I put my journal down and decided to get some fresh air. I hadnat been able to sleep all night, not after the scene with Bella. Now the dawn was just stretching her fingers across the moors of Kinloch Kirk. The sea crashed against the rocks below my window, beckoning me to listen to the songs of the thrushes, to watch the puffins make their homes in the rocks and just be grateful for being alive.

I stood up anda"glancing down at my sweats and T-shirta"decided it was too cold outside for my current garb, so I grabbed my down jacket. Scotland was much colder than England, since it was so far north, and it was even colder living along the coast. I closed my bedroom door behind me and immediately noticed the two werewolf guards posted just outside my door. Both of them eyed me suspiciously. I just smiled.

aIam going for a walk,a I said simply and started forward as they immediately fell into step behind me.

Glancing back at them, I shook my head. aIam going alone.a The first guard, a burly guy of maybe thirty with blond hair, eyebrows, and lashes, vehemently shook his head. aMajesty, your safety is our priority.a So they were going to make me do this the hard way, were they? I just smiled and imagined a burst of light consuming both of them, starting from the center of their bodies and working its way outward until it encompa.s.sed them entirely. Then I thought the words: You do not see me and believe me to be inside my room. When I return from my walk, this charm will be shattered.

As soon as Iad thought the last word, they returned to their post just outside my door and resumed whatever conversation theyad been having prior to my entrance. Ah, it was good to be a witch.

I faced the staircase and continued forward, silently appreciating the fact that no one aside from my guards was awake at this early hour, not even the house staff. My vampires were asleep in their special rooms in the bas.e.m.e.nt of Kinloch Kirk, safe from the marauding sunlight. Everyone whoad attended the meeting last night had spent the night at Kinloch, in its multiple guest rooms. Now it appeared that they were still cradled in the arms of slumber. And that suited me fine. When your life was no longer your own, there was something to be said about sharing the early morning with no one but the ocean, the moors, and a few birds.

I hurried down the stairs and exited the double front doors, taking a deep breath of crisp North Sea air. A cold breeze whipped through the Scottish moors on either side of me, causing the heather to shimmy and flutter. A few of the bell-like purple flowers freed themselves to dance with the breeze and tumble over the cliffs, only to be swallowed up by the gyrating sea.

And I suddenly had the horrible thought, the unrealistic anxiety of wondering if I, too, would end up like those little b.a.l.l.s of purple flowers: caught up in the winds of monarchy, forced to dedicate my life to something that might eventually come crashing down around mea"something that might drown me in the waters of responsibility.

What if I couldnat be the monarch everyone expected me to be? Or what if Bellaas soldiers ended up rebelling against us? What if truth serums and loyalty oaths werenat enough? Worse, what if the Lurkers decimated us? What if I couldnat protect my kingdom, dooming it and everyone within it to a miserable death?

aWhy are you awake so early?a I nearly lost my footing and had to stabilize myself against the bal.u.s.trade of the path that led to the beach below Kinloch Kirk. I glanced in the direction of Randas voice and found him standing on the sh.o.r.e just below me.

aI could ask the same of you,a I answered, still clutching the bal.u.s.trade as I slowly made my way down the perilous path, hoping I wouldnat slip on the sand-covered wooden steps.

aI couldnat sleep.a Glancing down at him, I could see the truth of his words in the dark circles beneath his eyes. His messy hair was mute testimony to the fact that head been tossing and turning. Well, join the club.

I reached the beach and decided to take off my shoesa"no use in filling them with sand. I unlaced both sneakers and stood up again, balancing on one foot while I attempted to free my heel with the other one. aThat makes two of us.a Rand nodded and took a seat on a nearby rock, regarding me with a smile that seemed strangea"amused maybe. aMay I join you?a After removing both shoes, I tossed them at the base of the steps leading back up the cliff and nodded, wondering why in the h.e.l.l he wanted to accompany me and further, what in the h.e.l.l we were going to talk about. There were so many elephants between us, I was afraid theyad stomp one another to death.

