《High Voltage: A fantasy fated mate romance (The Queen’s Court, Book 4)》


 High Voltage: Chapter 1

    <span aria-hidden="true">¡°I <span aria-hidden="true">KNOW <em ss="calibre14">who</em> you are, Queen Seraphina, and I know <em ss="calibre14">what</em> you are,¡± a gruff voice says right behind me.


    After loading thest of the groceries into the back of my drop-top Jeep, I throw a nket over the bags and turn around to find the owner of the male voice that¡¯s a little too close forfort. I raise my eyebrows at the bearded, shaggy-haired, heavyset man standing only a few feet away. He¡¯s wearing a ck leather vest with a Salty Dogs motorcycle patch, stained jeans and ck leather boots. He looks and smells as if he hasn¡¯t showered in a month. ncing past him, I spy a motorcycle parked a few spaces away.


    Is this guy a member of the motorcycle gang Tripp told me about? Tripp Fisher, a wolf shifter and my leader in the Carolinas, thinks the motorcycle club that just created a charter here is interested in more than just the scenic drives, crab shacks and ocean views.


    I sweep the stranger for magic but don¡¯t sense any. He¡¯s human. ¡°Hasn¡¯t anyone told you that females don¡¯t like being approached in parking lots?¡± I ask, giving him the stink eye.


    The biker braces his hand on the back of my Jeep and leans in, locking eyes with me and exposing teeth filed down to points. ¡°Maybe you didn¡¯t hear me. I said I know who you are. What you are. And I¡¯m not going to let you push me out of North Carolina.¡±


    ¡°Who and what I am is not a secret. So you should also know better than to try and intimidate me. I don¡¯t scare easily.¡± What¡¯s this human thinking? Is he on drugs or something? I could kill him where he stands, and he¡¯d never see iting.


    He straightens and looks around before returning his eyes to mine. ¡°Your enforcer, Tripp Fisher, paid me a visit. He doesn¡¯t like my business setting up shop here. He tried to intimidate me first. I¡¯m just returning the favor. An eye for an eye.¡±


    ¡°What exactly is your business? And I didn¡¯t catch your name.¡±


    ¡°Name¡¯s Ss Duke. And my business is a little of this and a little of that. I¡¯m an entrepreneur. A small business owner. Just trying to make a living.¡± He gives me an aw-shucks look.


    ¡°Let me guess. Drugs? Prostitution? Maybe weapons and human trafficking, too? I don¡¯t want you or your business in my territory. If Tripp gave you a warning, I highly rmend you pay attention to it.¡±


    Ss¡¯s face loses the fake innocent expression and hardens into stone. ¡°We¡¯ll have to see about that. But I got what I came for. Wanted to get a look at you. Now that I have, I¡¯ll say so long. This isn¡¯t goodbye. This is until we meet again.¡±


    I check him out for power again and get a whiff of something under his body odor. I think it¡¯s magic, but it¡¯s swept away by the sweet ocean air before I can confirm it. He turns his back to me and walks to his motorcycle where he puts on a t-ck, low-profile helmet.


    I watch Ss fire up his motorcycle and pull away. <em ss="calibre14">What was that about?</em> I need to talk to Tripp.


    After stopping for a bottle of wine and some beer, I treat myself to an ice-cream cone and head home. I take Highway 12 until it ends, and my Jeep bumps along the uneven sand road to our newly reconstructed shore house in Coro. The sun caresses my skin, and the salty sea breeze sweeps my hair off my face. It¡¯s good to be back Earthside. After six months on Avalon learning the business of being queen and practicing with my newly inherited magic, I¡¯m back in my territory.


    Letting go of the steering wheel, I push my sunsses up my nose and then hit the brakes¡ªa wild horse is ambling down from the dunes to the beach. The herd of wild mustangs is protected byw here and always has the right of way. Watching the horse¡¯s shiny ck coat glint in thete afternoon sun, I enjoy my ice cream as he crosses in front of my Jeep. Good thing he¡¯s not a cat. I don¡¯t need the bad luck.


    Our shore house was burned to the ground in one of many attacks on my territory following my mother¡¯s death and my ascending the throne. The perpetrator, my long-lost father, has been taken care of¡ªkilled by yours truly. It¡¯s been quiet down here ever since, until recently.


    Pulling into the driveway of the beach house, I can¡¯t help but smile as a sense of <em ss="calibre14">home</em> fills me. Therge house is in a very private and isted spot, hidden away in the white sand dunes and nestled right up against the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge, well away from any neighbors. The remoteness of the location contributed to the twenty-five-million-dor price tag to rebuild¡ªit¡¯s not easy to get supplies out here. The house takes full advantage of the dramatic ocean views and has a rooftop widow¡¯s walk where I watch storms roll in over the Antic. With its Southern charm and silvery-gray shingles that look as if they have been bleached by the sun, the house has an informal and inviting vibe.


    My smile fades as my husband descends the steps of the wrap-around porch to meet me in the driveway. <em ss="calibre14">Busted.</em>


    Ash stops at the driver¡¯s side door, crosses his arms over his broad chest and scowls down at me. ¡°I thought we agreed you wouldn¡¯t drive by yourself for a while after what happenedst time. At the very least, you should have had your guards with you.¡±


    I push my sunsses up my nose again and decide not to mention my little meet and greet with Ss Duke. ¡°You strongly suggested I shouldn¡¯t drive alone, but I never agreed. That little incident could have happened to anybody.¡±


    I¡¯m new to this whole driving thing and don¡¯t have a license yet, but Ash has been giving me lessons. <em ss="calibre14">Note to self: having your husband teach you how to drive is a terrible idea and only leads to arguments.</em> On ourst outing, I had to use my magic to adjust the position of another car so I could parallel park without hitting it. The car was a police cruiser, and an officer was sitting in it at the time. Like I said, it could¡¯ve happened to anybody.


    After his cruiser became airborne and jerked forward by a couple of feet, the officer approached my car with a shouted, ¡°What the hell was that?¡± I shed him my sovereign immunity credentials, and although he gave me a stern look, he couldn¡¯t do anything else.


    Ash, on the other hand, had tried to ban me from driving by myself until I had more practice. <em ss="calibre14">It¡¯s adorable when he tries to tell me what to do.</em> The problem is, it¡¯s not just my driving that he doesn¡¯t like. He doesn¡¯t want me to move a muscle without him or my guards or both. He¡¯s hypervignt since my recent near-death experience and thinks danger is lurking around every corner. I think he needs a hobby. He has to learn how to rx.


    ¡°You made it home safe and sound. And I haven¡¯t heard of any pileups on Highway 12, so I guess we¡¯ll take the win.¡± Ash opens the driver¡¯s side door and nods to my ice-cream cone. ¡°Did you bring me one?¡±


    ¡°I only have two hands. I thought you¡¯d want me to keep at least one on the wheel.¡± I smile sweetly up at him as I get out of the Jeep.


    He gives me his ¡°I¡¯m not amused¡± face. ¡°They should have both been on the wheel.¡±


    Ash looks as if he¡¯s gearing up for a lecture on recklessness or road safety. <em ss="calibre14">Distraction time.</em> I grab the waistband of his shorts and pull him toward me. ¡°Want a lick?¡± I ask, offering him my ice-cream.


    He hooks a finger in my tank top and looks down my shirt. ¡°What I want to lick is much sweeter than that.¡±


    I swirl my tongue around the now melting ice cream and look up at him innocently. ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    With shifter swiftness, he pulls me into his arms and kisses me, licking the ice cream out of my mouth.


    Wrapping my arms around him and deepening the kiss, I push my boobs into his chest, instantly needy for him. It¡¯s been a couple of weeks since west had sex.


    Ash backs me up against the side of the Jeep and slides his hands down over my shorts. He cups the sensitive skin on the backs of my legs where my thighs meet my butt before lifting me off the ground and aligning our cores.


    With my ass in his hands and my back pressed against the Jeep, I roll my hips forward again and again, pressing the hard ridge of him more firmly between my legs.


    Ash pulls back and rests his forehead against mine, both of us breathing heavily. We hang in the moment, knowing that sexy time is not going to happen. ¡°It¡¯s getting harder and harder to stop.¡±


    Ash is waiting for me to give him the green light, and I appreciate it, but sometimes I wish his will wasn¡¯t so irond. ¡°I know. For me, too. But let¡¯s put a pin in the licking. For now.¡± I sigh softly.


    He gives me a light kiss on the forehead before setting me on my feet and taking a step back. ¡°I have to jump to Miami to talk to Gabriel. I¡¯ll try not to be too long.¡±


    Gabriel Haider is a lion shifter and our leader in Florida. I asked Gabriel to get Ash out of the house for a couple of hours today.


    ¡°Take your time. I¡¯ll see you when you get back.¡± I smile, eager for him to be on his way.

 High Voltage: Chapter 2

    <span aria-hidden="true">A<span aria-hidden="true">FTER <span aria-hidden="true">ASH <span aria-hidden="true">JUMPS <span aria-hidden="true">TO Florida to meet with Gabriel, I unload the Jeep and pour myself a ss of wine. The doorbell rings as I¡¯m taking a peek inside the grocery bags. I check the clock on the stove. <em ss="calibre14">Right on time.</em>


    Opening the front door, I smile at the wolf shifter standing on my porch. ¡°Hey, Tripp. Come on in.¡± Tripp is a tall, handsome male with tawny skin, green eyes and a scar through the middle of his right eyebrow. Every time I see that scar, it reminds me that not that long ago he was ambushed and almost beat to death as a message to me. In the six months of my rule, he¡¯s grown to be one of my most trusted leaders, which is why the Gorm allowed him to park and walk up to the front door. While Earthside, the Gorm are cloaked by one of my mother-inw¡¯s invisibility spells and are stationed around the outside of the house and the perimeter of the property.


    ¡°Good day, Your Majesty.¡± Tripp bows his head to me as he enters the house, a small pack on his back.


    ¡°We¡¯ve talked about this, Tripp. Call me Nina.¡± I roll my eyes. ¡°I know my mother enforced a top-down style of leadership and demanded formality, but I¡¯m not going to rule that way.¡± That¡¯s not to say we¡¯re all going to sit in a circle, hold hands and sing ¡®Kumbaya,¡¯ but I want all of my leaders to know they can talk to me, that I¡¯m interested in what they have to say.


    Tripp follows me through the house to the kitchen and ces the rolled-up pack on the counter before taking a look around. ¡°You have a beautiful home, and that¡¯s a great view.¡±


    I take in the elegant simplicity of the decor¡ªan all white interior with light-wood furniture and ents of gray or tan. Therge windows provide the artwork, and the ocean is the blue-green canvas that constantly changes. ¡°Thank you. We love The Outer Banks and n to spend a lot of time here.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s Ash?¡± Tripp asks.


    ¡°I arranged for him to be out for a couple of hours. Can I get you a drink? ss of wine? Beer?¡±


    ¡°A beer would be great, thanks. We should probably get started. Is this a special asion?¡±


    Going to the fridge, I pull out a beer, open it and hand it to Tripp. ¡°Our first wedding anniversary ising up, and I want to do something special for him. I heard the way to a shifter¡¯s heart is through his stomach.¡± I could have gotten Ash the expected gift of a watch to symbolize the passing of a year, but he has hundreds of watches. What he has never had is a home-cooked meal prepared by me, so I asked Tripp to give me a cooking lesson. In addition to being one of my leaders, Tripp is the chef and owner of a popr restaurant¡ªthe ck Pelican¡ªwith his sister, Hannah.


    ¡°Happy anniversary. And you heard right about shifters and their stomachs,¡± he says with a smile, unpacking the groceries and cing the items on the counter. ¡°Looks like the store included everything I ordered.¡±


    ¡°What are we making?¡± I ask, looking at the assembled ingredients.


    ¡°Well, since you said you weren¡¯t experienced in the kitchen, I thought we¡¯d keep the menu simple. Surf and turf with baked potato and a side sd.¡±


    ¡°Sounds great. What can I do?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you rinse off the potatoes and pat them dry, and I¡¯ll show you how to properly season the steak and make a rub for the shrimp?¡±


    Doing as Tripp asked, I bring up my encounter in the grocery store parking lot. ¡°Ss Duke approached me today while I was out running errands.¡±


    ¡°Really? He¡¯s got a set of balls on him,¡± Tripp says, turning on the oven.


    ¡°Yeah, big ones. He walked right up to me and tried to intimidate me in my own territory. What¡¯s his story?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s the head of a motorcycle club that just opened a new charter here. They bought a garage and wrecking yard on the outskirts of town. They¡¯re not exactly keeping a low profile. The club¡¯s been terrorizing the locals, and recently a couple of working girls went missing. The girls werest seen with Ss. The human cops don¡¯t seem that interested because the girls were prostitutes.¡± He shows me how to season both sides of the steak with liberal amounts of salt and pepper.


    ¡°Ss said you paid him a visit.¡± I ce the cleaned and dried potatoes on the counter.


    ¡°I went over to their garage. Warned Ss that if he had anything to do with those girls disappearing, I¡¯d be back.¡± Tripp unwraps the shrimp from the butcher paper and points out several spices and the olive oil. ¡°Sprinkle a little from each of those on the shrimp.¡±


    ¡°Is Ss human?¡± I ask, following Tripp¡¯s direction. ¡°I thought I felt some power on him at the end of our conversation.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s human as far as I know. I¡¯ve never sensed any magicing from him.¡± The stove beeps. ¡°Take a fork and poke some holes in the potatoes to allow steam to escape. Then put them in the oven.


    ¡°Either way, I¡¯m not going to allow him to pick off or terrorize the humans in my territory. This isn¡¯t his hunting ground.¡± I stab each of the potatoes several times. ¡°We¡¯re going to have to move him on or kill him.¡±


    ¡°I agree.¡± Tripp nods. ¡°I¡¯ll make our position clear. I¡¯ll go see him tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going with you,¡± I announce, cing the potatoes on the middle rack of the oven to bake.


    ¡°That¡¯s not a bad idea. A show of force will help strengthen your rtionship with your leaders down here. You need to make your presence felt. Some of the guys think you¡¯ve been hiding out in Avalon.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you think? That I¡¯ve been hiding?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t shoot the messenger. I think you¡¯re going to be a good ruler for the territory, but I¡¯ve spent more time with you than the others have. They¡¯ve sworn fealty to you, but they won¡¯t follow a paper queen for long. A demonstration of yourmitment will help put everyone¡¯s mind at ease. Solidify your rtionship with us and show that you¡¯re more than bravado and saber-rattling.¡±


    This is what I like about Tripp¡ªhe¡¯s a straight shooter and doesn¡¯t treat me with kid gloves. Ever since my father almost killed me in a fight for my crown, Ash has treated me as if I¡¯m the delicate down of a thistle. That a stiff breeze might carry me away. He manages me, upying me with tasks that keep me at home so he can handle the dangerous job of enforcing our im on the territory. If Ash thinks he¡¯s going to package me in Bubble Wrap and ce me on a shelf for safekeeping, he¡¯s very much mistaken. ¡°I don¡¯t mind proving that I¡¯m here to stay or that I have what it takes to be a good queen.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. You inherited the title and the territory. Now you have to earn it,¡± Tripp says, not unkindly.


    ¡°I hear you.¡± Letting Tripp¡¯s words sink in, I take a sip of wine. ¡°Back to the task at hand. What¡¯s next?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you chop up the red onion for the sd.¡± Tripp unrolls his pack on the counter to reveal a dozen different knives. He pulls arge, wicked-looking de from the pack. ¡°Use my chef¡¯s knife.¡±


    I take the knife and pick up the red onion. <em ss="calibre14">Here goes nothing.</em> I attempt to cut up the onion while holding it in my hand.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Tripp asks wide eyed. ¡°Are you trying to cut your hand off? Where are your cutting boards?¡±


    ¡°How should I know?¡± I shrug my shoulders.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you chopped an onion before?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never chopped or cooked <em ss="calibre14">anything</em> before.¡±


    Tripp opens a couple of cabs and finds arge wooden cutting board. ¡°You have no kitchen skills at all?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely none.¡± Iugh. ¡°We eat a lot of takeout.¡±


    He ces the cutting board on the counter in front of me. ¡°Put the onion down on the cutting board.¡±


    I ce the onion on the board and go to cut off the end.


    ¡°Wait. Stop. If you cut the root off, the onion won¡¯t hold together while you chop it. And you¡¯ll release the chemicalpound that makes you cry. Here, hold the knife like this.¡± Tripp stands behind me and adjusts the knife in my hand, his other handes around me to steady the onion. ¡°See how you have more control? Let the weight of the knife do the work as you cut it in half.¡±


    The sharp knife slips easily through the onion.


    ¡°Now hold your hand like this, and use your knuckles as a guide for the knife as you chop.¡±


    Tripp guides me through the process, and I¡¯m pretty proud of the pile of onions I¡¯m creating when the warmth of Ash¡¯s smoky magic brushes my skin. I look up to find him standing in the doorway. ¡°You¡¯re home early. You¡¯ve caught me in the act.¡± I smile broadly at my husband.


    Ash stands there silently, yellow eyes gleaming and power radiating off him in waves. Tripp releases the knife and backs a few steps away from me.


    I¡¯m about to scold Ash for being rude when I consider the scene from his perspective. I¡¯mughing and having a drink with another male. A male who basically had his arms around me. It¡¯spletely innocent, but if the roles were reversed, the house probably wouldn¡¯t have a roof on it right now. But I¡¯m a jealous Scorpio; Ash isn¡¯t. He <em ss="calibre14">is</em> a stubborn Taurus, though.


    I open the mate bond so we can have a private conversation. <em ss="calibre14">You¡¯re not the jealous type, so what gives?</em>


    The only answer I get is the heat of his power roaring across the bond.


    I try again. <em ss="calibre14">Happy early anniversary. I wanted to surprise you. Cook dinner for you. Tripp is showing me the ropes.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">He had you cornered and with an arsenal of knives close by, </em>Ash answers.


    <em ss="calibre14">Cornered? Stop it. You know Tripp would never hurt me. Besides, I¡¯m capable of defending myself, </em>I reply.


    <em ss="calibre14">I don¡¯t trust anybody where your safety is concerned.</em>


    Ash breaks eye contact with me to growl at Tripp, who calmly crosses the kitchen to stand in front of him. Then Tripp tilts his head to the side and exposes his neck in a show of submission.


    Ash inhales deeply and lets Tripp stand there for several long seconds.


    <em ss="calibre14">What are you scenting him for? </em>I ask.


    <em ss="calibre14">Excitement. Arousal. Fear.</em>


    ¡°Tripp¡¯s finding out I¡¯m not exactly a domestic goddess,¡± I say aloud in an effort to break the tension in the room. ¡°I think I¡¯ll retire from the kitchen after this.¡± With Ash¡¯s <em ss="calibre14">mucho</em> overprotectiveness rearing its ugly head, I decide not to mention I¡¯ll be running Ss out of town with Tripp tomorrow.


    Even with Ash literally breathing down his neck, Tripp doesn¡¯t disy any emotion, and the confident set of his shouldersbined with the show of submission deesctes the situation.


    Ash pulls his power back, extends his hand to Tripp, and they share a firm shake. ¡°Don¡¯t ever touch my queen again.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Tripp bows his head to Ash.


    <em ss="calibre14">You¡¯ve totally sumbed to testosterone poisoning. You¡¯re in full-on beast mode. </em>I get that he¡¯s a dragon shifter, but by nature, he should only be <em ss="calibre14">half</em> beast.


    <em ss="calibre14">Tripp¡¯s a shifter, too. He knows better, </em>Ash says simply and closes the mate bond. But he does roll his shoulders back, grab a beer, and take a seat at the breakfast bar to cheer on my culinary adventures.


    Tripp shows me how to prepare the rest of the meal from arm¡¯s length while he and Ash talk about the best local fishing spots. Even with Tripp¡¯s constant guidance, I burn the shrimp and set off the smoke rm¡ªtwice. Thankfully, he ordered enough for a third try. Once all the food is ready, Tripp wishes us a happy anniversary and takes off.


    Ash and I carry our tes out to the deck with a bottle of red wine to watch the sunset and enjoy my first, and probablyst, home-cooked meal.


    He pours each of us a ss of wine and then lifts his in a toast. ¡°To your beautiful dinner. Thank you for this great surprise. I could get used to this.¡±


    I lift my ss to his and wrinkle my nose. ¡°My cooking is more of a special asion thing.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe you could take some more lessons. Turn it into a hobby. A lot of people find cooking rxing. <em ss="calibre14">Did you know</em> that the goddess of the hearth, Hestia, is revered for her cooking? And sewing. And knitting. I¡¯m just saying.¡± Although his tone is joking, it holds an undertone of truth.


    <em ss="calibre14">Knitting?</em> Is this an attempt to lure me into the lovely, but safe, of domesticity? I bark out augh. ¡°I already have rxing hobbies, Ash, like horseback riding and driving.¡±


    ¡°Nobody¡¯s rxed when you¡¯re driving,¡± he says with a lift of his brow before biting a shrimp in half.


    With a sweet smile, I push firmly back against his carefully cast safety. ¡°Actually, I was thinking about learning how to drive a race car. <em ss="calibre14">Did you know</em> that you can drive a NASCAR by yourself at the Charlotte motor speedway after a little instruction?¡±


    Ash chokes on his bite of shrimp and takes a sip of wine. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t know that. You¡¯re always full of surprises, Princess.¡± He looks out over the Antic for a moment and then returns his gaze to mine. ¡°Let¡¯s eat before it gets cold.¡±


    We eat our meal as the red sun disappears into the ocean on the horizon. While the misunderstanding about Tripp ispletely forgotten, the push and pull of our rtionship remains. Ash wants to inste me from anything that might be dangerous, and I want to live a bold life, being true to myself.


    They say the first year of marriage is the most difficult¡ªwith a near annulment, troublesome exes, kidnap, torture and attempted murder¡ªI¡¯m willing to bet ours has been more difficult than most. So I understand why Ash is protective and wants to shield me from any kind of harm, but I have to learn how to stand on my own two feet. And he has to let me.


    I¡¯m the Queen of Avalon.


    There are going to be problems and adversaries that I have to face.


    Pressure is a privilege, and I was born into both.

 High Voltage: Chapter 3

    <span aria-hidden="true">E<span aria-hidden="true">ARLY <span aria-hidden="true">THE <span aria-hidden="true">NEXT <span aria-hidden="true">MORNING, Tripp and I wheel into the parking lot of the garage and wrecking yard owned by Ss Duke and the Salty Dogs motorcycle club. It¡¯s located on a back country road in a rural area outside of town. I¡¯m here to take out the trash, and Tripp is in the passenger¡¯s seat, already shifted into hisrge, ck-brown wolf.


    I park my Jeep in front of the squat, cinder-block office building, and we get out of the car.


    ¡°Can I help you?¡± an attractive woman in her midthirties calls from the open door of the office.


    ¡°Is Ss Duke around?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Si? He¡¯ll be in the garage.¡± The woman points her pen in the direction of the garage bays and goes back to work.


    Tripp looks at me and then at the garage as if to say, <em ss="calibre14">Ready?</em>


    ¡°Remember, I don¡¯t want you to interfere unless I ask you to. Hang back, and if I need you, I¡¯ll let you know.¡± Tripp is right. I need to flex some muscle to win the respect of my leaders.


    Tripp nods his understanding with a high-pitched yip, his intelligent green eyes the only recognizable thing about him.


    With Tripp trotting by my side, we make our way over to the garage. A dozen men are working on cars and milling around, the smell of axle grease and rubber tires hangs in the humid morning air. I scan the crowd. They¡¯re all human. ¡°I¡¯m looking for Ss,¡± I call out on our approach.


    A guy in a red shirt points to a car up on a hoist.


    Ss emerges from the shadows underneath the car with a heavy-duty socket wrench in his hand. ¡°You found him.¡± Then his eyes narrow as he sees me standing there. ¡°What do <em ss="calibre14">you</em> want?¡±


    There¡¯s no point in beating around the bush, so I decide to let him know in no uncertain terms that I¡¯m not the weingmittee. ¡°It¡¯s time for you to go. I won¡¯t tolerate your ¡®business ventures¡¯<em ss="calibre14"> </em>or you killing humans in my territory.¡±


    Ss picks up a tire iron and cuts his eyes to the guy in the red shirt. ¡°Close the gates.¡±


    The red-shirt guy walks into the garage and enters abination into a keypad mounted on the wall. Hearing the screech of metal, I nce over my shoulder to see ten-foot-high metal fence gates swing closed across the driveway to the parking lot.


    Ss walks toward us and does two unexpected things at the same time. He bangs the tools he¡¯s holding together in a taunting slow p, the sound echoing like the rapport of a gun in the now silent parking lot. And he lifts the veil from the magic he¡¯s been hiding. It drifts off him, only in a trickle at first and then with more force. The air ripples and for a moment, I don¡¯t know what he is and then it hits me¡ªthe dank, musty stench of werewolf.


    While wolf shifters are born, werewolves are made. They¡¯re humans who¡¯ve been bitten by another werewolf. They¡¯re known to be vicious and bloodthirsty but aren¡¯t as powerful as their shifter counterparts. However, there¡¯s an exception to every rule¡ªa prodigy, an outlier. Ss must be it for the werewolfmunity because the magic billowing off him is very strong.


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving this territory,¡± Ss grinds out. ¡°I have as much right to be here as anybody else.¡±


    Tripp lets out a warning howl as Ss charges across the parking lot toward me.


    Calling my enchantress magic, I thrust out my hands and stop Ss in his tracks. The force of my power snaps my head back and creates an ufortable pressure in my chest, as if I¡¯m being pushed back in my seat by the g-?forces of a race car. I¡¯m still getting the hang of wielding the power I recently inherited from my mother.


    When the other mene out of the garage, Tripp bares his razor-sharp teeth at them and growls loudly.


    Ss gives me a feral grin and begins banging the metal tools together again as he leans into my magic. He takes a step forward and then another. He looks as if he¡¯s walking into category-four hurricane winds, but he¡¯s making progress toward me.


    ¡°You¡¯ve forfeited your rights. You¡¯re terrorizing the humans and killing women for sport.¡± I dial up my power, and my lungs constrict further. Ss loses momentum and staggers back a step, dropping his arms to his sides. Then he bends forward, deeper into my magic, and begins the steady pace toward me again.


    His face pinches in disgust. ¡°No one cares about those girls.¡±


    ¡°I do. They¡¯re in my territory and under my protection.¡± My voice is strong, but the backs of my knees are sweating, and my power feels as if it¡¯s going to tear me apart from the inside out.


    The other mene farther into the parking lot and form a loose semicircle around us. They shout jeeringments like ¡°Give her what she came for, Si¡± and ¡°Teach this girl a lesson.¡±


    A crouched, snarling Tripp lunges with a vicious snap of his jaws at any man who attempts to get too close to the fight.


    Ss raises the metal tools in the air once again. ¡°When I reach you, I¡¯m going to beat you to death with these.¡±


    I don¡¯t doubt his words for a second. He continues to advance on me, and I pull harder on my power than I ever have before. Every cell in my body is close to bursting. I don¡¯t know how much longer I can hold on without killing myself.


    When Ss is within striking distance, I do the only thing I can. I drop my magic and step aside.


    Ss swings the tire iron at me but is ovemitted. His strike misses, and he rushes past me.


    I pick up the reins of my magic once again and m Ss headfirst into the side of the office building. He hits the building at about sixty miles an hour. It¡¯s like a car ident with no car, and his skull cracks like an egg against the cinder block before his body slides to the ground.


    Tripp jogs over on all fours to give Ss¡¯s body a sniff and then backs away.


    I give the crowd of assembled men a flinty look before turning my back on them to st the closed metal gates off their hinges. ¡°This shop and your motorcycle charter are officially closed. If I have toe back, your fate will be worse.¡±


    I¡¯m sitting at the small tea table in front of the windows in my office on Avalon having ate-morningtte. After my fight with Ss, I need the caffeine hit. My office looks pretty much the same as it did when it was my mother¡¯s. Therge wooden desk, probably more suited to a male than a female, wainscoting and coffered ceilings all remain. I¡¯ve added a couple of framed pictures of Ash and me from our wedding and coronation, but those are the only changes.


    Suddenly, my mother appears in the seat across the table from me, making an unexpected visit from the great beyond. I startle, sloshing some of my coffee over the edge of the cup and onto the white-linen tablecloth. My mother and I have always had aplicated rtionship, but I understand her better and can appreciate her more now that I have walked a mile in her Louboutins. It¡¯s not easy being queen.


    ¡°Hello, Seraphina.¡± She greets me with a grim smile. ¡°I just heard the news.¡±


    I take a sip of mytte. ¡°Hello, Mother. What news?¡±


    ¡°That you killed Ss Duke.¡± Her appearance flickers like a hologram and is the only indication of her spectral form.


    ¡°You know Ss Duke?¡± I meet her eyes and ce my cup on the table.


    ¡°Everyone knows Ss, dear.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d never heard of him until a couple of days ago.¡±


    ¡°He may be a bit before your time, but he is well known to the Council of Seven and other rulers. He is the oldest and most powerful of his kind.¡±


    Ash jumps into the room, his stormy re pinning me to my chair. ¡°I just saw Tripp. Start talking, Princess.¡±


    He must have heard the news, too. To act as a channel that allows Ash to use my senses to see and hear my mother, I open the mate bond.


    After he acknowledges her with a small bow, I give them the backstory of my grocery store run-in with Ss. ¡°The first time we met, I could sense only the tiniest hint of magic on him. I thought he might be human. As it turned out, he wasn¡¯t. Today, while I was fighting him, I had to call a lot of my power, more than I¡¯ve ever called before. The rush was so strong, I thought it was going to tear me apart.¡±


    ¡°Moving from the power of a princess to that of a queen is like going from driving a car to piloting a fighter jet. As an inexperienced practitioner, you must be careful.¡± My mother holds up a warning finger. ¡°The force of the magic can cause you to ck out. It can even break your bones, shift your organs, and cause internal bleeding. In short, if you do not know what you are doing, it can kill you.¡±


    ¡°Would more practice help?¡± I¡¯d spent thest six months practicing, pitting my power against Ash and the girls, but if more was needed, I¡¯d do the work.


    ¡°The magic is still settling in you,¡± my mother exins. It takes time and patience to learn how to wield it. It may take a year or more for you to master it. You can¡¯t force it. One day it will click into ce, truly be a part of you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just telling me this now?¡± I ask, unable to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.


    ¡°Would you have listened to me? You always have to learn everything the hard way,¡± she replies.


    I give her a touch¨¦ smile and a dip of my chin. <em ss="calibre14">When you¡¯re right, you¡¯re right.</em>


    ¡°The really old ones among us can temporarily hide their power, pass themselves off as human, when they do not want others to know how much magic they have. But the illusion can only be held for a short time, maybe an hour or two,¡± my mother says.


    She always disyed her power, wore it like a Chanel suit <em ss="calibre14">of armor</em>. My father-inw, Reg, often diminishes the outward presence of his power when he¡¯s with family so it¡¯s not right in your face, but I¡¯d never mistake him for human. Not for a second. ¡°That¡¯s an interesting trick. Ss almost fooled me, and he did fool Tripp.¡±


    ¡°Ss is a lone werewolf and a known problem.¡± My mother shifts her gaze between Ash and me. ¡°He goes underground for long periods of time and then resurfaces every fifty years or so, looking for a ce to call home. He cannot stay in one ce very long due to his aggressive and violent nature. He has been wanted by the council for a long time, but he always manages to escape. Until now.¡±


    ¡°Nina, if you have a problem, I¡¯m your problem solver. I thought I made that clear,¡± Ash says in a low voice.


    ¡°I had to confront him. He was killing women in my territory. Terrorizing the humans,¡± I say without regret.


    ¡°That sounds like Ss. He is a rogue wolf. Disced and hungry for position. Hunger for position makes one desperate and dangerous. He probably thought because you are a young ruler, that you are weak. Killing him sends a very clear message.¡± My mother regards me with a gleam of pride in her eyes.


    Ash closes the distance between us. ¡°You walked into that fight not even knowing what you were up against.¡± He cups the side of my face, his thumb grazing my cheek. ¡°He could¡¯ve killed you.¡±


    ¡°But he didn¡¯t.¡± I put my hand over his, holding him to me. ¡°I <em ss="calibre14">killed</em> him. I can¡¯t continue to let you fight my battles for me, Ash. You may not always be there to protect me. You¡¯re going to have to trust me to take care of myself. Do you think you can do that?¡±


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll have to try.¡± Ash drops his hand and gives me a long look. ¡°You put yourself on the radar with this killing. Made a name for yourself.¡±


    Rolling my shoulders back, I stare deeply into his eyes without fidgeting. ¡°It needed to be done. I have to show my leaders I¡¯m willing to stand with them to protect my territory. That I¡¯m not going to sit by and let everyone else do the dirty work.¡±


    ¡°You did the right thing, Seraphina,¡± my mother says. ¡°But Ash is correct. You will not be able to fly under the radar any longer. Killing Ss was youring-out party. For better or for worse, you are out in society now. Soon everyone will know how powerful you are.¡±

 High Voltage: Chapter 4

    <span aria-hidden="true">A<span aria-hidden="true">FTER <span aria-hidden="true">ASH <span aria-hidden="true">AND <span aria-hidden="true">MY mother leave, I take a seat at my desk, and that¡¯s where my chief secretary finds me.


    ¡°Your Majesty.¡± Stewart greets me with an affectionate smile and a small bow of his thin frame. Always impably dressed, he¡¯s particrly dapper today in a navy ascot, crisp white shirt and tweed suit.


    ¡°Hey, Stew.¡± I¡¯ve given up on asking him not to be so formal. He won¡¯t have it. ¡°There¡¯s a protocol,¡± he¡¯d say.


    ¡°You have a number of things to review and sign today.¡± Stewart approaches my desk, carrying a stack of paperwork and a tablet.


    ¡°What else is new?¡± I grumble. Being a queen and running an empire requires a lot more paperwork than you might think. And Ash likes to keep me buried in it where the only danger I face is boredom and papercuts.


    ¡°Would you like to start with the death warrants?¡± Stewart asks.


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± I answer promptly, perking up. There is one in particr I¡¯m<em ss="calibre14"> dying</em> to sign.


