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“Yes, my princess,” the vampire said. “I mean, no.” His brow furrowed, his gaze on the grass at my feet. “Some of the warriors would like to know if they can feed from the vein if they don’t use their fangs. They say it tastes better.”

A sigh rose in my chest. “We’ve been through this before. I have no problem with them doing that as long as they don’t inject any sila.” Banning thralls had been my first edict as princess. The warriors weren’t happy about it, but I was hopeful they would accept the change with time. If vampires wanted to join the rest of the Firstborn Races in interweaving with the human world, we had to stop slowly killing humans. And I wasn’t going to rule over a territory that kidnapped people and made them slaves.

The vampire nodded and got to his feet. “Thank you, princess. I’ll relay the order.”

“Good.”

The vampire hesitated.

“Was there something else?”

“The messenger who delivered the tears… We still don’t know his whereabouts, and now the Razroth demons have requested an audience.”

My stomach knotted. I’d only been in power for three months, and now it looked like I’d made my first enemy—and my first strategic error. I hadn’t thought to press Grigory or Aleksander about the missing demon messenger. I’d been too busy grappling with the realization that the Blood had chosen me to rule.

“Halina,” Bram said quietly. “May I take this one?”

“Yes, of course.” Some of my anxiety eased. I wasn’t in this alone.

Bram addressed the vampire. “The dragons maintain good relations with the Razroth. I’ve spoken to our king’s consort. He’ll travel to the demon plane and address this matter with them directly.”

The vampire inclined his head. “Thank you, my lord.”

Fergus crunched another grape.

The vampire slid a look in his direction, his cheeks going pink.

“Like what you see, lad?” Fergus asked with an arched brow.

The vampire gasped and channeled away.

Fergus chuckled. “He totally did. Gods, these vampires are so uptight.”

Bram went to the blanket and sat. He gripped Fergus’s chin and gave him a quick, hard kiss on the mouth. “Behave yourself. You’re taken.”

I joined them, and Fergus smiled as he pulled me down to his other side. “I am,” he murmured. “I’m completely taken.” He leaned in and kissed me, tasting of grapes and mischief. Then he turned his head and kissed Bram, and I had to struggle not to moan as their jaws moved against each other. Fergus was right, I thought with a dreamy sigh. I loved sword fighting.

But when they broke apart, worry gnawed at me. “Are you sure you’re okay dealing with Niall?” I asked Bram. He and King Cormac’s mate weren’t exactly on the best of terms. There was the small issue of Niall basically holding Bram prisoner for twenty-five years, forcing him to serve as Cormac’s emotional support dragon.

Fergus pushed Bram’s hair off his forehead. “She’s right, babe. You dinnae have to do this. Halina and I can handle it. Like a tag team.” He winked at me. “Bram loves television wrestling.”

“I’m fine with it,” Bram said mildly. “Also, go fuck yourself, Fergus.”

Fergus’s eyes twinkled. “I’d much rather you fuck me.” He gave me a scorching look. “And I’ll eat our princess’s pussy and then fuck her while you pound me.”

My panties went instantly wet.

Bram smiled. “One amendment. I eat her first, and then I pound your ass while you make her scream.”

Fergus reached over and stroked a finger along my bottom lip. “What say you, princess? Do you like that plan?”

“Yes,” I breathed. “I like it very much.”

He grinned, his dimple showing. “Who do you reckon is faster? Me and Bram in shadow form or you channelin’?”

“I d-don’t know.” It was hard to think when my brain was melting with lust.

“One way to find out.” He stood and tossed Bram and me a playful look. “Last one in bed changes the sheets.” He shifted to smoke and streaked away.

Bram and I grinned at each other.

Then chased after him.

* * *