I didnat say anything, though. I just watched Rand slip off his leather shoes and stack them neatly beside mine, which lay across the landing beneath the pathway, a sock peeking out from one sneaker, the other sock unaccounted for. And that was us to a Ta"Rand was orderly and disciplined and I was the one who threw my shoes aside, not caring if I lost a sock along the way or if I tracked a bunch of sand into the house.

aInteresting meeting last night,a Rand said once wead started walking.

aYeah, youare telling me. I wonder if weare ever going to get Bella to come through now. d.a.m.n Sinjin aa Rand nodded and bent down, retrieving a piece of what looked like sea gla.s.s. It was baby blue. He rotated it in the palm of his hand before throwing it curveball style so it skipped off the water a few times before disappearing beneath the surf.

aHe was hard on her, strangely so.a There were a few seconds of silence in which the crashing of the waves against the beach seemed louder than Iad ever remembered it and the shrill calling of the blackbirds had more in common with the song of the harpies than any songbird I could think of.

aRand, why are we doing this?a I asked as my feet stopped and my toes seemed to grow roots into the sand.

Rand blinked in surprise. aDoing what?a I shrugged. aWhy did you want to walk with me? If you were just asking to be polite, I think weare beyond that now.a There was a part of me that wasnat interested in small talka"a part of me that didnat have time to play games with Rand anymorea"a part of me that wanted to just cut away the fluff in order to get to the truth.

He nodded and ran his hand through his hair but said nothing.

aAnd why have you stopped shaving?a I added, wondering why the h.e.l.l his facial hair suddenly mattered to me.

He touched his chin as if he wasnat aware that there was more than a few days of stubble and faced me with tired eyes. aI suppose I forget daily activities when Iam absorbed in my thoughts.a As soon as he finished the statement, the rough, dark brown hairs on his chin, cheeks, and upper lip began to recede into his beautifully tanned skin and the roguish Rand Iad actually begun to appreciate was replaced with the model-perfect one I knew so well.

aAnd Iam not just being polite,a he added. He started walking again, so I took his lead. aThat is to say, I wanted the pleasure of your company.a aWhy?a I demanded.

He cleared his throat and appeared altogether uncomfortable, his gaze riveted on the sand. He lifted his face and turned toward me. aBecause I care deeply for you, Jolie.a I sighed and was suddenly grateful for the fact that we hadnat decided to take a stroll beside the cliffs of Kinloch Kirk; I probably would have pushed him over by now. Rand was frustration wrapped in a nice little package, tied together with stubbornness.

aI thought you were still mad at me about the whole bonding situation,a I said in a hard voice. I was tired of beating around the proverbial bush. There would be no more bushes in my lifea"I was going to pull out my cutters and turn those out-of-control shrubs into manageable topiaries.

aYou know me very well by now, Jolie.a He glanced at me earnestly as he stopped walking. I stopped as well and a small ocean wave wrapped around my ankles, the frosty foam p.r.i.c.king my skin with its salty coldness.

aI think I do but sometimes you still throw me for a loop,a I said, feeling like I might drown in the chocolate oceans of his eyes, so I focused instead on the sea itself.

aWell, Iam certain you are well aware of the way in which I tend to overa.n.a.lyze most things and how a cerebral I am.a I glanced at him again. aYes, Rand, Iam well aware of all your shortcomings.a He chuckled and looked out at the ocean thoughtfully before returning his gaze to me. aWhat I am trying to tell you is that my anger over you not telling me you were my bond mate has since abated.a aSo youave forgiven me?a He nodded. aYes and not only that, but I am a thankful to know that you always have been the only woman in my life.a aWhat?a I asked, at a complete loss, feeling my eyebrows knitting together. A queasiness of something that felt like irritation crept up my gut and took a firm hold of my stomach. aI just decided to be the Virgin Queen and youare telling me this now?a Rand frowned at me in confusion. aThe Virgin Queena"as in Queen Elizabeth?a I shook my head, wishing some of my thoughts wouldnat verbalize themselvesa"Iad intended to only think that one. Whatever. aNever mind that,a I snapped. aWhat are you trying to tell me?a aThat Iam sorry I reacted the way I did.a aOkay,a I said and started walking again, shaking my head over the fact that men were so frustrating. It had to be true that men and women were from completely different planets, different galaxies even. It was like Randas train would always leave the station as soon as I arriveda"a cla.s.sic case of bad timing.

Suddenly remembering Randas bizarre reaction to my first speech from the Green Room, I faced him again. aAnd what the h.e.l.l were you talking about when you said that things will be different between us now that Iam Queen?a He nodded, as if he were remembering the conversation himself. aThere will be a other obligations on you now, Jolie.a He took a deep breath. aAs Queen, you will be expected to unite our species,a he finished as if that were news.