    Stewart ces a stack of paper documents on my desk in front of me. Each disys a bright-red seal in the bottom-right corner. We use digital documents for most business and save paper for special circumstances, like death warrants and marriage contracts.


    I pick up the death warrant on the top of the stack and read the neatly typed name on the first line.


    <em ss="calibre14">Franco Rossi.</em>


    This day has beening for a long time.


    Franco Rossi ordered his son, my ex-fianc¨¦, Nicky, to kidnap me and kill Ash. In the end, it was Ash who killed Nicky¡ªbit off his head and incinerated him.


    I¡¯m going to finish the job and kill Franco.


    Seizing my iron dagger from its ce on my desk, I slice a small wound in my left wrist. The dagger is the same one my ancestor once used to kill her unfaithful lover. It¡¯s also the one my mother bespelled with her power when she died and the one I used to kill my father. <em ss="calibre14">If this dagger could talk.</em>


    When my blood wells up, I tip my wrist over an old-fashioned inkwell and let the blood flow freely into it. After dipping my quill into the inkwell, I sign my name in blood, the feathered end of the quill dancing.


    <em ss="calibre14">Queen Seraphina of Avalon.</em>


    My blood contains the magic of all the enchantresses in my line, passed from mother to firstborn daughter. With my power infused into the warrant, the Gorm can hunt Franco down across the nes and kill him on my behalf. As a ruler and member of the Council of Seven, I have sovereign immunity and can kill at will. I don¡¯t use my credentials lightly¡ªexcept maybe to get out of parking tickets asionally.


    Stewart gives me the rundown on each of the men named on the other death warrants¡ªchild molesters, rapists and wife abusers¡ªmonsters of the worst kind. I sign the warrants. <em ss="calibre14">Good fucking riddance.</em>


    ¡°Next, I¡¯d like to see the invitations we¡¯ve received from other rulers.¡± I hand the signed death warrants back to Stewart. ¡°There¡¯s one I¡¯m going to ept.¡±


    He hesitates for a millisecond.


    ¡°Is there a problem, Stew?¡±


    ¡°None at all, my queen.¡± Stewart adjusts the perfectly tied ascot at his throat. ¡°But may I ask, what shall I tell the king should he inquire about your travel ns?¡±


    ¡°Leave the king to me, Stew. I¡¯ll take care of him.¡± Over thest six months, Ash has made his position on my traveling to foreign courts abundantly clear. He doesn¡¯t like it. But I need to sit down face-to-face with other rulers and re-cement alliances my mother established and create new ones. Ss showing up in my territory and threatening me proves that point. If I appear weak on any level, every lone wolf around will try to make a y for me. I have to travel. Ash is going to have to get on board.


    But he may need a little push in the right direction.


    Stewart ces a tablet on my desk, and I flip through the invitations disyed on it until I find the one I¡¯m looking for. I click on the invitation and read it to myself. With a satisfied smile, I hand the tablet across my desk to Stewart. ¡°ept this one, please.¡±


    ¡°As you wish, my queen,¡± Stewart says with a deferential tilt of his head before leaving my office at a brisk pace, as if trying to outrun a storm he seesing.


    Once my business with Stewart is concluded, I take a number of video calls with my Earthside leaders and then head out to tackle the next item on my agenda.


    Sofie¡¯s office door is open, and I give it a tap before walking in.


    She gives me a wide smile andes around her desk to hug me. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize you were back on Avalon. When did you get home from North Carolina?¡±


    ¡°This morning.¡± I give her a squeeze back. ¡°I had some paperwork and other stuff to take care of.¡±


    ¡°What other stuff?¡± Sofie stands back but keeps her hands on my shoulders.


    ¡°Medical stuff. I¡¯m actually here to see you in an official capacity, as my doctor.¡± Sofie is my BFF, mother figure and doctor all rolled up into one gorgeous blond siren.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Sofie releases me and indicates I should take a seat before perching on the edge of her desk.


    ¡°I would like the chip removed.¡± My mother and I both had microchips imnted in our shoulders after the first assassination attempt on her life. Recently, I had an upgraded chip installed that not only monitors my vital signs, but hormone levels, too. It¡¯s also a tracking device that lets the Gorm know where I am every fifteen minutes.


    ¡°What does Ash think about that? Have you discussed this with him? I¡¯m only asking because he¡¯s been making your security decisions since you two got married.¡± Sofie¡¯s efficient doctor persona is firmly in ce.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t yet, but I will.¡± I take a deep breath and fold my hands in myp. ¡°Having a chip didn¡¯t save my mother, Sofie. And it didn¡¯t save me, either. It¡¯s invasive, and I don¡¯t want to be tracked and monitored any longer.¡±


    ¡°Your mother¡¯s chip was the older style and only sent data once per hour. Perhaps, if she¡¯d had a new one, her doctors might have realized she was in distress sooner and might have been able to save her life.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a lot of <em ss="calibre14">might haves</em>. And even if it¡¯s true, it doesn¡¯t change my decision. I want the chip removed.¡±


    ¡°Consider giving it a little more¡ª¡± Sofie starts.


    ¡°I¡¯ve done nothing but think about it. Every day I¡¯m waiting for you to text me that I¡¯m about to ovte and can have sex with Ash. And then, I¡¯m waiting for you to tell me I¡¯m pregnant. On top of that, I take a pregnancy test every other day, hoping one wille back positive. It¡¯s too much. I need a break from thinking about the fact that I haven¡¯t been able to get pregnant, even though I¡¯m banging the sexiest and most virile guy in the universe.¡± In a year of trying, Ash and I have had no sess in the baby-making department, and Avalon needs an heir.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize the hormone monitoring was putting that kind of pressure on you. I thought it would be helpful. As an enchantress, you were born with so few eggs. I just wanted you to have the best chance.¡±


    ¡°I know you only have my best interests at heart, Sofie. It¡¯s no one¡¯s fault that I¡¯m not pregnant.¡± I look down at my hands, my fingers woven together. ¡°No one¡¯s but mine.¡± I look back to my best friend. ¡°The only time Ash and I have sex now is when I¡¯m ovting. No other time. Our sex life has bepletely scheduled. I¡¯m tired of having to make dick appointments with my own husband.¡±


    ¡°Is Ash unhappy about theck of spontaneity?¡± Sofie asks, not unsympathetically.


    ¡°I¡¯m the one who¡¯s unhappy. He¡¯s being a good sport, but we¡¯re still in the honeymoon stage. We want to be together. I want his baby batter even when I¡¯m not ovting.¡± I sigh. ¡°But that¡¯s not the only issue. I know everyone wants to keep me safe, but I don¡¯t want to be tracked any longer. I feel like a prisoner. And now that I have the queen¡¯s power, it¡¯s really unnecessary.¡±


    ¡°I hear you. Can we find apromise? How about we turn off the hormone monitoring. Take it off the table for a while to give you a break. And we can turn off the physical tracking capabilities for now. But we leave the chip where it is and just use the vital signs monitoring. You¡¯re still the queen, Nina, and some level of health check needs to be carried out.¡±


    Reaching across the desk, I take Sofie¡¯s hand. ¡°I can live with that. Thank you for understanding. I want to fulfill my obligations to the realm, but I also want a life.¡±

 High Voltage: Chapter 5

    <span aria-hidden="true">¡°H<span aria-hidden="true">APPY <span aria-hidden="true">ANNIVERSARY.¡± <span aria-hidden="true">ASH <span aria-hidden="true">PLACES a small, beautifully wrapped gift box on the table in front of me in our apartment on Avalon. ¡°It¡¯s been quite a year.¡±


    Today is our actual anniversary. We had a small dinner party in one of the castle¡¯s more intimate dining rooms with our friends. Now, after changing out of our dress clothes, we¡¯re sitting at the walnut table in our modern all-white kitchen. The apartment I grew up in has recently been renovated to amodate Ash¡ªbigger shower, bigger furniture, bigger fridge.


    ¡°It hasn¡¯t been boring. That¡¯s for sure.¡± I sh him a smile. ¡°You needed me toe along. Add a little spice to your life.¡±


    ¡°You needed me, too. You needed me to teach you how not to take yourself so seriously.¡± His hazel eyes and his smile are teasing. ¡°And you needed me to fuck the attitude right out of you.¡±


    ¡°You think you seeded? Fucked the attitude out of me?¡± I bite my bottom lip and toy with the white satin ribbon on the gift box.


    His eyes drop to my mouth. ¡°It¡¯s a work in progress.¡±


    ¡°Can I open my gift?¡± I grin at him.


    ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    After untying the ribbon, I lift the top off the gift box to peer inside. I take out the deck of ying cards I find and furrow my brow. ¡°Umm. Thank you?¡±


    ¡°Paper is the old-school gift for the first wedding anniversary.¡± Ash takes the unopened box of cards from my hand and taps it on the table. ¡°Want to y a game?¡±


    He knows I can¡¯t resist a challenge. ¡°What kind of game did you have in mind?¡±


    ¡°Strip poker.¡± He unpackages the deck of cards.


    ¡°What are we ying for? What are the stakes?¡±


    His eyes turn serious. ¡°You know what the stakes are.¡±


    ¡°I do.¡± My voice is a whisper as I press my thighs together under the table. The stakes are high¡ªepting his dragon into this marriage. I can¡¯t continue to keep Archer at bay¡ªI¡¯m shortchanging us all. He¡¯s a part of Ash, and until I ept him, there¡¯ll be a distance, a wedge between us.


    When I almost punched a one-way ticket to the great beyond, my biggest regret was not fully embracing Ash¡¯s dual nature; not opening myself up to Archer. Over thest six months, Archer and I have grown a lot closer thanks to the mate bond. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to fullymit to him. I do. But something is holding me back. I don¡¯t want to feel as if I¡¯m cheating on Ash.


    Ash describes himself and Archer as flip sides of the same coin¡ªthey share the same body, but they each have their own unique personality. Because I wouldn¡¯t want Ash to be with anyone else¡ªever¡ªit¡¯s hard for me to reconcile having sex when his persona isn¡¯t in the driver¡¯s seat.


    Ash senses my reluctance and knows the root cause of the problem. Most people don¡¯t understand me, but he sees right through the walls I put up. He knows what¡¯s in my heart¡ªthe things I want but am afraid to admit, even to myself. Ash is my ride or die. I would never choose anyone over him. With the card game, he¡¯s giving me a way to have both him and Archer without having to choose.


    The prospect of letting Archer in is both exciting and scary, but it¡¯s time. It¡¯s not my style to forfeit, though, so he¡¯s going to have to earn it fair and square.


    ¡°If I win, Archer takes the lead with you. His life force will be closest to the surface.¡± Ash¡¯s voice brings me back to the present and makes sure there¡¯s no misunderstanding.


    ¡°And if I win?¡± I ask.


    He opens his hands out wide. ¡°Whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll rx on being so overprotective. You¡¯ll treat me as an equal and let me fight my own battles.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not overprotective. I¡¯m just protective, and I already said I would try.¡± Ash¡¯s tone is low and thoughtful. His word is his bond, and he doesn¡¯t like his honor being questioned. ¡°You¡¯re the most important thing in the universe to me. My highest priority. That will never change.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s y.¡± I nce around the apartment for any extra articles of clothing that might be lying around. A little help in case I get off to a slow start. I spot the Lucite box containing the iron crown I wore during the recent photo shoot for our official anniversary portrait. The simple crown had originally been worn by the first enchantress in my line. She was a warrior queen and wore the crown into several battles. Crossing the apartment, I remove the crown from its container and ce it on my head. It¡¯s a bit much with my well-loved jeans and T-shirt, but I hold my head high as I sit back down at the table.


    Ashughs, seeming to know exactly what I¡¯m doing. ¡°We¡¯ll y Texas Hold¡¯em. Ever yed?¡±


    ¡°Refresh me on the rules.¡± I used to y pokerte into the night when I lived in residence my first year of university, but he doesn¡¯t need to know all my secrets.


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk you through it. And to keep it interesting, how about the winner of each hand gets to tell the other what to take off?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± I don¡¯t n on losing.


    Ash cuts the deck and shuffles the cards using some fancy hand maneuvers, never taking his eyes off me. The confidence in his handsome face and the deftness of his hands cause a flutter low in my belly. He deals two cards to me and two to himself. ¡°You can look at those.¡±


    I pick up my cards. Two queens. <em ss="calibre14">Sweet.</em>


    He deals us each two more. ¡°Leave those facedown for now.¡± Ash thenys three cards faceup on the table between us. A queen, a ten and an ace. ¡°The three cards in the middle are called the flop, and we can both use those cards.¡±


    ¡°Gotcha,¡± I say, happy with the two queens in my hand and the third queen in the flop.


    ¡°Now you can trade in the two cards you haven¡¯t looked at for new ones or keep what you have.¡±


    ¡°My gut is telling me to keep the ones I have.¡± I hold my cards close to my chest. Ash¡¯s gaze slowly moves from my face, down my neck to my boobs. I feel it like a caress, and my nipples instantly harden. <em ss="calibre14">Focus, Nina.</em>


    ¡°Always go with your gut. I¡¯m going to take new cards.¡± He does and then ces another card faceup on the table between us. It¡¯s a jack. ¡°This card is called the turn.¡± Heys another card on the table. ¡°And this is thestmunal card and is called the river.¡± It¡¯s a king. ¡°You can look at your facedown cards now.¡±


    I pick up my cards. An eight and a jack. That gives me a full house with three queens and a pair of jacks. I smirk as I put my cards on the table.


    ¡°A full house. Queens high. That¡¯s a good hand.¡± Ashys his cards down¡ªtwo kings, an ace and a jack. ¡°But it¡¯s not going to beat <em ss="calibre14">my</em> full house. Kings and aces.¡±


    I go to remove my crown. ¡°Nice try, Princess. Take off that bra.¡±


    Doing the trick every girl learns as soon as she starts wearing a bra, I take it off without removing my T-shirt. ¡°Hand over the cards. My deal.¡±


    He hands me the deck, checking out my hard nipples through the thin cotton of my T-shirt. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to get you naked. The things I¡¯m going to do to you. It¡¯s been so long.¡±


    My cheeks me, and my insides clench as I shuffle the cards. Ash never breaks his promises. ¡°We¡¯ll see. I¡¯m just getting warmed up.¡± <em ss="calibre14">Wet and warm.</em>


    Several handster, I¡¯m sitting at the table wearing nothing but my crown. I take it off and ce it on the table after losing the final hand.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to pay up.¡± Ash stands and reaches over his head to pull his T-shirt off in a smooth, one-handed motion. ¡°You have a terrible poker face, Princess. You give everything away with your eyes.¡±


    My mouth waters at the sight of my half-naked husband¡ªtanned skin over granite-hard muscle, sexy shifter tattoos and low-slung jeans.


    Hees over and lifts me out of my chair. I wrap my arms and legs around him as he lowers his mouth to mine for a long, slow kiss that makes me ache for him. ¡°I don¡¯t care whether you got the green light from Sofie or not¡ªyou¡¯re my prize, and I¡¯m iming you.¡±


    ¡°I want that, too.¡± I¡¯ll tell him tomorrow that there isn¡¯t going to be any more waiting.


    Ash gives me another kiss, his tongue sliding against mine. ¡°Archer¡¯s going to take the lead now, Nina. I¡¯ll be here the whole time. Just like he¡¯s always here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡± I nod up at him.


    His eyes bleed from hazel to gold, and the muscles of his shoulders and arms bulk up around me, signaling Archer is in control of Ash¡¯s body.


    Ash opens the mate bond. <em ss="calibre14">I¡¯m right here.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">I know. I¡¯m not afraid. I want all of you.</em>


    Archer kisses me hard, demanding my full attention.


    I match his fierceness, returning his kisses with demands of my own.


    The wood of the table is cool on my bare back as Archerys me down on it. When I unwrap my body from around his, Archer spreads my legs and gazes down at me. The handsome face I know so well has none of its normal flirtatious charm, but instead disys a brutal beauty anchored by an untamed glint in his eyes.


    <em ss="calibre14">To the victor go the spoils</em>, Ash says as Archer bends down and ces a single kiss on my clit.


    <em ss="calibre14">I¡¯m the one who¡¯s winning. I get both of you,</em> I reply, arousal clouding the mate bond from both sides. They say sex is all in the brain. When you share a mind connection with your mate and his dragon, it¡¯s doubly true.


    Archer steps back and walks slowly around the table toward my head like a tiger stalking its prey. Leaning across my body, he cups my ass in his huge hand and lifts me into a standing sixty-nine position. With his face between my legs, he uses his whole mouth to devour my pussy.


    My eyes close as rapture rockets through me. Wanting to give him the same pleasure, I undo his pants and push them and his underwear down over his hips and the bulging muscles of his thighs.


    Archer is more vocal than Ash and moans in enjoyment as he sucks and licks my clit, taking what he wants. But I know Ash is still here with me; his presence is unmistakable. I¡¯d know him anywhere.


    I take my husband into my mouth and work his base with my two hands. His cock jerks in response to my touch. Swirling my tongue around the head of his engorged cock, I taste his precum as it beads to the surface.


    Archer smacks my ass, the warm sting ratcheting my desire up to the breaking point as his tongue circles my entrance.


    Knowing I¡¯m on the cusp of losing control, I pull back to release his dick from my mouth, and it ps up against his stomach. Grabbing the muscr flesh of his hips, I hold on with both hands as Ie for him, the orgasm rippling out from my center like the water in a stillke after someone throws a stone.


    As I catch my breath, Archerys me back down on the table, my legs dangling over the edge. He moves between my legs and grabs my butt again with one hand while he fits the head of his cock to my soaked opening, not quite crowning inside of me.


    My kneese up to hug his hips, and my pussy tries to suck his length inside. ¡°Yes.¡± I answer the silent question burning in his familiar golden eyes.


    He pushes forward and we both gasp. The tension has been building between us for so long. Ourbined pheromones and heavy breathing fill the air as he holds still inside me, both of us prisoners of the ecstasy.


    cing one hand on my shoulder and the other on my opposite hip, he roughly anchors me in ce and begins thrusting hard and deep. My back arches off the table in delight. As Archer goes to work on me, his guttural groans harden my nipples and drench my core even more.


    There¡¯s no doubt about it¡ªmy husband¡¯s cock and my pussy were made for each other¡ªpuzzle pieces that fit perfectly together. But while Ash likes to y with me until I¡¯m begging for it, Archer is not slow or yful. He seems to want a good, hard, no-nonsense fuck. I have the best of both worlds.


    Archer suddenly jerks me toward him so my butt is off the table. He continues his pounding rhythm, riding me like he stole me, and driving me toward the promisednd. The whisper of Ash¡¯s magic brushes across my mind, and as I look up into Archer¡¯s face, his eyes melt from golden to hazel. Digging my fingernails into his wrists, Ie again looking into Ash¡¯s eyes. Then he buries his face in my neck and grunts on a final hard thrust as hees with me.


    <em ss="calibre14">I love you, Seraphina.</em> Archer¡¯s gravelly voice is reverent.


    <em ss="calibre14">I love you, too, Archer.</em> It¡¯s taken some time, but the wordse easily because it¡¯s true.


    Ash and Archer are intrinsically linked; a part of each other in an essential way.


    They both belong to me now.


    And I belong to both of them.


    The three of us are one.

 High Voltage: Chapter 6

    <span aria-hidden="true">L<span aria-hidden="true">AST <span aria-hidden="true">NIGHT, <span aria-hidden="true">I <span aria-hidden="true">FULLY embraced Archer as part of this marriage, and have no regrets. It felt right, as if we¡¯ve been together all along. Thinking about it now, Archer must have participated in the shifter sex ritual Ash used to mark me as his fated mate. At the time, I wasn¡¯t ready to ept that fact.


    Maybe now that I¡¯ve taken this step, Ash won¡¯t be so difficult when ites to my security and he¡¯ll acknowledge that I can take care of myself. When he was waiting to mark me, giving me time to adjust to his culture, he was restless and agitated. Once the mating ritual was performed and we were fullymitted to each other, he seemed to rx.


    Rolling over in bed, I grab my phone to check the time. It¡¯s six in the morning. Since bing queen, I¡¯ve stopped sleeping in and started getting up at the butt crack of dawn. <em ss="calibre14">No rest for the wicked</em>, my mother would say. My phone buzzes in my hand. It¡¯s a text from Gia.


    Gia: <em ss="calibre14">You¡¯re going to want to see this. </em>And she gives me a TikTok link.


    I click the link; the app opens, and the video ys.


    It¡¯s a video of Ash walking on the beach with Steel and Silver. He¡¯s wearing a pair of gray basketball shorts that sit low on his hips and nothing else. <em ss="calibre14">Nothing. Else.</em>


    The video ys in slow motion and pans down to his shorts to capture the swinging of his dick. He might as well be naked. It returns to normal speed and pans back out to show his entire body in all its golden glory, entuated by the early morning light. Then the video ends.


    It has more than a million likes.


    I watch it five more times.


    Even though I <em ss="calibre14">may </em>be the jealous type, I can¡¯t me anyone for finding Ash hot. How could I? He is. But posting this video is going too far. It¡¯s an invasion of privacy.


    Being royals, we both grew up in the re of media scrutiny, so public interest is nothing new. But when we got married, our poprity increased exponentially and when we became Avalon¡¯s rulers we were thrust even more fully into the public eye. The thirst for the nitty gritty details of our private life has be insatiable. Everything that appears in the media about us is reposted, retweeted and rebroadcast ad nauseam.


    While we don¡¯t live in hiding, we also don¡¯t seek out the limelight. Unless we¡¯re performing some royal or charitable duty, we keep a pretty low profile¡ªfocusing on work obligations and each other. All of our media requests are still funneled through Gia or Ben, who also maintain our online presence and social channels. They monitor for any untrue or harmful gossip that could bring us too much attention or harm our reputations¡ªand by extension, our ability to rule and the organizations we support. They are also vignt about keeping our ounts from getting hacked.


    Swiping to see the TikTok owner¡¯s ount and what else is posted, I¡¯m surprised to see this is the only video. But there is a website link in the bio. I click it, and a website titled <em ss="calibre14">Ashton Mountcastle Lovers Unite</em> appears on my screen.


    Under the intro blurb stating that the website is devoted to all things rted to Ash, there are hundreds of images of him. Ash in suits. Ash in casual clothes. Ash jogging. Ash having lunch. Ash crossing the street. Ash here, there and everywhere. But not one picture of Ash and me together.


    I click through the site and find a page featuring me¡ªbut in the worst possible way. The header at the top of the page screams, ¡°Their Marriage Is a Sham¡± and there are dozens of images of me with my Earthside leaders¡ªincluding Tripp and Gabriel¡ªwho are all handsome, muscr shifters. In the pictures, I¡¯m smiling orughing, and looking up at them, seemingly captivated. The meetings were strictly business, of course, but the pictures make it look otherwise. Again, there are no pictures of Ash and me together.


    ¡°Wake up. You¡¯ve gone viral.¡± I give the subject of all this digital adoration a tap on the shoulder as I queue up the video on TikTok.


    Ash turns over on his side, pulling the covers with him.


    ¡°I¡¯m serious. Wake up and take a look at this. When was this shot?¡±


    Ash rolls to his back, and I shove my phone toward him, showing him the video. ¡°When was this shot?¡± I ask again.


    He blinks several times and squints at my phone. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. Looks like one of my early morning walks on the beach with the dogs in North Carolina.¡±


    ¡°You and your swinging dick have over a million likes.¡±


    Ash props himself up on an elbow and takes my phone to rey the video. ¡°I never run into anyone when I walk the dogs. The video must have been taken from a distance with a high-powered telephoto lens.¡±


    ¡°You can see <em ss="calibre14">everything</em>.¡± I point two fingers into my face and then back at him. ¡°Besides the fact that my eyes are the only ones that should be seeing you like this, this video will bring us a lot of attention we don¡¯t need. And that¡¯s not all. If you click the link in the bio, it takes you to a website created by this <em ss="calibre14">overly dedicated</em> fan of yours. It has misleading pictures of me with my leaders. The photos make it look like I¡¯m stepping out on you and that our marriage isn¡¯t real.¡±


    ¡°We haven¡¯t had any bad press in six months. Sooner orter it was bound to happen. We know the truth about our rtionship. That¡¯s all that matters. This is one misguided fan. It¡¯ll blow over.¡± He throws the covers back, sits on the side of the bed and picks up his phone.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Texting Luke and Ben. Making sure they¡¯re finding out who owns the TikTok ount and the website so we can get the video of me and the pictures of you taken down.¡±


    Getting the content removed is like closing the barn door after the unicorn has escaped. Once something is online, it can live forever. I hope Ash is right¡ªthat this is one off that will quickly blow over.


    After dressing for the day¡ªAsh in a gray suit and me in a magenta flutter-sleeve dress¡ªwe head down to our court and take our respective thrones on the dais. Although we left the ck-and-white marble floors and columns in ce, we switched out the red aisle carpet for green in a nod to Ash¡¯s favorite color. And while I sit on my mother¡¯s throne, I had it recovered in ck velvet and had an entirely new thronemissioned for Ash. I didn¡¯t want him to rule from either my father¡¯s throne or Thane¡¯s¡ªtoo many painful memories.


    Crossing my ankles, I arrange my dress demurely over my knees. ¡°Since we have a little time before our first appointment, I have something I wanted to tell you.¡±


    Ash puts down his phone and shifts in his throne to face me. ¡°I don¡¯t like conversations that start like this when you look like that.¡±


    I press my hand to the center of my chest. ¡°Look like what?¡±


    ¡°Guilty.¡± Ash leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. ¡°While trying to look innocent. You have a terrible poker face, remember? Tell me what you did. What is it this time?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good news,¡± I say, beaming at him.


    ¡°Out with it, Princess.¡±


    ¡°No more waiting for Sofie to give us the thumbs-up that I¡¯m about to ovte. We¡¯re going back to doing the nasty whenever and wherever we want.¡±


    Ash¡¯s face lights up with a dazzling smile before he shutters it. ¡°What changed? Sofie said that might help us make a baby.¡±


    Lowering my eyes, I brush invisible lint off the skirt of my dress. ¡°I had the hormone monitoring capability of the chip removed.¡±


    ¡°Nina¡ª¡±


    ¡°And the tracking capability, too.¡± I brace my hands on the arms of my throne.


    ¡°What?¡± Ash sits back, a disbelieving stare stered on his face.


    ¡°We agreed that the tracking aspect of the chip would be removed once my mother¡¯s killer was caught. The killer has been caught and killed. The danger has passed. Don¡¯t worry, the chip is still in my shoulder. If something <em ss="calibre14">were</em> to happen, Sofie can easily turn the tracking back on.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s something at least.¡± Ash breathes out a sigh. ¡°But why did you remove the hormone monitoring?¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯m tired of being reminded that I¡¯m not pregnant with your baby. That maybe I never will be.¡± Noticing my white-knuckle grip on my throne, I rx my hands.


    Ash takes my hand in his and guides me over to his throne.


    Curling up in hisp, I loop one arm around his neck so we¡¯re eye to eye, our faces only inches apart.


    His armse around me, surrounding me with his strength. ¡°We¡¯ll get there, Nina. It¡¯ll happen for us.¡±


    ¡°Easy for you to say. You¡¯re not the one with fertility issues.¡± My fingers thread into the back of his blond hair.


    ¡°Since we¡¯re united for eternity and the only baby I¡¯ll ever have will be with you, any issues are <em ss="calibre14">our</em> issues.¡±


    I quickly press my lips to his so he doesn¡¯t see the tears gathering in my eyes.


    Ash brushes a lock of hair back from my face. ¡°Maybe taking a break from worrying about getting pregnant is a good idea.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not all.¡± I hate to break the tender moment, but I need toe clean with him.


    He raises an eyebrow at me. ¡°What else have you done?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve epted an invitation to a foreign court.¡±


    ¡°Without discussing it with me first?¡± Ash runs a hand through his hair.


    ¡°I know you think I¡¯m not ready¡ª¡± I move to get off of hisp, but his arms wrap more firmly around me to hold me in ce.


    ¡°You¡¯re not ready. You haven¡¯t learned how to wield your new power yet. You were lucky to win that fight with Ss Duke. But since you did, you¡¯ve advertised to the universe just how much power you have. It¡¯s a dangerous position to be in.¡±


    ¡°When I first became queen, you told me to be slow with my might and quick with my mind. That¡¯s how I won the fight with Ss. So even though I may not have full control over my magic, I do have my brainpower.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the harm in waiting until you¡¯re a stronger practitioner of your enchantress magic?¡±


    ¡°Ash, my coronation was six months ago. I can¡¯ty low forever. Avalon needs allies for long-term stability. Ss¡¯s encroachment into my territory proves that. You know I¡¯m right.¡±


    ¡°Avalon has allies,¡± Ash counters.


    ¡°Besides your parents¡¯ court,¡± I say in my voice of reason. ¡°Listen, I¡¯ve chosen a very safe invitation to ept, and you¡¯ll be by my side.¡±


    ¡°Tell me more about this invitation,¡± Ash says tly.


    ¡°It¡¯s from Edmund Shaw, Controller of the British Isles. Edmund gifted me with Steel and Silver when I was born, and he¡¯s a longtime ally of my mother¡¯s. Along with your court, Edmund¡¯s was the only court I was allowed to visit as a child. It¡¯s a four-day house party to celebrate his recent engagement. Other members of the council will be there. Other rulers. It¡¯s a perfect opportunity.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be exposing yourself in a big way. I don¡¯t like it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already epted the invitation.¡± I give him another quick kiss before getting off hisp. ¡°There¡¯s no turning back now.¡±

 High Voltage: Chapter 7

    <span aria-hidden="true">¡°R<span aria-hidden="true">EADY?¡± <span aria-hidden="true">I <span aria-hidden="true">ASK, <span aria-hidden="true">HOLDING out my hand to Ash and taking in his shuttered expression.


    ¡°It¡¯s not toote to change your mind,¡± he says.


    ¡°It <em ss="calibre14">is</em> toote, and I have no intention of changing my mind.¡± I zip up my high-heeled designer boots and skim a hand over my body-hugging sweater dress. Two weeks after announcing we¡¯re going to visit Edmund Shaw, the Controller of the British Isles, Ash and I are preparing to make the jump to his Earthside territory. Because it¡¯s a friendly court and Ash is with me, we¡¯re only bringing six members of the Gorm. They¡¯ve already jumped ahead with our bags to take up position outside our suite and make sure no one enters our rooms except the maids who will unpack our luggage.


    Ash takes my hand, and we disappear from Avalon in a sh of light and arrive in Kilkenny Keep¡ªEdmund¡¯s castle. The Earthside castle is named for his sovereign ind nation on the preternatural ne.


    The afternoon wee reception in the Scarlet Room is already in full swing when we arrive. The drawing room is packed with guests chatting in small cliques while uniformed waiters navigate the groups with trays of drinks and other refreshments. The room is decorated with crimson wallpaper, damask drapes and ornately framed paintings of hunting scenes. Music wafts on the air from the grand piano and harp being yed in the back corner.


    Ash snags us a couple of drinks from a passing waiter, and we overhear snippets of conversation from a nearby group.


    ¡°Edmund¡¯s getting married <em ss="calibre14">again</em>.¡±


    ¡°<em ss="calibre14">Tsk. Tsk. </em>And to another human.¡±


    ¡°He definitely has a type.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a beauty no doubt, but humans are a bit delicate for my taste.¡±


    ¡°Well, we all know your tastes run to the exotic . . .¡±


    I smirk at the gossip and scan the room until I spot Edmund making his way to stand in front of the piano. Thanks to his shifter magic, he hasn¡¯t aged since I was a child and looks to be in his midthirties. The hair on his head is shaved the same length as the stubble of his beard. He¡¯s average height but is built like a heavyweight boxer andmands a room with the same <em ss="calibre14">je ne sais quoi</em> my mother possessed. Edmund¡¯s a lupine, a born wolf shifter, and he¡¯s powerful on a scale that few can match. Although he always keeps it tightly controlled, I identify his magic immediately¡ªan earthy, but not unpleasant, musk with undertones of vani scents the air, and his power brushes over my face like the softest fur.


    Like me, he¡¯s a Council of Seven member, but unlike me, he wasn¡¯t born into wealth. He fought his way to the top, using any means necessary.


    On his arm is a petite, voluptuous strawberry blond nervously ying with a gold medallion on a chain around her neck. This must be his bride-to-be. I¡¯m not exactly sure how old Edmund is, but I know he¡¯s older than my mother, and this is his fifth marriage.


    I ce my hand on Ash¡¯s arm. ¡°Let¡¯s go say hello to our hosts.¡±


    We set our drinks down and cross the wine-red Persian rug and wait to present ourselves to him while Edmund finishes speaking with another couple.


    ¡°Seraphina and Ashton. The queen and king of Avalon. Wee to Kilkenny Keep.¡± Edmund greets us in his rough Brummie ent and shakes each of our hands. Then he puts his arm around the tiny waist of the strawberry blond. ¡°Allow me to introduce you to my Isabel. Isabel Deerchild, the future Mrs. Shaw.¡±


    I extend my hand to Isabel. ¡°Lovely to meet you.¡± She looks my age¡ªearly twenties¡ªwhich makes her much, much younger than Edmund.


    ¡°The pleasure is all mine, Your Majesties.¡± Isabel takes my hand as she executes a curtsy.


    ¡°Please call me, Nina,¡± I say with a smile.


    ¡°And it¡¯s Ash.¡± My husband takes her small hand in his as she curtsies again.


    Edmund keeps his hand protectively on the small of Isabel¡¯s back as she smiles sweetly at us. Her eyes, the color of faded blue jeans, are wide and unassuming. ¡°My friends call me Elle.¡±


    Elle is diminutive, probably around five two, but she has serious curves¡ªan hourss figure. I scan her for magic and can find none. True to form, Edmund has chosen another human to wed.


    ¡°You¡¯re staying in the Sage Room. I hope that¡¯s all right. Edmund suggested you might like it since that was where you stayed when you visited as a child.¡± Elle¡¯s voice has a musical tinkle to it, almost like a little girl¡¯s voice.


