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I swallowed—or I attempted to swallow—but my throat remained dry, my saliva having turned tacky and glue-like.

Isador looked at Javier. “Move her into the bath to warm up.” She swept across the room, heading for the bedroom door. Though she wore tailored slacks and a soft sweater, I could easily picture her in a regal gown. “I must prepare for her first lesson.”

I sat up the rest of the way as I watched Isador leave, Bastian rising with me and curling a protective arm around my waist. The more experienced queen disappeared into the sitting room, and moments later, I heard the door to the hallway open and shut. I peered around the bedroom, taking in the tense postures and grave expressions of my immortals.

Ash stood on the opposite side of the bed from Javier, Thane at the foot, all three vampires as still as statues. Bastian shifted closer on the mattress, like he could shield me from the horrors of my vision with his body alone. His heat seared into my icy flesh, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t protect me from what was already inside my head.

Shivering, I hugged my middle, only now realizing I was in Ash and Thane’s bedroom, covered with a blanket but still naked from our communion . “Who, exactly, is the Shadow King?”

Javier blinked, seeming to revive before my eyes. “Come,” he said, extending one hand toward me. “I’ll tell you about the Shadow King while you warm up.”

I placed my hand in his and scooted toward the edge of the bed, Bastian pushing gently against my back to help me along. I felt weak, like I’d just finished some strenuous physical task, not like I had just awakened from a nap.

“Prepare some food and bring it to the High Queen’s study,” Javier told Bastian. “We’ll meet you there when she’s finished here.” He looked at Ash, then at Thane. “Check on the restoration progress in the royal wing. Our queen’s training will be arduous, and she’ll need her own space to recover—a space that allows her to communicate with the past queens and other spirits. I want the High Queen’s bedchamber ready for her by the time we arrive.”

Ash and Thane started for the door.

“Oh, and bring the boy up, as well,” Javier said, prompting the other two guardians to pause on either side of the doorway’s threshold. “She’ll want him nearby.”

“Micah?” I asked, perking up at the mention of my son. He was more like a young man than a boy , but compared to these immortals, I supposed he was still a relative child. Just as I was to Isador. Regardless, I was desperate to see him. I had been planning on heading down to check on him after binding Thane, but clearly that hadn’t worked out as I had intended.

Javier nodded, again clenching and unclenching his jaw, and I wondered how much Bastian had told my Prime Consort about Micah’s origins and my time on the street with Wes and the other boys. Enough, clearly, based on the rage simmering in his eyes.

I glanced at the other two vampires. Had Bastian filled them in as well? My stomach turned at the thought. When nobody else knew about my unsettling time on the street, it had been easier to pretend it never happened. Now, unexpected shame bubbled up inside me.

My eyes swept over all my consorts. They would sense my disquiet. Would they guess the source? Goddess, I absolutely did not want to talk about this with them, and I was terrified of how they would react. Would knowing my past change the way they saw me? Would they pity me for what had been done to me? Or be disgusted by the things I had done to survive?

“I believe Micah is sufficiently healed and can be moved into his own space,” Javier said, drawing my attention back to him. “We can settle him in one of the other suites in the east wing with you, Luna. Or if you prefer, we can place him in the consort’s quarters attached to your suite. His room wouldn’t be as spacious there, but he would be closer to you.”

I shook my head vehemently, thinking of all the communions bound to happen in every corner of the High Queen’s—my—suite. I absolutely did not want there to be any chance that Micah might walk in on that. “He can have his own suite,” I said. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate the extra space.”

Javier dipped his chin in a single nod and pulled me to my feet, Bastian’s heat falling away. My knees felt weak, the vision and lingering chill having sapped my strength. How much power had the vision consumed? Javier’s crescent sigil still shone brightly, so I didn’t think I was in dire need of a communion . Fun as they were, it would be nice to get a bit of a break between romps.

Javier’s stare shifted past me, sending the other three immortals on their way, and he curved a sheltering arm around my shoulders. His body was wire tight, his tension thrumming into me.

I studied the side of his face. “How bad is this whole Shadow King situation?” I asked, dread settling in my gut.

He guided me toward the bathroom door. “I’ll let you form your own opinion about that.”