I felt irritation and impatience eating away at me. Iad wanted to take a walk this morning to clear my head, to enjoy some time to myself, and now I had to deal with this a aYes, Rand, Iam well aware of what is expected of me. That was in the job description Mercedes gave me.a aIt goes further than that,a Rand said. There was a little att.i.tude to his tone, like he didnat appreciate the fact that I was being short and sarcastic with him. Well, I hadnat liked the way head reacted to the news of our bonding, so I guess we were tied.

aHow does it go further than that?a aYou will be expected to make an advantageous marriage, and it wonat be for love,a he finished angrily. I wasnat sure if he was annoyed with me or with the subject.

aWhat the b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l are you talking about?a I demanded, realizing I sounded just like him.

He braced both of my arms, turning me to face him. His eyes burned, and for a split second I thought he might kiss me. Instead he swallowed hard. aThere has been talk, Jolie. Talk about the Queen taking a husband, a King, as a show of unity.a aThat is the dumbest thing Iave ever heard.a I tried to beat down the irritation that was already rampaging through me. aAnd, furthermore, why havenat I heard anything about this? Shouldnat I be the first to know?a Rand shook his head and dropped his hands from my arms. aYouall find that in many instances you might be the last to know.a He sighed deeply. aAt any rate, I wouldnat be surprised to see the subjects of your kingdom coming out of the woodwork to offer you their hands in marriage with the hope of uniting a stronger kingdom.a aWell, I wonat do it,a I spat back as irritation turned to fury. aIam the Queen and Iam not about to marry anyone. Itas bad enough that my entire life has been derailed to unite this kingdom and Iave basically had to forfeit my personal life. This is going way too far.a Rand just nodded, but I could tell he wasnat convinced by my bravado. He didnat believe that this would go away so easily.

aAnd what do you think of all of this?a I demanded finally, wanting some sign from him, something to show he would fight this ridiculousness beside me, that he still loved me and wanted to be with me.

Rand seemed taken aback and took a few seconds to respond. aI obviously donat like it.a aSo if I have your support, then end of subject,a I answered, silently bemoaning the fact that his answer hadnat been the one Iad been hoping for. Back to the Virgin Queen for me. I started forward again but stopped when I realized Rand hadnat budged. I glanced back at him and he shook his head.

aI donat think it will be as easy as that. In a way your life has basically become the property of your kingdom.a aWhat?a He inhaled deeply. aThatas one of the reasons why I have always been against monarchies. I dislike everything they stand for. The only reason I agreed to become your chief advisor and the only reason Iam here right now is because I care deeply for you and I believe you can make a change, Jolie. I believe you can rule judiciously and democratically.a But I wasnat really interested in drafting another version of the Const.i.tution. What I was interested in was why in the h.e.l.l people were deciding my futurea"and worse, were doing it without my knowledge.

aIam simply not going to agree to any of this,a I said. aItas not like they can force me to get married.a Rand nodded. aThat is true, though they can be a forceful with their recommendations.a aAnd besides, who are atheya? Where did you hear this?a Rand shook his head. aNot from any one person. Itas been a theme as of late.a aSo letas just say for the sake of argument that it was a choice that was forced on me a Why wouldnat you just marry me?a The words were out of my mouth before I had the chance to think them through and, in so doing, swallow them.

Rand nodded as if the idea wasnat foreign to him, as if he wasnat surprised. aI would not be considered a strong enough ally.a aYouave already worked this out then?a He nodded and his jaw was tight, his eyes piercing. aOf course I have. That was the first thought that entered my heada"that I could ask for your hand. But I already know my offer would be regarded as worthless by Mercedes because weare of the same species. Furthermore, you and I would have little hope of producing future monarchs.a But according to Mercedes, I wasnat a witch. I opened my mouth to say something, then closed it. I didnat know what I was, and I until I did, there was no point in saying anything to Rand. For now I wanted nothing more than to return to the safety and solitude of my bedroom, where I could open my journal and spill my figurative blood all over the pages.

After finalizing the reanimations of our own legion and receiving Bellaas list of deceased soldiers, we managed to reanimate thirty of her legion over the next few days. I had to suffer through another lesson, this one on etiquette (more specifically, the proper protocol for writing letters, including addressing them, what the salutation should be, and what the closing should be). It was now the end of the day and the sun had already crawled back down the sky, making room for night to spread her dark cloak. I found myself exhaustedly sitting on the couch in my living room trying to unwind by watching an episode of Peep Show.