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful. Thank you,¡± I reply and then turn to regard Edmund. ¡°That was kind of you to remember, Edmund.¡±


    ¡°Only the best for you, Dolly. After you two get settled in and I¡¯ve done my duty as host and greeted the rest of this hoard,¡± he says, waving a beefy hand at the room filled with guests, ¡°we can meet privately in my office before dinner for a drink and a proper chinwag. Discuss our courts and ns for the future.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see you then,¡± I say with a parting nod for both Elle and Edmund. An invitation to his office is a good sign that an alliance can be reestablished. Although he¡¯d been an ally of my mother¡¯s since I can remember, I haven¡¯t heard anything from him since my coronation.


    Edmund signals a member of the household staff, who instantly joins us and says, ¡°If you would allow me to show you to your rooms.¡±


    We follow the liveried man out of the Scarlet Room, through the halls of the castle and up a flight of stairs to our suite. The interior of the castle features dark wood paneling and thevish use of molded sterwork to decorate ceilings, cornices and walls. All of the rooms are named after a color and decorated ordingly.


    When we enter the Sage Room, it¡¯s just as I remember it. Expansive, tranquil and opulent¡ªmuch more suited to an adult than a child. The walls are covered in silk depicting a garden scene of flowers, trees, birds and clouds. The high, four-poster bed is draped in heavy velvet, and the carpeted floor is strewn with white fur rugs. All the fabric and covered furnishings are in various shades of the soft gray-green the room is named for.


    ¡°It¡¯s a big room for a little girl. How¡¯d you get up on the bed?¡± Ash asks.


    ¡°A step stool.¡± I chuckle. ¡°What¡¯d you think of Elle? Sense any magic on her?¡±


    ¡°She seems nice enough. I didn¡¯t pick up on any magic. Besides the staff, she was the only human in the room.¡±


    I look around the bedroom where we¡¯ll sleep for the next four days, happy that I¡¯m not alone in it this time, that I have Ash. ¡°Nothing has changed in this room since I was herest. It¡¯s like time has stood still.¡±


    ¡°One thing¡¯s different.¡± Ash lowers his mouth to mine in a drugging kiss. ¡°You¡¯ll be sharing the room with me.¡± He bends down and grabs the hem of my sweater dress before peeling it off me and dropping it on the floor. He looks me up and down. ¡°I do love your fancy underthings. And these boots. Keep them on.¡± Then he lifts me into his arms and tosses me up onto the bed.


    Landing with a bounce, I giggle and pat the mattress. ¡°Why don¡¯t youe here and show me the benefits of sharing.¡±


    After he kicks off his shoes and drops hisundry, Ash joins me and pulls the velvet drapes closed around the bed, cocooning us. ¡°These should help dull the sound of you screaming my name.¡±


    His salted-caramel scent permeates the confined space, and I breathe it in, inhaling it as if I need it to live. My eyes flutter closed as the rest of the universe falls away and our bodies entangle on the bed. When he kisses the spot on my neck where he marked me as his fated mate and his tongue lickszily over the sensitive flesh, I feel it between my legs and groan loudly.


    We¡¯re going to need thicker drapes.


    After rolling around between the sheets with Ash, I¡¯m sitting at the makeup table, getting ready for our meeting with Edmund. I¡¯m swiping on anotheryer of mascara when my phone buzzes.


    Gia: <em ss="calibre14">Another example of why you can¡¯t believe everything you see online. I¡¯ve already responded. Check these out.</em>


    I cinch up the tie on my white satin robe and click the first of two links. It opens a beautiful brte model¡¯s Instagram ount and ys another video starring Ash. This time he¡¯s riding down an esctor in what appears to be a crowded airport. He¡¯s looking at his phone when the model, riding up the adjacent esctor, leans across the divider and touches his arm. Then she hands him a slip of paper. The video ends as he¡¯s reaching for the paper.


    <em ss="calibre14">Are you kidding me?</em> <em ss="calibre14">Did he take her phone number?</em> He <em ss="calibre14">does</em> like brtes, and he <em ss="calibre14">has </em>been traveling without me a lot over thest six months. No, he wouldn¡¯t do that. He would never cheat on me. I stomp all over my old insecurities. I¡¯ve moved on from that ugly ce and will never go back there again. But while I do trust Ash, I don¡¯t trust this model. Who is she, and what did she hope to gain by posting this?


    With my blood at a low simmer, I click the second link. It¡¯s a longer version of the same video and posted to my Instagram ount. Watching without blinking, I see that Ash actually isn¡¯t reaching for the piece of paper at all; he¡¯s lifting his left hand to show her his wedding ring.


    Not the least bit deterred, her carnivorous eyes sparkle at him and she makes a take-it-off motion as the esctors carry them apart.


    He takes off his ring and shows her his wedding band tattoo. Then he turns his back on her with augh and a shake of his head.


    Although the full video has a happy ending, I¡¯m pissed at the model for the tant and public attempt to pick my husband, posting a false version of what actually happened online and forcing Gia to post the actual version on my ount to set the record straight.


    Ash and I had a lot of drama early in our rtionship, which makes what we have now even more sacred. We¡¯re devoted to each other and I hate that our marriage is being falsely represented.


    ¡°Why are you grinding your teeth?¡± Ashes up behind me and meets my eyes in the mirror, looking as if he was born to wear a tux.


    ¡°When did this happen?¡± Pulling the edges of my robe together, I turn in my chair and y the full, unedited version of the video for him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. A week or two ago maybe. I barely remember it. She didn¡¯t make an impression on me.¡±


    ¡°How often does this happen? Are gorgeous women throwing themselves at you so much that you can¡¯t remember them all?¡±


    He slides his hands into his pants pockets and rocks back on his heels. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what the problem is here.¡±


    I y the edited version of the video. ¡°This is making the rounds. It looks like you¡¯re about to take her number.¡± I don¡¯t need to say more.


    ¡°Okay, I see the problem now.¡± Ash takes his phone out of his breast pocket and makes a call. ¡°Hey, Luke. There¡¯s another video. You¡¯re already working on it? Thanks.¡± Then he ends the call and gives me a pointed stare. ¡°I¡¯m not sure why these videos are popping up now, but I feel like they¡¯re rted. That someone is going out of their way to stir up trouble for us. Don¡¯t allow this to be a distraction. You¡¯re on your first diplomatic mission and need to stay focused. Don¡¯t get sidetracked or forget why we¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t. This trip is too important.¡± Is someone purposely trying to get under my skin or are these videos just a toxic online coincidence? Either way, the negative PR couldn¡¯te at a worse time.

 High Voltage: Chapter 8

    <span aria-hidden="true">O<span aria-hidden="true">NCE <span aria-hidden="true">I <span aria-hidden="true">FINISH <span aria-hidden="true">MY makeup and put on my gown¡ªan emerald silk slip dress¡ªI slide on a pair of strappy heels, and Ash, in a charcoal suit, escorts me down to Edmund¡¯s office. The small que beside his office door reads <em ss="calibre14">The Cobalt Room</em>. Ash knocks on the heavy wooden door, and Edmund calls out, ¡°Come in.¡±


    Edmund¡¯s den and personal sanctuary houses his prized possessions. The t-ck walls are covered with antique firearms and other weapons, along with the mounted heads of therge-game animals he¡¯s hunted across the nes. It¡¯s a little caveman for my liking, but his taste in hobbies and decorating aren¡¯t why I¡¯m here. I¡¯m here to forge a new alliance between Avalon and Kilkenny.


    ¡°Dolly, you look lovely, as always,¡± Edmund says in his nasally, working-ss ent as he stands and gestures to the leather chairs opposite his desk. ¡°Tell me, how are the boys?¡±


    ¡°Steel and Silver are wonderful. They¡¯ve been my constantpanions and trusted bodyguards since you gave them to me,¡± I say, as Ash and I each take a seat.


    ¡°I¡¯m happy they¡¯ve been goodds for you.¡± Edmund acknowledges Ash with a nod before sitting behind his desk once again. ¡°I¡¯m pleased you epted my invitation toe for the weekend. I wasn¡¯t sure that you would.¡±


    ¡°Why is that?¡± I ask. ¡°Our courts have always been friendly.¡±


    Edmund leans back in his chair, gettingfortable. ¡°It¡¯smon knowledge that you haven¡¯t traveled since your mother¡¯s death. And I heard about Ss Duke. You seem to have your hands full at home.¡±


    ¡°I was in mourning and assuming the reins of an empire. And if you heard about Ss, then you know that problem has been taken care of,¡± I say, quiet confidence threaded like iron through my tone.


    ¡°He won¡¯t be yourst challenger.¡± Edmund leans forward with an eager, knowing glint in his eye. Edmund grew up in Birmingham, an impoverished area of Ennd hundreds of years ago. When Edmund was still a boy, his father entered him into underground boxing matches to support his family, first against humans and then against other shifters. Through boxing, Edmund earned enough prize money to start his empire. He also earned a reputation for being ruthless, killing many of his opponents. He would probablybel himself a pragmatist¡ªkill or be killed. Edmund wears his humble beginnings like a badge of honor, which is why he¡¯s never tried to smooth out his Brummie ent or his rough edges.


    ¡°I know Ss won¡¯t be thest.¡± I decide to take Edmund¡¯s posturing as concern instead of a threat. Even though he¡¯s had to w his way to the top, I don¡¯t believe he wants Avalon for himself. But while he may not be gunning for my jugr, I don¡¯t know that he¡¯ll have my back in a fight. I¡¯ve got to lock down his allegiance. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m here. I want to make sure that the long friendship between our courts continues and that both of our Earthside territories enjoy peace.¡±


    ¡°You have enemies.¡± Edmund points a finger at me. ¡°Powerful ones. You almost didn¡¯t win the Council of Seven vote to end Franco Rossi¡¯s reign as the Controller of Italy.¡±


    After my mother¡¯s death, I was called to testify before the council about Franco¡¯s failed attempt at an Earthside territory grab and his attack on Ash and me. The motion to strip Franco of his rule was carried by only one vote, meaning half the council would rather see a megalomaniac stay in power than side with me. The old boys club was alive and well, but I¡¯m in the club now.


    ¡°All of the council members will be here over the next four days,¡± Edmund continues. ¡°You and Ash will have a chance to show them you¡¯re up to scratch, show them you have the chops to be strong yers in the game. I suggest you take advantage of this chance. Don¡¯t cock it up.¡±


    ¡°We also have friends in our corner. Very powerful ones,¡± Ash says.


    ¡°Of course, your marriage united your two courts¡ªWestmornd and Avalon.¡± Edmund steeples his fingers and regards Ash and me with a calcted expression. ¡°But you¡¯ll need more. As young, fledgling rulers, there¡¯s a target on your backs. And killing Ss only made the targetrger. He was the ultimate big game, and you nabbed him.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m hoping to count you as an ally. Can I do that?¡± There¡¯s no point beating around the bush. I might as well cut to the chase.


    Edmund looks thoughtful for a moment and then smiles. ¡°With your mother at the helm, our courts have enjoyed a brilliant rtionship. But you, Dolly, are an untried queen. So, let¡¯s consider the next four days an audition, a job interview. I want to see how you perform as a diplomat on a universal stage, see what kind of queen you really are. I want to determine if you can, what¡¯s the saying, ¡®make friends and influence people.¡¯¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of a challenge. I¡¯ll win you over, Edmund,¡± I say.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I like to hear. In keeping with the spirit of winning me over, I¡¯d like to ask a favor. A boon,¡± Edmund says.


    ¡°What kind of favor?¡± I don¡¯t really have a choice here, but I¡¯m not going to blindly agree because I need his support.


    ¡°It¡¯s a small thing,¡± Edmund says with a casual air. ¡°I¡¯d like you to befriend Elle while you¡¯re here. She feels a little out of ce. Not everyone understands my love of humans. She may face taunting, insults, maybe even threats.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t that long ago that I had no power myself, so I know how she feels to be a sheep among wolves. ¡°Sure, no problem.¡±


    ¡°Humans are bloody delicate. Their bodies are fragile. Like the wings of a butterfly. Their lives can be ended like that.¡± Edmund snaps his fingers.


    I take a closer look around his office. Edmund is a hunter and collector of beautiful things. Elle is just another trophy. I wonder if she realizes that. In a way, I feel sorry for her. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll be friends with her.¡±


    After meeting with Edmund, Ash and I make our way to the Cerulean Conservatory. The greenhouse-inspired room with its ss ceiling and outer walls is teeming with friends, allies and acquaintances of Edmund¡¯s. I¡¯ve been to hundreds of parties just like this. The air is thick with expensive perfume and ambition. The deep blue interior walls are the color of a clear sky and are hung floor to ceiling with oil paintings of Edmund¡¯s ancestors, rtives and deceased wives. His wives are all buxom redheads. He certainly <em ss="calibre14">does</em> have a type.


    I¡¯m admiring the artwork while Ash gets us a drink, when I hear, ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t the baby queen of Avalon looking for a seat at the adult table. You have very few allies here. I hope you know that.¡±


    I turn around to find Kyoko Nakama, the Controller of Japan, and the only other female Council of Seven member, standing behind me in a skin-tight ck leather dress. ¡°Kyoko,¡± I say in greeting, keeping my tone neutral. At one time, her words would¡¯ve found their mark, but not anymore. I¡¯m not going to rise to her bait; that would be giving her what she wants. This isn¡¯t my first run in with Kyoko¡ªour paths have crossed at a few Council of Seven meetings. She goes out of her way to make me feel like an outsider, and it doesn¡¯t look like this weekend is going to be any different.


    ¡°You may have Reginald¡¯s support, and you may even earn Edmund¡¯s, but you won¡¯t be able to hold your mother¡¯s council seat for long.¡± She flips her dark hair over her shoulder, her top lip curling as her charcoal eyes size me up.


    She¡¯s Kitsune, a Japanese fox witch, and a contemporary of my mother¡¯s. She has a reputation for being intelligent and deadly, her paranormal abilities having increased with her age. Kitsune are very powerful shape-shifters that can not only maintain their human shape for long periods of time but can also transform into the exact likeness of another person. When in fox form, the greater the number of tails a Kitsune has¡ªup to nine¡ªthe older, wiser, and more powerful they are.


    ¡°And why is that?¡± I don¡¯t take my eyes off her. We may be close to the same height and weight, but she¡¯s got an edge sharper than a samurai sword.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re a legacy.¡± Her tone insinuates I¡¯m as wanted as gum on the bottom of her Jimmy Choos. ¡°Given everything on a silver tter your whole life. You¡¯re weak, and you¡¯re not going tost. I had to work for everything I have. My territory, my seat on the council. Nothing was handed to me. I¡¯m watching you. You¡¯ll make a misstep, and when you inevitably do, I¡¯ll be there to give you a push. Help you fall hard and fast.¡± With that parting shot, she turns and glides into the crowd of assembled guests.


    ¡°What¡¯s her problem?¡± Elle asks, appearing at my shoulder, her eyes following Kyoko before she blushes and looks at the floor. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I wasn¡¯t trying to eavesdrop on your conversation.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± I say. ¡°Kyoko wasn¡¯t exactly being quiet. As for her problem . . . it¡¯s me. She doesn¡¯t like me being the head of a territory, being on the Council of Seven. She doesn¡¯t think I¡¯ve earned it.¡± From an outsider¡¯s perspective, it may look like I haven¡¯t paid my dues, but she doesn¡¯t know the whole story. I had to fight my own father for my crown before it was even ced on my head.


    ¡°Who died and made her boss?¡± Elleughs, reminding me a little of Gia. ¡°Don¡¯t let her spoil your evening. I¡¯m really d you¡¯re here. There aren¡¯t a lot of guests at this party my age to talk to.¡±


    I can¡¯t help but notice Elle¡¯s also wearing green. The sweetheart neckline of her gown frames her gold medallion ne perfectly and hugs her big boobs in a way that is both innocent and sensual. ¡°I like your dress. If I¡¯d known you were wearing green, I would have chosen something else. I¡¯m not trying to steal the bride¡¯s thunder.¡±


    ¡°Please, steal it. I¡¯m just trying not to do or say anything to embarrass Edmund. I feel like a fish out of water surrounded by all these bigwigs. Because I¡¯m . . . you know . . . human.¡± She says thest bit as if she¡¯s admitting she has an incurable STI.


    It¡¯s on the tip of my tongue to tell her that I¡¯ve been powerless, and that even though I now have quite a bit of magic at my disposal, I¡¯m not very adept at wielding it. But I stop myself. I¡¯ve trusted too easily in the past and gotten burned. I¡¯m not going to make that same mistake again. ¡°We all put our pants on one leg at a time. Even the Council of Seven members,¡± I say with a stage whisper.


    ¡°Are there any other members of the council here?¡± Elle asks. ¡°I met so many people today, I can¡¯t remember who¡¯s who.¡±


    The identity of council members isn¡¯t a secret, so I don¡¯t mind filling her in. ¡°Well, you just saw the member from Japan. And of course, you know Edmund and me. That¡¯s the council member and Controller of the Maharashtra state of India.¡± I nod to a fit man with alert brown eyes in traditional attire across the room surrounded by several hangers on. When I look toward a heavyset, balding male on the opposite side of the room talking animatedly to arge group, Elle follows my gaze. ¡°That¡¯s the member representing western Russia.¡± In another corner, a handsome male with bronze skin converses with an entourage of mostly females. ¡°And that¡¯s the council member and Controller of Southeast Brazil.¡±


    Just then, Kyoko slides into the sphere of the Brazilian ruler and begins an animated conversation with him. They both turn to look at me, sweeping their gaze from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, measuring me from across the room. It¡¯s obvious they¡¯re talking about me and from the calcted expressions on their faces, whatever is being said is not about my choice of formal wear. When they turn their backs on me, I continue, ¡°Ash¡¯s dad, Reginald, isn¡¯t here yet. I think he¡¯sing tomorrow, but I don¡¯t think he¡¯s staying for the whole weekend. He doesn¡¯t like to be away from his family that long.¡±


    Elle¡¯s eyes alight on each of the council members I¡¯ve pointed out. ¡°I take it from the physical distance between you all that you aren¡¯t all friends.¡±


    The Council of Seven is made up of the most powerful of our kind, but for some, there¡¯s never enough power. This party is proving what I already knew¡ªthat not everybody is pleased I¡¯ve inherited my mother¡¯s seat and that I shouldn¡¯t expect any support in trying to hold on to it. As a matter of fact, they may actively work to snatch it away from me. ¡°No, we¡¯re not all friends.¡±


    Ash appears at my elbow with a ss of champagne in each hand, and Elle excuses herself to go find Edmund. ¡°Was that Kyoko Nakama I saw you talking to a moment ago? Making friends and influencing people already?¡± he asks, handing me a ss of champagne.


    ¡°Hardly. She¡¯s Satan in a skirt.¡± I take a sip of the sparkling wine.


    Ash traces his fingertip lightly over my back tattoo. ¡°She¡¯s known for being a hard ass. You just have to show her how capable you are. That you¡¯re a force in your own right.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do whatever it takes. I need to win allies. And I will. Avalon¡¯s future depends on it.¡±

 High Voltage: Chapter 9

    <span aria-hidden="true">I <span aria-hidden="true">WAKE <span aria-hidden="true">UP <span aria-hidden="true">WITH a heavy head the next morning. I only had a few sips of champagnest night, so the headache and brain fog are surprising. Not letting the hangover slow me down, I quickly shower and dress in my formal riding clothes¡ªfitted ck jacket, cored shirt, tan breeches and tall boots¡ªanxious to get going. Today, Edmund has organized a fox hunt for his guests.


    Ash was up early to have coffee with his dad and discuss Westmornd court business. Reg arrived at the house party this morning and is only staying for one night. They¡¯re going to meet me down at the stables.


    After gulping down the coffee that was delivered while I was in the shower, I grab my riding gloves and helmet and leave my bedroom to head outside.


    The morning is sunny and clear with only a few fluffy clouds hanging in the sky¡ªperfect for a hunt. Lush Irish countryside surrounds the yellow-stone castle. In keeping with the Tudor style, Kilkenny Keep has multiple steeply pitched rooflines, several prominent stone chimneys and a facade that features groups of tall rectangr windows.


    At the stables, I find arge crowd of riders already mounted on their horses. I spot Ash and Reg on thewn talking to Edmund and Elle while the other spectators enjoy refreshments from white-linen-covered tables.


    ¡°Good morning,¡± I call out on my approach.


    ¡°Good morning, Nina,¡± Reg responds and enfolds me in a one-armed paternal hug.


    ¡°Can I convince either of you to try riding today?¡± I ask both Ash and Reg. ¡°You don¡¯t have to jump. There¡¯s always an alternate route around the obstacles.¡±


    Ashughs. ¡°Horses don¡¯t like to be ridden by our kind, so we¡¯ll sit this one out.¡±


    ¡°Too dense,¡± Reg agrees. ¡°They can sense the weight of our magic, our dragons, and they don¡¯t like it. Frankly, I don¡¯t me them. I wouldn¡¯t want a dragon sitting on my back, either.¡±


    ¡°Do you ride, Elle?¡± I turn to her and take in her dress of soft, flowing fabric cinched at the waist that shows off her hourss figure.


    ¡°No, I find horses to be rather intimidating, I¡¯m afraid. Edmund wants me to learn, so maybe I¡¯ll try, eventually. Best of luck to you, though. I¡¯ll be cheering you on from the sidelines.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all right.¡± Edmund rubs his hands together. ¡°More fun for the rest of us. Come with me, Dolly. I¡¯ve saved the best horse for you.¡±


    ¡°Be careful out there,¡± Ash says, sliding an arm around my waist.


    ¡°If there¡¯s one ce I¡¯m perfectly safe, it¡¯s on the back of a horse.¡± I kiss Ash good-bye and follow Edmund into the stables where a stable boy is holding the reins of a chestnut with a gleaming coat over tight muscles, and white socks.


    ¡°This is Flynn. He¡¯s a born hunter, this one. Bred for the job. He¡¯s three-quarters English thoroughbred with the rest Irish Draught. Perfect for racing across the open fields, and jumping the hedges and fences.¡± Edmund smiles proudly at the horse. ¡°He¡¯s cheeky to boot.¡±


    ¡°Hello, Flynn. We¡¯re going to be partners today. I¡¯ll take care of you, and you¡¯ll take care of me.¡± I run my hands over his shoulder and nk before petting him high on his nose. Once I¡¯ve introduced myself, I take the reins from the stable boy and lead Flynn outside.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get started,¡± I say eagerly to Edmund as I put on my riding helmet and gloves and then swing up on Flynn¡¯s back.


    Edmund unties his horse from a nearby post, mounts up and shouts over the din of assembled riders and spectators. ¡°This is a drag hunt. We won¡¯t be hunting a live fox. Instead, the hounds will be following the scent of a foxid over a route chosen by one of the field masters earlier this morning.¡± Edmund gestures to the two men in red riding jackets who are mounted on jet-ck horses at the head of the field of riders. ¡°At the end of the route, there¡¯s a prize, and bragging rights for the first to find it. As always, wagering is encouraged, and using magic is strictly prohibited.¡±


    Live fox hunting is banned in most of Earthside, but I wonder whether this decision has more to do with the presence of Kyoko and her fox magic. She¡¯s mounted up only a few horses away from me. Like me, Edmund has sovereign immunity and has never struck me as someone who ys by the rules. And if the heads mounted on the walls of his office are any indication, he has no problem hunting live prey.


    Kyoko catches my eye with a lift of her chin. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯re made of. See if there¡¯s any grit behind the pretty package. I don¡¯t think you have the backbone to run with this crowd,¡± she says with a twist of her painted red lips. ¡°May the best rider win.¡±


    I nod back, silently epting the challenge. This isn¡¯t merely a hunt. It¡¯s a battle¡ªa chance for me to prove I belong or an opportunity for her to show that I don¡¯t.


    A third field master in a red coat brings out the hounds whose barks and baying suggest they¡¯re ready to get going. When he sets them free, they nose around in the grass for a couple of seconds before picking up the scent and dashing across the open field. We all wait patiently for the third field master to mount his horse and join his fellow red coats. It¡¯s bad form to pass a field master. They direct the hounds and the hunt. When they signal, and all three ride off after the hounds, the hunt is on.


    Flynn and I start out in the middle of the thundering pack of riders, but before long, we¡¯re overtaking the others and are near the front of the pack. The meadows are smooth and t with almost no boggy patches, and Flynn practically flies over them.


    The field masters lead us toward a tree line, and I pull up a little on Flynn to slow him down so we can carefully navigate the trees. The ground is a little softer in the brush and will no doubt be a muddy mess when thest rider passes through. Once we break through the tree line, we¡¯re faced with a wide ditch. Flynn jumps it with ease, but it¡¯s going to slow down less experienced riders.


    On the other side of the ditch, another open field stretches before us. Flynn and I take off again when I hear another rider charge up behind us. It¡¯s Kyoko. She shoots past me on her horse and gives me a smirk on her way by. She¡¯s trying to beat me to the jump up ahead. I loosen the reins and let Flynn have his head as we pound after her. We¡¯re not fast enough though. Kyoko jumps and clears the fence first.


    While keeping the field masters red jackets in sight, we dash across the next open field. This time, Flynn and I are victorious and make it to the next jump, a hedgerow, before Kyoko and her mount. In this field, there are several hurdles set up for jumping, along with a clear path for those too novice or not interested in taking the jumps. Kyoko and I bound over the obstacles side by side, neither one of us giving an inch.


    The red jackets disappear into a stand of trees, and I rein in Flynn on our approach. Kyoko doesn¡¯t alter her speed at all and barrels straight into the woods. There¡¯s a trail to follow with several obstacles. Flynn and I take each of the jumps in stride and clear them easily. I don¡¯t see Kyoko up ahead anywhere. Did she st right through? If she doesn¡¯t care about her own safety, she should at least consider the horse¡¯s health and well-being. I hear the rest of the field of riders start to gain on me from behind.


    Catching a glimpse of a red coat up ahead on a side trail, I follow it. The side trail quickly bes rougher and narrower, the trees crowding in. It bes darker as the woods get denser, and the riding is slower and more technical.


    Dogs howl up ahead. <em ss="calibre14">Not far now.</em>


    The trail opens into a small clearing, and I scan it to find a connecting trail. There isn¡¯t one. <em ss="calibre14">Damn it.</em> I¡¯m going to have to backtrack. This is costing me precious time. I turn Flynn to go back the way I came when a red fox jumps into the path, startling Flynn. He rears back on his hind legs. Although I try to soothe him, he doesn¡¯t know me very well and won¡¯t be calmed.


    Flynn yanks his head down and to the side. With the reins gripped tightly in my hand, I¡¯m pulled off bnce and fall to the ground,nding with a thump. The air is knocked out of me, and I lie there for a minute, trying to remember how to do the whole breathing in and out thing. Flynn circles the clearing nervously. The red fox stares at me across the clearing before flouncing off down the trail. That¡¯s when I notice it has seven tails. <em ss="calibre14">Kyoko.</em>


    After the fox leaves, Flynn is less skittish. I¡¯m still sitting on the ground when I hear the pack of riders pound past us on the main path. Rolling onto my side with a grunt, I get up, dust myself off and slowly approach Flynn using my softest voice to reassure him everything¡¯s okay. After giving Flynn a thorough check to make sure he¡¯s not hurt, I settle on his back once again. We¡¯re heading back down the main trail in the forest when I hear the horn sound signaling the end of the hunt. Flynn and I stay on the main path until we clear the forest and are back out in an open meadow. The riders are assembled around Kyoko, Edmund and the field masters. The hounds mill around quietly now that the chase is done.


    Kyoko holds a stuffed fox in her hand. The toy is wearing a wide diamond cor. The prize.


    She can have the diamonds; it¡¯s the bragging rights I was after. ¡°The cream rises to the top, as it always does.¡± She gives me a gloating smile and lifts the fox in the air for all to see. The crowd ps and shouts for her win. A win she cheated to get. She used her magic to impersonate a red-coated field master and lead me off the trail, which was against the rules of the hunt.


    When the crowd around her breaks up, she trots past me with several riders apanying her. ¡°Disappointing finish for you, Nina. No intestinal fortitude. Not willing to do what it takes. Just as I thought,¡± she shoots over her shoulder, not slowing down. The others chuckle and follow in her wake.


    I fume. She could have seriously injured Flynn or me with that stunt. Several waitstaff walk between the horses, offering the riders water or a hot drink fromrge silver serving trays. I ept a bottle of water and take a big swig, rinsing the dust out of my mouth.


    Edmund makes his way toward me on horseback. ¡°What happened to you out there?¡±


    ¡°I took the path less traveled and ended up on my ass,¡± I say with a scowl.


    ¡°No point in whinging about it. Kyoko won the day. I thought for sure you¡¯d take it. I had money riding on you. I even stacked the deck in your favor. Gave you the best horse.¡±


    Betting on a hunt he organized¡ªsounds like Edmund. ¡°Someone else stacked the deck in their favor, too,¡± I say matter of factly, giving Flynn a pat on the neck and then looking across the field at Kyoko.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing in this world for free, Dolly. Not even for you. It¡¯s bloody well time you learned how to fight like the rest of us. Be wily. You¡¯re not trying if you¡¯re not cheating. You have to kick, scratch and bite¡ªfight dirty¡ªto get what you want in this life.¡±


    ¡°Fight dirty, huh. I¡¯ll have to remember that,¡± I say.


    ¡°Tell me what happened. How did she best you?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t bore you with the details. It¡¯s a dull fox tale.¡± I take another long drink of water and think about Edmund¡¯s advice. And the fact he knows Kyoko cheated me out of the win. Has he already formed an alliance with her?

 High Voltage: Chapter 10

    <span aria-hidden="true">T<span aria-hidden="true">HE <span aria-hidden="true">HUNT <span aria-hidden="true">ROUTE <span aria-hidden="true">WAS arge circle, and we¡¯re not far from Kilkenny Keep at the end. We walk the horses back along a country road after the hard ride to give them a chance to cool down. At the barn, there are stable boys waiting to take the horses. After dismounting, I immediately loosen the cinch so Flynn can be morefortable.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take him, ma¡¯am,¡± a stable boy offers politely.


    If I were at home with Northstar or one of my horses, I¡¯d unsaddle him and brush him down myself. But I¡¯m not home, and this isn¡¯t my horse, so I hand over the reins and give Flynn a parting rub on the nose. ¡°We should have won. Thanks for a great ride.¡±


    I turn to the stable boy. ¡°He got spooked during the hunt and reared up. Please check him carefully for any sore spots or pulled muscles.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± the stable boy responds with a bob of his head.


    When I leave the horse barn, Ash is waiting for me outside. ¡°I heard you took a tumble.¡± He brushes some dust off the shoulder of my ck jacket. ¡°Are you hurt?¡±


    ¡°Good news travels fast,¡± I mumble. ¡°My pride took a beating, but other than that, I¡¯m fine.¡± I fill Ash in on what happened in the forest with the seven-tailed fox.


    ¡°You think it was Kyoko?¡± he asks.


    I give him a <em ss="calibre14">duh</em> stare.


    ¡°Is she turning into a problem that needs solving?¡± Ash puts his arm around my shoulders, and we start back to the castle.


    I loop an arm around his waist. ¡°It¡¯s nothing I can¡¯t handle. And don¡¯t forget, she¡¯s a council member. She¡¯s basically untouchable.¡±


    ¡°No one¡¯s untouchable.¡± Ash¡¯s ten-mile-wide alpha-male protective streak rings in his voice. ¡°Seriously, are you sure you¡¯re not injured?¡±


    ¡°Just my ego. That should have been my win.¡±


    Ash puts his hand over his heart. ¡°Oh, the worst pain of all.¡±


    A giggle escapes me. He¡¯s taught me how tough at myself. ¡°Did you bet on me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll always bet on you, Seraphina. Every time.¡± His voice is deep and gravelly, and for a second, he sounds like Archer. ¡°Why don¡¯t we go up to our room, and I¡¯ll run you a hot bath. That¡¯ll help make sure you¡¯re not too sore tomorrow from your fall.¡±


    I rub my neck. ¡°And I think I need a massage, too.¡± Ash¡¯s massages always end the same way¡ªhappily, for both of us.¡±


    He smiles knowingly down at me. ¡°A massage can be arranged.¡±


    ¡°During my <em ss="calibre14">massage</em>, are you going to do all the things I like?¡±


    ¡°Is that even a question?¡± He tucks me closer to his side.


    ¡°Are you going to do all the things <em ss="calibre14">you</em> like? The things that make me blush but I secretly love?¡±


    ¡°Those things?¡± Ash traces his tongue around the rim of my ear. ¡°I¡¯m going to do <em ss="calibre14">those things</em> again and again.¡±


    ¡°Between your promises and these tight riding pants, I¡¯m going to have my first orgasm before we even get back to the house.¡±


    Ash steers me off the main path toward a small covered pavilion overlooking a serene pond where a couple of swanszily swim. ¡°I don¡¯t want to miss that. There¡¯s a screened-in gazebo right here. Let¡¯s put it to good use.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t have sex outside in a gazebo in broad daylight. Someone will catch us,¡± I say, trying to sound responsible at the same time as I pick up the pace and pull him toward the gazebo.


    Ashughs and tugs on my hand. ¡°I¡¯m not talking about the main course. I¡¯m just talking about an appetizer. Something to whet your appetite.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m plenty hungry already.¡± My fuck-me voice reinforces my words.


    ¡°Then this won¡¯t take long at all.¡± Ash leads me into the gazebo and closes the swinging screen door behind us.


    I look out over the pond, listening to the drone of the bumblebees and the wind rustling the cattails. Ashes up right behind me, the heat of his body warming me through my riding jacket and breeches.


    ¡°Undo your pants,¡± Ash whispers into my hair.


    ¡°What if someone sees us?¡± I nce over my shoulder with lowered eyelids. Voices of the riders still milling around after the hunt float toward us on the breeze.


    ¡°They¡¯ll just think we¡¯re looking at the birds and the pond.¡± Ash cups my breasts over my jacket, and my nipples strain against theyers of fabric, demanding a firmer touch.


    ¡°Unbutton your pants. Do it now, Princess.¡±


    The muscles in my legs tremble at themand in his voice, and I unbutton my breeches and pull down the zipper.


    Ash skims a hand under my shirt and across my abdomen before sliding it down into my open pants.


