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The very different urges coming from my two guys caused a maelstrom of lust inside me. I wanted them both—and I wanted to give both of them what they needed. Thinking back to the spicy romance books I’d read, I supposed that made me a “switch”—someone who finds equal enjoyment in being dominant and submissive.
“What is it, Princess?” Sel growled, scanning my face. “You have a strange expression.”
“Nothing,” I said, taking my hands off their arms and giving him a smile. “I was just feeling your feelings—that’s all.”
“Both of us? At once?” Krynn asked.
I nodded.
“It’s an interesting contrast. Now—do you think I’ll look good enough for the Banquet tonight?” I took a step back and twirled.
“Better than good enough,” Sel rumbled.
“You truly look like the Princess you are, my Lady,” Krynn assured me. “Your appearance is Royal in every way. There’s no way that Mordren can deny your claim to the throne.”
“No fucking way,” Sel agreed.
“I hope you’re both right,” I said, feeling anxious. I hadn’t seen the Lord Regent since I had run away from the Quenching Parlor the night before and I wasn’t sure how I was going to face him that night at the banquet. Still, I had my guys to support me and I had the Mark of Lolth as well as the Jewel of Lolth—and my own Royal Purple eyes.
I told myself I would just face him down and there was nothing he could do to stop me from taking the throne tomorrow on my birthday.
I had no idea how wrong I was, but I was soon to find out…
40
Lily
“Well, well, my dear—don’t you look Royal tonight.” Mordren’s sharp, bluish-purple eyes raked over me as Sel and Krynn escorted me to my seat at the High Table.
“Thank you, Lord Regent,” I said coolly, settling myself in the chair across from him. Lady Elgiana was beside him and Lady Nolana was to my right. I still hadn’t learned the other Nobles’ names, but they all nodded at me genially enough and I nodded back.
“I love your outfit,” Elgiana remarked. She was wearing another gown that was literally half a shade off of Royal Purple yet again.
This time I was sure it was meant as an insult but I wasn’t sure what to do about it. Was I supposed to have her arrested for wearing my color? That seemed kind of extreme but then again, I was itching to do something to her. When I thought of how she’d infected Krynn with the Needing and then tormented him with it, I wanted to reach across the table and slap her perfect face!
“I’m rather surprised you wore it, though,” she said, while I was still trying to come up with a solution.
“And why is that?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. If she was going to give me some kind of backhanded compliment or say the gown didn’t look good on me, I wasn’t going to let it bother me a bit. I knew damn good and well that I looked spectacular in this gown—it went with my curves and my new eyes and hair perfectly.
“Well, I just thought you might be dressed in a Quenching gown, that’s all.” Lady Elgiana shrugged. “It would be more fitting for the show you’re about to put on.”
“Show? What show?” I demanded, frowning.
“Why, your Public Quenching, my dear.” Mordren gave me an evil smile. “The one you’re going to perform for the entire Court as soon as the Banquet of Investment is finished.”
“I’m not doing any such thing!” I exclaimed. So far every time I had taken blood from someone, it had been either a violent or an extremely intimate and sexual experience. I had no intention of doing it in front of a crowd of people I didn’t know.
“Oh? Then I suppose you wish to extend my Regency. A wise choice, considering that you’re really too young and inexperienced to wear the Midnight Crown,” Mordren said casually.
“I never said that.” I was holding on to my temper with both hands at this point. “I’m happy to take the Throne of the Midnight Court tomorrow on the Autumn Equinox and claim my rightful place as Queen. Your services, Lord Mordren, will not be needed anymore—I can assure you of that.”
His eyes narrowed but he kept a smirk on his face.
“But my dear Princess, I’m afraid you must choose one or the other. Either you give us a Public Quenching tonight or you agree to another hundred years of Regency.”
“How do you figure that, Mordren?” Sel growled from behind me.
Mordren’s eyes opened wide.
