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Luca looked at Ash to see if she was okay with the plan, and she was already asleep, curled into his side where she belonged. He picked her up and carried her to the loft bedroom without waking her. Then he tucked her into the comfortable bed and slid in beside her, molding his body to hers. He and his dragon both sighed in relief to have her safe and alone, even if it was just to sleep, still covered in blood, with the ragged wound in her chest healing slowly. He needed to hold her, to feel her alive and relatively unharmed.
He reached for her through the mating bond, but it was obstinate, and he didn’t get much from her end. Sometimes, when she slept, he caught glimpses of her dreams, but today, their link was locked down.
Sometimes, it was hard to remember that they were just people with mundane needs like rest and food when they spent all their time trying to save the world, dealing with one epic disaster after another. Luca snuggled closer to his mate and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep to the sound of Ash’s slow heartbeat.
CHAPTER TWO
New Therian Palace, Tuesday, January 8, 2013, Night
When they stepped through the portal into the Therian palace, Ash gaped at the change. They walked into the wildest party she’d ever seen, with all kinds of shapeshifters celebrating the end of the eons-long war.
Viktorija whisked her off to a quiet room to change into something suitable for a future queen while Luca got everyone settled for the announcement. It took an hour to calm everyone, but Ash welcomed the reprieve. Viktorija kept the conversation light and helped her stay calm as doubts assailed her. She’d fallen asleep before cleaning up from her fight with Nadya. Ash washed off the blood and dressed in a stunning strapless purple gown that covered the healing wound in her chest with gemstones at the neckline and a high slit to showcase her toned legs. Viktorija finished the look with a pair of six-inch black Louboutin stilettos and dark makeup that highlighted Ash’s eyes and let her blonde hair fall down her back in waves.
Kittania joined them, crossing the room to Ash, the expression in her silver eyes conveying her intense relief at seeing her alive and well. The dowager queen put her hands on Ash’s cheeks and kissed her forehead.
“I don’t care if you are human, a vampire, or a damned yeti,” Kittania said. “You’ve saved my son and me again and given Theriankind the freedom to rebuild.”
Kittania pulled Ash into a hug, letting go when Ash gasped from the pressure on her wound. The queen mother mouthed an apology.
“Speaking of rebuilding, what happened to the vampires?” Ash asked when the frenzy of activity faded. “After the battle, when they were all losing it, what did we do with them?”
Viktorija smiled. “Most of them put up no resistance, and they are unconscious or in shock on the second basement level. We thought all the ones she brought could stand it, but we didn’t know what you wanted to do with them.
“They’re secured and don’t appear to have much fight left. Jules’ traitor Therians never even made it into the palace. They were captured or killed, and when it became obvious that they were hopelessly outmatched, many fled.”
Luca opened the door, stopping short to stare at Ash. He’d changed since he left them, and he wore a tailored charcoal-gray suit that clung to his frame. “You look great. Purple is your color.”
Keep the dress. Please. I need to peel that off your body and ravage you.
Ash grinned at his horny mental plea, which came through their bond just fine. Arousal and danger seemed to be the most reliable feelings to share.
As long as you keep the suit. I have some very naughty fantasies we can explore.
Damn it, woman! I’m going to be hard throughout this ceremony. Are you happy with yourself?
Ash grinned and ran her hand over his dark tie, changing it to the same shade as her dress as she pressed her soft body against his hard length. She did the same thing with the handkerchief in his jacket pocket as her other hand grazed his erection, then stepped back to observe her handiwork with a pleased grin.
“I wasn’t sure if that was going to work,” she admitted, stretching up to press a kiss to his cheek and whisper into his ear. “I am thrilled with the result, Lord Hotpants.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she pulled away.
Luca laughed. “I like it. I wouldn’t bet against you being able to do anything you try, darling. You are a dangerous woman. Are you ready? It’s time.”
All she had to do was walk in there with her head held high and tell them what happened. Ash had always been an honest person, and telling her truth to a massive room packed with people staring at her would be uncomfortable. Although, as Viktorija had pointed out, she’d already died that day. How bad could public speaking be?
Luca offered his arm, and Ash took it, grateful to lean on him. The nap had helped, but the ragged wound in her chest was healing much slower than it should have. It drained her energy, though her other wounds were gone. He led her through the stone corridors to the new throne room, which was as cavernous as its predecessor. They entered through a side corridor, emerging at the front of the room to the left side of the raised platform that spanned the far wall, with a balcony above. Reinforcing her mental barriers as Eiko had taught her, Ash took a deep breath and stepped through the doorway with her mate.
Ash hadn’t made it ten steps before the crowd spotted her and began cheering. Luca escorted her to the center of the dais, where everyone could see her. Then he turned to Ash, bowed his head, and knelt. She gasped at the message he was sending to his people, who went silent. The high king of the Therians, who bowed to no one, had knelt to her.
What the shiny fuck, Luca? A warning would have been nice.
She could feel his amusement through the bond.
To give you the chance to back out or overthink it? This is the message we need to send. Relax, my love.
The crowd stared at them in shock for what felt like an eternity before the whole crowd dropped to one knee. Ash looked around the room in wonder and tried not to giggle as intrusive thoughts of high school football games and marching bands washed over her still easily distracted mind.
There were probably ten thousand Therians pressed shoulder to shoulder, and she was the only one on her feet. The sight humbled her, and Ash felt something else unidentifiable shift within. Ash realized that she wanted to be the coregent and stand beside Luca as they guided their people through a new era of vampires and Therians joined in cooperation rather than war. As much as she wanted it, she would never deserve it.
I will spend my life striving to be worthy of this honor and do right by these people, Ash vowed.