    To give him more ess, I shimmy my tight pants down a bit lower on my hips and widen my stance as much as I can. Some people do meditation or yoga to center themselves; I do Ash. And I know that soon, the hunt and my loss will be a distant memory.


    His fingers tease me, lightly moving over my pussy in a feather-soft caress. The stomp of riding boots on the main path; the threat of being caught makes it all the more thrilling. I flex my hips forward, looking for more pressure.


    He parts my folds and dips a finger just inside my opening, probably only a knuckle deep. ¡°You¡¯re right. Your appetite is plenty whet already.¡±


    Trying to get his finger deeper inside me, I move against his hand, but he keeps the pration shallow, building my desire, driving me to distraction. I¡¯m so close. If he would touch me with a little more force, I¡¯d pop off.


    He presses his finger all the way inside me before removing itpletely, leaving me bereft and begging for the feeling of fullness again.


    ¡°Shush. You can¡¯t be so loud.¡±


    Completely under his spell, I didn¡¯t realize I¡¯d made any noise at all. ¡°Stop ying with me.¡±


    ¡°ying with you is my favorite thing to do.¡± His finger tip circles my clit, grazing it but not stroking it dead-on.


    cing my hand over his, I try to move his hand where I want it.


    ¡°My impatient Princess. Is this what you want?¡±


    He spreads me open before the soft pad of his fingertip flicks up over my clit. The bundle of nerves is now partially outside of the hood, and he taps it perfectly, catapulting me into an orgasm that is both sweet and violent, a sharp cry escaping me. With my eyes closed and my head resting on his chest, I only have one thought.


    <em ss="calibre14">He owns me.</em>


    My body, my heart, my mind, my very essence¡ªare all in his hands. The depth of my love for him is all consuming, frightening in its magnitude. I don¡¯t think he knows the influence he wields over me and how much I need him.


    ¡°Who would have guessed the Queen of Avalon is such a bad girl? Allowing herself to be <em ss="calibre14">debauched</em> in a gazebo in the middle of the day.¡±


    ¡°No one, probably. Besides our friends and family, no one else knows the real me. The universe, certainly everyone here,¡± I say, casting my eyes up to the castle, ¡°thinks I¡¯m a spoiled little rich girl. Or an ice queen, frozen to the core.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a world of emotion in you. A world you don¡¯t share easily with others. You¡¯re all fire¡ªpassionate and determined. And when you love something or someone, you love them hard. There¡¯s nothing you wouldn¡¯t do for the people you care about,¡± he says low in his throat. ¡°Let¡¯s go back to our room. I promised you a hot bath and a massage.¡±


    I do up my riding pants before turning to face him, my love for him shining in my eyes. ¡°Thank you for seeing me. Understanding me. For not giving up on me even when I did my best to push you away.¡±


    ¡°Giving up on you never crossed my mind.¡± He lowers his mouth to mine.


    I smile into his kiss and throw my arms around his neck. I¡¯ll never allow anything toe between us. If something <em ss="calibre14">were</em> to separate us, I would kick, scratch and bite to get back to him.


    For him, I would most definitely fight dirty.


    Despite a bath and very thorough massage, I¡¯m bruised and sore the next morning. My hip, lower back and even my chest are tender, and protest getting tossed to the ground like a sack of cement by Flynn.


    Lying in bed, I hear Ash in the bathroom getting ready for the day. Edmund has arranged for everyone to go deep-sea fishing. I¡¯ve never been before, but I do love the water, and this will give me a chance to talk to some of the other council members.


    I¡¯m gingerly rolling over to get up when my phone buzzes on the nightstand. I reach a hand out and grab it.


    Gia: T<em ss="calibre14">hought you¡¯d want to see this right away. FYI: Sorry, but all the negative PR about you guys is gaining momentum.</em>


    I click the link in the message and bolt upright in bed, all my aches and pains forgotten. Staring back at me from my phone is a photo of Ash. He¡¯s standing butt-ass naked beside a female¡¯s bed. You can see a bit of her arm. The rest of her is out of the shot or covered by a white duvet.


    The image is posted to the same Instagram model¡¯s ount as the edited video¡ªthe one deliberately chopped up to make it look as if Ash had been about to take her phone number. She captioned the new image ¡°Look who spent the night.¡±


    I rub my eyes. A wave of nausea rolls up from deep inside me.


    He¡¯s standing slightly turned away from the camera, but I¡¯d know the long line of his hip and curve of his butt anywhere. How did she get a naked photo of Ash? There has to be a reasonable exnation for this. The image is most likely photoshopped. That¡¯s it. Or it¡¯s an old picture that was taken before we got together. My jaw tightens with the same feeling you have when you wake up from a bad dream about your mate cheating on you only to find him asleep in bed beside you. You¡¯re still unountably vexed.


    Ash walks into the bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. He stops when he sees me. ¡°You¡¯re pale as a ghost, Princess. What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    I clutch my phone against my chest. ¡°It¡¯s a picture of you. And a female.¡±


    Ash crosses the room andes to stand on my side of the bed. ¡°Show me.¡±


    I hand him my phone. ¡°That¡¯s you, right?¡±


    Ash looks at the image. Then snaps his eyes to me. He looks at the image again and then looks back to me again. ¡°It¡¯s me,¡± he says, handing me back my phone.


    ¡°Do you think the picture¡¯s been photoshopped?¡±


    ¡°No, doesn¡¯t look to be altered.¡±


    ¡°It must an old photo then.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fairly recent.¡±


    My world stops rotating as my head and stomach spin faster. I stare at him for a moment with my mouth agape. ¡°I know you would never¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, I wouldn¡¯t.¡± Ash takes my phone back and points to the arm just barely visible in the photo. ¡°That¡¯s you.¡±


    I snatch my phone back. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you recognize the room? Or maybe you don¡¯t remember the night we consummated our binding.¡±


    ¡°Of course I remember that night. Don¡¯t be ridiculous.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the room where it happened, and that¡¯s your arm. Believe me, I¡¯d know that bony elbow anywhere. It¡¯s been digging into my side every night for a year now.¡±


    I look at the photo again. <em ss="calibre14">Holy fuck.</em> <em ss="calibre14">Is it my arm?</em> In my shock at the image, I only saw Ash¡¯s naked body. ¡°It has to be a still from the video of our consummation.¡± My mother and I were not close in those days, and I¡¯d rebelled against my arranged marriage to Ash. She¡¯d insisted on ¡°proof¡± that I held up my end of the bargain and slept with him after the month-long reprieve I¡¯d negotiated hade to an end. Someone is posting stills from that <em ss="calibre14">proof</em>. ¡°It has to be an inside job. That video evidence is stored in a highly protected server on Avalon. A secure standalone server that¡¯s not connected to any other servers and can¡¯t be hacked from the outside.¡±


    ¡°That limits the suspects then, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Ash asks.


    In my mind, there¡¯s only one person it can be. ¡°It has to be Thane. So very few people would have had ess to that video or even knew of its existence. He¡¯s trying to cover his tracks by having someone else post it, but it has to be him. It¡¯s not one of the Gorm. They would never betray me like this.¡±


    Some people sit on the sidelines of your life and instead of cheering you on or even just being a silent observer, they stick their foot out to trip you up, to intentionally hurt you. That was always Thane¡¯s role in my life. ¡°While he never made an overt move against me while my mother was alive¡ªshe would never have stood for it¡ªhe systematically undermined and belittled me at every opportunity.¡±


    Ash gives me a serious look. ¡°Thest I heard, Thane returned to his home court among the fae. I¡¯ll have to petition the Faerie Lords to release him into our custody and then send a squadron of Gorm to collect him. It may take a few days, but I¡¯ll get him back.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Thane,¡± I say again. ¡°He¡¯s the only one who¡¯d do this to me. My gut is telling me he¡¯s probably behind the videos, too. I don¡¯t know why he¡¯s doing this, but I know it¡¯s him. He¡¯s trying to hurt me for some reason. In the meantime, I¡¯m going to ask Kat to pay that Instagram model a visit and see what she knows.¡±


    ¡°If Thane¡¯s behind this, I¡¯m going to kill him,¡± Ash says through gritted teeth.


    <em ss="calibre14">Or I am.</em>

 High Voltage: Chapter 11

    <span aria-hidden="true">T<span aria-hidden="true">HE <span aria-hidden="true">DRIVE <span aria-hidden="true">FROM <span aria-hidden="true">KILKENNY Keep to the coast for the deep-sea fishing trip takes about thirty minutes. All those going on the trip are assembled in the front courtyard and a fleet of hunter-green Range Rovers stands at the ready to convey us. Each car is driven by a member of Edmund¡¯s pack with a second pack member riding shotgun as extra security.


    Reg and the council member from western Russia, Dmitri, are about to enter a car when Kyoko calls out. ¡°Dmitri, would you ride with me? There¡¯s something I want to discuss with you.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Dmitri responds, and goes to join Kyoko in her car. She leans toward him like a co-conspirator, their heads close together in the back seat. From the looks of things she¡¯s trying to build an alliance with him, if she doesn¡¯t already have one, while also probably talking shit about me. My shit-talking theory is proven correct when she pulls back from their conversation and points a manicured finger directly at me.


    Is she trying to poison <em ss="calibre14">everyone</em> against me? I don¡¯t have to worry about her stabbing me in the back, she¡¯s going to spit right in my eye. On the boat this afternoon, I need to get some face time with the other council members and make a case for aligning with Avalon.


    Most of the year-long probationary period the council imposed when I inherited my seat has passed. I have a small window of opportunity to prove I¡¯m worthy of the seat and secure alliances on the council. If I fail at either, I risk the others joining forces and finding an excuse¡ªeven a flimsy one¡ªto vote me out. It looks like Kyoko already has the wheels in motion on that. Losing the seat would lower Avalon¡¯s profile on the universal stage and make me look like an ipetent ruler¡ªboth of which could open Avalon up to attack. Not to mention it would most certainly disappoint my mother.


    In the back of our Range Rover, my phone rings. I take the call and listen quietly. ¡°Okay, keep an eye on her and what she¡¯s posting,¡± I say and then end the call.


    Ash looks up from what he¡¯s reading on his phone.


    ¡°That was Kat. She went to see the Instagram model this morning. The model admitted she was paid a hundred thousand dors to go to the airport and proposition you¡ªso it could be filmed¡ªand then another fifty thousand to post the edited video.¡±


    ¡°Does she know who hired her?¡± he asks.


    ¡°No, it was an anonymous source. The model said all contact was through email. And the payment was from a numbered ount.¡±


    ¡°She was also paid to post the picture from our consummation and make it seem like you spent the night with her. Both posts are deleted now. For whatever good that will do.¡±


    Ash shows me the email he was reading on his phone. ¡°Luke got almost the exact same story from the owner of that fan club website. The video clip of me walking on the beach and the misleading pictures of you and your leaders were sent to her by email, and she was told that if she posted them online, she¡¯d be paid seventy-five thousand dors by wire. She posted them, and the money was transferred from a numbered ount. She¡¯s taken down the TikTok video and the webpage about you.¡±


    ¡°Have you petitioned the Faerie Lords to give us Thane?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Yes, and they already responded. They said he¡¯s not with them any longer. That he left their protection more than a month ago after a disagreement. They don¡¯t know where he is.¡±


    ¡°Do you believe them? The fae are known for their trickery.¡±


    ¡°They said he left because they denied his request for a higher rank, more influence. They didn¡¯t have to tell me that. It sounded like the truth. I¡¯ve dispatched a squad of Gorm to look for him. Talk to his acquaintances. Search the ces he¡¯s known to frequent.¡±


    ¡°Where could he be?¡± I whisper and turn to stare out the window. I barely register thendscape and viges that zip past as I think about the threat Thane poses. What¡¯s he going to do next? All these distractions are taking my focus away from what¡¯s important¡ªsecuring my council seat.


    At the coastline, we disembark from the cars. The salty air and caw of the seagulls makes me smile. I¡¯m at my strongest close to water. On my mother¡¯s side, our enchantress line was born from the love affair between a Celtic water witch and an aquatic male fae. On my father¡¯s side, I¡¯m descended from a sea nymph. If you cut me, I¡¯d probably bleed water. Howfortable are foxes with water, I wonder? Do they like it? If Kyoko were to fall overboard, would she be able to swim? I smile wider.


    Edmund, with Elle as his side, leads our party down to the marina to meet our chartered yacht. Walking down the dock, we pass several fishing boats that have recently returned to shore. The fishermen are unloading their catch from extrarge white coolers, and some are cleaning their fish on makeshift tables right on the dock.


    The sight and smell of the fish turns my stomach, and my smile slips. I gaze out over the water and breathe deeply through my mouth to try to settle my churning insides. It doesn¡¯t work. Watching the waves makes me even dizzier. The coffee and toast I had for breakfast threaten to make an appearance. <em ss="calibre14">What¡¯s wrong with me? Is it my magic?</em> I¡¯ve never felt like this before.


    I have to get on that boat. It¡¯s bad enough that I lost the hunt to Kyoko, I can¡¯t back out of this trip at thest second in front of the other council members. I¡¯ll look weak.


    Following Ash down the dock, I focus on my breathing, but the nausea only gets worse. If I spend the entire trip with my head hanging over the side of the boat throwing up, there¡¯ll be very little chance of a meaningful conversation with anyone about Avalon, and a very real risk of embarrassing myself. My opportunity to impress the others is slipping away.


    The rest of the guests areughing and boarding the white-and-blue sport-fishing yacht that will take us out to sea. The yacht was clearly built for both speed and luxury.


    I grab Ash¡¯s arm. ¡°I can¡¯t go. I can¡¯t get on that boat.¡±


    ¡°Why not? What¡¯s going on?¡± He leans toward me, brows furrowed.


    I swallow the saliva filling my mouth. ¡°The sight of the water, the smell of the fish. It¡¯s making me sick.¡±


    ¡°Really? You love the water.¡± He gently rubs my back. ¡°I¡¯ll take you back to the castle.¡±


    ¡°No, you have to go. Be Avalon¡¯s representative. Talk to the other council members. Plus, your dad¡¯s here. How often do you guys get to spend an afternoon fishing?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you alone.¡± The set of his shoulders matches the adamant tone of his voice.


    ¡°Ash, Nina, is everything okay?¡± Reg calls from the boat.


    ¡°Nina isn¡¯t feeling well. We¡¯re staying back,¡± Ash replies.


    Elle is following Edmund across the gangnk when she stops andes back to the dock. ¡°Nina, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Her delicate face is creased with worry, making me think of Sofie.


    ¡°Just a touch of motion sickness, I think. It¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡±


    ¡°Ash, I¡¯ll stay back with her. I was only going for Edmund anyway. I would really much rather stay here with Nina.¡± Elle¡¯s light-blue eyes meet mine. ¡°We can get a cup of tea to settle your stomach and then head back to the castle.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s nice of you to offer, Elle, but I¡¯ll stay with Nina.¡± Ash doesn¡¯t move from my side.


    ¡°All aboard!¡± Edmund shouts, popping a bottle of champagne and ying the part of gracious host.


    I open the mate bond. <em ss="calibre14">You have to go, Ash. It¡¯s important for Avalon¡¯s future. Please, for me.</em>


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you up on your offer, Elle. Tea sounds great,¡± I say, swallowing again and desperately wanting to get off this dock.


    Elle walks to the side of the boat. ¡°Edmund, I¡¯m going to stay with Nina. She¡¯s under the weather.¡±


    ¡°Take our car. Feel better, Dolly,¡± Edmund says, pouring a ss of champagne for Kyoko. ¡°Ash,e on. You¡¯d be daft to miss this. The fishing is bloody excellent.¡±


    ¡°Yes,e on already.¡± Kyoko takes a sip of champagne and rolls her eyes. ¡°She¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    <em ss="calibre14">Go!</em> I say again, using the mate bond.


    Ash kisses the top of my head. ¡°Call me if you need me. I¡¯ll jump back to the castle.¡±


    After a reassuring nod, I watch as he crosses the gangnk and joins Reg on the yacht.


    Kyoko gives me a mocking finger wave as the boat pulls away from the dock.


    As soon as we¡¯re back in the Range Rover and away from the dock, I feel much better. I¡¯m sorry to miss the chance to hobnob with the other council members, but I don¡¯t think barfing on their shoes will make the impression I¡¯m going for. Thankfully, Ash was here to step in for me. Hopefully he¡¯ll have an opportunity to ¡°make friends and influence people¡± on my behalf.


    Elle directs the driver to a vige nearby that has a teahouse she swears makes the best scones and clotted cream. Before long, we¡¯re talking over steaming cups of tea and warm blueberry scones.


    ¡°So, how did you and Edmund meet?¡± I ask. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to be nosy, but I¡¯m interested in hearing the story. You two seem very, I don¡¯t know, different.¡±


    Elle¡¯s musicalugh wafts across the table. ¡°Yes, we are different in some ways and quite simr in others. Edmund and I met at a charity function. I run a school, a shelter, really, for underprivileged girls. Girls who are runaways, have drug or alcohol problems or who were kicked out of their homes and left to fend for themselves. Some are also the victims of human trafficking. These girls have nowhere else to go and need help to get back on their feet. Helping these girls is my life¡¯s work. Edmund is a benefactor of many local charities. He cares a great deal about the humans in his territory.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s incredible work that you do. Really inspirational. I work with children¡¯s hospitals in my territory,¡± I say.


    ¡°Would you like to visit the school with me?¡± Elle takes a small bite of her scone.


    ¡°I would love to.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not far from here. We can go right after you finish your tea, and you can tell me all about how you and Ash met.¡±


    On the drive to the school, I send Ash a quick text to let him know where I¡¯m going. Then I give Elle the Ash-and-Nina highlight reel, being careful not to provide too many details. I like Elle, but I¡¯ve learned my lesson on trusting too easily.


    After twenty minutes, we turn down an unmarked driveway. The school is situated on an ind in the middle of a ck-waterke. It¡¯s arge brown brick building, but the entrance facade looks like a country home and is very weing. We drive across a covered bridge to the school, and the Range Roveres to a stop in a small courtyard.


    The entrance features fawn-colored sto covered in dark timbertticework and has a thatched roof. It reminds me of a chalet you might find in the Swiss Alps. ¡°It looks like a gingerbread house.¡± I study the school through the window, itching to get a look inside.


    ¡°Funny you should say that. The name of the school is the Gingerbread Cottage School for Girls.¡± Elle exits the back of the Range Rover, and I follow suit.


    ¡°It¡¯s very peaceful here,¡± I say, taking in the mixed deciduous and evergreen forest surrounding the school.


    ¡°The girls thate here need to heal. They need peace and privacy to do that. Many of them have left violent situations and don¡¯t want to be found. Shall we go inside?¡± Elle opens the heavy wood door, and I follow her into an inviting entryway with white ster walls and dark wood trim.


    ¡°The main floor is made up of themon rooms¡ªthe kitchen, dining and living areas. There are also some offices. Mine is at the end of the hall, but let¡¯s see if there is anyone around.¡± Elle leads the way into a bright living room where a TV hangs on the wall surrounded by severalfy couches. There are tables and chairs where girls sit doing puzzles or ying board games.


    Elle takes me around and introduces me to each of the girls. I shake their hands andmit their names to memory as we make small talk.


    The girls are young¡ªranging in age from around twelve to sixteen. One is visibly pregnant. Some have tattoos, piercings or spacers in their ears. Others look as if they just left a church pic. But they all have one thing inmon¡ªa haunted look in their eyes, as if they¡¯ve seen things they wish to the gods they could unsee. Although I don¡¯t know their stories, as a survivor of sexual abuse and assault¡ªI recognize that look. I¡¯ve seen it in the mirror and know the pain behind it. It makes me very thankful that I have Ash and my friends to love and take care of me. These girls have never had anybody in their corner, and it shows on their faces.


    A girl with dyed jet-ck hair tosses a puzzle piece on the table and stands up as Elle is about to introduce us.


    ¡°This is Danny,¡± Elle says.


    Danny has tattoos on her neck, under her chin and around her hairline. Her cheeks are pierced with silver studs, and she has an anchor tattoo beside one eye. She sniffs and turns her back on me, mumbling something about not needing to meet ¡°no rich-ass bitch¡± before walking out of the room.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Danny just came to us a few days ago. She¡¯s had a rough go of it,¡± Elle says with a sad smile.


    ¡°No need to apologize,¡± I say, looking through the doorway Danny just left through. I know what it feels like to be angry with those who seem to have all the power in the world when you have none.

 High Voltage: Chapter 12

    <span aria-hidden="true">W<span aria-hidden="true">HEN <span aria-hidden="true">ELLE <span aria-hidden="true">AND <span aria-hidden="true">I get back to Kilkenny Keep, I¡¯m suddenly exhausted and excuse myself to go up to my room. Edmund is hosting a masquerade ball tonight, and I want to be rested and ready to present Avalon¡¯s case to the other council members attending. I¡¯m not going to let another opportunity slip through my fingers. This diplomatic visit will be over before I know it, and I need to have something to show for it.


    Back in my room, I lower the shades on the windows, hop up onto the bed, scoot under the covers and fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.


    Several hourster, the click of the bedroom door closing wakes me. I open my eyes to see Ash returning from his day of fishing.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± he asks softly in the dimly lit room,ing to sit on the edge of the bed.


    ¡°Much better. Honestly, I¡¯m fine. How was the boat? Did you talk to any of the council members?¡± I partially sit up, propping my head on my hand.


    ¡°Yes, Dad introduced me to all of them.¡±


    ¡°What was your impression?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re all ying their own game, jockeying for position. You¡¯re by far the youngest member in the history of the council. My impression is they¡¯re taking a wait-and-see attitude with you. If your tenure is short lived, they each have someone waiting in the wings they¡¯re going to put forward to take your ce.¡±


    I trust Ash¡¯s assessment of the situation. Sitting up fully, I give my husband a resolute stare. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re not.¡± Ash¡¯s intense gaze holds mine. ¡°But you have to expect this. When you¡¯re a trailzer, you¡¯re going to take a lot of bullets. And there¡¯s something else you should know. They¡¯re aware of what¡¯s been posted online about us. It paints a picture of infidelity on both our parts. Calls our honor into question, our decision making and the stability of our marriage. If it esctes, if our personal life continues to be stered all over the inte, my father worries that it might be enough to call a vote of no confidence and have you removed from the council.¡±


    I¡¯d recently experienced several firebombings in my territory as part of an attempted takeover. Now someone is firebombing my marriage, credibility and reputation. ¡°Damn it. If I¡¯d been able to get on the yacht today, we could¡¯ve presented a united front. Shown everyone that we¡¯re in love, our marriage is solid, and that the stuff posted online is bullshit.¡± I check the time on my phone.


    ¡°We can show them all of that tonight, and they¡¯ll see it because it¡¯s true.¡± Ash gives me a quick kiss and then crosses the room to drop the contents of his pockets on the dresser.


    My phone buzzes as I¡¯m getting out of bed to head for the shower. There¡¯s a makeup artist and hairdresser arriving soon to help me get ready for the ball.


    Gia: <em ss="calibre14">Ben may have already shared with Ash, but knew you¡¯d want to be in the loop as well.</em>


    For fuck¡¯s sake. What now? I click on the link, and it brings up another fan website¡ª<em ss="calibre14">Mountcastle Land</em>. There¡¯s a picture of Ash and me from our coronation. A standard publicity shot of us standing side by side and smiling for the camera. The caption under the photo reads, ¡°Do this to me, Ashton.¡± Audio ys, and a female¡¯s moans resound through the bedroom.


    Correction¡ª<em ss="calibre14">my</em> moaning and calling out Ash¡¯s name rings out. There¡¯s no mistaking my pleasure-filled tone and gasps of ecstasy.


    Ash freezes, and then his head snaps around.


    ¡°Did you know about this?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Absolutely not.¡± He¡¯s at my side in an instant.


    ¡°It has to be audio from the consummation video. That¡¯s me. That¡¯s my voice.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill someone. Pictures and videos are bad enough, but no one gets to hear what you sound like when youe. That privilege is mine alone.¡± Ash¡¯s face is rigid. ¡°If this is Thane¡¯s doing, he¡¯s a walking fucking dead man.¡±


    ¡°You always say how loud I am in bed. You weren¡¯t kidding,¡± I say, trying to coax a smile from him. This isn¡¯t good news, but we can¡¯t panic. We do have to put an end to these online attacks though, sooner rather thanter.


    Ash snatches up his phone and barks out an order to Luke to get the entire website taken down.


    After Ash puts on his tuxedo, he grabs his mask and goes downstairs to meet Reg and Edmund for a drink while I get ready.


    The makeup artist and hairdresser arrive, and we spend some time chatting about my look for the evening. While the hairstylist works my hair into an borate partial updo fit for a Viking warrior with multiple braids of various sizes, I send Ash a couple of sexts because I¡¯m thinking about him and want to make sure he¡¯s thinking about me. Once the stylists help me into my gown, I¡¯m ready to take on whatever the evening will bring.


    With my ckce mask in ce, I enter the Gold Ballroom with purposeful strides. The satin skirt of my ck, strapless ball gown swishes around my legs, and my iron dagger, hanging from a thin chain belt around my waist, bumps reassuringly against my thigh. Once inside, I stop and admire the scene. Edmund has outdone himself. The circus big top theme is stunning in its extravagance.


    The entrance of the ballroom is nked by a dozen gymnasts in jester costumes standing on high pirs, each doing a ribbon routine. The ceiling and walls are draped with reams of alternating gold and white fabrics, and a tightrope strung high in the air supports two tightrope walkers acting out a fencing duel. Male and female contortionists are dotted throughout the crowd, showing off feats of flexibility and bnce with their toned bodies. Sword swallowers, fire breathers and unicyclists entertain with eye-catching tricks. A full orchestra ys high-spirited music as guests waltz around the room.


    The ballroom is crowded with masked guests. Most masks, like mine, are simple and don¡¯t hide much of the wearer¡¯s face. Other masks offer more coverage with feathers, fur or horns, while some fully obscure the identity of the wearer with creepy interpretations of birds, clowns or decaying faces. I don¡¯t see Ash or Edmund anywhere. But I do spot Kyoko in one corner holding court¡ªunmistakable in a red gown and painted fox mask. Half of the mask is painted ck, the other white, as if half of her is good while the other half is evil, a testament to her contrary fox nature.


    The lightest touch on the inside of my elbow sends a shiver through me, and I look up into Ash¡¯s hazel eyes surrounded by a simple ck mask. ¡°My king.¡±


    ¡°My queen.¡± He takes my hand and gives it a light kiss. No one would be able to see his tongue dart out between his lips to lick the back of my hand. A jolt of electricity zings through me, and it¡¯s as if I can feel his tongue somewhere much more intimate. With my hand in his, he leads me out to the dance floor.


    ¡°Are you teasing me, Ash? We¡¯re in a room full of people.¡± I step into his embrace, and we do the familiar one-two-three, one-two-three rhythm, turning in time with the music and other dancers. Being schooled in ballroom dancing is part of any royal upbringing.


    ¡°I want to make sure I have your undivided attention. We want everyone to see how devoted we are to each other, remember? Besides, it¡¯s payback for the dirty texts you sent me while I was trying to concentrate on what my father and Edmund were saying.¡± His hand on my lower back presses me closer to him.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want you to forget about me.¡± I follow his lead, and we move perfectly together around the room, never missing a step. ¡°Speaking of Edmund and your father, where are they? And the other council members? I haven¡¯t seen anyone besides Kyoko.¡±


    ¡°Elle asked Edmund to check on something for the party. Dad is meeting with the member from Brazil, and I don¡¯t think the rest have arrived yet. It¡¯s still pretty early.¡±


    ¡°Looks like we have some time to kill.¡± I flutter myshes, thinking about his tongue and what he can do with it.


    ¡°What are you suggesting? We find a quiet corner and I find out what kind of fancy underthings you¡¯re wearing under that gown?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like you can read my mind.¡± I nce around at the crowd. ¡°I¡¯ll leave the ballroom first so no one suspects we¡¯re sneaking away for a quickie. You can get us a drink and then follow me.¡±


    ¡°Where will you be?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not making it that easy. You have to track me using this.¡± I tap the side of his straight nose. ¡°Consider it a game. A game of hide and seek.¡±


    ¡°You want me to chase you?¡± He lifts a brow at me. ¡°It¡¯s a littlete to y hard to get, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll always be hard to get. I thought you knew that.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever change.¡± He discreetly brushes his nose down the length of my neck. ¡°I ept your challenge. I¡¯d know your scent anywhere.¡±


    The music ends, and we part ways. Leaving the ballroom, I think about a good ce to hide, somewhere that will be deserted this time of the evening. Then ites to me, the Bronze Room, a small library not far from Edmund¡¯s office. But I¡¯m not going directly there. I have to make Ash work for it. Passing through several rooms, I touch furniture and various objects as I go, leaving my scent behind just as the field master did in the faux-fox hunt. I smile in acknowledgment at the other masked partygoers as I make my way to the quieter side of the castle.


    Passing by the door to Edmund¡¯s office, I decide to go inside for a moment to throw Ash off the trail. After knocking, I find the door unlocked and slip inside. The music floating from the ballroom is lively and light.


    I walk across the office and trail my hand along the top of the mahogany sideboard Edmund uses as a bar.


    The door to Edmund¡¯s office snicks shut behind me.


    ¡°That didn¡¯t take lo¡ª¡± The words die in my mouth as I turn to see a male wearing a macabre crow mask with a long grotesque beak standing inside the room.


    <em ss="calibre14">Is it Edmund?</em> I pull on my magic, wrapping it around me in a defensive move. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    He says nothing for several long seconds. Then he reaches up and slowly removes his mask, exposing his nd, nondescript facial features.


    <em ss="calibre14">Thane!</em> ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I let my power sweep out into the room so that my mother¡¯s ex-consort feels it on his skin and is reminded that I¡¯m the queen now. I¡¯m no longer the vulnerable girl he made feel small and worthless with a thousand microaggressions over the years.


    ¡°I was invited. Edmund and I are old friends. I came to wish him well with histest bride.¡± Thane moves across the room to the bar, ces his mask down and pours himself a drink.


    Did Edmund really invite him? Didn¡¯t Edmund understand the antagonistic, if not openly hostile, rtionship Thane and I have always had?


    With his drink in hand, Thane walks toward me. Using his fae mour to distort the light around him, he begins to fade into the background of the darkly painted walls in Edmund¡¯s office. ¡°I worshipped your mother. I would have done anything for her.¡±


    ¡°You were obsessed with her. You wanted her all to yourself. You were jealous of even the smallest amount of time or attention she gave me.¡±


    Thane turns up his mour, bing more difficult to see. ¡°You were always a difficult child. You never knew your ce. You would never just go along to get along.¡±


    I squint to keep him in sight and hold my power at the ready. ¡°It¡¯s you who never knew your ce. My mother loved me, but she wasn¡¯t a natural nurturer. Instead of helping us grow together, you made sure to widen the divide. I know you advised her not to hug me in public. That she should shake my hand like I was a stranger. You were constantly pointing out my ws and diminishing me in her eyes. You never once tried to be my friend. Not even in the beginning. You made sure I was isted. You always viewed me as a rival.¡±


    Thane vanishes from sight but his disembodied voice is clear. ¡°I wish it was you who died. Why couldn¡¯t it have been you? I¡¯ve lost my ce in society. I¡¯m a nobody now. After all I did for your mother, I¡¯m left with nothing.¡±


    Lifting my hands, I throw my magic toward the sound of his voice with more force than intended, sending a ss disy case containing antique pistols crashing to the floor. My mother was right¡ªmy power is still settling, and I don¡¯t have full control. ¡°She left you a huge fortune.¡± For some people, it¡¯s not enough to have a slice of the pie; they want the whole thing.


    ¡°But you have all the prestige, the title, the kingdom.¡± Thane¡¯s tone is poisoned with jealousy as he moves unseen around Edmund¡¯s office.


    ¡°You can im you worshipped her, but what you really worshipped was the status, the spotlight that being in a rtionship with her gave you.¡± Trying to use my magic judiciously, I gently swirl it around the room to flush him out. Medieval-looking weaponry rattles loose from the walls and takes flight. I immediately pull my power back. Swords,nces and spears lose their momentum and fall, gouging the furniture and hardwood floor. A battle-ax splits Edmund¡¯s desk down the center with a loud crack.


    Thane appears on the other side of the room. ¡°If you and Dardanus had both died, there would have been no marriage or blood im to the throne. As her consort, I could have made a case for it. Asked for support from the Faerie Lords. Gone to the Council of Seven.¡± He stoops down and picks up one of the swords from the floor before bing invisible once again. ¡°Sadly, you survived. And now you have the queen¡¯s power. You <em ss="calibre14">may be</em> too powerful to kill now, but I can make your life miserable, taunt you until the end of your days.¡±


    I use my magic like a forcefield to ward off an attack. ¡°I knew it was you. The videos of Ash. The pictures of me with my leaders. The photo and audio from our consummation video.¡±


    Thane reappears six feet in front of me, the sword at his side. ¡°I revel in your unhappiness. I intend to make you aughingstock. Wait till you see what I post next. The video to go along with that audio. Your most intimate moments for all the universe to see. How seriously will you be taken as the Queen of Avalon, as a member of the Council of Seven, when you have a sex tape? Think of the scandal. I¡¯ll steal your good name and taint your reign.¡±


    If he makes good on his threat, I¡¯ll be ruined.


    Thane lifts the sword and looks down its length at me. ¡°Remember that unsavory business with the Gorm when you were but a girl?¡±


    The memory of being molested by one of my guards as a child is like a punch in the stomach.


    ¡°I coerced him into it.¡± An oily smirk splits Thane¡¯s face.¡± He didn¡¯t want to of course but threats against his familypelled him to sumb. When his actions were discovered, he took full responsibility and asked for no mercy to be shown. He was broken by what he¡¯d done to you. Of course, knowing that if he implicated me I would kill his family probably also helped along his confession.¡±


    Although I¡¯d put this behind me a long time ago, I¡¯m stunned by Thane¡¯s sickening admission of his depraved behavior and momentarily lower my guard.


    Thane springs forward, thrusting the sword toward my heart as the music from the ballroom reaches a pounding crescendo.


