Page 80 of Little Mate
“Tero, you say.”
“I did. Is there a problem?”
“No. Not at all.” Fake cheeriness. The tilt in her tone shows she’s uncomfortable.
“Good. I look forward to seeing you…” she gasps, and then tries to hide it with a cough “…both.” Before she can reply, I cut the call and Tero places the phone back in the cradle. “That went well.”
“She’s just as stupid now as she was back then.”
“Very true.” Before sitting back in my chair, I pick up the picture of my wife and admire her. From the fiery red of her hair to the adorable freckles above the bridge of her nose and then those lips, bee-stung and so pink, that I’ve missed, how could anyone ever forget her?
But then again, cockiness leads to stupidity on its way to failure.
Elise used King Larue’s personal mage to cast a spell on me. It was weak and disorganized and had no effect on me or my memories.
You can’t control a demon. Not that I told anyone.
Let Elise think otherwise.
It’ll make my hunt all the more entertaining.
My pretty girl will remember. She will take her rightful place at my side once again.
Queen Gabriella has risen, and it’s time she bathes in the blood of her enemies.
EPILOGUE #2
GABRIELLA
For a few days I’ve been avoiding my husband, and it’s not out of spite or anger. If anything, the smile on my face would be a dead giveaway of the light—the new sense of life bursting inside of me.
I know what he’s been through. What he gave up to someday love me again, and while I’ll forever be thankful, a small part of me still weeps over his despair. He didn’t deserve the hand fate dealt us, but trust and loyalty are two prized qualities and thankfully, we’ve been rewarded with this new life.
“You think he’s getting suspicious?” Marcia comes to stand beside me, holding her hand out for the keys to my Mercedes G-Wagon while my sister and Meera leave with their mates. Not that I’m surprised; my snake shifter spent so many years trapped inside her animal’s flesh and missed out on a hundred years’ worth of progress and innovation. My poor friend watched the world pass by, watched people grow and advance—live—while swallowing back her misery.
Because I know she’s suffered.
I feel the longing that at times consumes her soul. The part of me that gave her life once again, merged with her essence, calls out to the universe for two things: a mate, and the experience so many take for granted.
So if Marcia wants to drive, I let her.
“He is, but…” I trail off, pulling my phone from my back pocket. It’s a text from Theo.
“But?”
“But not for the right reason. He’d never suspect that I’m—” The phone rings, cutting me off as I try to read what he sent; I don’t bite back my smile. This man has no patience at all. Not when it comes to me. “Hello, my King.”
“You’ve been gone long enough,” Theo croons low, the deep timbre of his voice flowing over my skin like a sinful caress. “Never again, pretty girl. The next time you and your sister need a girls’ weekend…” he spits the words out with distaste, and I find the barely contained snarl is sexily adorable “…I’ll stay a floor below yours and drive you to and from myself. Understood?”
“If you wish.”
“I do.” Appeased by my agreement, his beast lets out a content purr. A noise that does more than soothe. It calls to the very essence inside of me. “When will you arrive? I’m—”
“Why don’t you come and find me?” I challenge, interrupting the pleasant conversation. We’re just a few miles from our home here in the outskirts of Seattle, a large plot of land with no other homes for miles. Open terrain where our people—our alliances—can be free without having to bend to fit into human society and their norms. “Do you think you can?”
His chuckle is low and full of hunger. “Run, pretty girl.”
“Chase me, King Astor.” I hang up the phone then and turn to look over at Marcia. “Drop me off here and bring the car back in a few days. I have a feeling I’ll be busy with his majesty.”