The next morning, Claus allows me to feed on him one last time before he leaves. And like the night before, I stop before he tells me to.
“I’m so proud of you, Serena. I believe we have finally reached the point where I can actually trust you. Would you like to be cage-free while I am gone?”
“Oh, My King, I would,” I say, beaming. “If you so wish it.”
“I do. I will make the necessary arrangements with Kai.”
“Kai?”
“You may be free to roam around the palace and sleep in my bed, but you will still need to be watched. There are parts of the palace that are off limits to you, and you will take heed of them. Kai will be there to help you.”
“I see.” I hug him. “Thank you, My King. I will not let you down,” I lie. He couldn’t have set this up any better for me. I’m sure this is a test, a test I will undoubtedly fail in his eyes, but in mine, I will overcome.
He kisses me on the cheek and leaves. I really don’t know what to do with myself after he is gone, so I lie on the bed. It has been so long since I have been able to stretch out and sleep on a bed that I revel in the moment. Before I know it, I fall fast asleep.
“My Queen, wake up.”
My eyes flutter.
“My Queen, you must wake up. We haven’t much time.”
I open my eyes and see Kai and two other vamp soldiers hovering over me. I rub the sleep from my eyes and sit up. “What is it?”
“We have come up with a plan, but it requires more from you than you may be willing to give. Before we put it into action, I had to make sure you were willing.”
I shake my head. “I doubt that. I’ve given everything to Claus, including my self-respect.”
“Well, My Queen, you are about to get it all back,” one of the soldiers says.
“Your names?” I ask, looking at the two I don’t know.
The one who spoke before says, “I am Silas, and this is Raul. We are the leaders of your army, My Queen.” He bows as he says this, and it feels good to be treated as I should again.
“Nice to meet you both and thank you for your help.” I smile at them and get up from the bed. I turn toward Kai and ask, “So you have a plan?”
“We do. And I believe it will work. But first, I must ask, did you feed from Claus before he left?”
“Yes.” I have nothing to hide from these men. I need to keep my dealings with them honest and true because I am trusting them with my life and the life of the Blood Empire. Now is not the time to play petty games like keeping secrets.
“That’s good,” Kai says. “His blood makes you stronger, and we need you to keep up your strength over the next few days before he returns.
“You said there was a part of your plan that requires more from me that I may be willing to give. What?”
Kai looks down as if he is embarrassed to say.
“What?” I repeat.
Silas speaks up and says, “You will have to drink from him again and have sex with him for this to work.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, is that all? Done.”
Kai leans in and whispers in my ear, “Are you sure?”
“Yes, if that is what it takes to get him handled, then so be it. I came back knowing and banking on the fact that our past physical relationship would play a major role in working this out. I seriously thought I loved him and that we could rule together, making compromises for the good of my subjects.” I pace in front of them. “When it came to him, my judgement was clouded, and I learned rather recently he is not the man for me. We will never be able to rule together.” I stop and look at all three men. “He will never accept me as an equal, let alone the rightful heir to the vampires who walk the earth. He will never accept that I am the only true descendant to Lilith, the queen of all vampires, and it’s her blood running through my veins.”
Kai nods, showing me he understands.
“So tell me this plan.”
We spend the next hour going over all the details of regaining my kingdom. It is a good one, and with every obstacle I questioned, they had an answer. They named several of the members of the army who were loyal to Claus and assured me they would be dealt with. They have already released the enslaved humans who made up Claus’s army. They even had a plan to get rid of the two henchmen Claus posts at his bedroom door every night.
When we are done, I stand and say, “Thank you, gentlemen. I believe this is gonna work.”
“Thank you, My Queen,” Raul says. I realize it is the first time he has spoken since the men arrived. I look him over. He’s tall, muscular, and, I might add, unbearably handsome. He gives true meaning to the strong, silent type.
“Now if you will excuse me, I’d like to freshen up a bit.” I begin to walk toward the bathroom but turn back and say, “And if one of you could find me someone to eat? I need to keep my strength up.”
“Human or vamp, My Queen?” Kai asks.
For the first time in months, I am feeling like my old self again. “Both, please,” I say with a giggle and disappear into the bathroom.