Instead a knock sounded on the door. Before I could budge from my sloth-like demeanor, my butler, whose name was Ca.s.sius and who had also been a member of Odranas fairy kingdom in Scotland, materialized in true fae style. He opened the door with a great show of gallantry and subservience, bowing low to our visitor. Once I heard a mumbled, thick brogue, I realized it was Odran. Great. Just great.

aMay I present the King oa the fae, mah Queen,a Ca.s.sius said in a thick Scottish accent, his bushy red mustache moving in time with his lips. Ca.s.sius was an odd onea"he never wanted to talk to me except about the operations of Kinloch Kirk, and even then he was so rigid in his posture and speech, it was like talking to a corpse experiencing rigor mortis.

aHi, Odran,a I said.

aMy Queen,a Odran said with a wide, bright smile while rolling his arm across his stomach and bowing like never beforea"something entirely too practiced and artificial.

aWhy the surprise visit? I hope everything is well in fae?a I asked, turning the television off as I started for the entryway, while wishing I could spend my evening watching the hilarious exploits of Jeremy and Mark.

aAye, Yer Highness, all is well, thank ye fer askina,a Odran responded, clearly avoiding the subject of his reason for visiting. He glanced behind himself impatiently. aDoolan, where be ye?a I craned my neck, trying to find out who the h.e.l.l Doolan was and what the h.e.l.l he was doing at Kinloch. Well, it turned out that Doolan was one of Odranas warrior fae, only this evening he wasnat armed with weapons. Instead he appeared to be carrying more than an armful of colorful silks, satins, and beaded tapestries. Behind him, he toted a purple velvet bag overflowing with jewels, more fabrics, as well as enormous lilies, roses, and tulips. Flowers of that size were only possible in the realm of the fae. Strewn behind Doolan were the entrails of still more flowers, which had unfortunately not survived the trek from Odranas BMW to my doorstep.

aI bring gifts fer ye, ma Queen,a Odran said and bent over into another deep bow.

aWhy?a I asked, my eyes narrowing as the puzzle pieces began to fit into place. So Rand had been correct all alonga"there was going to be a mad rush for my hand in marriage. Well, little did everyone know that I wasnat going to accept any of them, Doolan bearing gifts or not.

aTa celebrate yer loveliness, ma Queen,a Odran lied.

I just shook my head and faced Ca.s.sius. aCan you see to it that all gifts are put in an empty room somewhere? I donat have the energy to deal with this right now.a Then I left Odran, Ca.s.sius, and Doolan standing in my entryway surrounded by enormous daffodils, rubies, and silk damasks.

aMy Queen.a It was Sinjin. I paused, halfway up the stairs already, and turned to face him. aWill you accompany me please?a I asked. Really it was more of a command.

Sinjin said nothing but bowed his head in mock deference and started up the stairs behind me. Once we were shoulder-to-shoulder, I glanced over at him. aWhat the h.e.l.l is going on with all this marriage business?a aMarriage business, poppet? I do not understand.a Just as he finished speaking, I heard a commotion from downstairs and peered over the wooden bal.u.s.trade to find that Trent had arrived with one of his wolves and, of course, more useless s.h.i.t. I had to laugh inwardly at Trentas nervea"did he seriously think he had a chance in h.e.l.l with me after what Iad already gone through as his so-called girlfriend? Well, the answer was pretty apparent by the fact that he was even here. I shook my head and started for my bedroom, Sinjin beside me.

aHavenat you noticed all the hullabaloo, Sinjin?a I asked and approached the window at the far west side of my room, one that overlooked the driveway to Kinloch. Opening the blinds, I focused on the entryway, which was desolate now, with only the remnants of strewn flowers coloring the ground. Maybe Odran and Trent would be the only two morons Iad have to deal with in this idiotic mission for my hand.

aI am not aware why the fairy and wolf have shown up, love,a Sinjin said and took a seat in one of my armchairs as he eyed me up and down appreciatively.

