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“Well, my most immediate concern is cell phones. I’ve got fifty people who haven’t spoken to their families in weeks, and they need to make calls. They’re using Zia’s phone, but these aren’t going to be short calls.”
“I can take care of that. I keep a supply of phones on hand for missions and replacements,” Niletean told her and stepped into the hall to make arrangements.
“With that settled, I need to handle the executions of the vampires who refused to join me. They will get a final chance to change their minds, but I set a consequence, and I need to follow through with it sooner rather than later. I have to do it myself, but I wouldn’t mind having backup.”
“I’m on it,” Viktorija called from the corner of the room. “You need someone far more ruthless than you to be the strong one in this. I know you think you need to carry out the killing blow as a noble act but think about letting me help. It won’t hurt me like it will hurt you.”
Ash’s eyes flashed, and a confident smile curled the corners of her mouth. “It won’t hurt me, Viktorija. I’ll have given them two chances, and that’s one more than they deserve. Given the opportunity, they would slaughter everyone I love, so their deaths are no great loss to me. If I don’t do it myself, it will be a sign of weakness I can’t afford.”
Viktorija nodded, her respect for Ash clear in her expression. “Okay, but I will be with you regardless. I’ll make the arrangements and get the details to you.”
Ash nodded her thanks. “The next thing is space to house a hundred vampires until I can find and take control of Nadya’s financial holdings and secure my center of operations. I won’t keep my people in cells. The guest quarters are full, and it’s asking a lot to keep vampires as guests in the palace they attacked, but they were forced into this.”
Luca held up a hand to silence her. “Of course, we will find a place for your people. Everything is changing, Ash, and we will welcome those who choose to follow you, if warily, as an extension of you. They get a single chance. We will not tolerate their betrayal of your goodwill, but we won’t attack them or treat them like prisoners. Our people are all eager to see what peace between vampires and Therians looks like, and this is the ideal place to demonstrate that it is possible.”
“Get the financial information you find to Niletean. He’s a genius with anything technical,” Viktorija added.
Ivanna laughed. “Our boy Niles is just a genius.”
The white-haired dragon, who had slipped back into the room unnoticed, bowed his head in acknowledgment of the compliments. “Thank you, ladies. I do what I can. Ash, I will be delighted to help you take every penny of Nadya’s money. The idea of establishing a vampire base of operations is excellent. If you have the specifications, I will look into finding something appropriate within portal distance of the palace. You already have substantial funds at your disposal, by the way.”
“What?” Ash asked, confused.
Luca cleared his throat, looking sheepish. “I did say you never had to worry about money again, remember?”
Ash paled. “What did you do?”
“Shortly after your mating, he called and asked that your name be added to all his accounts,” Niletean explained. “You are an extremely wealthy woman, Your Highness. You could buy any property in the country outright.”
Ash poured love into the mating bond so Luca would know she was touched, not upset. She’d been stupid about money before, but that now seemed inconsequential. The scale of her life had expanded so much that a bank account with more zeros than she’d ever seen didn’t even register.
“As always, my mate takes care of me and provides all I could ever need, even before I know I need it. Your assistance would be wonderful, Niletean. Thank you. Can you get with Zia? She has the specifics on what we’re looking for, and she’s become my right hand on the fangy side of life. For this, she speaks with my authority. She will reach out for anything that requires me directly.”
Niletean nodded. “I’ll speak to her when we finish here.”
“The last urgent order of business is taking over Nadya’s stronghold. I’ve got the location, and I want to arrive with a show of force to ensure that those who want to fight see the futility. I am requesting a contingent of Therians to accompany us. I said I’d accept help, and I intend to do so. This is the beginning of the vampire-Therian alliance. Euan has been an enthusiastic supporter, so I’d like him to organize it, but I wanted to ask you first, Luca.”
Her mate nodded. “Of course. Euan will be thrilled. He’s a big fan of yours.”
Viktorija snorted. “That’s true. He won’t shut up about how interesting you are and how much fun it is to work with you. It’s all ‘she’s a canny lass’ and ‘Ah havenae seen the like.’ It’s ridiculous. I’ll go with you so he doesn’t get his fool head bashed in.”
Ash thought she detected jealousy in the dragon’s voice, and everyone heard the protectiveness. She wondered if something was developing between Viktorija and the Scottish wolf. She had heard that he’d declared his undying love for the royal warrior and made a mental note to ask him about her to watch his reaction.
Luca laughed and turned his attention back to Ash. “You’re going to have more volunteers than you know what to do with. After your speech and everything you’ve done, the people are enchanted with you.”
Viktorija growled, but she knew she’d already said too much. Still, when the meeting ended, she went to find Euan. Viktorija admitted to herself that the berserker wolf was getting under her skin, so the idea of him heading into a battle without her made her chest tight. She’d been alone for so long that the idea of needing someone the way Luca needed Ash terrified her, even though she longed to have someone look at her like her brother looked at his mate. The dragon didn’t think she could give Euan that kind of power over her, but she feared he already had it.
I need to hit something, she thought as she went to find her wolf.
CHAPTER FIVE
Therian Palace Courtyard, Thursday, January 10, 2013, Dawn
Despite her bold proclamation, Ash was sick to her stomach as she dressed the next morning. She would carry out the executions, although she dreaded them. Before they left the king’s chambers, Luca squeezed hand.
“You gonna be okay today?”
Ash nodded. “As much as I can be. This has to happen. I’m not looking forward to it, but I won’t shy away from it either. Expect me to fall apart later. This is gonna suck.”
