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I scoffed. “So I have to fuck you before I can say ‘Fuck you?’”

“Precisely,” he laughed.

I was glad one of us found this so funny.

We headed back to the omega room, and as soon as we entered, they all squealed and surrounded us. Florian practically ripped me from the King’s arms, squeezing me tightly, while the females all patted my hair and skin, looking me over for injuries.

“Marlowe, are you alright?”

“Your Majesty, you mustn’t be so wicked with her!”

“Are you hungry?”

“I’ll draw a hot bath for you, right away.”

He smiled. “I am glad she is back in good hands. See that you are all ready by sundown, our engagement ball is this evening.”

“Tonight?” Dove asked, jumping up and down and clapping her hands. “How exciting! Oh, what shall we wear?”

“Your clothes will be delivered soon. And Marlowe?”

Everyone paused as Alaroth addressed me. “Tonight you will be introduced to my court. You’ve felt my wrath when you’ve insulted me in private. Do not underestimate what I’m capable of should you try again in public.”

With that he left the room, locking the door behind him.

Florian shook as he held me, and the females whimpered in fear.

“What did you say to him?” River asked.

I wriggled out of Florian’s arms, landing on two shaky feet, and then headed towards the bathroom.

“The truth.”

35

JULIAN

None of us were particularly happy about the vamp joining us on our mission, and Kian’s weird metal and sage scent stank up the car. But Archer didn’t seem to mind as much, happily sitting down next to him so they could discuss what they’d both found in their own research.

They talked nonstop on our way down the highway, comparing notes and trading theories on what they’d uncovered about the truth of the Great War and our origins in Vespera.

“…he had plenty of time and opportunities to take Marlowe, which has led me to believe the portals only allow passage to those with a certain amount of Luminis in their system. Although there must be something else at play, because then the king could just as easily come through whenever he wanted and…”

“Luminis?”

“That’s what he calls the magic, it’s in our blood,” Camden replied from the front passenger seat of Elias’s SUV. “So tell me, bloodsucker, what’s your servaglio think of all this?”

I turned around to watch his expression. His jaw was tight, a single muscle ticking before he responded. “They’re fine.”

“How many you got?”

Kian looked out the window. “Two.”

Camden snorted. “‘For now.”

The vamp clicked his tongue against his teeth. “Look, I understand you’re still sore about what happened with your omega, but why do you find it so detestable for me to have multiple lovers when you do the same thing, just with the genders switched?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Nolan replied sarcastically. “Maybe it’s because we all chose each other? She didn’t go out collecting alphas, forcing us into a bond and then springing her need for multiple males as a surprise once we were hooked.”