I glanced at him and frowned. aYou definitely donat have any problem making yourself comfortable, do you?a Before he could respond, I added: aYou seem to be the only person, well, besides Rand maybe, who treats me as more than just a Queen.a aHow so, love?a Sinjin asked but the half smile on his face said he knew exactly what I was talking about and, more, that he enjoyed the fact he was allowed such intimacy with me.

aI could name a million instances but letas just settle for the fact that you didnat ask me if you could sit in that chair. Plus right now youare looking at me like Iam naked.a Sinjin threw his head back and chuckled heartily before looking at me as if he could seduce me with just his eyes. aI can be whomever you choose me to be, love. Although I was of the belief that you liked me as I am?a I sighed and shook my head, well aware that I was allowing Sinjin too many liberties where I was concerned. aYes, I guess I do.a aThen you must come to terms with the fact that I want nothing more than to see your naked body.a He leaned forward, and the smile was suddenly absent from his face, replaced with his fangs. aMy one desire is to taste your flesh, to aa aEnough, Casanova,a I said with a subdued laugh. I glanced out my window again, this time catching the image of Varick as he stepped out of a Rolls-Royce.

aSon of a b.i.t.c.h.a aWhat disturbs you, love?a I continued peering outside my window like a nosy old lady intent on spying on her neighbors. aJust that all of the creatures of the Underworld have arrived en ma.s.se to propose marriage to me.a Sinjin made no other remarks, and somehow I had the feeling that he knew more about this whole situation than he was letting on. But at the moment, that wasnat the topic on my mind. Instead I turned to face him and, leaning against the windowsill, tapped my fingers against my lips, studying him.

aAs your Queen, I can make demands of you, right?a Sinjin nodded, his eyes sparkling and his fangs even longer than they had been. aOf course.a aAnd if I make a demand of you, you must respect my order and do as I say?a He nodded again and stood up, his immense height intimidating. He walked toward me and I felt myself melt into the windowsill, as if I knew I shouldnat allow him to come so close. When he continued his approach, I held my hand out against his chest, stopping him.

aAs my Queen, no matter what you command of me, it is my responsibility to see to your a desires.a I smiled, not dropping my hand from his chest. Somehow I knew if I did, Sinjin would take it as an open invitation to kiss me or a more.

aGood.a I took a deep breath. aI order you to tell me what youave been discussing with Mercedes in your secret meetings.a The smile on Sinjinas face immediately faded and his fangs retracted as his entire posture went rigid. I actually wanted to laugh at the transformation. Head been so confident that I was about to invite him into my bed. Instead I had demanded that he tell me how many cookies head stolen from the cookie jar.

aIad hoped your interests followed a different direction,a he muttered.

I shook my head and crossed my arms against my chest. aNo more wasting time, Sinjin. I order you to tell me whatas going on between you and Mercedes.a Before he could say another word, we were interrupted by a knock on my bedroom door. Just as I was about to answer, it opened and Mercedes stuck her head in. I had to wonder why she didnat even wait for me to respond before entering a it was as if she knew what Iad just demanded of Sinjin. Hmm, it was almost like they had some sort of special connection with each othera"one could sense when the other was in a dire situation. Well, if Sinjin didnat come out with the truth soon, he was going to be in a dire situation.

aYour subjects have a.s.sembled downstairs, my Queen, and they demand an immediate meeting,a Mercedes said rather breathlessly.

I narrowed my eyes and frowned. aThey can wait, Mercedes. I have important information Iam discussing with Sinjin.a Mercedes spared a glance at Sinjin before facing me again. And I could read nothing in her expression. aI believe it is of prime urgency, my Queen. They are beginning to argue with one another.a aUn-freaking-believable,a I muttered. Shaking my head, I started for the door before turning back to face Sinjin. aDonat think youare getting out of this.a He looked taken aback but immediately smiled coolly and adopted an expression of nonchalance. aWhy should I think such a thing?a I didnat answer, just started down the stairs with Mercedes at my side. aWhat the h.e.l.l is going on?a aApparently your subjects have come to insist that you take a partner in marriage,a she answered.

I paused at the base of the steps and studied her. aAm I supposed to believe you had nothing to do with this?a Mercedes frowned and secured a tendril of her dark hair behind her ear as her green eyes sparkled out at me in apparent irritation. aI had nothing to do with it at all.a I eyed her as if I didnat believe her, but there was nothing in her countenance that hinted of dishonesty. aWhy do I have to put up with this c.r.a.p?a aBecause you are the monarch,a Mercedes answered, ushering me down the hallway. aI have ordered your visitors to await you in the library, my Queen.a I nodded and then stopped walking, facing her squarely. aAnd what do you think about my marrying? Do you think itas a good idea?a She c.o.c.ked her head to the side and silently considered my question. aI do not believe it is a bad idea. It would be a vehicle to unite all of the creatures in your kingdom if you were open to marrying outside your species.a And there was the nail in the coffin for Rand, just like head guessed. I couldnat help but wonder if Rand would make a case for himself; at the same time, I hoped he would. But no use in worrying about that now.