    Without warning, Ash is between Thane and me. He uses his body to deflect the sword away from its intended target before knocking it out of Thane¡¯s hands. Ash grabs Thane by thepels of his tux and hoists him into the air. ¡°You¡¯ll never hurt her again. My face is going to be thest thing you see in your pathetic life.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t kill me. I¡¯m royalty,¡± Thane sputters indignantly.


    A primal smile crosses Ash¡¯s lips, and his eyes sh gold before he hurls Thane across the room.


    Thane lets out a high-pitched whine as hends on the pointed antlers of thergest deer head mounted on the wall. The antlers jut through Thane¡¯s white shirt, and he lightly touches his chest as if wondering what just happened.


    Harnessing my power, I push Thane more firmly into the antlers, impaling him more deeply. But Thane¡¯s fae, and I¡¯m not sure this alone will kill him, so I rip my ceremonial iron dagger from my belt and throw it with deadly uracy. My daggeres to a stop in the center of Thane¡¯s forehead. His head droops to his chest as hisst breath escapes. The music softens, ending on a warbling note, and the guests in the ballroom apud for the orchestra.


    Edmund rushes into his office and tears off his mask, looking up at Thane¡¯s corpse, blood beginning to seep out around the antlers and my dagger. Then he takes in the wreckage of his office and pins Ash and me with a re, bristling with indignation. ¡°I don¡¯t appreciate my inner sanctum being used without permission and my possessions being tossed about like rubbish. I also don¡¯t appreciate you killing my invited guests. Or using my prized thirty-point buck to do it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my fault. Thane was a problem that needed solving. Apologies for abusing your hospitality,¡± Ash says without inflection, not sounding the least bit sorry.


    Edmund looks pointedly at the iron dagger sticking out of Thane¡¯s forehead. ¡°It looks like you had some help.¡±


    ¡°Thane¡¯s death has beening for a long time,¡± I say, not wanting to get into the details about all of Thane¡¯s crimes against me. Edmund and I both know I can kill with impunity. But what I want to know is how much I can trust Edmund if he would invite Thane and me to the same party. ¡°Why was he even here? Were you friends?¡±


    ¡°I knew him through your mother. If there was bad blood between you two, I didn¡¯t know about it.¡± Edmund shakes his head at me. ¡°You¡¯re really making a name for yourself, Dolly. Does this show sound and fair judgment? Your council seat still hangs in the bnce.¡±


    ¡°Thane was threatening me and my rule. I defended myself against his ongoing and personal attacks,¡± I say without remorse.


    Ash growls beside me. Edmund takes a fighting stance, unleashing his power so I feel it like barbs prating my skin. I don¡¯t want a fight with Edmund, I¡¯m at Kilkenny Keep to win his support.


    A tap at the door breaks the tension, and Edmund drops his arms and pulls his power back before waving a couple of staff into the room to begin the gruesome job of removing Thane¡¯s body from the wall.


    I look Edmund dead in the eye. ¡°I take full responsibility for Thane¡¯s death and would kill him again in the same circumstances. My integrity is more important than the prestige of my council seat.¡± My words are sincere, but I know I¡¯ve angered Edmund. How much damage have I done to our rtionship? Is it beyond repair?

 High Voltage: Chapter 13

    <em ss="calibre14"><span aria-hidden="true">W<span aria-hidden="true">E <span aria-hidden="true">KILLED <span aria-hidden="true">THANE.</em>


    I extend a hand to Ash¡¯s side of the bed. It¡¯s empty but still warm, and the pillow still shows the imprint of his head. Ash has probably gone to meet Reg and tell his father what we didst night.


    Nausea crashes over me. I flop onto my back and stare at the ceiling, breathing deeply through my nose and fighting the urge to vomit. <em ss="calibre14">Is the sick feeling regret about Thane? Never.</em>


    He deserved death for what he did to me as a child. Thane was also never going to leave me alone. He was going to make it his life¡¯s mission to destroy me. I couldn¡¯t live my life looking over my shoulder, wondering when he¡¯d deliver the next potshot. But I do regret angering Edmund. Abusing his hospitality and trashing his office was never my intent. I hope it doesn¡¯t cost me his support.


    A joyful thought floats across my mind like a balloon on a summer breeze. <em ss="calibre14">Could the nausea be morning sickness? Could I be pregnant? </em>My voice of reason quickly bursts that balloon. <em ss="calibre14">Don¡¯t get your hopes up with this wishful thinking. It¡¯s much more likely your period is about to start. Or it¡¯s the stress of having a fox witch breathing down your neck while you¡¯re trying to impress your fellow council members.</em> If I had a pregnancy test here I¡¯d take it, but I didn¡¯t pack any. Maybe I could ask Sofie to jump one down to me. Or I could slip out and pick one up.


    My phone vibrates on the nightstand, breaking my train of thought. It¡¯s a text from my leader in Illinois.


    Xavier Stone: <em ss="calibre14">Heads-up. A sorcerer-apprentice named Jessie Larkin made Wrigley Field disappearst night. It made the Earthside news. I¡¯m sending him to the council.</em>


    Me: <em ss="calibre14">Thanks for letting me know. That would be an egregious show of magic.</em>


    Although humans love our paranormal charisma and beauty, they hate us flexing our muscles with excessive disys of magic. It reminds them of the enormous power imbnce. If someone uses their power and it draws media attention, they¡¯ll be sent to the Council of Seven to justify their actions. Often, those sent to the council don¡¯t return. As rulers, we don¡¯t want the humans to be scared and upset¡ªit¡¯s bad for business and public rtions. We may be more powerful, but humans have us in numbers. There are a lot more of them than there are of us.


    Within five minutes, I receive an encrypted email invitation to an emergency meeting of the council. After I shower and dress in a ck pantsuit and white silk blouse, I send Ash a text letting him know where I¡¯m going. Then harnessing my energy, I jump to the ind on the preternatural ne where all council business is conducted. The ind is an independent state and neutral territory.


    Ind in the inner chamber, and the others, all dressed in ck, are already taking their seats behind a raised judges¡¯ bench. To ensure no one can use their power to sway or influence the council, the chamber is a power vacuum. Theck of power¡ªno scent, sound or touch of magic¡ªin the room creates an unnatural stillness, as if there should be background music ying or white noise, but there isn¡¯t. The absence of magic gives the room a weighted quality.


    I take thest empty seat behind the bench. This isn¡¯t my first meeting with the council, but I still feel like a visitor. The seat is mine, but only for now.


    The council member from western Russia is sitting in the center and bangs a gavel, getting the proceedings underway. A security guard escorts a thin teenager with dark scruffy hair into the chamber to stand before the council.


    ¡°Jessie Larkin, you caused a major media crisis in the Earthside city of Chicago when you cast a spell that made the beloved human baseball stadium, Wrigley Field, disappear. What do you have to say for yourself?¡± Reg asks the young man.


    ¡°I cast the spell on a dare, but I never thought for a second it would work. It was an ac-ident.¡± Jessie is shaking in his high-tops.


    ¡°So you admit you cast the spell?¡± Kyoko asks.


    ¡°Yes, b-but¡ª¡± Jessie stammers.


    ¡°He admitted it. I vote we kill him,¡± Kyoko says as if she¡¯s sending back an overcooked steak.


    ¡°Hold on a second. He said it was an ident.¡± I keep my tone even and controlled, when I really want to snap at her. She has a track record of shooting down anything I say in one of these meetings. She seems to enjoy trying to goad a reaction out of me.


    ¡°Are we ready to vote?¡± Kyoko ignores me as if I didn¡¯t just say to wait.


    I take a deep breath. <em ss="calibre14">Be the bigger person, Nina. Don¡¯t let her undermine you in front of the other leaders.</em> ¡°The event took ce in my territory. I would like to hear more details about what happened.¡±


    Kyoko cuts her ck eyes to me. ¡°I know you have limited experience with being a ruler or member of the council, but <em ss="calibre14">even you</em> must see what is happening here. This is a clear-cut case of magic abuse that has brought undue attention to us all. He must be punished.¡±


    Reg looks down at Jessie. ¡°Tell us what happened.¡±


    ¡°I was with some other apprentices from my cabal.¡± Jessie¡¯s wide eyes move between Reg and me. ¡°We¡¯re all looking to get promoted, level up. I¡¯ve been working on some illusion spells. I¡¯ve managed to make a small house disappear. But never anything asrge as Wrigley Field. My friends dared me to try it. I never thought it would work. The humans couldn¡¯t see the stadium, but it was there the whole time. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    A cabal is a sorcerer-run organization that relies on a strict hierarchy of ranking, simr to the military. At the top of the hierarchy is the general, the head of the sorcerer family. Nexte colonels, majors, lieutenants and soldiersposed of the general¡¯s family, descending in power from brothers and sons to nephews and cousins.


    ¡°You made a foolish choice.¡± Reg gives Jessie a prating stare.


    I¡¯ve been on the other end of that stare myself, and it¡¯s not afortable ce to be.


    Kyoko drums her fingers on the bench. ¡°Why are we wasting time? Let¡¯s take a vote and be done with him.¡±


    ¡°As it happened in my territory, I believe it¡¯s up to me to call the vote, and I¡¯m not ready to do that yet.¡± I guess Kyoko doesn¡¯t think I¡¯ve read the council bws.


    ¡°Your youth and inexperience are showing.¡± Kyoko¡¯s voice drips with patronizing disdain. ¡°You¡¯re wasting the council¡¯s time. This is an obvious kill vote.¡±


    I¡¯m the only one in my twenties on the council and currently the only legacy. But if Kyoko thinks I¡¯m going to be intimidated by her, she¡¯s got another thinking. My mother prepared me well to face down bullies. ¡°I know you think I don¡¯t belong here, Kyoko, but I¡¯m not going to sit by and watch you kill someone who was only doing what all of us have done at one time or another. Make a mistake. Or maybe you forget what it¡¯s like to be a teenager?¡±


    This earns me a death re from Kyoko.


    ¡°What are you proposing, Nina?¡± Edmund asks, breaking his silence.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have my leader in Chicago pay a visit to the head of Jessie¡¯s Cabal. He¡¯s not to promote Jessie for at least three years. Jessie is also going to have to apologize to the city of Chicago, and the cabal is going to have to make some veryrge donations to charity to win back the favor of the humans. I¡¯d like to vote on that.¡±


    We take a vote and my motion carries, barely. Reg, Edmund, the member from western Russia, Dmitri, and I against Kyoko and the members from India and Brazil.


    Jessie slumps in relief.


    I fold my hands in myp and address Jessie. ¡°You were lucky today. Think before you act next time. Don¡¯t let me see you here again.¡±


    After Jessie is led away by the guard, I jump back to Kilkenny Keep andnd in the Scarlet Room. The council member from western Russiands right behind me.


    He puts his hand on my hip and I spin around to face him, instinctively stepping back. ¡°Get your hand off me, Dmitri.¡±


    ¡°I voted in your favor. My votes don¡¯te for free. It¡¯s a favor for a favor around here.¡± His stocky body lunges toward me, and he licks my cheek before I can move out of the way.


    I p him across the face and put some power behind it.


    He slowly pulls his slug tongue back inside his mouth and grins at me. ¡°Enchantresses are so rare. You want my alliance, my continued support, you¡¯ll give me a taste of what¡¯s between your legs. I¡¯ve heard enchantresses are better at sex than other kinds of females. Is that true?¡±


    Oh my gods, he¡¯s shooting his shot¡ªpathetic as it is. I¡¯m not afraid of him, but I am angry and disgusted. ¡°You¡¯re a pig. Don¡¯te near me again. I¡¯m not for sale.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be voting against you next time. You had a chance with me, and you fucked it up. Kyoko¡¯s right about you. You don¡¯t know how to y the game. You¡¯re not going tost.¡± Dmitri¡¯s jowls wobble as his cold eyes rake me. ¡°If you change your mind, I may do you another favor and give you a second chance. But you¡¯ll have to crawl.¡±


    Dmitri¡¯s audacity knows no bounds. Pulling my shoulders back, I meet his eyes andugh. ¡°I¡¯m going to do you a <em ss="calibre14">favor</em> and not tell my husband.<em ss="calibre14"> This time.</em> I don¡¯t need you, Dmitri, and I never will. I¡¯d rather lose my council seat thanpromise my principles. I¡¯m not a toy. I¡¯m a queen.¡±

 High Voltage: Chapter 14

    <span aria-hidden="true">W<span aria-hidden="true">ITH <span aria-hidden="true">MY <span aria-hidden="true">HEAD <span aria-hidden="true">HELD high, I leave the Scarlet Room and almost bump into Elle in the hallway.


    ¡°I was just looking for you.¡± She smiles and tosses her strawberry-blond hair over her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m heading over to the school to pick up some paperwork and was wondering if you wanted toe along for the drive?¡±


    I look back into the Scarlet Room and see Dmitri licking his lips. <em ss="calibre14">Gross.</em> ¡°I¡¯d love to get out of here for a while.¡±


    Elle and I leave the castle and get into the back of a Range Rover with two members of Edmund¡¯s pack in the front.


    On the drive to the school, I send Ash a quick text telling him I¡¯m with Elle, and then she fills me in on her ns to open a second school. Her eyes light up when she talks about her work. She¡¯s truly passionate.


    When we turn down the unmarkedneway to the school and drive across the covered bridge over the ck-waterke, I marvel once again at the beautiful location. Wee to a stop at the entrance of the school that resembles a gingerbread house, and Elle and I exit the car and head inside.


    ¡°Come on. I¡¯ll show you my office. It¡¯s right down the hall. It¡¯ll only take me a minute to gather up the papers I need,¡± Elle says.


    I follow her down the hall and into her office. I stop short, stunned at who I see there.


    Franco Rossi.


    ¡°I heard you were looking for me, Queen Seraphina. That you had signed my death warrant. Well, here I am.¡± Franco spreads his arms out wide, his dark eyes shining with hatred.


    Immediately, the frosty sting of his power that I remember so well abrades my skin while the slippery tentacles of his vampire mind control try to prate my brain and take over my will.


    Without hesitation, I pull on my power, and it rockets to life. I throw my hands out andunch my energy toward Franco, beating him back several steps and snapping the tendrils of his magic. Then he drops to his knees as if ducking out of the way of something.


    My energy ms back into me full force, smashing the back of my head against the heavy timbers paneling the wall and my world goes ck.


    Ie to facedown with a sharp pain shooting through my shoulder. My zer has been removed, and my blouse is half-off. Turning my head to the side, I see a man I don¡¯t know standing over me. He¡¯s dressed as a doctor¡ªmasked and in scrubs.


    ¡°There.¡± The doctor drops a tiny object into a nearby stainless-steel bowl with a ping. ¡°You were right. She was wearing a microchip.¡±


    Francoes into my line of sight and picks up the bowl. ¡°You won¡¯t be needing this any longer. But I can use it to send your husband on a merry chase across the nes when he notices you¡¯re missing.¡±


    The doctor stitches up my shoulder, and I feel the pull of each stitch. He obviously didn¡¯t bother with any freezing before he cut me open. At least I have my wits about me. Time to start using them. I sit up on the examination table, pull my blouse closed and re openly at Franco. ¡°What happened to me? What did you do to my magic?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Franco shrugs his shoulders nonchntly. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything to your magic. It is as it always was. You¡¯re very powerful. I knew that you must be, and that I probably wouldn¡¯t be able to suppress your magic again.¡±


    When Franco and Nicky kidnapped me, they¡¯d used a bracelet armed with a suppression spell to temporarily render me powerless.


    ¡°So we had to figure out something else,¡± Elle says,ing to stand alongside Franco. ¡°With Franco¡¯s knowledge of your power, I was able to create a binding curse specifically for your magic and ce it on the school. The curse won¡¯t allow your magic to escape. If you use your power, it will continue to ricochet until it dissipates on its own.¡± Elle nces around the room. ¡°As we¡¯re in a cement-walled subbasement, that will take time and destroy everything in its path, including you.¡±


    While I was kidnapped, Franco used his vampire magic to enter my mind for a short period of time before I was able to push him back out. That must be when he learned enough about my power to help Elle create the curse. Turning inward, I look for my magic and find it with no problem. It¡¯s right there¡ªa raging inferno inside of me. But the binding curse on the school makes using my power extremely dangerous, like throwing a grenade into a room and then walking in right behind it. I might kill whoever is in the room, but I would kill myself, too.


    ¡°If you attempt to leave, my binding curse will enact, and you will be in excruciating pain. You are imprisoned here. Imprisoned, ironically enough, by your own power.¡±


    <em ss="calibre14">Keep your head, Nina. Panicking is the worst thing you can do.</em> I give Elle an appraising stare. ¡°You¡¯re obviously not human.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not. I¡¯m a witch. ck magic,¡± Elle says in her sweet, little-girl voice.


    <em ss="calibre14">Fucking ck witches. </em>¡°Why are you holding me here?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just business. It¡¯s nothing personal for me.¡± Elle smiles brightly as if that should make a difference.


    ¡°And you¡¯re working with Franco Rossi. Why?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Enough with all this talking,¡± Franco shouts. ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell her everything, Elle.¡±


    ¡°What difference does it make? She¡¯s never leaving here. She might as well know why.¡± Elle focuses her attention back on me. ¡°Franco and I are like-minded. We have a mutual goal. We want the same thing.¡±


    ¡°Which is what?¡± I ask.


    ¡°You.¡± Elle tips her head in Franco¡¯s direction. ¡°Franco wants you dead. And I want your blood. You see, Edmund told me about the feud between your family and the Rossis. Edmund gets chatty after sex.¡± Elle giggles. ¡°I saw an opportunity to capitalize on this information, and I took it. I have ambitions, and so does Franco. The enemy of your enemy is your friend and all of that. So I contacted Franco and we struck a bargain.¡±


    ¡°What kind of bargain?¡± I have to keep her talking while I try to use the mate bond to contact Ash. In my mind, I can see the suspension bridge that symbolizes ourmunication channel. The bridge stretches out over the chasm into the mist, but there¡¯s nothing on the other side. I scream into the chasm, but the binding curse reflects my voice back to me.


    ¡°Franco and I are both in the business of human blood. He needs it to live, and I need it to fire my spells. It takes a lot of blood to maintain the concealment spell that hides my witch nature so I can appear human.¡± Elle absently touches the small gold medallion hanging around her neck. ¡°That¡¯s where my idea for a school for girls originally came from. Luckily for us, human society throws lots of young women away. Women nobody ever looks for. I¡¯d been getting girls from various sources for years but then started working exclusively with Franco. He¡¯s not opposed to kidnapping young women, trafficking them to further his own objectives, as well as keeping some to enjoy himself.¡±


    I know what he is capable of all too well. ¡°You and I aren¡¯t enemies, Elle. We didn¡¯t even know each other until a couple of days ago.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. We aren¡¯t enemies. You¡¯re simply a means to an end. A way for me to get what I want,¡± Elle says.


    ¡°Which is what?¡± I ask, trying the mate bond again. The binding curse adds a painful pressure to the shouts echoing in my head.


    ¡°I want to earn a spot in a coven. I¡¯ll be the first in my family to get one. My mother and aunts never made it into a coven and are just low-level witches. My original n was to pose as a human, seduce Edmund and then kill him¡ªgaining respect and notoriety. Killing a member of the Council of Seven would be a major coup. But fate is cunning, and it brought you to me, Nina. You epted Edmund¡¯s invitation and fell right into myp. You¡¯re a powerful enchantress queen. You¡¯re on the council. You killed your own father, a demi-god and Zeus¡¯s son no less. You killed Ss Duke and then you killed Thane, fae royalty. Your profile is much higher than Edmund¡¯s. You became the bigger fish.¡±


    ¡°So it was me or Edmund? One of us has to be sacrificed so you can join a coven?¡± I don¡¯t know a lot about ck witch covens but I do know there are only a handful of them, and each resides on its own sovereign ind on the preternatural ne. The covens rule over all other ck witches Earthside.


    ¡°Yes, each coven only has thirteen witches. A witch can¡¯t apply to be a member until one of the thirteen dies of natural causes or is killed. There¡¯s a spot open right now in the Stirling coven, and witches all over Earthside are vying for it. I need to do something spectacr to get noticed. Killing you would be spectacr.¡± Obsession glitters in Elle¡¯s cornflower-blue eyes. ¡°There¡¯s only one time a witch can be epted into a coven, and that is on the most important day for us¡ªOctober thirty-first. On Halloween, I will stand naked before the Stirling coven and present a chalice of your blood to them as an offering. If they ept it, and I know they will, I will vow to be loyal to them for the rest of my life, and in exchange, I will gain all of the illicit knowledge and power thates with being a full-fledged ck magic witch.¡±


    ¡°No more talking. I want her dead, and you want her blood. Let¡¯s get on with it.¡± Franco advances on me. ¡°I¡¯m the one carrying out the death warrant now, Seraphina. Does that amuse you? It certainly amuses me.¡±


    I leap up onto the examination table, hands raised. ¡°If I¡¯m dying, I¡¯m taking all of you with me.¡± I throw just enough power at Franco to knock him off his feet, giving him another taste of what I can do. Hopping down from the table, I hope the majority of my power will miss me when it bounces back. It hits me in my newly-operated-on shoulder and my heart pounds loudly in my ears from fear and pain.


    Franco gets up from the floor and looks at me as if seeing me for the first time. ¡°I can hear the blood pumping through your heart. I can sense the extra blood volume in you. You¡¯re pregnant.¡±


    I keep my hands raised but say nothing. <em ss="calibre14">Please no.</em> I call for Ash again using our bond, and the pressure in my head blooms into an agonizing headache.


    ¡°She¡¯s pregnant. I¡¯d stake my reputation on it.¡± Franco points at me and looks between Elle and the doctor. ¡°That would change our ns.¡±


    ¡°A rapid blood test will tell us for sure,¡± the doctor says before jabbing a needle into my arm and withdrawing a small amount of blood. He walks over to the counter, his back to us as he works.


    ¡°Let me get a taste of her blood. I can confirm in an instant if she¡¯s pregnant,¡± Franco yells.


    ¡°No, her blood isn¡¯t for you. It¡¯s for me. You get her death, and I get her blood. That¡¯s the deal,¡± Elle shouts back. ¡°I don¡¯t trust you not to drink her dry and leave me with nothing.¡±


    The doctor turns back around to face us. ¡°The pregnancy test is positive.¡±


    I stop breathing and press a hand to my t stomach. <em ss="calibre14">I¡¯m pregnant.</em> Joy erupts inside me and then is quickly crushed by reality. I¡¯m carrying Ash¡¯s baby, but I¡¯m captured, my blood and body trophies for my captors.


    Elle ps her hands. ¡°This just keeps getting better and better. Two for the price of one.¡±


    ¡°New n. We hold her until the baby is viable. Then we cut it out of her and I keep it as a recement for my son.¡± Franco flicks his gaze to Elle before turning back to me. ¡°You took everything from me. My son. My territory. My rule. Now I¡¯m going to take everything from you.¡±


    ¡°We can hold her until the end of October. That¡¯s six months away. Then we kill her. I need her blood for the ceremony on Halloween night, whether the baby will live or not.¡±


    ¡°Deal.¡± Elle and Franco shake hands while I vow silently to protect my baby, no matter the cost.

 High Voltage: Chapter 15

    <span aria-hidden="true">A<span aria-hidden="true">FTER <span aria-hidden="true">ELLE <span aria-hidden="true">AND <span aria-hidden="true">FRANCO shake on a new deal where they¡¯ll hold me for six months, take my baby, harvest my blood and <em ss="calibre14">then</em> kill me, I follow two gray-uniformed guards to my new living quarters. It¡¯s a cheerless bedroom with minimal furniture and a small en suite bathroom. The air is stale and unmoving with a faint smell of mildew, and I haven¡¯t seen a single window down here. It reminds me of a university dorm¡ªonly located in a grim subbasement.


    When the guards leave and close the door behind them, I can finally rejoice in the surprising news about my pregnancy.


    <em ss="calibre14">My baby.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">Mine and Ash¡¯s.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">Our baby changes everything.</em>


    If it were just me, I¡¯d have taken the risk of being hurt and pummeled Franco, Elle and the doctor with my power until I smashed everything to smithereens. But I won¡¯t risk my baby. They need to keep me alive for six months, and in that time, I¡¯ll find a way to escape or Ash will find me.


    Job number one is staying alive.


    Cradling my hands around my belly, I look down to see that they naturally form a heart shape. Several thoughts skitter across my consciousness.


    <em ss="calibre14">I have all the magic in the universe at my fingertips but can¡¯t use it.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">Elle¡¯s spell to appear human must be powerful. Neither Ash nor I suspected her of being a witch.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">How much does Edmund know?</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">How long will it take for Ash to realize I¡¯m missing?</em>


    Thest question is answered an hourter when Ash opens the mate bond. <em ss="calibre14">I ran into Elle. She said you went for a ride when you two returned from the school. It¡¯s getting dark. Are you heading back?</em>


    He can still reach me using the mate bond. Thank the gods! Concentrating on the suspension bridge in my mind, I do my best to answer him. <em ss="calibre14">I¡¯m being held at the school for girls by Elle and Franco Rossi. And Ash, I¡¯m pregnant.</em> This isn¡¯t how I wanted to tell him we¡¯re having a baby, but I need to share this with him. The binding curse has other ns however, and bounces my words back to me, causing my head to erupt in throbbing agony.


    Ash continues to call out to me over the next couple of hours, checking to make sure I¡¯m okay and asking me to please answer him back. Love and concern permeate in his voice.


    I attempt repeatedly to answer him but can¡¯t break through the curse. In desperation, I try until ck spots hover in my vision and the hammering in my head is unbearable.


    His messages escte in agitation, until finally Archer calls out to me, roaring across the mate bond as if in pain.


    That must be the moment he realizes I¡¯m noting back.


    After a broken night¡¯s sleep, I¡¯m awoken by Ash¡¯s deep voice in my head saying how much he loves me and promising that no matter where I am, he¡¯ll find me and bring me home.


    The sound of his voice helps center me, and I take several deep breaths before opening my eyes to face whatever the day will bring. Sitting up in bed, I push a gentle stream of my power out into the bedroom, testing the windowless walls for any sign of weakness. I don¡¯t sense any as my power drifts around the room, bumping the bedsidemp to the floor.


    ¡°What¡¯s that noise?¡± My bedroom door flies open, and a guard fills my doorway.


    I clutch the nkets close to my chest. ¡°I was trying to turn on themp, and I knocked it off the nightstand. That¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°Get up. Come with me.¡± Themands are barked out and leave no room for refusal.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± I get out of bed, still wearing my blood-stained blouse and ck dress pants.


    ¡°Doctor,¡± the guard snaps.


    When we leave my bedroom, we pass argemon room, and I see other girls there. I¡¯m not the only captive down here. I follow the guard down a maze of hallways and into a small exam room. Elle and Franco are both there; their eyes practically glowing with anticipation in the dimly lit room.


    ¡°You¡¯re having an ultrasound,¡± Elle announces. ¡°We want to verify the pregnancy, see the baby with our own eyes.¡±


    ¡°What did you say to Ash when you returned to Kilkenny Keep? How did you exin my absence, Elle?¡± When I realized Ash was still able to contact me using the bond, I decided not to share that information with anyone here. I need every advantage I can get.


    ¡°I told him that, on the drive back from the school, you said you were going to head down to the stables and then out for a ride. I paid the members of Edmund¡¯s pack who drove us and one of the stable boys to corroborate my story. The working theory is you were attacked or hurt on the ride. Everyone suspects Kyoko. Ash and Reg are questioning her right now. They¡¯re both frantic with worry about you.¡±


    ¡°It makes sense to suspect Kyoko. She never liked me,¡± I say quietly.


    ¡°That was a stroke of good fortune, her tant antagonism toward you. Deflects attention from me. Of course, Ash questioned me first because I was thest person to see you. But what threat could I, as a puny human, be to someone as powerful as you? Edmund defended me, and I¡¯ve invited Ash toe and search the school anytime. But don¡¯t get your hopes up, Nina. Ash will never find you. He could search the school a thousand times. He¡¯ll never locate the portal to get down here to the subbasement.¡±


    ¡°Change into this. You can go behind that screen over there and then lie down on the table.¡± The doctor doesn¡¯t even look at me as he hands me a hospital gown and gives the orders.


    Iply without question because I¡¯m not in a position to argue. The room is small, and if I attempt to use my power to fight my way out, I¡¯ll only end up hurting myself and possibly the baby. I have to be patient. I have to bide my time.


    Once I¡¯m changed and lying on the examination table, I check out the ultrasound machine. It¡¯srge and clunky. The equipment here is not nearly as advanced as what Sofie has.


    The doctor snaps on a pair of gloves and picks up a long probe. ¡°This is an internal ultrasound. More urate in the early stages of pregnancy.¡± He covers the probe with a condom and then covers the condom with lube. ¡°Spread your legs.¡±


    He inserts the probe inside me, and I want to cry. It all bes so real. This should be Sofie examining me, and Ash should be holding my hand. The moment should be a joyous asion with Ash and me giddy with excitement at finally being pregnant. But I¡¯m surrounded by enemies, my body a means to an end and my baby a pawn. For a second, despair grips my heart.


    Then a ck-and-white image fills the monitor. I search the gray swirls for my baby as the sound of a heartbeat fills the room.


    ¡°There are two,¡± the doctor says sinctly.


    ¡°Two!¡± I gasp and cover my mouth with a hand, tears of happiness immediately filling my eyes.


    The doctor ignores mepletely and looks at Elle and Franco before tapping the screen twice. ¡°One and two. The heartbeats sound strong. I would say she¡¯s three to four weeks pregnant.¡±


    I stare into the monitor with blurry eyes and then cover my face with my hands. Ash¡¯s babies. My babies. Twins. I open the mate bond even though I know Ash can¡¯t hear me and I¡¯ll probably bring on a massive headache. <em ss="calibre14">We¡¯re having twins, Ash. I promise I won¡¯t let anything happen to them. I swear on my life.</em>


    I look back to where the doctor tapped the screen and see two small ck circles with a tiny white flicker inside each of them. Those little flickers instantly be my whole world. I¡¯ve never felt a love like this¡ªan overriding instinct to protect my babies with everything I have. I pledge to them that I will not let any harme to them. <em ss="calibre14">I love you. No matter what I have to do, I¡¯ll get both of you home safe.</em>


    I¡¯m so engrossed in my babies, I almost miss Elle saying, ¡°One for each of us.¡±

 High Voltage: Chapter 16

    <span aria-hidden="true">T<span aria-hidden="true">HE <span aria-hidden="true">DAYS <span aria-hidden="true">IN <span aria-hidden="true">CAPTIVITY fall into a predictable routine and take on a surreal quality. Before I know it, the days slip into weeks and the weeks into months.


    Every morning when I wake, every night before I go to bed, Ash is in my head, sending me messages of encouragement and letting me know about the search. Each time he opens the mate bond, my back tattoo tingles warmly,forting me.


    <em ss="calibre14">I love you.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">Don¡¯t give up. I¡¯ll find you.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">We¡¯ve searched Kilkenny Keep and the grounds. There¡¯s no sign of foul y.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">We¡¯ve been to Elle¡¯s school several times. Something keeps calling me back there even though there¡¯s no trace of you.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">I¡¯ll never stop looking. I¡¯ll scour every ne if I have to.</em>


    I continue to try to answer him back with nothing but a splitting headache to show for it. Using the bond to contact him has proven pointless.


    I was captured at the absolute worst possible time. With failing to prove my worthiness at the hunt, Kyoko¡¯s campaigning hard against me, and with no chance to exin the online assaults on my marriage and character¡ªI failed to gain any ground in proving myself to the other council members. Even worse, I probably lost considerable ground with Edmund, who no doubt questions my judgment after I identally trashed his office when killing Thane.


    And the worst part of all¡ªI was unknowingly pregnant with twins, and now my babies are in danger. This pregnancy should be a dreame true, but it¡¯s morphed into a nightmare. I should be with Ash ruling Avalon and our Earthside territory. Instead, he¡¯s carrying that weight by himself, and I¡¯m stuck here on my own. I long to be in his arms. My brain and my body miss him so much.


    I often think about the night I believe the babies were conceived¡ªthe night we yed strip poker and I embraced Archer as part of our marriage. It¡¯s not lost on me that it¡¯s only when I fully epted all of Ash that I was able to get pregnant. With my fertility issues, it¡¯s a miracle he got me pregnant at all, let alone with twins.


    The first trimester of my pregnancy has been challenging¡ªeven if you don¡¯t count the forced imprisonment. I¡¯m constantly exhausted. Even though I sleep the whole night through, I still nap during the day. Growing two babies really takes it out of you.


    And whoever called it morning sickness is a dirty liar¡ªit¡¯s really morning, noon and night sickness. Through trial and error, I¡¯ve found that never letting myself get too hungry and eating almost all the time helps with the bouts of nausea.


    My appetite is voracious. I attribute this to having a part of Ash inside me¡ªhis dragon babies are demandingrge quantities of food. While the smell of eggs turns my stomach, everything else is fair game. I can eat two bagels for breakfast, an entire pizza for lunch and steak and potatoes for dinner with snacks in between. The guards don¡¯t limit my food. It¡¯s as if they¡¯re fattening up a cow for ughter, but I choose to ignore that. I focus on keeping my babies healthy one day at a time.


    I have regr ultrasounds¡ªno longer internal, thankfully¡ªand the twins are growing right on schedule. At twelve weeks, they¡¯re each now the size of a plum. My boobs are growing at the same rate, if not faster, than my belly, and I wish Ash was able to see both. My waist went from a general thickening to a cute little bump that I can¡¯t keep my hands off of. I love to rub it when I¡¯m awake and cover it protectively with my arms when I fall asleep at night.


    Although my bedroom door is never locked, I spent the initial weeks of my captivity alone in my room, resting and thinking of ways to break out.


    Even though the nausea still lingers, I¡¯ve started walking the hallways looking for the portal to get in and out of here that Elle mentioned. At first, the guards followed me, but they soon stopped, probably because they know there¡¯s no way for me to escape.


    The hallways down here are a convolutedbyrinth¡ªsome circle back to themon room, while others meander long distances only to end up in a dead end. When I backtrack from a dead end, the hallway lookspletely different. Elle must have ced some kind of illusion spell on them.


    Each time I walk the halls, I feather out my magic to locate a break in the concrete and find the portal. I also leave a mark in each of the corridors I search. But even though I emit only the tiniest amount of energy, it still bounces off the walls and ends up smacking me around. I often return from these missions bruised and battered.


