares. The attention was heady.
Self-conscious thoughts plagued my mind. Was I walking right? Were my shoulders straight enough?
The blood from my scalp had been wiped away by a human servant who’d promptly disappeared afterward.
But I still felt the sting of the crown in every movement, the ghost-fingers of the trails of blood.
On the dance floor, Nikolai twirled me. I gasped in surprise.
He looked at me with a loving twinkle in his eye. “Enjoy it. You deserve it all, and more.”
“Careful,” I teased. “Don’t let it get to my head.”
His lips curled. He looked so handsome in his white coat. Pristine. Thick black hair curled so sensually I ached to run my fingers through it.
He gazed at me with heated looks. Searing glances. Whenever I caught his eyes, I’d squirm.
What would he say if I asked to mark him? I was queen now. I could simply demand it.
But could I trust Vladis?
As Nikolai guided me through a slow dance, I realized a deep truth.
Even if marking him would seal our fates, I would do it. The yawning hole in my heart from an incomplete bond had never lessened. I’d only been too distracted to properly feel it.
But moments like now, when I looked into his eyes and felt the placement of his hand on the small of my back, I knew I had to do it.
His scent filled me completely. Soothing. Enchanting.
I could never hold a grudge against him for long. I understood his shortcomings, his fears. This man had lived for me from the first day we met.
I’d changed the trajectory of his life. Who’s to say he wouldn’t forgive me for making one decision for both of us?
He would understand.
I smiled at him, my heart fluttering.
What would it take to say the word?
“Nikolai,” I whispered.
“Yes, milaya.”
Another twirl, then he pressed me flush against his body.
I parted my lips. “I love you.”
His eyes lit up brightly enough to illuminate the whole castle.
Our dance crossed the boundaries of courtesy. My breaths quickened at the sultry way we moved.
“I’ve experienced life without you, and that time was the emptiest, most lackluster trail I’ve ever faced.” His hold grew tighter, his voice rougher. “It is truly an honor to be yours, milaya. I love you more than life itself.”
My heart melted.
Then guilt flamed through me.
Here I was, plotting to mark him without his consent. But this wasn’t selfish… and there was a chance, however slim, that Vladis was telling the truth—
The music stopped. Nikolai guided me to a slow stop, extending our dance to a graceful, powerful end.
Applause broke out. I looked at no one but my vampire.
“Maeve!”
Gasps rippled through the hall.
People were shocked at the crude use of my name. I was queen now, but for this individual… I didn’t quite mind. Not yet, at least.
We were all still adjusting.
I turned to the voice.
Tammy walked briskly toward us, a literal chain attached to her wrist.
The other end was in the hand of a royal guard.
I frowned.
She wore a fine dress of cream chiffon. Her updo was already falling apart.
When she hugged me, I hugged her back tightly.
“They almost didn’t let me attend despite Master Nikolai inviting me. I told them you’d rage if you found out.”
Guilt stabbed my heart a second time. I’d been so distracted I hadn’t even thought of her.
“I’m very glad to see you, Tammy. And you look so much better now.”
Her eyes weren’t darting to any pulse points, and her fangs were their normal length.
“Why, thank you. I even passed the test. A human went unharmed, locked up with me for a week!”
“Then why do they still restrain you?” I ordered the guard. “Release her at once.”
“Your Grace,” he inclined his head. “She is still highly unstable, and conveniently left out the part where, after passing the test and getting released, she attacked a food servant.”
“I was trying to save her life,” Tammy snapped. “There was a spider in her hair.”
To me, she implored, “They won’t believe me. Please believe me.”
I sighed, shaking my head. Even now she looked hyperactive. But Tammy had always been full of life, and now that she was a vampire she definitely had so much pent-up energy to let out.
“How about you ditch the chain, but keep the guard. You can frustrate him by having him train you.”
The guard sputtered, but shut up when Nikolai looked at him.
That’s right. The queen had spoken.
“Oh, thank you so much! You make a wonderful queen, Your Grace.”
Her bow was horrendous, but it made me laugh.
Only then did I notice the stares from all around the hall.
But it didn’t bother me.
I was the only one wearing a crown. Regal and gorgeous, with my arresting mate beside me. Not giving me their attention would be a crime.
After Tammy left, my subjects sought my audience one after the other.
Nikolai stayed by my side throughout. He never spoke or tried to overshadow me. He maintained a strong presence that was both protective and supportive.
Every so often I would gaze at him with all the love in my heart. His eyes would return it tenfold.
The ceremony successful, I soon tired of the small talk from members of the royal court.
From what I gathered, the pureblood Crimson vampires—myself, Drusilla, and Vladis—ran the show. The rest just followed orders.
My dress was beginning to stick, my mind wandering.
I was anxious to get to forcefully marking my mate and unlocking some much-needed powers.
I didn’t want to have to order Nikolai to trace me to Bastian.
No. I wasn’t ready.
I needed to present a confident front. My wolf and vampire sides both awakened, my shifting and tracing mastered.
If Bastian saw how powerful I was, nothing would stop him from accepting me.
Nothing would stop me from uniting the two worlds. The fighting would stop, and Blackbridge could become a safe middle ground for both species again.
Nikolai took my elbow. He pulled me gently into his body.
From behind me, he purred.
“It took great willpower keeping this to myself, but I have something I think will make you very happy.”
I shivered. So he’d been thinking about it too.
“Trace me from here. I’ve had enough. Right now, you’re all I need.”
His response came in a purr. “Such carnal thoughts are hardly expected of a queen, don’t you think?”
“Whatever I say goes. Remember?” I purred back.
Just then, a pall washed over the hall.
Suddenly, more royal guards materialized through the main and side doors.
Drusilla, flanked by a couple of guards, approached us.
The other vampires who had been in our general vicinity made themselves scarce immediately.
“Your Grace. There’s been a disturbance along the border of the royal grounds. I would advise we dispatch a force there. Now.”
She was suggestive without being forceful.
“Of course. I’d expect them to report back whatever they find.”
I wasn’t worried. The royal grounds were vast, spanning more than five mountains.
Then Drusilla glanced past me with a strange expression. At Nikolai.
Weird.
Nikolai immediately stepped forward. “I’ll trace them there.” To me, he assured, “I’ll be back as soon as the threat is neutralized.”
I nearly whimpered. “But why do you have to go?”
“It’ll be faster. They can’t trace.”
I looked around. “Let Lilith trace them…”
Nikolai’s face darkened. “She’s here?” he hissed.
Oh. His vow to kill her for me.
The urge to palm my face was overpowering. “Fine. Just go. But report back as soon as possible.”
He was already in lethal mode. Crimson haze glinting, fangs already lengthened.
Swoon-worthy.
Then he had the guards link themselves, and he traced them all.
I was still staring at the spot he’d been standing in.
Drusilla began to leave.
“Wait,” I called.
She turned, head tilted.
“Thank you. I appreciate your support.”
I really did. Without her decision to forfeit her dreams, claiming my throne would’ve been harder than it had been.
Which I hadn’t looked forward to.
“That’s the least of your problems, sweet Maeve.”
“I’m not sweet,” I said, following her through the small crowd. “I may be innocent in some things, but I’m a fast learner.”
She nodded, one hand thoughtfully rubbing her belly.
I was about to ask how she was faring when I heard murmurs in the crowd.
Whispers about a suspected wolf sighting. At the border.
Not captured.
Or subjugated.
A powerful one tearing through Veilmoor’s defenses.
I nearly staggered. My palms grew slick.
Bastian.
They called him crazy for trying. But they didn’t understand.
Nothing could keep a wolf from his mate.
He had come for me.