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Nadira held my hand then Victus’s, and beamed a bright proud smile.
Chapter Fifty-Two
A Week Later
Nina
Citizens from villages from all parts of the kingdoms came to celebrate the coronation of the royal family. Vampires from the underground world came out to the party, but some too set in their ways remained in their homes.
Victus gave Nina authority over his vampire lair, and appointed Gorgo as her adviser. The first thing Nina did was get rid of the six council members and replaced them with Hawk and Licker, who were also her bodyguards.
Nina couldn’t be more pleased, and also thankful to Victus for trusting her with such a prestigious title and for allowing Hawk and Licker out of their prison.
She continued her research to help the creatures but not even an extra dosage of Joleen’s blood made a difference or turned them back to vampires or even humans. Nina swore she would find a cure. But for now, most remained locked up in their cells. Despite the short life span of most of these creatures, Hawk and Licker remained unscathed. Thank the skies.
Nina led Hawk and Licker into the dining room, a scent of roses drifting through the air. She added her own personal touch by hanging landscape paintings, vases of deep red roses on the table, and countless candles to brighten up the room.
On the table lay three roasted pigs, the biggest ones the cook could find, vegetables, rice, and more desserts than Nina could count with her fingers. The servants had placed big plates, drinks, and utensils before they entered.
“Wow, all this food for us?” Hawk’s eyes rounded like the full moon. “What’s the occasion?” He pulled out his giant chair that was similar to the one Nina had made for Licker. She also had the dining table made to accommodate their size.
“No occasion. I just wanted to thank you.” Nina, one foot after another, climbed the side of her chair like a ladder and sat next to Hawk as she smiled.
Though she sat at the same table and her chair was the same size, she still felt small. Nina picked up a goblet filled with wine and her companions did the same.
She raised her glass. “Here’s to a new beginning and me finding a cure. Tonight, we celebrate us.”
“Hear! Hear!” Hawk and Licker said at the same time and drank.
Hawk’s lips twisted into a lopsided grin. “Thanks for the amazing meal and thank you for trusting us with your life. It means the world to me and I’m sure Licker feels the same.”
“Yes. Yes.” Licker’s tongue waved like a flapping flag every time he spoke.
Nina raised her goblet to the empty chair by Licker. “And if Willa was here …” Her voice cracked. “I would thank her too. So here’s to Willa and to us.”
The three raised their goblets and drank.
Hawk stroked a pinky down Nina’s cheek. Her face flushed with warmth. Though they didn’t confess their love for one another, the way Hawk looked at her with tenderness and longing was clear. She felt the same about him.
Nina placed her small palm on his giant hand and offered a big smile.
“I can’t wait to eat the chocolate cake.” Licker swiped his tongue and almost touched the frosting. “It’s been a long time since I had one.”
“Who says you have to eat dinner first?” Nina snorted.
“Really?” Licker clapped his hands then using his tongue like his hands, he swiped it up and shoved the whole thing into his mouth. Chocolate frosting coated his nose and chin.
Nina giggled and Hawk’s thunderous chuckle filled the room. She wished Willa could be here eating, smiling, and laughing among friends.
Hawk grabbed a roasted pig, broke off the leg, and placed it on Nina’s plate. “So what’s on the agenda tomorrow?”
“We open the doors to the people,” she said.
Once a week, Nina allowed Victus’s people from the underground world to meet with her and her advisers, which only included Hawk and Licker, and present their concerns. Something Abacus used to do at the vampire lair.
“Afterward?” Licker slumped his tongue on the table, dumped some vegetables onto it, and shoved them in his mouth.
“We go to the castle.” Nina scooped up some rice. “We were invited to have dinner with the royal family.”