    I need to find a way to get outside the walls of the school, even if it¡¯s only a short burst of freedom. There is nothing I can do from the inside. There are no windows in the subbasement that I can break to sneak out of, and because of the binding curse, I can¡¯t take a chance on using my power to smash down a wall. Finding that portal is the only way out.


    When I¡¯m not searching for the portal, I¡¯m getting to know the other girls who are being held down here. By day, we all dress in the same ck leggings, gray sweatshirts and canvas sneakers, and by night, white cotton nightgowns¡ªour prison uniform.


    We sit in themon room and talk for hours because there isn¡¯t much else to do. There¡¯s no TV, but there are some board games and cards. There are also no phones, clocks or calendars. If not for my ultrasounds where Elle, Franco and the doctor discuss how far along I am, it would be difficult to mark the passage of time.


    The other girls are younger than me, and as humans, are certainly less powerful. Theye from all over Earthside, picked up off the street and trafficked¡ªsold like chattel and purchased by predators like Franco Rossi.


    The girls haveplicated stories but all have one thing inmon¡ªending up here is thetest in a long line of bad luck.


    Jackie, with her stick-straight blond hair and sunny smile, was kicked out of her upper-middle-ss house for being gay. Her parents are very strict, and when Jackie failed to live up to their expectations, they cut her offpletely¡ªno money, no car, and no ce to live. It was a simr situation for Christine, except she¡¯s trans.


    Luna was a drug addict who got picked up in a raid on a trap house. Her parents also had drug problems, and a life of hopelessness was the only one Luna even knew.


    Ruby battled mental illness and got stuck in a vicious cycle she couldn¡¯t break free of. She couldn¡¯t afford her medication because she couldn¡¯t hold down a steady job. She couldn¡¯t hold down a steady job because she couldn¡¯t afford her medication.


    Martina¡¯s family was poor and lived in their car when they couldn¡¯t find affordable housing. She started stripping and then moved into prostitution to help make ends meet for her family.


    Winnie, an Indigenous girl from Canada, ended up in the foster system when her family was killed in a house fire. She ran away when her foster father tried to get in the shower with her and ended up out on the streets.


    Carina was separated from her family of migrant workers when they came to a new country to make a better life.


    Sade¡¯s boyfriend beat the shit out of her whenever he got drunk. One day, he kicked her out of their apartment, threw all her things out the window and told her to get lost or he¡¯d kill her.


    There are more girls and more stories, but they¡¯re all variations on the same themes¡ªpoverty, abuse and neglect. Hearing their life stories breaks my heart and galvanizes my resolve to figure a way out of this for all of us. These girls are on the fringes of society, and nobody is looking out for them, protecting them. If staying alive is job one, then rescuing these girls is job two. I encourage them not to give up, as Ash keeps telling me.


    Once in a while, a girl disappears in the middle of the night with no exnation. When that happens, it scares us all, and I have to reassure the girls it¡¯s going to be okay and tell them we have to stay positive.


    This afternoon, Danny, the girl with the ck face tattoos, joins us in the subbasement. It¡¯s just her and I in the dining room. Everyone has already finished lunch and left to y cards.


    ¡°I see what you¡¯re doing. Stop giving them false hope,¡± Danny says, pushing back from the table. ¡°No one ising to save us. No one knows we¡¯re here. The girls upstairs think we¡¯ve all run away or graduated. That Elle has found us a job on the outside. When in reality, it¡¯s obvious to me now that most, if not all the girls, will end up down here at some point.¡±


    I peek over my shoulder at the guard standing at the entrance to the room. He¡¯s wearing a bored expression and doesn¡¯t seem to be paying attention to us. ¡°I¡¯m going to find a way out of this. For all of us,¡± I whisper. ¡°There are powerful people looking for me. People that won¡¯t stop until I¡¯m found. And I¡¯m not going to leave any of you behind. I¡¯m not going to forget about you.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t make those promises. You¡¯re stuck down here as much as we are.¡± Danny¡¯s tone is bitter with the first-hand knowledge that bad things do happen to good people.


    ¡°You¡¯re under my protection now. I¡¯ll find a way. I give you my word.¡± I ce my hand on top of hers on the table.


    She yanks her hand away. ¡°Save it for someone who believes in happy endings.¡±

 High Voltage: Chapter 17

    <span aria-hidden="true">M<span aria-hidden="true">Y <span aria-hidden="true">EYES <span aria-hidden="true">FLY <span aria-hidden="true">OPEN. Something¡¯s different. Wearing my flowing white cotton nightgown, I spring out of bed and take stock. The nausea and fatigue arepletely gone¡ªjust like that. It¡¯s like a switch was flipped during the night. I feel like my old self, the rounded belly and bigger boobs notwithstanding.


    Armed with restored vitality, my first thought is, <em ss="calibre14">Time is running out</em>. The girls down here continue to disappear one at a time in the middle of the night, and new girls keeping down to take their ce. It¡¯s as if they¡¯re an interchangeablemodity with an endless supply¡ªan undrainable blood bank to fire Elle¡¯s spells and satiate Franco¡¯s hunger.


    Although I continue to count the days, it gets harder to keep track of time the longer I¡¯m here. The ultrasounds are less frequent now that the pregnancy is well established and the doctor no longer discusses how far along I am. I miss seeing the babies. They¡¯re the bright spot in all of this. The doctor continues to measure my stomach and tells Elle and Franco the babies are about the size of an ear of corn, measuring about eight inches long and each weighing about half a pound. They feel bigger than that as they roll around inside me, doing their baby gymnastics. I have to be toward the end of my second trimester by now, so it must be getting close to Halloween.


    When I sit on the edge of the bed to tie my canvas sneakers, my wedding ring tattoo catches my eye. Turning over my other hand, I find my half of the infinity symbol tattoo that Ash and I share. A longing for him overwhelms me¡ªto see him, to touch him, to tease him, to roll around in bed with him. I want all of it. I want all of him. Sinking into loneliness, I bury my face in my hands.


    Just then, Ash sends me a message across the mate bond, as he does every morning and every night.


    <em ss="calibre14">I love you.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">I¡¯m not giving up.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">I¡¯ll look for you until the end of time.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">Our families and Earthside leaders are all searching. We¡¯ll find you.</em>


    The strength in Ash¡¯s voice buoys my spirits and gives me hope. I also sense Archie, Reg, Ben, Luke and Max in the bond even though they don¡¯t speak. Ash is calling on n magic to locate me. Pressing my fingertips into my temples, I stand up and, once again, try calling out to him. There is no answer, and my efforts are rewarded with the beginnings of a migraine.


    All the time I¡¯ve been here, I haven¡¯t been able to get a single message to him, ask how he¡¯s doing or what¡¯s happening with Avalon. Has the Council of Seven voted me out? Is Avalon or my Earthside territory under attack? Are my friends, leaders and the humans in my care at risk? The not knowing is terrible.


    Trying to shake off the migraine, I head out to themon room for a change of scenery and find Luna and Winnie chatting on the couch. Danny is also there, sitting silently in a nearby chair.


    Walking into the room, a quickening sensation in my stomach, like the butterflies I get every time I see Ash, stops me in my tracks.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Luna asks.


    ¡°Nothing. The babies are moving,¡± I say happily, my hands flying to my bump. Although I¡¯ve felt them moving for thest two months, it never fails to take my breath away.


    ¡°Can I feel?¡± Winnie asks as she and Luna leap up and cross themon area. Danny doesn¡¯t move; she just keeps staring straight ahead.


    ¡°Sure. Put your hands here.¡± I point to where the movement is the strongest and imagine the babies stretching their little limbs, flexing their tiny muscles.


    ¡°I think I feel something.¡± Winnie smiles.


    ¡°Me too,¡± Luna says excitedly.


    A sense of tion fills me, and I want to share this with Ash, even though I know he can¡¯t hear me.


    <em ss="calibre14">The babies are moving, Ash.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">I wish you were here to feel them.</em>


    After a few minutes, the babies settle down, and I tell the girls I¡¯m going on my daily walk.


    I¡¯ve waited as long as I can wait. I¡¯m not going to let Elle and Franco kill me and take my babies without a fight. I¡¯m going to find a way out of here. Today is the day. The time is now.


    When I¡¯m out of the sight of themon area and the guards, I pick up the pace.


    If I hadn¡¯t marked the halls I¡¯ve already been down with my magic, I¡¯d never be able to tell which I¡¯ve searched and which I haven¡¯t in the spelled warren of corridors. After bypassing several hallways that already bear my mark, I head down one I haven¡¯t searched before. Fanning a delicate stream of magic out in front of me, I leave my mark and look for a chink in the armor of the binding curse¡ªa bolt-hole I can use to get the fuck out of here.


    I have to get out of the school. If I can get outside, I may be able to use the mate bond to call Ash. Or perhaps I can even call his n magic to me. He once said that¡¯s a power I may one day possess. Failing those options, the school is on an ind surrounded by ake. If I can get to theke, just put a hand in it, I might be able to send a message to my mother as I have in the past, and she can alert Ash.


    I¡¯m searching so frantically that I almost miss when my magic passes through a section of the wall.


    The portal.


    I ce my hand over the cement wall, memorizing the magic signature of the opening, and then push my hand through. Wasting no time, I plunge the rest of my body into the portal. The magic closes tightly around me, making it difficult to breathe. It¡¯s what I imagine swimming in quicksand would feel like, and the panicky sensation of suffocation constricts my chest. The pressure of the portalpresses my belly ufortably, and the babies squirm indignantly. <em ss="calibre14">I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯ll be over soon.</em>


    When the portal ejects me, I touch down in the grassy area outside the back of the school. While gulping lungsful of oxygen, I scan the area for guards and see none. The morning is bright and quiet. Closing my eyes, I try to call Ash using the mate bond, but have no luck. The binding curse must extend to the grounds.


    I set my sights on the forest surrounding the school and take off at a run. The leaves on the deciduous trees have changed color and are already falling to the ground.


    Suddenly, a severe cramping starts in my feet and moves up into my calves. It¡¯s like the worst nighttime muscle spasm I¡¯ve ever had times a hundred, my muscles contracting uncontrobly. My breath hitches with the pain, but I manage to stumble forward into the woond like someone who¡¯s had too much to drink. Trying again and again to contact Ash or call his n magic, I force my legs to cooperate as I press through the forest, branches pulling at my hair and scratching my face. Fighting through the dense underbrush, I pitch forward, tripping over fallen branches, thick roots and sharp stones.


    When there¡¯s no answer from Ash or any member of his n, I know theke is myst chance at freedom. It¡¯s not far, just on the other side of the trees.


    I have to keep going for my babies.


    But the farther away from the school I get, the worse the cramping bes. It climbs up my legs, almost locking my knees, and then seizes up the muscles of my thighs. The throbbing ache is unbearable, but I continue to stagger forward. The sound of guards shouting and the barking of dogs break the still morning air. They¡¯ve discovered I¡¯m missing.


    Emerging from the tree line, I spot theke only a short distance away. The pain shoots into my hips, seizing them with a burning agony, as if I¡¯m being stabbed with a hot poker. Lurching toward the water, a sharp twinge low in my belly doubles me over. <em ss="calibre14">The twins.</em>


    I fall forward but manage tond on my side. Digging my fingers into the dirt and leaves, I half crawl, half drag myself forward toward the ck-waterke. The cramping in my belly gets worse, like steel bands wrapping around my middle. The shouting guards and barking dogs close in on me.


    Should I stop? Am I putting the babies at risk? I have to keep going. They¡¯re already in jeopardy.


    I¡¯m only a few feet from the water¡¯s edge when I¡¯m surrounded by heavy booted feet and snapping canine jaws. I pull my limbs in to protect my babies when the booted feet start kicking me in the back, in the stomach, everywhere.


    ¡°You fools! What are you doing?¡± Elle¡¯s disembodied voice shouts, and the men stop.


    ¡°You never cared what we did to the other girls who escaped,¡± one of the guards answers, out of breath. ¡°Pregnant or not.¡±


    ¡°This one¡¯s special.¡± Elle¡¯s expensive leather shoes fill my vision.


    With my remaining strength, I call up my power and cast it out, hoping to kill them all. The force of my magic boomerangs back to me with a knockout punch. I convulse and throw up as the hazy mist of unconsciousness swallows me.

 High Voltage: Chapter 18

    <span aria-hidden="true">A<span aria-hidden="true">FTER <span aria-hidden="true">MY <span aria-hidden="true">UNSUCCESSFUL <span aria-hidden="true">BID for freedom, I¡¯m locked in my room. I¡¯m not allowed out in themon areas, and the girls aren¡¯t permitted toe in here. I miss theirpanionship, their friendship. The guards deliver my meals through a slot in the door, and the food remains plentiful, but I¡¯ve lost my appetite. I continue to eat regrly, though, for the sake of the babies.


    I¡¯ve been in solitary confinement for almost a week. Halloween has to be any day now. Even though Ash still talks to me daily through the bond, he must be starting to consider the possibility that I¡¯m dead. How could he not after all of this time? I fell off the face of Earthside without a trace. He must be so worried, be in so much pain. I hate thinking of him and Archer mourning me. I know how I¡¯d feel if the roles were reversed. If I thought he was gone, I¡¯d be inconsble.


    As shitty as it is to be held prisoner, at least I know I¡¯m alive and currently well, and so are the babies. Ash doesn¡¯t even know about them. It kills me that he doesn¡¯t have a clue about his impending fatherhood. He¡¯d be so fucking happy.


    Since the beginning of my recent tighter lockdown, I¡¯ve been having a recurring nightmare. I think it¡¯s some kind of signal from my subconscious telling me the end is near. In the terrifying dream, I¡¯m pacing around my room when the floor disappears from under me and I fall. Despite my efforts to twist and turn to make sure Ind on my back to protect the twins, Ind on my stomach. I wake up just as I hit the ground, clutching my belly and drenched in sweat.


    This morning, I¡¯m lying in my bed, reliving the nightmare, when a small orb is dropped into my room through the slot in the door. It floats in the air for a moment and then begins spinning as it fizzes and releases a blue gas into the air. The orb¡¯s actions remind me of a bath bomb dropped into a tub of water.


    Sitting up, I scuttle toward the headboard, moving as far away from the orb as possible. The blue gas quickly fills the room, and I grab a sheet to cover my mouth. My eyelids be heavy, and I sag into the corner of the bed, bringing my knees up under the white nightgown to protect my precious cargo.


    Through closing eyes, I watch the orb spin in the opposite direction and suck the gas back out of the room. When all the gas is gone, my door opens, and Elle and Franco enter my room, followed by two guards.


    In an attempt to use my power and ward them off, I try to raise my hands, but my arms won¡¯t obey. One of the guards approaches the bed and lifts me into a wheelchair pushed into the room by the second guard. I¡¯m a hostage in my own body, but I can hear everything they¡¯re saying as they wheel me down the hall.


    ¡°The paralysis inducement seems to be working,¡± Franco says.


    ¡°Do you still doubt my witch magic after all this time?¡± Elle responds, an impatient edge to her normally singsong voice.


    They wheel me into a very bright room, the light prating my eyelids. The guards hoist me onto a table, pull my arms out wide and strap them down.


    ¡°The fetuses are still quite small. They may not survive if you take them now,¡± the doctor says, his voice slightly muffled as if he¡¯s wearing a mask.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait any longer. Halloween is tomorrow. I need her blood now,¡± Elle says, the urgency in her tone escting.


    ¡°Halloween wille around again next year. Let¡¯s wait until they¡¯re full term,¡± Franco says. ¡°I don¡¯t care what happens to her. I just want one of the babies.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait until next year. Next year will be toote. The position in the Stirling cover is open <em ss="calibre14">now</em>. We made a deal. Besides, I¡¯m not giving her another chance to escape. I can¡¯t believe she found the portal. I had to move it.¡± The rising pitch of Elle¡¯s voice reeks of desperation.


    ¡°The fetuses have a fair chance of survival at this point, probably sixty to seventy percent. It all depends on their lung development.¡± The doctor provides the statistic without emotion.


    ¡°Get started. I want this over with,¡± Elle says.


    ¡°Do you want me to give her an epidural first, to numb her lower body?¡± the doctor asks.


    ¡°No, I want her to feel everything, every cut. I want her to feel the pain of losing a child,¡± Franco answers. ¡°A pain she made me feel acutely.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill her anyway, so there isn¡¯t much point. Just get it done,¡± Elle says in agreement.


    Weakly, I move my arms against the restraints as the doctor cleans my stomach with a cool fluid.


    ¡°First, I¡¯ll make a horizontal incision in the topyer of skin. Then I¡¯ll cut through the fat and fascia. Next, I¡¯ll move the muscles of her abdomen and her internal organs¡ªdder and intestines¡ªout of the way so I can get to the uterus.¡± The doctor¡¯s tone is mechanical, as if he¡¯s giving a lecture and not about to cut me wide open.


    ¡°Just remove her organs if it¡¯s quicker. She has no further use for them. The paralysis spell is going to wear off soon, so hurry up. Don¡¯t do anything to control her bleeding. Just make sure to capture the blood so I have it,¡± Elle says.


    The paralysis spell is wearing off, and I¡¯m able to crack open my eyes to see Elle and Franco staring down at me like a couple of starving wolves. They don¡¯t just want to kill me and steal my children; they want to torture me first. Make my final moments a living hell. The spell continues to weaken, and I can move my arms. For an instant, I consider sliding my arms out of the restraints andshing out with my power, killing us all. But that would kill my babies too, and I can¡¯t do it. They have a chance at life, and I have to believe that somehow Ash will discover their existence and rescue them.


    Opening the mate bond one more time, I send Ash a final message. <em ss="calibre14">Being your mate has been the summer of my life. I wouldn¡¯t change a single second. Please know I did my best to keep our children safe. I couldn¡¯t love you more. I¡¯ll watch over you all. I promise.</em>


    To my babies, I whisper aloud, ¡°Mommy and Daddy love you.¡± I murmur this like a mantra over and over as my breathes fast and the cold steel of a scalpel presses low on my abdomen.


    Then nothing.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± Franco shouts.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Elle yells.


    I¡¯m gone.

 High Voltage: Chapter 19

    <span aria-hidden="true">I<span aria-hidden="true">¡¯M <span aria-hidden="true">HOME.


    Back on Avalon. In my court. Sitting on my ck-velvet throne wearing the white cotton nightgown that covers me down to my ankles.


    My eyes dart wildly around my court as I try to calm my racing heart. <em ss="calibre14">How did I get here?</em> A memory of my mother shes through my mind¡ªher telling me I couldn¡¯t be away from Avalon for more than six months at a time. I¡¯d been going to visit Ash¡¯s court then and had been desperate to escape Avalon, thinking of it as a prison and my mother as the jailer. I hadn¡¯t realized she¡¯d meant the six months literally and that Avalon would automatically pull me back¡ªlike the Earthside moon pulls oceans toward it to create the tides.


    I¡¯d been held captive for six months.


    And Avalon had pulled me home.


    The enchantress magic of my family line and my sovereign realm had saved me from certain death.


    I can barely believe it.


    ¡°We¡¯re safe. We¡¯re home. We made it,¡± I say aloud in the stillness, wrapping my arms protectively around the babies. Then I roll my shoulders back and stretch my arms above my head, testing for any lingering effects of the paralysis inducement. There are none. Being pulled back to Avalon must have broken the already weakening spell.


    With a thunderous roar, the double doors to my court explode open, flying off their hinges in opposite directions of each other and banging loudly when they smash into the walls.


    Ash stands in the open doorway¡ªhis golden eyes burning with an internal fire, and his chest rising and falling as if he just finished a marathon. The weight of his smoky dragon magic rushes into the room, surrounding me.


    Our eyes lock across the expanse of the court, and I¡¯m held captive by a rush of emotion at the sight of my mate. ¡°I¡¯m home, Ash.¡± These are the only words I can get out. I missed him fiercely while imprisoned but hadpartmentalized the depth of my longing while I concentrated on staying alive. Seeing him in the flesh sets my nerve endings alight and sparks a yearning in me that only being held in his arms can satisfy.


    Thest six months have changed him. He¡¯s lost weight; there are dark shadows under his eyes, and his cheekbones are hard shes in his face. His hair is long and unkempt, and he has a full beard. He doesn¡¯t look as if he¡¯s slept or showered in a month. And he¡¯s still the most beautiful male on any ne of existence.


    ¡°I can scent the witch magic on you from here.¡± Ash stalks toward me, his gravelly voice and bulked up body indicating that Archer is close to the surface and calling the shots¡ªhe¡¯s mostly beast right now. Ashunches himself up onto the dais and sends his throne flying out of the way with one swipe of his muscr arm. He circles behind me, sniffing the nape of my neck.


    ¡°Ash, what are you doing?¡± This is not the wee home I was expecting. But his nearness has my elevated pregnancy hormones humming and increased blood flow pooling in my core, making my entire body quiver with need for him.


    ¡°You may look like her, sound like her, but you¡¯re not her. You don¡¯t have her scent. Even under the witch magic, your scent is different from hers. I don¡¯t know what game you¡¯re ying, but I¡¯m going to kill you for impersonating my queen. I¡¯ll rip you apart. Limb. From. Fucking. Limb.¡± His hot breath on the back of my neck punctuates his words.


    Keeping still and remaining calm, I find the suspension bridge in my mind and call across the chasm to the now visible other side. <em ss="calibre14">It¡¯s me, Ash. It¡¯s really me. I¡¯m back.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">It can¡¯t be, </em>Archer instantly replies, the wishful lilt in his tone warring with the doubt in his mind is evident across the bond.


    Ashes around to the front of my throne and roughly takes my face in his hands. He runs his nose across my forehead, down my hairline and past my ear to the base of my throat.


    I want to kiss him. I want to rub up against him like a cat. But I resist. <em ss="calibre14">I know this must be a shock for you after all this time, but it¡¯s really me.</em> I use the mate bond to reinforce my identity.


    Ash continues his exploration, trailing his nose down into the valley between my breasts and breathing me in.


    <em ss="calibre14">Your scent is simr, but it¡¯s not the same.</em> <em ss="calibre14">You¡¯re different, </em>Archer says in my mind.


    <em ss="calibre14">You¡¯re right, Archer. I am different.</em>


    Ash continues down my body until he reaches the swell of my belly. He freezes. Then he whips his head up so we¡¯re nose to nose, his golden eyes boring into mine. ¡°You¡¯re pregnant?¡±


    I ce my hand on the side of his face. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m pregnant. That¡¯s why my scent is different. But it¡¯s still me.¡±


    His zing, narrowed eyes widen in shock. He puts his nose back on my belly and then raises his face back to mine, his eyes searching my face for the truth. ¡°A baby?¡±


    ¡°Ash, listen to me¡ª¡±


    ¡°A <em ss="calibre14">baby</em>?¡± he demands again, as if trying to sort it all out.


    ¡°Two,¡± I whisper.


    ¡°To what?¡±


    ¡°Two babies. Our babies. Yours and mine.¡± I watch the realization slowly soften the hard nes of his face as the truth of my identity and pregnancy sink in.


    Ash lifts me out of my throne and wraps his arms around me, burying his face in my hair and crushing me up against him in a fevered embrace.


    Pressed tightly against his warm body, with my head over his heart, I close my eyes and cling to him, savoring his closeness. <em ss="calibre14">This is home.</em>


    After several long minutes, he cups my face in hisrge hands and lowers his mouth to mine. I go up on my tiptoes to meet him halfway, and our lips unite in a heated kiss, our tongues darting out to taste each other, his beard tickling my face.


    We¡¯re both breathing heavily when he breaks the kiss. ¡°When?¡± he asks, his voice quiet with awe.


    ¡°I got pregnant on our anniversary, the night we yed strip poker.¡±


    ¡°How¡ª?¡±


    ¡°I think you know the how part.¡± I smile up at him.


    He gives me a small smile back. ¡°I was going to ask how far along you are.¡±


    ¡°Around six months.¡±


    Ash lets out a long breath, the rigid tension melting from his neck and shoulders. ¡°What happened to you? I¡¯ve been tearing Earthside apart looking for you.¡±


    ¡°Ash, it was Elle. You were right to keep checking the school. She had me hidden there all along, in a subbasement. I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Elle¡ª¡± Ash stops, his eyes changing from a smoldering gold to a predatory yellow, chilling in their cold-blooded depths. His magic takes on a heavier quality, and his bulging muscles threaten to burst through his clothes, signaling his impending shift. ¡°Archer wants to avenge you. If you say any more, I¡¯ll lose control of him. You can tell me everything once you¡¯ve been seen by a doctor. That¡¯s the most important thing right now,¡± he says with a voice that echoes through the court even though he isn¡¯t shouting.


    I ce my hand on the extra pumped-up muscles of his chest as he takes several deep breaths to rein Archer in, the weight of his magic in the room still heavy.


    Still bristling with intensity, he releases me. ¡°I need to see you. Just for a moment.¡± He grips the neckline of my nightgown and rips it in half, the sound of the rending cotton reverberating in the court. He drops to his knees in front of me, and kisses my belly. The babies reward him with a kick and Ash looks up at me with an expression so tender my breath catches. He gives my belly another kiss before standing up and taking my hand.


    Something warm snakes around my wrist. Looking down, I see a thin line of glowing yellow magic arcing from his hand to mine¡ªdragon magic. ¡°What are you doing, Ash? Don¡¯t you believe it¡¯s me?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I know it¡¯s you, Princess. That¡¯s why I¡¯m using the mate bond to handcuff you to me. I can¡¯t lose you again.¡±


    ¡°Is this a joke?¡± I blink up at him.


    ¡°Do I look like I¡¯m joking?¡± He puts his face in mine before giving me a long hard kiss that firmly establishes he¡¯s in control. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get you to Sofie.¡± He pulls the sides of my nightgown closed and without another word, he jumps us to Sofie¡¯s office.


    Sofie¡¯s sitting behind her desk when we arrive. She looks at us and does a double take when she sees me. With tear-filled eyes, shees around her desk and wraps me up in a mama bear hug. She strokes my hair and repeats, ¡°Thank the gods you¡¯re safe. Thank the gods.¡± She gives me an extra squeeze before pulling back and looking pointedly at my stomach. ¡°Nina, you¡¯re pregnant. How far along? Do you know?¡±


    ¡°About six months. And Sofie, they¡¯re twins.¡±


    Sofie¡¯s eyebrows lift momentarily before she slides into doctor mode. ¡°I need to examine you.¡± Then she notices I¡¯m tethered to my husband. ¡°Ash, you look terrible, and you smell worse. When¡¯s thest time you ate, slept or showered? Never mind, release Nina so I can examine her. I can¡¯t work around you like this.¡±


    ¡°Find a way. I¡¯m not letting her go,¡± Ash growls back.


    ¡°Well, can you at least ask Max toe? He can run the tests to prove she¡¯s the queen while I set up the ultrasound to examine the babies.¡±


    ¡°Do we have to do that now?¡± Ash asks.


    ¡°It¡¯s for Nina¡¯s protection and the protection of Avalon. She¡¯s been missing for six months. Her leaders, other rulers and the council all know about her disappearance. We¡¯ll need the proof that she¡¯s Avalon¡¯s rightful queen.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Ash. Sofie¡¯s right. I know the drill. Might as well get it over with.¡± I give him a reassuring smile.


    Ash pulls out his phone to send a quick text to his cousin and physician.


    While we wait for Max, Sofie takes my temperature, checks my blood pressure and listens to my heart and lungs. ¡°Your vital signs are perfect.¡± Sofie removes her stethoscope and ces it on her desk before turning back to me and cing her hands on my shoulders. ¡°While you were held prisoner, were you injured or attacked in any way?¡± she asks gently.


    ¡°No, nothing like that,¡± I say. But the unspoken question hangs in the air. <em ss="calibre14">Is there a chance these aren¡¯t Ash¡¯s babies? </em>I was held captive for six months; Sofie and Ash both have to be wondering whether I was sexually assaulted.


    Sofie gives me a single, sharp nod back. ¡°What happened to the microchip?¡±


    ¡°It was removed right after I was kidnapped,¡± I answer.


    There¡¯s a knock at the door, and when Sofie calls out, Max enters the room with a respectful bow of his head. Unppable as always, he looks down at my belly and simply says, ¡°Wee home, Nina. We¡¯re so d to have you back.¡±


    Sofie hands Max a tablet. ¡°These are all the tests that need to be run to verify she¡¯s the queen. Can you get started on these while I set up the ultrasound to examine the babies? She¡¯s having twins.¡±


    Max reviews the tests with Ash and me that will verify beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am the true queen of Avalon. I had the exact same testing done when my mother died to confirm I was her rightful heir. Max takes several vials of my blood and a hair sample for DNA testing. He performs a retinal scan and fingerprints me. Finally, he measures my bone density and ensures evidence of the broken corbone I suffered as a child is present.


    While all this is happening, Sofie sets up a sleek ultrasound machine. She spends some time calibrating it and makes sure it¡¯s connected to arge t-screen monitor hanging on her office wall.


    ¡°Ready?¡± Sofie asks, using a remote control to turn on the monitor. Shees to stand over me on one side of the bed with a device in her hand that looks like a wireless mouse, while Ash stands on the other. She moves the device over my belly, and realistic 5D images of the babies¡¯ tiny faces appear on the screen, and the sound of their hummingbirdlike heartbeats resonates in the room. One of the babies is sucking their thumb.


    I watch the awe on Ash¡¯s face as he sees his children for the first time.


    ¡°I¡¯d like the paternity test to be done as soon as possible. To prove their parentage. To prove they¡¯re Ash¡¯s,¡± I announce. A paternity test is always a part of a royal birth, but I don¡¯t want Ash to be wondering for the next three months whether he¡¯s the father. I want him to know as soon as possible that the babies are his.


    ¡°Don¡¯t rush the paternity test on my ount. I already know they¡¯re mine. I can feel their dragon magic. They¡¯re n. I im them fully.¡± Ash leans over me so he¡¯s all I see. ¡°And Nina, even if they weren¡¯t biologically mine, I still would¡¯ve loved and imed them because they¡¯re a part of you.¡±


    Just when I think I can¡¯t love Ash more, he goes and proves me wrong. Tears beat at the backs of my eyes as he gently kisses me before pulling back so we can look at our babies again.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to know the sex, you should look away from the screen,¡± Sofie says, ncing between Ash and me.


    ¡°I already know,¡± Ash says with a grin.


    I turn my face away from the screen.


    ¡°They¡¯re healthy and measuring at twenty-four weeks.¡± Sofie moves the device around my stomach, stopping, capturing still images and taking down notes.


    Normally, Ash knowing the sex of our babies when I don¡¯t would kill me. But the babies have been my secret from him for months. He can have this one.


    I close my eyes and enjoy this moment of peace and happiness, content in the knowledge that the twins are healthy, that we are home and that Ash loves us all.

 High Voltage: Chapter 20

    <span aria-hidden="true">¡°I<span aria-hidden="true">¡¯M <span aria-hidden="true">GOING <span aria-hidden="true">TO <span aria-hidden="true">HAVE some prenatal vitamins delivered to your apartment. I want you to take one a day.¡± Sofie taps on her tablet.


    Sitting up, I secure the tattered edges of my nightgown more firmly around me and swing my legs over the edge of the bed.


    ¡°Do either of you have any questions about the pregnancy?¡± Sofie asks, looking between Ash and me.


    ¡°Can we still have sex?¡± Now that I know the babies are fine, I ask the question that¡¯s top of my mind right now.


    I feel Ash¡¯s eyes on me, scorching my skin.


    ¡°Yes. You and the twins are in excellent health. Sex will not hurt the babies. They are protected in your uterus, in their amniotic sacs,¡± Sofie replies.


    ¡°Your body is producing more oxytocin, the love hormone, than ever before,¡± Max adds. ¡°So you¡¯ll release more when you orgasm. That¡¯s going to feel very good, be very rxing.¡± Max shifts his attention to Ash. ¡°I¡¯m sure I don¡¯t have to tell you this, but keep your weight off her. Other than that, you can resume the sex life you shared in your prepregnancy days.¡±


    Ash nods his head but doesn¡¯t take his eyes off me.


    ¡°Some positions will be morefortable for you than others, Nina. Try sex side-lying, from behind or you on top. On top, you¡¯ll have control of both pration depth and clitoral stimtion,¡± Sofie says as if she¡¯s still talking about vitamins and not sex acts I¡¯ll soon be performing with Ash.


    ¡°You heard the doctors.¡± I grin widely at my husband, and he gives me a pussy-melting smile back.


    The door to Sofie¡¯s office pops open, and Gia, Kat, Ben and Luke spill into the room. I raise my eyebrows at Ash in surprise.


    ¡°I sent Ben a text. I thought you¡¯d want to see everyone,¡± Ash says, answering my unasked question.


    Gia reaches me first and throws her arms around my neck, peppering my face with a thousand kisses.


    Luke dips his head to me. ¡°Wee home, Nina.¡±


    ¡°Gia, stop and let someone else have a chance,¡± Kat says, wrestling Gia out of the way and grabbing me around the shoulders in a firm, one-armed hug. ¡°Where have you been, Nina? You scared us half to fucking death.¡±


    ¡°I know. I¡¯m sorry. There¡¯s a lot of news to share. And since you¡¯re all here, I can fill you all in at once,¡± I say, the side of my face pressed into Kat¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Start talking.¡± Kat steps back to look at me, all business and efficiency.


    Before beginning, I quickly look at Ash to make sure he¡¯s got Archer under control. ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Let me get my hug in before the talking starts.¡± Ben grabs my hand and notices that it¡¯s tethered to Ash¡¯s. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°An insurance policy to make sure she doesn¡¯t disappear again anytime soon,¡± Ash says as if I¡¯m wearing a new tennis bracelet and not dragon-magic handcuffs.


    Ben drops our hands and slings his arms around me, pulling me to my feet and fully up against him.


    I pat him on the back with my free hand. I¡¯m about tounch into my story again when Ben pulls back with a quizzical lift of his brows.


