Lothaire

return for the ring here.

With a pointed expression, Dorada slipped it off and handed it over. “This time I’ll keep my thumb, Enemy of Old.”

And when Lothaire surrendered his priceless accounting book to Dorada, he did it without a second glance.

Because his gaze was rapt on Ellie.

48

“How does it feel to be free of Saroya?” Lothaire asked. He’d just gotten through showering off his healing flesh and redressing; the smell of smoke that had lingered on him seemed to particularly bother Elizabeth.

He hadn’t relished the reminder of his repeated, crazed suicide attempt either. But now everything was falling into place, the pressure of the last few weeks lifting at last.

“I promised her I’d win the war against her,” Elizabeth said. “Still, I can hardly believe she’s gone, her and Dorada. I can’t believe all that is over.”

“Because of you.” His cunning Bride had yet again surprised him. “You bargained with Dorada, bullshitted the Queen of Evil. I couldn’t be prouder of you, Lizvetta.”

She blushed, self-consciously tucking her hair behind her ear. He could tell she was pleased with—but surprised by—the praise.

Then he frowned. She was acting as if he’d never praised her. He must have. Surely.

But he couldn’t quite put his finger on an instance.

As someone who knew the importance of protecting one’s ego, he was aghast at himself. That will be changing. Much will. . . .

“Lothaire, I don’t suppose you had a chance to mark Balery out of the book when you fetched it from the safe?”

“What do you think?” he asked, in all seriousness.

“I think you . . . did.”

“Wrong.”

Her face fell. “Oh.”

“Yet I did manage to cross out a fey oracle named Hag.”

“I knew you would!” She gave him that mind-scrambling smile of hers.

“It was meant as a gesture to you. Nothing more.”

“Doesn’t matter why, just that you did.” But then her smile faltered. “Explain to me what happened earlier, with you and my . . . soul.”

“Eventually, I will tell you all”—how I was blinded by prejudice and the thirst for vengeance—“but we have no time now.” He held up his finger, brandishing the ring. “We must complete this one last step for you, and then plan for our future.”

Lothaire would have to amend his strategy. With Saroya gone, the Horde would not fall under his thrall—but then, he’d spared a wish when freed of his vows. Spared Elizabeth. . . .

Now, plots and schemes began to unfold with a shocking clarity. His tasks, in order of importance: make Elizabeth undying, devise a way to trick Horde into submission, find and conquer Daci.

So I can kill Serghei.

He could still have his eternal mate, two thrones, and his revenge. All was yet well. . . .

But when Lothaire took Elizabeth in his arms, he frowned to find her trembling. “You’re safe now, love. I restored the boundary. And you’ll be tucked away at Hag’s when Dorada and her Wendigos return. I intend for you never to see another one of those beasts as long as you live.” He curled his finger under her chin. “And, Elizabeth, you’re going to live for a very, very long time.”

“I don’t want this, Lothaire.”

Inhaling for patience, he said, “To steal the ring from Dorada, I defeated cults and beasts of legend; to reclaim it once more, I survived the Order’s prison, decimating armies. I’ve sacrificed my book. I did all these things for you! Can’t you understand the gift you’re about to receive?”

“I have a hard time viewing it as one. You told me I’ll never be able to see my family again. I’ll never be able to return to my old life. In the sun, hunting, hiking. Eating big family meals with loved ones.”

Lothaire was growing angered . . . jealous once more. “You need to forget about those other mortals. They are in your past. I am your future.”

“You can’t just abandon your family!”

“Of course you can. I have.”

“Yours are all dead!”

“Are they?” He raised his brows. “Elizabeth, remember what I told you—mortals and vampires don’t mix.”

“You and I did.”

“If you knew how many times I came close to losing control . . . Besides, the gods rain down punishment on immortals who reveal themselves needlessly to humans. I didn’t make this law, but even we must abide by it. Now, don’t ruin this night for me, Bride.”

“Make love to me first, Leo. One last time as a human.”

“You’ll delay this no longer.”

“You’re not listenin’ to me! Just give me time. I’m not sayin’ I won’t agree to it, but just give me time to come to terms with this. An hour ago, you were gonna snuff out my soul! It’s too much to get my mind around.”

Tears slipped down her cheeks, and he didn’t like the sight of them at all. They made him feel unsettled—like a failure. My Bride should never have cause to shed tears.

He tenderly brushed them away. “You vowed that you would let me make decisions for you for three weeks. My time’s not yet up.”

“Please. I am beggin’ you not to do this to me. Let’s just talk about this.”

He paused. But even if he were the type of male who discussed decisions with his female, they didn’t have time for it. She won’t be safe—not until she’s turned.

“Lothaire, if you care for me at all, you won’t do this.”

He clenched her upper arms. “That is the absolute worst thing you could have said. It’s because I care for you that I must do this.”

“You can’t use that ring on me! You said yourself that you don’t know what it will do.”

“The first wish is the most accurate. So far, I’ve been granted none, so I’ll start fresh with it.”

“Do you understand how vague that sounds? This is my life! I read in the Book of Lore that the catalyst for transformation is death.”

“We’re not doing this in the customary way. Look at me, Elizabeth. Listen to my words: I have no doubt whatsoever that this will work exactly as I plan—or I would not risk you.” When she began to shake harder, he said, “Do you think I haven’t gone over my wish repeatedly, checking each iteration with Hag’s foresight? In things like this, I am wise.”

“You can’t convince me of this!”

“Then you must trust me to know best, Elizabeth. The difficult part was in getting the ring, then devising the wish took skill, but the process will be effortless. In the blink of an eye, you will become a vampire, as if I’d sired you myself.”

“You said people usually get turned because they’re about to die. I’m not. I’m healthy. I’m young—”

“My enemies will target you. Even without the blood debts, I will still have foes seeking to harm me through