I faced Mercedes. At her inquisitive expression I just sighed and opened the door to my library, surprised to find ten people waiting for us. Mercedes walked in front of me to show that she would take the lead in chairing the meeting, which was fine by me.

aPlease sit down,a she said and it was like playing musical chairs as everyone scrambled for an available seat. I glanced around the room, recognizing some faces but not all of them. There was Odran and Doolan and some other fae man I didnat recognize, Trent and his wolf escort, Varick and Klaasje, she in her usual shadow form. Before I could switch my attention to the others in the room, Sinjin casually sauntered in and stood beside Klaasje. I offered him a hesitant smile before facing the remaining three men in the room. They stood in the far corner; I didnat recognize any of them.

aWould you like a chair?a Varick asked me.

I shook my head and leaned against the mantel of the fireplace that dominated the middle of the library. I glanced around, surprised that Mercedes had managed to fill the shelves along each wall with so many books. Maybe they werenat books at all but just a mirage. But that was a mystery for another day.

aWe understand thata"a Before Mercedes could finish her statement, the door opened and in walked Rand. And suddenly the darkness inside me gave way. The birds of my soul started singing while insects chirped from nearby rosebushes and a smiling sunshine did a happy dance between puffy white clouds while aHallelujaha played in the background.

Rand had come to save me. Head realized I might end up with one of the buffoons in this room and he wouldnat allow it. Yes, he was missing his white steed and some shiny armor but he was my knight, all the same.

His eyes seemed to dart around the room until he noticed me and nodded in salutation, offering me a slight smile. I returned it, even adding a little wink, like I was in on his plan. He raised his eyebrows in what appeared to be surprise before heading to the back of the room, playing the role of silent observer as he leaned against the wall.

Suddenly the unhappy thought occurred to me that Rand might not ask for my hand because he really wanted to marry me but just to save me from having to marry someone else. Of course, I was the Queen, and as far as I was concerned, there was no way in h.e.l.l I was going to marry Odran, Trent, Varick, or one of the strangers in the room. And surely Rand had to know that?

Mercedes glanced at Rand and frowned, as if she wasnat happy to see him. Then she picked up where shead left off. aIt is our understanding that each of you is here either to represent your own wishes or the wishes of your mastera"in asking for the hand of our Queen in marriage.a I felt myself flush with anger at the thought that no one, aside from Rand, had warned me about this ahead of time. No one had come to me and asked how I felt about it before they arrived at Kinloch and demanded to be heard. Well, they would be heard all right, and then I would be heard.

I gulped down my anger and glanced at Rand, who stared back at me with a slight smile on his lips that said, I told you so. I just frowned and muttered something under my breath, turning back to the spectacle that was my life lately.

aEach of you will have no more than ten minutes to make your intentions known,a Mercedes continued. She seemed so prepared for this impromptu meeting, I had to wonder whether she hadnat known this was coming.

aOdran, King of the fae, will you please approach our Queen with your proposal,a Mercedes said.

Odran nodded and stood up. With Doolan and the other fairy guy behind him, he lumbered forward and faced me.

aMa Queen, I humbly beseech ye ta accept ma ooffer of matrimony. I bring with meh the strongest of yer allies, the fae.a There was a humph of general discord among the others, probably a reaction to his statement that the fairies were my strongest allies, but Odran didnat seem to notice. aYe ana I go back a loong way, ma Queen, and ye have always known ma true feelings fer ya.a Yeah, those true feelings went no farther than his desire for a fun romp in the sheets. Yes, Odran was the King of the fairies and very powerful in his own right but he was also the King of man wh.o.r.es.

Apparently pleased with his short speech, Odran stepped back and nodded to Doolan as the smaller man stepped forward. aMah King offers ye many gifts, mah Queen.a Then he plopped the purple velvet bag before me and we all watched as it untied its own gold brocaded draws, opening to reveal the cornucopia Iad witnessed earlier, when Odran appeared in my entryway. There was a rustling in the bag and I leaned over to investigate further. Two white doves flew out, circled the room, and then disappeared in the air as if theyad never been.