    ¡°Wait a minute. Are you knocked up? You have a belly, and these are <em ss="calibre14">much</em> bigger.¡± Ben puts his hands out like he¡¯s going to grab my boobs.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it, Ben.¡± Ash points to the t-screen monitor on the wall, and Sofie presses a button on the remote control to disy a still image of the babies¡¯ faces from the ultrasound. ¡°And yes, Nina¡¯s pregnant. We¡¯re going to have twins.¡±


    This brings on a whole new round of hugs, kisses and congrattions.


    After we ept everyone¡¯s best wishes, Ash kisses my temple. ¡°Tell us what happened to you, Nina.¡±


    Surrounded by the love of Ash and our friends, I start at the beginning¡ªwhen I walked into Elle¡¯s office and found Franco Rossi. I tell them about Elle¡¯s wanting to kill me so she could join a ck-witch coven, Franco¡¯s desire for my death in retribution for Nicky¡¯s death and both of their wishes to steal the children.


    The room is filled with angry murmurs, gasps and ¡°my gods.¡±


    The muscle in Ash¡¯s jaw twitches as he takes my hand, encouraging me to carry on.


    I fill everyone in on the binding curse, being imprisoned in the subbasement, and the other girls being held for blood to fire Elle¡¯s spells, including the one that makes her appear human. I exin finding the portal to get in and out of the subbasement, my short-lived sprint for freedom and being attacked by the guards.


    Ash shifts silently beside me, rage evident in every line of his body.


    ¡°Those fuckers,¡± Kat whispers.


    I conclude with being strapped to a table for a cesarean section and my death only moments away when Avalon pulled me home. When I finish, I¡¯m exhausted from reliving the memories of thest six months and lean against Ash and he wraps an arm firmly around me.


    ¡°How do you want to retaliate? Nina? Ash?¡± Ben asks.


    ¡°Right now, Nina needs to rest. We can discuss retaliationter,¡± Ash answers, brooding and ferocious.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. Today is for celebrating her return.¡± Ben¡¯s brown eyes take on an uncharacteristic seriousness. ¡°Thank the gods you¡¯re back, Nina. I don¡¯t know how much longer Ash was going to be able to hold it together.¡±


    ¡°Ash held it together for all of us.¡± Kates to stand beside Ben. ¡°He never wavered. When months passed, and there was no sign of you, each of us had our moment of doubt, of losing hope. Even me. But Ash wouldn¡¯t let us give up. He said he knew you were alive, and it was only a matter of time till we found you or you made it home. And he was right.¡± A single tear courses down Kat¡¯s cheek.


    Kat is not one for public disys of emotion, so that little tear touches a part of me not easily reached. ¡°Thank you for not giving up on me,¡± I choke out. ¡°Even though I couldn¡¯t respond, Ash talked to me every day using our mate bond. Knowing that you were all out looking gave me strength to go on. If it wasn¡¯t for your love, I may not have made it.¡± My words are for everyone in the room, but my eyes are all for Ash. I¡¯m starting to think it wasn¡¯t just Avalon that pulled me home, but Ash¡¯s love through the mate bond, too.


    <em ss="calibre14">He¡¯s my everything for all time.</em>


    ¡°I¡¯m taking her back to our apartment,¡± Ash says to the group. ¡°Ben, can you call Mom and Dad and let them know Nina¡¯s back safe and sound? Please tell them to keep it quiet until we know what our next move is. And don¡¯t tell them about the twins. We¡¯ll tell them in person when Nina¡¯s had some time to recuperate.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡± Ben ps Ash on the shoulder before giving my arm a gentle squeeze. ¡°Get some sleep, little sister. I¡¯m d you¡¯re home.¡±


    ¡°Kat, would you mind letting our Earthside leaders know that she¡¯s returned safely? But again, they should keep that information confidential and don¡¯t mention the babies yet.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Kat says.


    After goodbye hugs and promises to talk tomorrow, Ash jumps us back to our apartment, and wend in the bathroom.


    Standing facing each other on the cool tiles in front of the shower, Ash pushes my nightgown off my shoulders, and it falls, catching on the handcuffs that bind us together.


    ¡°Can you release me long enough to get rid of the nightgown?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Nope.¡± Ash tears the nightgown, and it falls to the floor. ¡°I¡¯m not releasing you yet. I can¡¯t. I missed you too much. Every day you were gone felt like a lifetime.¡±


    ¡°I missed you, too. Longed for you with a force stronger than a thousand dark moons. But I¡¯m home now.¡±


    His expression turns pensive for a moment before he reluctantly mutters, ¡°I can probably give you a little more space.¡±


    I don¡¯t know what he does, but the magic arcing between us grows about two feet, and he steps back to take a long look at me.


    A blush creeps over my cheekbones at his scrutiny. I saw my body grow and change slowly, a day at a time. My belly swelled, my hips, thighs and boobs filled out. <em ss="calibre14">What does Ash think?</em>


    ¡°You¡¯re beautiful. Your body is lush and full of life. I can¡¯t wait to get to know it all over again. Come shower with me.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to put that in the mate bond,¡± I say.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t. I saw the question in your eyes. Your terrible poker face, remember?¡± Ash leans into the shower and turns on the water. Then using one hand, he rips his T-shirt to get it off without removing the cuffs and strips out of the rest of his clothes. We step into the shower together, and Ash quickly soaps up his body.


    With the weight loss, his muscles are more defined than ever. ck-jawed, I watch the soap and water run in rivulets from his traps to his pecs, over his abs and down to the deep V on the insides of his hip bones, which points right down to his big dick.


    A dick I want.


    After he rinses off, he begins soaping up my body. His big hands roaming over my new curves. ¡°Your ass is fuller, rounder. I love it even more if that¡¯s possible,¡± he says. His handse around my front to wash my neck and the top of my chest and down my arms before cupping my breasts. ¡°And these, these are much bigger.¡±


    ¡°I thought you liked them small.¡±


    ¡°I love them anyway I can get them.¡± He dips his head and takes a dark-pink nipple in his mouth while rolling the other between his thumb and forefinger.


    My head falls back, and my eyes close with the intense pleasure, the scratch of his beard on my skin adding an extrayer of sensation. He switches nipples giving them equal attention, and I¡¯m pretty sure I cane just from this.


    Ash kneels down in front of me and washes my belly. ¡°Knowing you¡¯re carrying my babies is a massive fucking turn-on.¡±


    Grabbing the shampoo, I squirt some into my hand and wash his hair. Running my fingers through the thick, golden strands, again and again.


    He gently washes between my legs, his fingers lightly grazing over where I want real pressure before moving down my legs and to my feet. After he stands and rinses his hair under the spray, he slowly shampoos and conditions my hair.


    ¡°That feels amazing. The scalp is an underrated erogenous zone,¡± I murmur, fully submitting to his luxurious care. When he¡¯s done, I¡¯m so rxed my legs barely support me.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get you dried off and into bed.¡±


    <em ss="calibre14">Yes, please.</em>


    After toweling us both off, Ash carries me to the bedroom andys me carefully on the bed. He takes a bottle of oil out of his nightstand and squirts some into his hands, warming it up before cing his hands on my belly and massaging me. His oiled hands move up to my breasts, and then he drips some oil directly on them. He molds my oiled breasts with his hands, my nipples hardening even more in response.


    Desire has my hips moving back and forth and my legs opening. My body absorbs his caresses like a nt soaks up sunlight. He drips the oil low on my stomach and on my inner thighs before kneading it into my skin.


    My pussy goes liquid for him, and my swollen clit begs for his attention. His oiled fingers flutter over my clit, and Ie apart in an exquisite climax, arching my back and pushing into his touch, calling out his name.


    ¡°Max was right. You doe harder now.¡± He gently kisses my forehead and pulls the nkets up over me. ¡°Close your eyes, Princess, and get some sleep. You must be exhausted.¡±


    <em ss="calibre14">What?</em> <em ss="calibre14">It¡¯s been six months.</em> I push the covers back off and sit up. ¡°Ashton Mountcastle, don¡¯t you dare stop now. I¡¯m not nearly done. I have all of these sexy-time pregnancy hormones floating around inside me, and you need to do something about it.¡±


    He hesitates. ¡°You¡¯ve been through an ordeal. You need to rest.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need rest. I need you.¡± <em ss="calibre14">Right now</em>, I use the mate bond to show him the level of my desire.


    ¡°In that case, where were we? Oh yes, right here.¡± He uses his fingers on me again, rubbing my clit in tight little circles until I explode violently a second time. ¡°I need to taste you.¡± He lowers himself between my legs and runs his tongue from my entrance to my clit in long licks. When he slides a finger inside me, I clench around it, my body demanding to be filled.


    ¡°You¡¯re voluptuous and luscious everywhere.¡± He adds a second finger and crooks them to directly massage my G-spot, causing another pulsating orgasm to roll through me. ¡°I love watching youe.¡±


    ¡°I need you inside me, Ash.¡±


    Kneeling between my legs, he drags the head of his cock back and forth through my wetness, tapping my clit with each pass. When he enters me and slowly pushes forward until he¡¯s fully seated, we both groan.


    <em ss="calibre14">This is home.</em>


    He braces his hands on either side of me, keeping his weight off me, and thrusts with long, steady strokes, giving us what we both need, reconnecting us in a way that goes way beyond the physical.


    ¡°I want you toe again.¡± He sits back on his heels and strums his thumb across my clit before lightly pinching it, and I do as he asks, panting at the peak of my bliss.


    Ash rides me through the orgasm, and I pull my knees up to my chest to give him more ess. He looks down to where our bodies are joined as he continues to move. ¡°One more time, Princess.¡± He leverages his body, leaning over me again, and I wrap my legs around his hips, answering his challenge as another orgasm crests. When the tension breaks and my core contracts around him, he pumps several more times before spilling inside of me.


    Rolling to the side, he pulls me against his chest.


    ¡°I love you, Ash.¡± I can barely speak. I¡¯m so spent, every muscle turned to mush.


    ¡°I love you, Nina.¡±


    My eyes drift closed.


    ¡°And I¡¯m never letting you go again.¡±

 High Voltage: Chapter 21

    <span aria-hidden="true">T<span aria-hidden="true">HE <span aria-hidden="true">NEXT <span aria-hidden="true">MORNING, <span aria-hidden="true">I open my eyes to find Ash with his head propped on one hand, looking down at me.


    ¡°I almost can¡¯t believe you¡¯re here. I felt like half of me was missing while you were gone,¡± he whispers in the hush of the morning stillness and then adds, ¡°I can¡¯t tell you how sorry I am that you were taken, that you were alone all these months. I¡¯ve reyed the day you disappeared in my head a million times. Going over everything I could have done differently.¡±


    ¡°Ash, it wasn¡¯t your fault, and I wasn¡¯t alone. I had two little pieces of you growing inside me. And hearing your voice through the mate bond kept me from falling into despair.¡± Reaching up, I brush his hair back from his face. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you give up? How did you know I wasn¡¯t dead?¡±


    ¡°My back tattoo has been on fire since the moment I knew you were missing. Even though I couldn¡¯t feel you on the other side of the bond, I knew in my heart you were alive somewhere and that something had interfered with your magic. I never lost hope because I know how fierce and determined you are. I¡¯ll always bet on you.¡± Ash ces a hungry kiss on my lips, and I return it with equal fervor.


    We¡¯d taken turns waking each other up to make love during the night. We hadn¡¯t been able to get enough of each other and had explored each of Sofie¡¯s suggested positions¡ªside lying, from behind and me on top¡ªmultiple times. The empirical evidence is in¡ªthey¡¯re all my favorites.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you try and go back to sleep for a while? You hardly got any sleepst night,¡± Ash says, breaking the kiss.


    ¡°No, I feel great. Like I could take on the universe single-handedly.¡±


    ¡°Rx, Princess. You just got home. You¡¯re pregnant and need to rest.¡±


    With a pounding heart, I drop the bomb I know is going to shake the rafters. ¡°I¡¯m going back there, Ash. Today. Back to the school.¡±


    He looks at me as if I¡¯m speaking a foreignnguage. ¡°No, you¡¯re not.¡±


    ¡°I have to.¡± Sitting up, I pull the sheets around me.


    ¡°I forbid it.¡± His jaw clenches, and his eyes harden.


    ¡°Please just listen for a minute.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no fucking way,¡± he shouts, but it¡¯s Archer¡¯s gravelly voice reverberating around the room, his yellow eyes lighting up Ash¡¯s face. ¡°<em ss="calibre14">I</em> will make Elle and Franco pay for what they did to you, but <em ss="calibre14">you</em> <em ss="calibre14">are not</em> going back to that school.¡±


    I sit up straighter¡ªtaken aback. I¡¯ve never heard Archer¡¯s voice out loud before. Ash¡¯s intellect has been taken over by his primitive nature¡ªhis instinct to protect his mate and his offspring overriding everything else. I need to coax Ash¡¯s thinking side back to the surface. Testing the mate bond, I discover it¡¯s closed down tight. My normally level-headed husband is nowhere to be seen¡ªa testament to how difficult thest six months have been on him. He¡¯s reached his limit.


    For several long moments, Archer and I have a silent argument with intense eye contact being the only form ofmunication.


    The color of his eyes cycles from yellow to gold to hazel in a continuous loop. ¡°I can¡¯t be close to you right now, Nina. I¡¯ll never get Archer under control,¡± Ash says, at least temporarily back in the driver¡¯s seat. He retracts the magic of the handcuffs, releasing me, before leaving the bed and heading to the bathroom.


    Listening to the sounds of running water and Ash shaving, I think about our rtionship¡ªhow much we¡¯ve been through and how far we¡¯vee in such a short period of time. We went from hate to lust, lust to a magical bond and then our bond grew into a true love. Now I¡¯m asking him to take the next step and give me his unshakable trust.


    Grabbing my phone, I send Stewart a text, asking him to take care of something very important for me.


    Once Stewart responds, I pad naked into the bathroom and step into the shower to see my husband with his palms t on the tiled wall, letting the water run over him. I rest my forehead on the ouroboros tattoo in the center of his broad back. The ouroboros¡ªtwo dragons woven together in a circle so you can¡¯t tell where one begins and the other ends¡ªrepresents our eternal connection and the circle of life.


    He jerks away from me as if scalded. ¡°I¡¯m not in a ce to hear you yet.¡± Then he exits the shower, grabs a towel and leaves the bathroom without looking back.


    It crushes me to see him so upset, but resolve doesn¡¯t waver. I have to make him understand. After a quick shower, I get dressed in the only thing that fits because I have no maternity clothes¡ªa stretchy ck top and leggings¡ªand then go look for him. I find him on the couch in the living room, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. Although his eyes have returned to normal, the unyielding lines of his clean-shaven face look as if they¡¯ve been carved from marble.


    ¡°Let me tell you why I have to go back.¡± I take a seat in the chair opposite him. A decorative full-length mirror leaning against the wall reflects our rigid postures.


    ¡°Yes, Seraphina, tell me. <em ss="calibre14">Tell me</em> how I¡¯m supposed to let you put yourself in danger when you just got home. When I just found out I¡¯m going to be a father.¡±


    Ash unexpectedly opens the mate bond wide, and it¡¯s like standing in front of a st furnace, a firestorm of hurt and fury seethes from him and Archer.


    Ash shakes his head at me. ¡°I don¡¯t think you understand how important you are to me. How much I love you. You¡¯re the sun, the moon and the stars all rolled into one. There¡¯s nothing more important to me than your safety and the safety of our children. There¡¯s nothing you can say that will change my mind about this. <em ss="calibre14">Nothing.</em>¡± He sits back and folds his arms over his chest.


    I meet his hot gaze and say the one thing I know will sway him, ¡°It¡¯s my duty, Ash. It¡¯s my duty to save the girls still being held captive by Elle.¡±


    He looks shaken for a moment before quickly recovering. ¡°No, it isn¡¯t. It¡¯s not your territory. We¡¯ll tell Edmund what¡¯s happening. It¡¯s his territory. He can get the girls out.¡±


    ¡°Edmund might be involved. I don¡¯t know how much he knows about what Elle is doing. I have to handle this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go back to the school and release the girls when I kill Elle and Franco.¡± His decisive tone indicates the matter is closed.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know the portal¡¯s magic signature. You¡¯ll never find it without me. You won¡¯t be able to get into the subbasement of the school. And even if you did, you could get lost in the maze of spelled hallways down there. I left a trail of my magic that only I¡¯ll be able to follow. Also, the girls don¡¯t know you and may not go with you. Some of them don¡¯t trust easily.¡±


    Blue-white mes of anger burn brightly across the bond. ¡°Seraphina¡ª¡±


    ¡°I gave those girls my word, Ash, my solemn pledge that I¡¯de back for them. That I wouldn¡¯t forget about them. These girls were thrown away by society. The world turned its back on them. They don¡¯t have anybody. They don¡¯t have my power or my family, and they don¡¯t have someone like you in their corner. I¡¯m all they have.¡± With the mate bond open, I show him the girls and share their stories.


    It takes a while, but his anger is slowly tempered by hispassion for the vulnerable girls.


    ¡°They¡¯re under my protection, and I¡¯m going back for them. I¡¯m not leaving them behind. This is not about me being reckless. And I¡¯m not nning on going back alone. But, I¡¯m also not the defenseless princess you once knew, Ash. You need to let me fight like an equal. When I was trapped there, I couldn¡¯t use my might, so I had to use my mind. I was patient and careful. You loved me when I was weak. Can¡¯t you love me when I¡¯m strong?¡±


    He unfolds his arms and looks at me for a long time, his savage outrage fading to smoldering embers, smothered by his need to do the right thing. ¡°The girls are not my first priority. You and the babies are. We¡¯ll rescue the girls once the twins are born.¡±


    ¡°They can¡¯t wait three months. What if that was one of our children trapped there waiting for death? No, it has to be today. It¡¯s Halloween. Elle was nning to offer my blood to the Stirling coven tonight. She may decide to kill Edmund or all of the girls in the school as a substitute now that I¡¯m not avable. I can¡¯t live with either of those things happening. I have a n and need your help. Let me show you.¡± Using the mate bond, Iy out my n of action to save the girls.


    ¡°If I agree to this n, and I haven¡¯t said yes yet, you have to do exactly as I say during the rescue. You don¡¯t leave my sight for a second. And when we get home, you stay put until after the babies are born, and let me take care of you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if¡ª¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the deal, Seraphina. Take it or leave it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take it,¡± I say, knowing he¡¯s not going to budge any further. With my hand extended, I cross the space separating us.


    Ash stands up so we can seal the deal with a handshake. ¡°You¡¯re my fucking weakness, Princess. I can¡¯t fucking say no to you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s okay, Ash, because you¡¯re my strength.¡± With our hands sped, I pull him toward me. Our mouths crash together in a bruising kiss, neither one of us wanting to be gentle.


    Ash starts toward the bedroom.


    ¡°No.¡± I nce over my shoulder at the mirror. ¡°I want to see us together.¡±


    Ash leads me to the end of the couch and spins me around so I¡¯m facing the mirror.


    I watch as one of his hands slips under my shirt, shaping my breasts and tweaking my nipples, while the other trails down over my tights to cup my pussy. I¡¯m instantly tingling all over, my clit hypersensitive.


    I press my butt back into his thick length. ¡°I want you hard and fast. I wasn¡¯t joking. The pregnancy has me constantly wet and ready.¡±


    Ash yanks my tights and thong down my legs. He bends me over the arm of the sofa so my chest is supported and my butt is in the air.


    With one hand on my hip, Ash quickly undoes his pants and ms into me. His cock fills me perfectly, like a key specifically made for an intricate lock. My internal muscles ripple around him, trying to pull him deeper, wanting more of the delicious stretch.


    My gaze searches out Ash¡¯s in the mirror. But it¡¯s Archer¡¯s fierce yellow stare that meets mine as he pounds into me¡ªI asked for hard and fast so I¡¯m not surprised to see Archer in control. Also, I think Ash¡¯s savage side needs soothing. Closing my eyes, I lean forward for deeper pration.


    He touches a pleasure spot inside me with each hard drive that has my lips parting on a gasp as Ie around him. Waves of satisfaction flow over me, originating from my core outward in deep undtions.


    When I open my eyes, he pulls out and picks me up to carry me to the couch. Sitting down, he stretches his long legs out in front of him, and positions me with my knees on either side of his hips. He takes his dick in hand, pulling it away from his stomach so I can quickly lower down on it and start my up-down rhythm. When the head of his cock bumps my cervix, I reduce my movement, keeping him deep.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt you,¡± he whispers, seeming to know he¡¯s right up against my cervix.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt. It feels great,¡± I purr, catching a glimpse of us in the mirror. Rolling my hips back and forth, I arch my back, his cock scratching an itch deep inside me. An itch only he can reach. Ie again, grinding on him until the quaking ends.


    Then he lifts me off him a few inches and fucks up into me, doing all the work from the bottom. I can feel another orgasm building, my body having been deprived of his for so long. I wrap my arms around his neck ande again. Then he pumps forcefully several times in quick session and finishes inside me with a low growl.


    As we catch our breath, I rest my head on his shoulders and watch in the mirror as he traces my back tattoo.


    Archer¡¯s gravelly voice fills my head, <em ss="calibre14">You have no idea what I¡¯d do for you. I¡¯d follow you anywhere. You own me.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">And you own me. I can¡¯t do this without you. I need your support. I need your love. I need your trust.</em>


    ¡°You have it,¡± Ash answers. ¡°Agreeing to let you go back to that school is the hardest thing I¡¯ve ever had to do. But no matter how much I hate this, I understand why you have to do it.¡±


    ¡°When you¡¯re pregnant, life and death take on a whole new meaning. You realize they¡¯re out of your control and that to be alive is to know both. I¡¯m not afraid. I have to do this. There is no way around it.¡±


    ¡°What do we need to do first?¡±


    ¡°The first thing we need to do is rally the troops.¡±


    After Ash and I clean up and get redressed, we head to my office. Stewart is at his desk and leaps up when he sees me before executing a deep bow. ¡°Your Majesty. All of Avalon rejoices at your return.¡±


    ¡°Avalon saved me, Stew. She brought me home.¡± I¡¯d spent a lot of my life rebelling against who I was born to be, but it was the enchantress magic embedded in my seat of power that became my saving grace. Just like when I was brave enough to let go of my fear of intimacy and ept both sides of Ash, I was finally able to get pregnant. I guess you have to give up old beliefs to be the best version of yourself. ¡°I¡¯ve sent a message to everyone asking them to meet us in my office. Please send them in when they get here.¡± I give Stewart a quick hug.


    ¡°Of course.¡± A flush inches up Stewart¡¯s neck, and he sps his hands behind his back.


    ¡°Oh, and when <em ss="calibre14">that</em> package arrives, please bring it right in,¡± I add.


    ¡°What package?¡± Ash asks with a raised brow.


    ¡°I have an insurance policy of my own,¡± I say, walking into my office with Ash right behind me.


    Ben strolls in a momentter. He checks out Ash¡¯s newly clean-shaven face and then crosses the office to me, taking my chin in his hand, tilting my head from side to side. ¡°It¡¯s a good thing you shaved, Ash. She¡¯s covered in whisker burn. <em ss="calibre14">Gods, you two.</em> You¡¯re mated. You¡¯re royalty. Show some decorum.¡± And then he adds with a grin, ¡°I wonder where else you have whisker burn?¡±


    <em ss="calibre14">Fucking Ben!</em> I swat his hand away from my face.


    Benughs and steps back. ¡°Pregnancy agrees with you, Nina. Especially the visit from the titty fairy.¡± He turns to look at his brother. ¡°You really do y the long game, Ash. I never saw those boobsing.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re hrious, Ben,¡± I deadpan with a scowl, but I can never stay mad at him, and he knows it.


    Kat and Sofie arrive next, followed shortly after by Gia, Max and Luke.


    When everyone is assembled, I lean my butt against my desk with Ash on my right and address the group. ¡°I wanted to let you all know that I¡¯m going back to the school. I have to get the other girls out of there. I made a promise to them, and I intend to keep it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going with you,¡± Kat says, without hesitation.


    ¡°We¡¯ll all go,¡± Sofie says, taking Kat¡¯s hand as Gia smiles in agreement.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be dangerous. Elle is a powerful ck witch, and Franco is a sadistic vampire bent on revenge. Elle has cast a number of spells and wards to protect the school and the grounds. There are also guards and dogs on patrol. There are human girls in the public-facing side of the school and girls hidden in the subbasement that can only be essed by the magic portal. It won¡¯t be easy.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in,¡± Ben says, sliding his hands into his pockets as if this is just another day at the office.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Ben. If something happens to me, you¡¯re next in line for the crown of Westmornd,¡± Ash says.


    Ben¡¯s casual stance stiffens. ¡°If something happens to you, I¡¯ll find a necromancer to reanimate you and kill you again myself. You¡¯re the firstborn son. You get the crown. I definitely have to go now and watch your back so you don¡¯t get killed and leave me with a boatload of responsibility I don¡¯t want. And if something happens to the both of us, then Cal will inherit the crown. Either way, it won¡¯t be me.¡±


    ¡°Count me in, Nina,¡± Max says.


    ¡°Me too,¡± Luke adds with a lift of his chin.


    ¡°Max, I need you to stay here and have an operating room ready. If something goes wrong down there, I¡¯ll need you to be ready to deliver the babies at a moment¡¯s notice. Sofie ising with me to treat the girls in case any are injured during the rescue,¡± I say.


    Max nods his assent but looks unhappy at not being part of the fight.


    ¡°As trouble seems to find the fuck out of our queen, I¡¯ll be on her like a shadow,¡± Ash says. ¡°My role is to be her personal protection and to kill any threat she encounters. If she gets injured, I¡¯ll jump her right back here to you, Max.¡±


    I look up at Ash, and he singes me with an intense stare, and for a moment it¡¯s as if everyone else in the room fades away and we¡¯re alone. When I¡¯m able to break our eye contact, I search out the other person I have to ask to stay behind. ¡°And Gia, I need you to stay here as well. If the worst happens to me, you¡¯ll have to help raise the babies. I need to know that someone will show them how to have fun¡ªpick spring flowers, jump in mud puddles, bake cookies. I want to make sure they experience a normal life along with a royal one.¡±


    Gia clutches her hands to her heart. ¡°Nothing is going to happen to you, Nina. But if it gives you peace of mind, I¡¯ll stay back.¡±


    With a quick tap on the open door, Stewart walks in holding a small crate. It¡¯s the package I¡¯ve been waiting for¡ªa gift from my grandfather. ¡°It just arrived,¡± Stewart says, cing it on my desk.


    ¡°Will you help me put it on, Ash?¡± I ask, spying my dagger on my desk and using it pop the top off the crate. I haven¡¯t seen my dagger since it was embedded in Thane¡¯s forehead. Ash must have brought it home for me.


    Ash lifts the gift from its container and helps me put it on over my ck top and tights. It fits perfectly.


    ¡°I asked Zeus to make me a breastte for battle. It was fashioned by Zeus¡¯s own cksmith with steel from Mount Olympus and is simr to the one he wears.¡± The molded shiny metal is lightweight andpletely covers my chest and rounded belly but rises over my hips so I can move freely. Knowing Zeus has to have <em ss="calibre14">some</em> benefit.


    ¡°This is a rescue mission first and foremost, not an attack in retaliation. Our priority is to save the human girls, so we can¡¯t go in there dragon-fire zing.¡± I turn to face my small, but mighty army. ¡°That will alert Elle, and she may panic and kill them all. We¡¯re going to have to use stealth and subtlety¡ªfight like an enchantress. Here¡¯s what we¡¯re going to do.¡±

 High Voltage: Chapter 22

    <span aria-hidden="true">A<span aria-hidden="true">FTER <span aria-hidden="true">I <span aria-hidden="true">TELL <span aria-hidden="true">EVERYONE the rescue n, those who are going Earthside agree to meet at the stables in an hour, and then we all disperse to prepare. Max readies an operating room in case I¡¯m injured and he needs to deliver the babies on short notice. Sophie packs a small bag with medical supplies to care for the girls, if needed. Ash and I confer with a contingent of the Gorm to let them in on the n and their role in it.


    I send a message to Gus, the head groomsman, asking him to saddle Northstar while everyone else changes into dark clothes to help them blend into the forest surrounding the school.


    At the allotted time, Ash and I head down to the stables to meet the others, bringing Steele and Silver with us.


    ¡°We await your safe return, my queen,¡± Gus says, removing his cap with a bow and handing me Northstar¡¯s reins.


    ¡°Thank you, Gus,¡± I say, mounting Northstar in one smooth motion.


    Ash gives me an appreciative once over. ¡°You look like an avenging angel up on Northstar¡¯s back, wearing your steel breastte with your hair blowing in the breeze.¡±


    With a smile for my husband, I pat the shimmering metallic coat of Northstar¡¯s neck. ¡°Thanks for being my ride, big boy.¡± When I escaped from the school, the binding curse caused severe cramping in my leg muscles. I suspect the same thing will happen the moment I set foot back on the grounds¡ªthe curse will bring about that torturous pain and I won¡¯t be able to move. I¡¯m riding in on Northstar so I don¡¯t slow down the rescue mission or take anyone¡¯s focus from our objective. Because Elle¡¯s curse was created specifically for me, no one else should be affected by it.


    Ash bulks up with Archer¡¯s dragon power, golden eyes catching the morning light. Silver and Steel sit patiently at his feet. Their job will be to round up the guard dogs patrolling the grounds of the school. The guards themselves will be handled by Kat, who stands in front of me alongside Ben, Luke, Sofie and the contingent of Gorm.


    ¡°Anyst-minute questions?¡± I ask, looking at the assembled group. When I¡¯m met only with silence and determined looks, I say, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    We jump Earthside and arrive on the country road at the top of the unmarked driveway to the Gingerbread Cottage School for Girls.


    ¡°Remember, Elle will most likely be here at the school, and there¡¯s a good chance Franco will be as well,¡± I say to the others. ¡°Don¡¯t think because it¡¯s daylight, Franco will be forced to stay away. He often visited during the day, using the portal to jump directly into the subbasement where there are no windows.¡±


    Ash turns to the contingent of Gorm. ¡°Wait here for my signal.¡±


    They nod their agreement in unison.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get this party started.¡± I tighten my hold on Northstar¡¯s reins, and Ash uses his power to jump us all to the covered bridge at the same time.


    When wend, the cramping immediately begins in my feet and creeps up my ankles. I gasp and then breathe through the agony, grateful to be on Northstar¡¯s back and not trying to walk or even stand on my own.


    ¡°Are you all right, Nina? How¡¯s the pain?¡± Ash asks with a worried frown.


    ¡°I¡¯m staying ahead of it, and it¡¯ll subside as soon as I¡¯m inside the school,¡± I answer with a tight-lipped smile.


    Kat strips down and dives naked off the bridge into the inkyke surrounding the school. She disappears under the surface before emerging transformed into her siren appearance. Shimmering ck scales begin in the valley of her breasts and cascade down her torso. She opens her mouth and a beautiful song emerges from between her dagger-like teeth. She uses the strength of her tail to lift out of the water like a dolphin as her melody vibrates around us.


    Guards shuffle out of the forest and spill out of the school. They cross the grounds to theke in the drugged state Kat¡¯s siren song induces. At the water¡¯s edge, they drop their guns and tread without hesitation into the water.


    Kat sings louder as she stretches her talon-tipped fingers wide and lures her prey to her. She¡¯s a spectacr killing machine.


    Ash voices amand to Steel and Silver. They take off at a run across the covered bridge and down to the grass to round up the guard dogs who don¡¯t seem to know what to do without their handlers. The guard dogs race around the edge of theke, barking and snarling at Kat.


    Steel and Silver corral the dogs with growls and barks much louder and more menacing than anything Earthside dogs can muster. The guard dogs cower timidly together and lie down at Steel and Silver¡¯s feet, knowing they can¡¯t win against a pair of dominant hellhounds.


    ¡°Stay,¡± Ash calls to Steel and Silver.


    Our hellhounds keep watch over the now quiet dogs.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to the school,¡± I say.


    ¡°Should we stay in case Kat needs help?¡± Luke asks, looking at Sofie and me.


    When the guards wade chest deep into the water, Kat disappears below the surface. The men are yanked under in quick session, and the water churns with bloody froth.


    ¡°No need. My girl¡¯s got it,¡± Sofie replies proudly.


    ¡°Come on.¡± I motion Northstar forward across the bridge and down onto the grass.


    We skirt along the edge of the tree line until we reach the back of the school. Then we cross the grounds to the original location of the portal in the wall of the school. I know that our time before being discovered is getting short. If my presence back on the grounds of the school doesn¡¯t alert Elle, the missing guards will.


    ¡°The bolt-hole used to be here.¡± I point to a section of brown brick.


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel any magic,¡± Ash says.


    ¡°Elle said she moved it after my attempted escape. She must have been telling the truth for once.¡± I walk Northstar along the back of the building, looking for the portal¡¯s magic signature. We turn the corner of the school and search the wall for several minutes before I find it.


    ¡°It¡¯s here.¡± Dismounting from Northstar¡¯s back, I grimace at the cramping in my calves and thighs. I press my hand to the brick and smile to myself when it passes through.


    ¡°I can sense the magic signature now,¡± Ash says,ing up beside me. ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you would consider waiting out here?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t. The pain in my legs is getting worse. I need to get inside the school for the curse to release me. Besides, I¡¯m the only one who knows my way around in there.¡± I look at Ben and Luke. ¡°We¡¯ll slip in through here. Once inside, don¡¯t be tempted to shift into your dragons. I need you in this form to lead the girls out. Also, the rooms are small and the ceilings low. You could be trapped or destabilize the entire building. Follow me.¡±


    ¡°Ben and Luke should go first to make sure it¡¯s clear, then you and Sofie, and I¡¯ll have your back,¡± Ash says.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I say, respecting Ash¡¯s need to have thest word on my safety.


    After telling Northstar I¡¯ll be right back, we file through the bolt-hole. Once inside, I follow the trail of my magic and use the mate bond to tell Ash where to go as he leads the way. We weave through the narrow gray hallways of the subbasement, running into a couple of guards that Ash quickly and quietly takes care of. When we reach the hallway containing the bedrooms, I dispatch Sofie and Ben to knock on all the doors. Because it¡¯s still morning, most of the girls open their doors, rubbing their eyes. As the girls spill into the hallway, I hold my finger to my lips.


    ¡°I knew you¡¯de back,¡± Winnie says in a low voice.


