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“I will not leave you,” he boasted, and he sounded as if he meant it. “Fate did you a kindness with the others, sweetling. Anyone willing to leave you is a fool, and you are too precious to suffer fools. Also, if another male had snuggled you at any time, I would be killing him right now for daring to take what’s mine.”
She was only mildly embarrassed by her misty eyes. “That’s kind of you to say.”
“Yes, I am known far and wide for my kindness.” He smiled when she peeked up at him from her perch on his chest, then grew serious. “Have you introduced me to the real Chantel Cookie Bardot, then?”
“I think so? I mean, I’ve never felt more like or unlike myself at the same time.”
With the pad of his thumb, he traced the shell of her ear. “You are learning and accepting your own truths, perhaps.”
Well, he wasn’t wrong. “FYI—er, for your information, I like the real Kaysar.” Cookie had a feeling she was the only person who’d received an introduction to him. A murderous teddy bear with a big heart and a bigger erection.
“I’m glad. I’m not sure how to be any other way.”
Had he meant the words as a warning? “Then I’m glad.”
Did he realize he flexed his fingers on her scalp?
“Who’s Drendall?” she asked as the question popped up.
The combing paused for a moment. “My sister carried a doll. Very beautiful, this doll. Viori’s most favorite toy. She took it everywhere she ventured.” He paused as his gaze drifted to a faraway place. “Viori was such a happy girl. Smiles for everyone. Except those who insulted her magnificent Drendall. I don’t remember where or how she acquired the doll, only that she clutched the little darling close at all hours of the day and night. You look like Drendall.”
She did? “Is that why you responded to me at the beginning? Why you like me? Because I look like a doll?” She supposed there were weirder reasons. Right away, she’d noticed Kaysar’s dreamy serial killer eyes.
“I noticed you because you look like a doll,” he said. “I remain interested because you are...you.”
Well. Okay, then. She ignored the lump in her throat. “What’s your favorite memory of your sister?”
“The times I sang her a lullaby. She always fell asleep with a smile, her troubles gone.”
Cookie kissed his heart, offering comfort and affection, and brushed her knuckles over his throat. “Your voice is the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard.”
“My glamara revolves around it. I’m able to compel others to do my bidding or sing them to madness and health.”
A super cool ability to wield, and a terrifying one to face. “I won’t like it if you compel me to do something.”
“Have no worries, sweetling. I’ll never force you to do anything, you have my word. I covet your affection, freely given.” He cupped her nape and kissed her brow, a gut-wrenchingly sweet gesture. “You respond to my song differently than everyone else.”
She could tell he delighted in that fact, and yeah, okay, maybe she did, too. “I’ll share a secret with you. Your singing makes me horny.” In case he didn’t understand human slang, she added, “Horny is when someone gets turned on.” Wait. “Turned on is when someone wants to get laid.” Moving on. “If I hadn’t been busy murdering those soldiers, I would have thrown myself at you on that battlefield.”
His fingers flexed on her. “Truth?”
“Truth.”
He groaned and shot rock hard. “Allow me to reveal to her royal highness what I have planned for her this morning, before I become distracted,” he said, playing with her hair again.
Oh! Her first official day as queen of her own castle. Bouncing against him, she squealed, “Yes, yes. You are allowed. Tell me.”
His chuckle tickled her ears, unleashing a tide of shivers. “I’ve arranged for your subjects to pour into the palace. They will offer gifts to their beloved queen and beg for the opportunity to serve your every whim. Once you grow bored of the constant adoration, you’ll begin your training with the doormaker’s apprentice.”
A thousand times yes. “What else, what else?” His delighted expression told her there was more.
“Our oracle, Eye, has been commanded to do nothing but await your summons. When you are ready, she will peer into the mortal world and show you Pearl Jean and Sugars.”
What? “Are you for real?”
“I am very for real,” he deadpanned.
“Oh, Kaysar.” Cookie sniffled as she hugged him tight. “Thank you for arranging the most special day of my life for me.”
He snaked his arms around her, lightning fast, holding on. “Will you do something for me in return?” he asked hesitantly.
“Yes. Anything.”
“No caveat?”
“Within reason,” she added, and he flashed a smile.
Appearing tormented a moment later, he said, “If you remember a portion of the princess’s life, any portion in any capacity, or if you feel a single flicker of her emotions, you will let me know. Do not wait to tell me, even for a moment. Stop whatever you’re doing and find me. Interrupt me, whatever I’m doing. Give me an opportunity to explain all the reasons Lulundria was wrong to feel what she did.”