I clapped even though I didnat feel like it. No use in being rude. It would be rude enough when I turned everyone down and told them never to pull another stunt like this again.

Odran and his posse took their seats again. Mercedes resumed her role of auctioneer.

aWill the wolves please step forward,a she said.

Trent nodded and started to stand up, but before he could open his mouth, the rage inside me suddenly broke through the surface and I just couldnat control myself. aYouare kidding, right, Trent?a aKidding?a he repeated, looking baffled, like it never occurred to him that it probably wasnat a good idea to ask me to marry him after our previous relationship ended with him dumping me. Yeah, probably wishing you hadnat dumped me now, huh, wolf boy?

aSit back down. I wonat even listen to you,a I said as dispa.s.sionately as I could, which wasnat very dispa.s.sionately.

Trent grumbled something incoherent but sat back down all the same. Next the three strangers stood up and started forward. The one in the center, a middle-aged man with dark skin and a receding hairline, separated himself from the other two by taking a few steps closer to me. His purplish eyes glittered like amethysts in his face. He had to be over six feet tall and had the physique of a swimmer. With his incredible eyes and full lips, he was handsome in an exotic way. I mean, he had nothing on Rand or Sinjin, but he was a looker all the same.

aMy Queen,a he began in an accent that totally threw me, aI know I have not made your acquaintance as of yet but I wanted to introduce myself and offer my proposal.a His English was flawless but it was the type of English you definitely learned as a second language, the Queenas Englisha"textbook English, not conversational.

I just smiled, not really knowing what else to say or do.

aI am Tabor, King of the demons.a I felt my stomach rise up into my throat. King of the demons? I hadnat even known there was a King of demons.

He took another bow and I offered my hand a um, I mean literally, not in the figurative sense. aI am very pleased to meet you, King Tabor,a I said and when he accepted my hand and kissed it, surprise stirred in my stomach. So demons could also be lady charmers. It seemed every creature in the Underworld had some sort of charisma attached to him.

aIt pleases me greatly that you and your people have joined our cause,a I said, actually appreciative of the fact that I could properly address someone who controlled the demonsa"as I mentioned before, I really didnat have much knowledge of them. Hopefully I could maintain a friendship with Tabor. I definitely wanted the demons on my good side.

Tabor nodded. aWe support you and your monarchy wholeheartedly, and it is my wish to also support you as your lover and husband.a At the thought of making love to a demon, I pulled my hand from his and nodded again with a slight, hesitant smile. Hopefully he wasnat going to be too b.u.mmed out that I wasnat prospecting for a demon lover or husband.

aA marriage between us would firmly cement the union between the witches and the demons,a Tabor continued. His eyes suddenly glowed red, then immediately returned to their amethyst purple. It sort of freaked me out but no one else seemed to be bothered by it so I figured I shouldnat be either.

aThank you for the offer,a I said and watched him take his seat as Mercedes reined control of the room again.

aIs there anyone else who would like to plead his case?a she asked.

I glanced at Rand and noticed that his attention was on Tabor, his expression hard and his eyes narrowed as if he didnat trust the demon. I cleared my throat, wondering if maybe Rand hadnat heard Mercedes, hadnat recognized his cue. He glanced at me and then at Mercedes as she repeated her statement. Still, he made no motion to do anything. I felt as if Iad been slapped right across the face.

Wasnat he going to ask for my hand? Wasnat he even going to try to win me away from all these creeps? Was he really going to feed me to the fairies, wolves, and demons?

aI will state my case,a Varick said and suddenly stood up.

I glanced at him and before I could say Stake yourself, Sinjin suddenly let out a hair-raising growl and launched himself at Varick, dragging his master down to the floor. They rolled around for a few seconds before Varick separated himself from Sinjin. In a split second he shoved his palms into Sinjinas chest and thrust the younger vampire away from him. I could hear a groan of protest as Sinjin flew through the air. His back hit the wall so hard, the room shook. Sinjin fell forward but braced himself against the floor, on his hands and knees.

aSinjin!a I cried out as I took a step forward to make sure he was all right. But Mercedesa firm grip on my arm prohibited me from getting any closer.

aYou gave me your word that you would not ask for her hand,a Sinjin growled at Varick as he stood up and leaned against the wall.