    I give Winnie a reassuring smile before addressing all of the girls. ¡°My friends are going to take you out of the school and across the bridge to safety. Follow them. We¡¯ll get the others.¡±


    I catch Sofie¡¯s eye. ¡°When you get outside, you and Kat take the girls up to the Gorm. Take Northstar and the dogs with you.¡±


    ¡°Will do,¡± Sofie says.


    ¡°Ben, there¡¯ll be another dozen or so girls upstairs,¡± I say. ¡°You need to get them out. Go in through the front door and kill anyone you meet that isn¡¯t a teenage girl.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m on it, boss,¡± Ben says before leading the girls down the hallway, with Sofie bringing up the rear.


    Using the mate bond again, I direct Ash to the dining room, and he leads Luke and me there. When he enters the room, Danny jumps up from the table and puts herself between Ash and the two other girls sitting there. ¡°Who the fuck are you?¡± she demands, then picks up a butter knife and points it at him to defend herself and her friends.


    I know what Danny sees when she looks at Ash¡ªa big male. A threat. She¡¯s scared, and I don¡¯t me her.


    ¡°Danny, it¡¯s me.¡± I step from behind Ash.


    Danny lowers the useless butter knife when she sees me. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you wereing back. No one everes back.¡±


    ¡°I made you a promise. And I keep my promises. My friend Luke is going to get you out of here. You need to go with him,¡± I say before turning to Luke. ¡°Keep an eye out for any guards that may still be down here.¡±


    Luke steps forward and the girls still sitting at the table hop up and they all rush to follow Luke out of the dining room.


    ¡°Wee back, Nina.¡± Elle saunters into the dining room from the doorway to themon area. ¡°How positively foolish of you toe back here.¡± Sheughs.


    Franco fills the doorway behind her, not an ounce of humanity evident anywhere. His skin is pale and crepey, and his blood-red irises burn with mania. ¡°Seems like a fair fight. Two on two. On second thought, the odds may be in our favor, especially since you can¡¯t use your power, Seraphina, and you¡¯d be stupid to change down here, Mountcastle.¡± Franco curls his lips back to bare his fangs and pushes his icy power into the room.


    While Franco¡¯s power prickles my skin like frostbite, my loathing for him and Elle simmers inside me, threatening to boil over. I pull on my enchantress power to have it at the ready, and it leaps to life, clicking into a ce in a way it never has before. With a deep knowing, I realize I can use as much of my magic as I want and it won¡¯t hurt me, and that I¡¯ll have pinpoint control. <em ss="calibre14">My queen power has finally settled.</em>


    Remembering Ash¡¯sment about my terrible poker face, I keep my expression neutral, not wanting to give Elle and Franco any indication of the danger they are in from both my wrath and heightened abilities. Let them think they have us cornered. They have no idea what I¡¯m capable of. <em ss="calibre14">It¡¯s time to fight dirty. Be wily.</em>


    Franco and Elle rush into the dining room and split apart, attempting to circle us. Throwing the mate bond wide open, I use it to call Ash¡¯s n magic to me. Since Ash is on the inside of the school with me, there¡¯s nothing to prevent me from using the bond. My magic isn¡¯t trying to escape the curse so there¡¯s no risk of my power bouncing back to injure me.


    Ancient dragon magic surges into me like a high-voltage current. The magic is different from mine, but it¡¯s also familiar. It¡¯s the same magic Ash used to mark me as his fated mate, and its smoky rush lights me up.


    I throw my hands out to the sides, releasing my power shielded by dragon magic to avoid the binding curse. Elle and Franco smash against the gray cement walls on either side of the dining room. I almostugh at the stunned shock frozen on their faces. <em ss="calibre14">Surprise bitches.</em> But they¡¯re not without their own magic, and I know they won¡¯t be down for long.


    Shifting to focus my powers solely on Elle, I fling her high into the air and m her against the wall once, twice, three times, as payback for attempting to kill me and steal my children.


    Out of the corner of my eye, I spot movement in the shadows just in time to see the doctor throwing a scalpel at me. Dropping Elle, I whirl and redirect my magic to catch the scalpel as it flips end over end toward me. Stopping the scalpel in midair, I send it straight back to the doctor and use it to slit his throat.


    Clutching at the gaping wound across his neck, the doctor falls to his knees before face nting on the tiled floor, blood quickly pooling under him.


    Ash is on Franco, grabbing him by the throat. Franco uses his vampire speed and strength to break the hold and then delivers a right hook to Ash¡¯s jaw. Ash retaliates with several jabs in quick session, knocking Franco back, but not out. Franco is a master vampire, he¡¯s not going to go down without a serious fight.


    They stand toe to toe, trading punches to the face and blows to the body with an unbroken tempo, like they¡¯re each working a speed bag. They¡¯re both moving so fast, it¡¯s hard to tell who has the upper hand. Neither of them seem to tire or give an inch.


    Ashnds a devastating cross but Francoes back with an uppercut that catches Ash under the chin and seems to momentarily shake him. Franco doesn¡¯t waste the opportunity. He throws an elbow into Ash¡¯s nose and then pulls Ash toward him. With his fangs exposed, Franco lunges for Ash¡¯s jugr.


    Ash dodges Franco¡¯s attack and in the same fluid movement punches a hand right through his chest. When Ash pulls his hand out from between Franco¡¯s ribs with a wet, sucking noise, he has Franco¡¯s ck heart in it. Ash crushes the heart like a plum tomato, ck gore dripping down the sides of his hand. Then he rips Franco¡¯s head off his shoulders with a bellow and throws it across the room.


    From her position on the floor, Elle watches the gruesome scene y out, giving her a little preview of her fate. Using my power, I pull the gold amulet she always wears from around her neck and toss it to Ash, breaking the spell that makes her appear human.


    Elle immediately morphs into an old crone, her red hair turning wiry and gray, her pixielike face and voluptuous body wrinkling and withering.


    A gray-uniformed guard rushes into the room and I turn to confront him. The guard¡¯s eyes jerk around the scene¡ªthe doctor facedown in his own blood, Franco with a gaping hole in his chest and Elle, an almost unrecognizable hag, crumpled on the floor. The guard quickly turns around and runs back out of the room.


    Pivoting back to Elle, I see her lips mutter an incantation while her hands move in an M-shaped pattern with her index and middle fingers crossed and her ring and pinkie finger down, casting a spell.


    A ck web of magic slithers around my breastte as if looking for a way to get to my babies, but it¡¯s unable to break through. With a flick of my wrist, I break all of Elle¡¯s fingers like brittle twigs just as Ash vaults over the dining room table andnds right beside her. He reaches for her but before he can wrap his hands around her throat, I snap her neck with a thrust of my power; the loud crack indicating the end of the fight.


    Elle¡¯s web of magic vaporizes and fades harmlessly away.


    With Elle¡¯s death, the binding curse dies, too. After we exit the subbasement of the school, Ash and I walk across the grounds hand in hand, letting the sun warm our faces.


    In the shade of the covered bridge, we meet Edmund and two of his pack members, followed closely by Ben. ¡°What the fuck is going on here, Dolly?¡± Edmund flexes the bulky muscles of his shoulders under his suit coat.


    I flick my eyes to Ben in silent question.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t told Edmund anything,¡± Ben says.


    ¡°Thank you, Ben,¡± I say. ¡°Would you mind taking Edmund¡¯s escorts up to wait with the Gorm? We¡¯ll be up in just a minute.¡±


    Edmund lifts his chin in a signal for his wolves to follow Ben who turns on his heel and leads Edmund¡¯s pack members back up theneway.


    ¡°Answer me, Dolly. I felt the magic of your small army enter my territory. What¡¯s going on?¡± Edmund demands.


    Peering into the eyes of my mother¡¯s oldest ally, I have to believe he doesn¡¯t know what Elle is. My mother would never have tolerated a traitor as a friend or business partner. Edmund is rough around the edges and not above putting his interests first but he isn¡¯t duplicitous.


    Beside me, Ash takes a step forward, aggression radiating off him. With his need to protect me and adrenaline still pumping through him from the fight, Ash might hurt or even kill Edmund first and ask questionster. But that would be a mistake. Ash can¡¯t attack a Council of Seven member and hope to live. Even his father wouldn¡¯t be able to save him. Trusting my instincts about Edmund, I opt for diplomacy.


    cing my hand in the center of Ash¡¯s chest to stop his advance, I turn my attention to Edmund. ¡°It was Elle. She kidnapped me and held me hostage here, all this time.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a human. How could she possibly kidnap and hold you?¡± Edmund asks, deep furrows forming across his brow.


    ¡°She isn¡¯t¡ªwasn¡¯t human. She was a practicing ck witch. The school was a cover. She used the blood of the girls she was supposed to be protecting to fuel her spells. She murdered countless girls at this school. She tried to murder me, too. But I was able to escape and thene back to finish her off.¡±


    Ash pulls Elle¡¯s amulet out of his pocket and lobs it at Edmund.


    Edmond catches it in a brawny fist. ¡°Elle¡¯s dead? She was a witch?¡± Edmund rubs the amulet thoughtfully between his fingers. ¡°I didn¡¯t know. Had no idea. Shepletely snookered me. Pulled the wool over my eyes. I was blinded by her beauty and sweet nature.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to see her body? Do you need proof of what she was?¡± Ash asks. ¡°When Nina removed that amulet, Elle¡¯s true form was revealed. She wasn¡¯t the innocent, young human she pretended to be. She was a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing.¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t need to see the body. I trust you¡¯re telling the truth and can feel the magic in the charm. Tell me what happened?¡± Edmund says, his shoulders falling as the weight of truth settles over him.


    ¡°Elle was working with Franco Rossi. They were business associates. Did you know that, Edmund?¡± I ask.


    Edmund shakes his head. ¡°No, I never sensed his presence in my territory. I would¡¯ve run him off. I know he has an axe to grind against you.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s dead now, too. I killed him,¡± Ash says.


    ¡°Franco was able to jump directly into the school using a portal Elle created. He was bringing Elle trafficked human girls, and she was killing them to fuel her spells, including the one that made her appear human and the curse that kept me bound to the school.¡±


    ¡°Why would she do that? Why did she want you?¡± Edmund¡¯s brows lower over his eyes.


    ¡°She needed a high-profile sacrifice to join a coven. At first, she nned to kill<em ss="calibre14"> </em>you. But when I epted your invitation to visit Kilkenny Keep, she set her sights on me. She was going to offer my blood to the coven tonight at a ceremony. She was desperate. When I revealed her true form, it didn¡¯t look like she had a lot of time left. Her life and chances were slipping away.¡±


    ¡°She was under my nose the entire time, and I didn¡¯t see it. She killed helpless humans in my territory. Held you hostage for months.¡± Edmund looks out over theke. ¡°I had no bloody idea she was capable of any of this.¡±


    ¡°Elle was convincing. She fooled us all. She wove a powerful spell,¡± I say. ¡°She was ruthless in her ambitions.¡±


    ¡°Elle would have killed me and almost did kill you,¡± Edmund says gruffly. ¡°You saved my life, Dolly. I owe you a debt of honor that must be paid. Tell me how can I do that? Make this right between us.¡±


    ¡°Help me make sure the girls that survived are safe and cared for. And once again be an ally of Avalon. That¡¯s all I want,¡± I say, asking for the two most important items on my wish list.


    ¡°Agreed. Kilkenny Keep and Avalon will once again be allies. As for the girls, my pack will see to their medical care, find them a ce in my territory or help them reunite with their families, if they desire.¡± Edmund takes my forearm in a warrior handshake and then Ash¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯d also like to gift you thisnd.¡± He looks toward the school. ¡°The ind, theke, the covered bridge¡ªall of it¡ªfor saving my life and for putting yours in danger.¡±


    I stare unblinking at him. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that, Edmund. Thisnd is in the heart of your territory.¡±


    ¡°I do. You¡¯ve proven yourself to be a strong and caring queen, so I would have formed an alliance with you regardless. I still have to settle the debt of honor.¡± Edmund¡¯s rough ent is threaded with respect.


    ¡°I ept your generous gift as a sign of your friendship and allegiance. Your debt of honor to me is paid. Maybe I¡¯ll build a real sanctuary here. A real ce for girls toe and get help,¡± I say.


    ¡°That¡¯s a grand idea. I¡¯ll support you however I can.¡± Edmund gives me a shallow bow.


    I return his bow before facing the school. ¡°Since the school is now mine, there¡¯s something I need to do.¡± Stirring up my power, Iunch it at the building with the force of ten thousand sticks of dynamite. The building shudders, and after several loud creaks and bangs from its internal structures, copses in on itself, dust mushrooming out from the foundation. Ash wraps an arm around me, and we watch the destruction of this symbol of death and despair.


    We hear cheering from the road through the trees. The others must have heard the building cave in on itself and seen the plumes of dust rising in the air.


    ¡°Nicely done, Nina.¡± Ash takes my hand and brings it to his lips.


    Edmund finally notices the rounded shape of my breastte. ¡°I see you¡¯re in the family way, Dolly. Congrattions.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Edmund. Do you think my mother will be happy when she hears the news?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯ll be very pleased indeed. Her enchantress line continues,¡± he says with augh.


    The three of us walk up the long driveway to join the others. The Gorm are standing in arge circle, the guard dogs leashed and muzzled at their sides. The girls are in the center of the circle with Luke and Ben, giving Northstar, Steel and Silver lots of love and attention. Sofie and Katfort the girls who look shaken and have tears in their eyes.


    ¡°Send for the cars. We¡¯ll take all of these girls to the hospital,¡± Edmund calls to his pack members.


    Within thirty minutes, Edmund¡¯s fleet of green Range Rovers meets us on the road, and the girls pile into the cars. Sofie and Kat announce they¡¯ll apany the girls to the hospital.


    When it¡¯s time to say goodbye to Danny, she throws her arms around me in a tight hug. ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispers. The words are simple, but the gratitude is immeasurable.


    ¡°You going on to have a full life is all the thanks I need, Danny. Let Edmund help you and the girls. You can trust him, and I¡¯ll check in on you all.¡±


    ¡°Promise?¡± she asks.


    ¡°I promise.¡±


    After the Range Rovers pull away, Ash looks at Max and Luke. ¡°Take the guard dogs back to Avalon to Dr. Morrison so he can examine them and start their rehabilitation. Bad owners do not necessarily mean bad dogs.¡±


    I swing up onto Northstar¡¯s back and whistle for Steel and Silver. ¡°Well, Ash, a deal¡¯s a deal. Let¡¯s go home so I can put my feet up and you can pamper me.¡± I¡¯m actually looking forward to a little R and R.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to ept our deal without a fight?¡± he asks, sounding as if he doesn¡¯t believe it¡¯s going to be that easy.


    ¡°I¡¯m done fighting. At least for the next few months.¡± I smile down at him from Northstar¡¯s back, and we all jump home.

 High Voltage: Chapter 23

    <span aria-hidden="true">¡°W<span aria-hidden="true">HERE <span aria-hidden="true">ARE <span aria-hidden="true">THE <span aria-hidden="true">POISONOUS serpents?¡± Ash asks as he joins Ben and me in the nursery at the end of the workday.


    My eyes travel over the male perfection of my husband in his bespoke suit, fresh from ruling our court. Today is the first day of my maternity leave.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Ben asks.


    ¡°The serpents that must be in this room. Because I know there has to be a very good reason why my able-bodied brother is holding thedder, while my pregnant mate, who¡¯s about to give birth any day now, is at the top of it.¡± Ash narrows his eyes at Ben.


    Ben shrugs his shoulders in a ¡°what can you do¡± motion. ¡°You couldn¡¯t stop her from going into battle when she was pregnant. How am I supposed to stop her from climbing adder?¡±


    ¡°You may have a point.¡± Ash crosses the room and plucks me off thedder. ¡°Come down from there, Princess. It¡¯s too dangerous.¡±


    ¡°I wanted to see what these fabric samples looked like up against the window.¡± I show him the swatches.


    Ash sets me on my feet. ¡°I¡¯ll hold them up. You can judge from the safety of the floor.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t stop a pregnant female from nesting. It goes against thews of mother nature,¡± I say without heat and adjust the thin straps of my knit maternity jumpsuit.


    ¡°I¡¯m certainly not trying to mess with mother nature, but this came for you.¡± Ash takes the swatches and hands me a letter on official Council of Seven letterhead. ¡°Stewart opened it and thought you¡¯d want to see it right away.¡±


    I waddle into the middle of the room as I read. ¡°It¡¯s from Kyoko,¡± I say, lifting my eyes to Ash.


    ¡°What does it say?¡± he asks, setting the swatches on the top of a dresser.


    I scan the letter. ¡°The council appreciates my bravery and selflessness in saving the girls in the school at the risk of my own line of session. I passed my probationary period. On behalf of the council, she wants to offer me a permanent seat.¡±


    ¡°Congrattions,¡± Ash says, pride in me written all over his face.


    Lowering the letter, I rest it on my big belly. ¡°She also says that the seat can still be revoked if I don¡¯t show fair and sound judgment, so she¡¯ll be watching me. If I fuck it up, I¡¯m out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll win her over. Eventually.¡± Ash grins at me and then checks his watch. ¡°Let¡¯s get you something to eat before we go meet Sofie and Max to talk about your birth n.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not really hungry, and everybody already knows the n. I¡¯m delivering naturally.¡± Ash and I have been meeting with our doctors since I returned to Avalon to talk about what to expect during the delivery. My time in the clutches of Elle and her psychotic doctor gave me PTSD where a C-section is concerned¡ªalmost being murdered and having your babies abducted will do that to you. I hyperventte just thinking about it and curse Elle and Franco for making me terrified of a perfectly valid birthing option.


    ¡°We just want to discuss the contingencies.¡± Ash¡¯s voice is both soothing and firm.


    ¡°Sofie and Max both agree that having the twins naturally is perfectly safe as long as there are noplications. So that¡¯s the game n.¡± I hand Ash the council letter back.


    He tucks it into the breast pocket of his suit coat. ¡°Fair enough. But let¡¯s go get you a snack.¡±


    I¡¯ve been a good sport for months while Ash makes sure I eat and get enough rest. But thesest few days, I¡¯m restless, ufortable and running out of patience with him and being pregnant in general. ¡°I just said I wasn¡¯t hungry.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re never hungry until you are, and then we have about two minutes before you turn into apletely different person. Remember our deal? I get to take care of you until the babies are born.¡±


    ¡°I made that deal in haste,¡± I mumble. A cramp hits hard low in my belly, doubling me over, and Ash is immediately at my side. I¡¯ve had Braxton-Hicks contractions several times in thest month. Sofie says we want to keep the buns in the oven as long as possible, so even though Ash and I are excited to meet the babies, we¡¯re relieved when it turns out to be falsebor. The pain passes, and when I straighten up, a gush of warm liquid runs down the inside of my leg and collects on the floor between my feet.


    ¡°Nina, have you sprung a leak?¡± Ben asks, looking shocked.


    Ash takes my arm and helps me to a chair before whipping out his phone. ¡°I¡¯m calling Sofie.¡±


    A minuteter, Sofie and Max rush into the room, each wearing scrubs and carrying arge medical bag.


    ¡°I think her water just broke,¡± Ben says, pointing at me. ¡°I better take off before I see much more.¡±


    Max sets his doctor¡¯s bag down on the floor. ¡°Giving birth is a beautiful, natural process, Ben.¡±


    Ben hastily backpedals out of the room. ¡°I know you like to tap me in on your adventures, Nina, but I think I¡¯m going to let you and Ash handle this one on your own.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll do without your supportive bedside manner,¡± I call after Ben sarcastically as the door to the bedroom closes after him.


    Sofie puts a portable monitor on my stomach, and the babies¡¯ heartbeats fill the room. I never get tired of that sound. A picture of the babies appears on the small screen of the monitor. ¡°This is it, Nina. Today¡¯s the day. Your water has broken, and the babies are both head down. If you want to try a vaginal birth, you can. It¡¯s safe.¡±


    I spend the next few hoursboring in my apartment, where I¡¯m mostfortable, with Ash never more than a few feet away. Max and Sofie bring in a number of machines to monitor the babies. Kat and Gia drop by to check on me and take photos to capture the moment. I¡¯m grateful for Ash¡¯s attentiveness and the girls¡¯pany¡ªthey both help distract me through earlybor, which is a dull throb in my back and lower abdomen, along with pressure in my pelvis.


    ¡°Would you like to walk around some more?¡± Ash asks, rubbing light circles on my back.


    My hands are supporting me as I lean on the breakfast bar, sucking on ice chips. ¡°Not right now, but could you rub my back a little harder.¡±


    Ash ces hisrge, warm hands on my lower back and pushes down with just enough counter pressure to relieve the ache. ¡°How¡¯s this?¡±


    I sigh in relief. ¡°Perfect. You don¡¯t just have a magic dick. You have magic hands, too.¡±


    ¡°My dick is what got us into this situation.¡± Ashughs and then bes serious, ¡°You¡¯re doing awesome, Nina. You¡¯re so strong. But know that if I could take the pain for you, I would.¡±


    ¡°I know you would. And knowing that helps.¡± I smile at him and concentrate on my breathing. When he starts doing the rhythmic breathing with me, it reaffirms that we¡¯re in this together.


    The contractions get stronger into the evening, and the downward pressure increases, so I move to my bed. All the books I read saidbor is a good pain¡ªit means the babies areing¡ªso I should be able to bear it by concentrating on my happy ce. The books lied. It feels like an SUV is parked on my middle, and it makes me more than a little grouchy.


    Just as I¡¯m catching my breath from thest contraction, a new one rolls from the top of my uterus to the bottom, clenching my abdomen in agony. Without thinking, I grab my husband in a headlock and yell, ¡°I¡¯m never doing this again.¡±


    When the contractions areing very close together, Sofie asks, ¡°Would you like an epidural for the pain?¡±


    ¡°Hit me, bartender,¡± I say through clenched teeth. ¡°As a matter of fact, make it a double.¡± My n was to try for a drug-free delivery. ns change.


    After Max administers the pain relief, I¡¯m much morefortable and can rx between the contractions. Only an hourter, I¡¯m fully dted, and Sofie announces it¡¯s time to push. I¡¯m ready to get these babies born.


    Max and Sofie abruptly leave my bedside to confer quietly as they watch the monitoring systems very closely.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Ash asks.


    ¡°We need to look at the contingencies in your delivery n,¡± Sofie says with a solemn expression.


    ¡°What? Why? I¡¯m so close.¡± I look at Sofie.


    ¡°Baby A has flipped. It¡¯s breech. Feet first.¡± Sofie taps the screen of the monitor.


    ¡°And their heart rates are dipping. It¡¯s time for a C-section,¡± Max says.


    Ash takes my hand. ¡°I know this isn¡¯t the delivery you hoped for, but it¡¯s the best for the twins. You¡¯re not alone this time. I won¡¯t let anything happen to you.¡±


    As much as the thought of a C-section scares me, I nod at Ash. ¡°Whatever we need to do for the babies.¡±


    Two of Sofie¡¯s most trusted nurses burst into the room with a gurney and bring me down to the operating room. Just outside the doors, Max gives Ash a set of green scrubs.


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving her,¡± Ash says, handing them back.


    ¡°You need to change into sterile scrubs.¡± Max forces them into Ash¡¯s hands. ¡°Nothing is going to happen until Sofie and I scrub in.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Ash. Just hurry,¡± I say. At one point in my life, I would have put on a fake smile and pretended I didn¡¯t need him, that I would be fine on my own. But I do need him. I can¡¯t do this without him by my side.


    ¡°I¡¯ll only be a second.¡± He squeezes my hand, and the nurses wheel me into the brightly lit operating room.


    My heart races, and sweat beads on my forehead when the nurses transfer me to the operating table, and hook me up to heart rate and blood pressure monitoring. Ash appears at my side and takes my hand, instantly calming me.


    Sofie and Max enter the room with their hands in the air, and the nurses help them into their gloves. ¡°She already has an epidural, so that saves us time,¡± Sofie announces. ¡°Everything¡¯s going to be fine, Nina.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be strapped down.¡± A memory of being strapped to the operating table, while Elle, Franco and the doctor stood over me shes through my mind. For a moment, I¡¯m light-headed with fear.


    The two nurses watch the blips on the monitors as my heart rate and blood pressure soar.


    Ash puts his face close to mine, Archer¡¯s eyes looking out at me. ¡°I¡¯d like to kill Elle and Franco all over again for what they did to you. I know it¡¯s difficult, but try not to let them ruin this happy day.¡±


    I give Ash a determined smile. He¡¯s right. I¡¯m surrounded by people who love me. There¡¯s nothing to be afraid of.


    ¡°We would never restrain you, Nina. We¡¯re going to take very good care of you,¡± Max says gently.


    The nurses drape a blue sheet across my chest so I can¡¯t see what¡¯s happening. Max and Sofie take up position on the other side of the blue sheet, and Ash sits on a stool close to my head. The nurses bustle around the room, preparing for the twins¡¯ delivery.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to have some babies here in a moment. Nina, you¡¯re doing great.¡± Sofie¡¯s eyes meet mine over the blue sheet.


    ¡°Can you lower the sheet a little?¡± I ask. ¡°I want to see them as soon as theye out.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Max lowers the sheet by half so I can see his and Sofie¡¯s arms working, but not my stomach.


    ¡°Nina, you may feel some pressure here. That¡¯s totally normal,¡± Sofie says. ¡°All right, here we go.¡±


    There is a tugging sensation in my abdomen before Sofie holds up a baby girl covered in white goo and some blood. She¡¯s the most beautiful thing I¡¯ve ever seen.


    ¡°We have a girl!¡± Ash exims.


    ¡°Ash, do you want to cut the cord?¡± Max asks.


    Keeping one hand in mine, Ash cuts the baby¡¯s cord.


    I burst into tears of joy when our little girl lets out an angry cry. There¡¯s a flurry of activity as the nurses swoop in to suction her airways and get her cleaned up.


    ¡°Herees baby number two,¡± Max says, handing Sofie an instrument.


    I brace myself for the tugging and pressure.


    Sofie holds up a second goo-covered baby, and my heart expands with love.


    ¡°It¡¯s a boy, Nina. One of each.¡± Ash¡¯s voice is filled with tears as he cuts our son¡¯s cord.


    The bleating of newborn babies rings out and I¡¯ve never heard anything more wonderful in my life. Beethoven¡¯s Symphony no. 3 has nothing on the music my twins are making.


    Lying on the operating table, my happy tears flow freely. Ash presses his forehead to mine and opens the mate bond so he and Archer can deliver a private message. <em ss="calibre14">Thank you. Thank you for giving us our family.</em>


    The doctors and nurses call out numbers, bringing my attention back to the room. Our daughter weighs in at five pounds and three ounces. Our son is bigger at six pounds, eight ounces.


    Within a few minutes, the nurses bring the crying babies to me and ce them on my chest. Iy a hand on each of their tiny backs, and Ash encircles all of us in his arms.


    ¡°I love you.¡± I kiss each of their sweet faces, and the babies stop crying, but Ash and I bawl tears of joy for a long time after.


    A weekter, Ash is sitting in bed next to me, holding the twins high up on his chest. They look like two burritos, swaddled in their yellow nkets. ¡°Mommy is going to buy you each a pony and teach you how to ride,¡± he promises in his deep voice and kisses the tops of their hat-covered heads. ¡°Daddy¡¯s going to teach you how to y rugby and take you camping. Maybe we can even convince Mommy toe.¡± He kisses each of them again.


    Watching Ash be a father is the sweetest sight in the universe and makes me fall even more in love with him, but I can¡¯t let the idea of camping go unchallenged. ¡°Have you met me, Ash? I don¡¯t do camping. I don¡¯t even do mping.¡± I giggle at the thought.


    After a quick knock, Sofiees into the room, ¡°Nina, how are you feeling today?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good.¡± I smile contentedly at Sofie. ¡°The breastfeeding is getting easier, and Ash giving them a bottle during the night is really helping out.¡±


    Just then, my mother appears in her transcendent form at the side of my bed. Once she found out I was pregnant, she visited often during my final trimester, but this is her first time seeing the babies. She eyes the twins¡¯ pink and blue knit caps and inclines her head in approval. ¡°A girl and a boy. Avalon has never had a prince before. I like the equality. You and Ashton are ushering in a new era, Seraphina. The twins may call me <em ss="calibre14">grand-m¨¨re</em>,¡± she announces with a regal wave of her hand.


    ¡°We¡¯re not French,¡± I chuckle.


    ¡°That hardly matters. It has a ring to it,¡± she says without apology. My mother always did live by her own set of rules.


    Another knock sounds at the door. Sofie answers it to reveal Reg, Mari and Dahlia. Then she slips quietly out of the room.


    ¡°Ash said this was a good time to drop by. We won¡¯t stay long. We¡¯re just so excited to meet our grandchildren.¡± Mari presses her hands to her heart.


    Reg is loaded down with gift bags, wrapped boxes and stuffed animals. ¡°<em ss="calibre14">We</em> also picked up a couple of gifts for the babies.¡± Reg gives Mari a speaking nce before piling the presents on a nearby chair.


    Dahlia looks at her big brother. ¡°Ash, can I hold one of Nina¡¯s babies?¡±


    Ashughs and gives his parents a ¡°you¡¯re going to have to exin this to her¡± look. No matter how many times we told Dahlia the babies growing in my tummy were mine and Ash¡¯s, her five-year-old mind just couldn¡¯t make the connection. And really, who can me her?


    ¡°Dahlia, jump up here with us.¡± I pat the bed, and she climbs up to sit between Ash and me. ¡°Ash, give me the twins, please, and then heat up the room.¡±


    Ash¡¯s dragon magic circtes in the bedroom, bringing up the temperature, and heys the babies in myp.


    As I gently unwrap each baby from their nket, Dahlia face beams openly at me. ¡°They¡¯re like presents.¡±


    ¡°They are like presents, Dahlia.¡± A few happy tears leak down my cheeks as I watch the babies stretch their arms above their heads and bring their knees up to their chests, eyes still closed in slumber.


    ¡°What are their names?¡± Mari asks tenderly.


    ¡°This is Summer Sophia Katherine Georgia, Princess of Avalon and Westmornd.¡± I boop my daughter¡¯s button nose.


    ¡°And this is River Be Maximilian Lucas, Prince of Avalon and Westmornd,¡± Ash says, repeating the nose boop on our son.


    We already shared the twins¡¯ names with our friends, and they were all touched, especially Ben, who pledged to devote himself entirely to the role of fun uncle.


    With their grandparents and Dalia cooing over how adorable they are, Ash and I gaze down at our children, utterly besotted with them.


    Then Ash¡¯s eyes meet mine, and we give each other a secret smile, saying <em ss="calibre14">I love you </em>with no words at all<em ss="calibre14">.</em>

 High Voltage: Epilogue

    <em ss="calibre14"><span aria-hidden="true">T<span aria-hidden="true">WO <span aria-hidden="true">YEARS <span aria-hidden="true">LATER.</em>


    I jump into my Earthside territory andnd on the widow¡¯s walk high atop our shore house in North Carolina. From my vantage point, I have a bird¡¯s eye view of Ash ying on the beach with the twins, the dogs and Northstar.


    I¡¯m arriving back from a visit to Kyoko¡¯s court. She approached me about the possibility of an alliance, and I think we can make it happen.


    After the twins were born, I told the Council of Seven about Dmitri demanding I trade sexual favors for his council votes. That kind of behavior doesn¡¯t show fair or sound judgment. Kyoko was the first to vote in favor of his expulsion from the council, with Reg and Edmund right behind her. The motion carried, and now the council is on the hunt for a new member.


    As I look on, Steel chases Silver down the shoreline, and Northstar walks in the surf with a couple of wild mustangs. Summer and River work diligently on a sandcastle while Ash fills a stic bucket with water from the ocean. When he pours the water into the sandcastle¡¯s moat, the twins p their chubby hands with glee.


    Watching Ash with our family fills me with love and gratitude. He started it all when he came to my court and imed me as his fated mate. They say you have three loves in your life¡ªpuppy, hard and true. Ash is all three for me. He taught me what love is, how to fight for it and how to enjoy it.


    We currently split our time between North Carolina and Avalon, but with Reg making noise about taking time off, we¡¯ll eventually have to include Westmornd in the mix. While the children are young, Ash and I make it a priority not to both be away at the same time. We¡¯re each powerful enough on our own to visit foreign courts without the other worrying. But every once in a while, we have to travel together and leave the twins with their doting aunts and uncles. And when we can, we take the twins with us.


    The children bring us so much joy and have made us more tender and fiercer at the same time. They¡¯re a beautifulbination of us in both looks and personality. Summer has my dark hair and Ash¡¯s hazel eyes, along with his intensity. She¡¯s the louder, more impatient one of the two, and likes to get her own way¡ªI have no idea where she gets it from. River is blond like Ash and has his easygoing attitude, but has my gray eyes and adventurous spirit. It takes a lot to rile up his temper, but if you do, watch out. The terrible twos are sure to be interesting.


    I¡¯m heading inside to change into a swimsuit when Ash opens the mate bond.<em ss="calibre14"> I felt you the moment you arrived. Come down to the beach. We¡¯re waiting for you.</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">Bossy much? You just want to ogle me in my bikini. </em>I giggle to myself.


    <em ss="calibre14">You know I do.</em>


    I hope he never changes. <em ss="calibre14">Everything ready for the party tonight?</em>


    <em ss="calibre14">Everything¡¯s set. It¡¯s going to be a fun night.</em>


    Ash is hosting one of his famous lobster and crab boils. All of our friends, family and Earthside leaders areing. Ben and his new wife are just back from their honeymoon, and I¡¯m dying to get to know her better. With Ash¡¯s love, I was able to let go of my loneliness, fear and anger. I learned how to stop being my own worst enemy and ept my destiny. Ben¡¯s new wife has done the same for him.


    My mother maye, or she may not. She pops in and out of my life as she always has. But when we¡¯re together, she¡¯s fully present and rejoices in her grandchildren, which is enough for me.


    As I leave the house and walk across the sand, Steel and Silver bark a wee and Northstar lifts his head with a whinny. River and Summer run toward me on sturdy toddler legs with their arms outstretched, and Ash¡¯s golden gaze warms my skin faster than the southern sun ever could.


    I have everything I¡¯ll ever need and more.