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I didn’t like the idea of it. Turns out, faced with the reality, I liked it even less.
She busted out laughing, her head falling back and her hair pooling on the blanket. “No! Why would you even think that?”
I shifted my position, uncrossing my legs and leaning back on my hands. “The mate bond is strong. I assumed you saved him because you don’t want to let him go. Rejection or not, the bond hasn’t been fully broken. I thought some part of it might be reaching you.”
“No. Absolutely not. I know some women find a connection to their bullies, bond or no bond. But I’m not one of them.” Her tone was harsh and firm. “The possibility that I could’ve wanted to be with him bothers you, doesn’t it?”
Relief spread through me. It had disturbed me deeply when I’d considered the possibility she had felt something for him. “I wasn’t keen on it, no.”
Understatement of the century.
“Feeling a bit of jealousy for your pretend mate?” she joked.
“Yes, actually,” I admitted. Her brows shot up in surprise. “I won’t lie. I feel a certain amount of possessiveness around you. Especially when it comes to him.”
She blinked a few times, and her ears reddened, and she looked at her feet while she spoke. “Markus is nothing more than a pain in my ass. The very minimal time I’ve spent with him since has been uneventful. He’s trying a hand at different trades, but we don’t talk for long. The most time I’ve spent with him was that day you saw us in the woods. He’d just shown up. I was out there clearing my head. After you introduced me to the High Court, I was drowning. I still am, in a sense. What am I even supposed to do as a queen? That isn’t something I was prepared for.” She sat up, picking up a pebble and tossing it.
“What do you want to do as my queen?”
“That’s how this works?” She looked at me incredulously. “If I said I wanted to do nothing and be fed grapes while I kicked my feet up on a pillow, that’s what I’d get?”
“Not quite, but it’s a nice suggestion.” I tilted my head. “Well, maybe we can do that on Tuesdays,” I added as an afterthought.
She smacked my arm playfully. “Be serious. I make my appearances with you, and people assume we’re mates and that’s all fine and whatnot, but what do I do beyond that?”
“Find your purpose.”
“Huh?” Her nose wrinkled.
I chuckled. “Find a purpose. Something you find meaningful, not something I tell you to do. Yes, you make appearances. Yes, we are both present for the hearings in Court. Blood and Beryl is a large House, as I am sure you’ve learned with Bianca. Just like any other House, there are those who suffer. Those who need our help.”
Lowering her head, she breathed a heavy sigh. “I don’t want to do good things for people just for show.” She shook her head, locks of hair falling into her face. “I want something real.” Her emphasis on the word told me a bit about where she was mentally.
“You misunderstand. It’s not for show. Whom you choose to involve is up to you. This isn’t for celebrity. It’s to better the lives of our people.”
She stared blankly for a moment, breathing the words, “our people.”
“They’ll be yours, too, Danni. You’ll be queen. You already are, from a rank and mate standpoint.”
“And this—” She gestured between us. “How will we explain that away? Your court will expect an heir. A baby, Elias.” She stared at me, eyes wide. “What am I supposed to do with that?”
I brought the flask up, taking another drink before answering. “I don’t suppose you noticed a lot of kids around here. It’s hard for vampires to conceive them. Takes a long time. Centuries even. Some never have any. They’re quite cherished when we do have them. That’s why they’re tucked away for safekeeping. Not until they reach maturity do they achieve immortality.”
She nodded in understanding. “That explains the animal crackers I saw in the pantry when I was raiding it last night. I can’t even begin to imagine where you got those. Now I feel bad because I’ve been taking snacks from the kids.”
I frowned. “Those are mine. I was wondering who was stealing them.”
She grinned an awkward smile, looking away. “Oops.”
“Have at it. Just leave me some.” I laughed, waving it off. “We have more species than vampires in Blood and Beryl, so naturally, they need to eat as well. But yes, the children only eat regular food until they have their first feed.”
“Except your cookie stash, apparently,” she said, smirking.
“Anything except that.”
She took a deep breath, the smile slowly falling from her face. “My point still stands, Elias. The Court, your people—our people—they’re going to have the expectation that eventually you’ll have an heir.”
“Are you suggesting we try for one?” I asked, raising a single eyebrow.
