“It's okay, Son,” Wolf whispered as he laid Vero down on a couch and unwrapped his sodden blanket. “Daddy's got you.”
“I'm so sorry,” I whispered. “I didn't... I forgot that you were holding him.”
The Wolf's shoulders tensed, but he didn't look at me. He concentrated on getting Vero out of his wet clothes and then cradled the naked baby against his chest and headed inside the palace.
“Is he all right?” I asked.
“Stay the fuck away from us, Vervain,” the Wolf growled. “You smell wrong. You are wrong.” He pushed me away from him as he passed me. “I don't know who you are, but you aren't my mate, and I'm not letting you anywhere near my son.”
“Just what I thought,” I sneered after him. “All you care about is Vero. Well, enjoy him. I wash my hands of you both.”
The Wolf froze and looked back over his shoulder at me. “I'm going to see to my son and then I'm coming back down here to find out what you've done with my mate.”
“You do that,” I headed to the nearest intercom and furiously pushed the button. “Intare! Get your furry asses down to the dining hall right now!”
The Wolf's eyes flashed gold as our son screamed, and then he hurried into the elevator.
“That's right; run away, puppy. Mama's done playing with you.” I strolled into the dining hall. “This game is for the big dogs.”
Chapter Eight
The dining hall was full of my lions and lovers, and all of them stared at me as if I'd lost my mind. The Wolf had seen to Vero and then left our son and Lesya with Samantha, the Froekn woman who'd married my lion, Fallon. With a little help from me, she had conceived and birthed the first Intare child to be born; their daughter, Zariel. Sam looked after my children a lot, but, honestly, it was the least she could do after I made it possible for her to have a child. In fact, I'd given all of the Froekn their fertility back. They owed me. Maybe I'd call on them to join my army after I talked to the Intare.
With the children looked after, my men were free to join the Intare in our meeting. I ignored the Wolf's hostile looks as I told everyone about the Trinity Star; how she and I were free because of what Vainamoinen did. How I had the power of the Great Nine Magics and the Void at my beck and call. How I could command the world around me and shape it to my desires. Instead of rejoicing with me, instead of rallying to my call and supporting my decision, they just sat there, staring at me blankly.
“Vervain, this isn't you,” Odin said warily.
“Typical,” I huffed. “I finally stand up for myself, and you say that I'm not me.”
“Tima, I zink Vainamoinen poisoned you vith his evil,” Kirill said softly as he approached me. “Odin's right; zis isn't you. You don't vant to make var on vorld.”
“Don't tell me what I want!” I shouted at Kirill. “You are Intare; you're mine!” I pointed at him. “My ganza. Now, lead the fucking Pride as you're supposed to. All of you; get up. It's time to change the world!”
The Intare stood in one motion, they couldn't refuse a direct order from their Tima, but Kirill grabbed me by the arms and shook me.
“Vervain, stop zis right now! Ve are not going to var!”
“Stand down!” I roared at him.
Kirill flew back against the wall as if he'd been punched by a giant fist. He leaned there in shock, his sapphire eyes wide with hurt and horror.
“You don't want to go to war?” I growled at him. “Fine. Stay home with your daughter. Play the doting father while I go do the hard work. Again.” I looked over at the Intare. “Do any of you agree with him?”
They all just stared at me.
“Well, come on then. Speak up. Tell your tima what you think.”
“No one wants this,” Re said gently. “You're sick, Lala. Let us help you.”
“I'm not sick, Re, I'm awake. I've finally woken up and seen my life for what it is; a series of endless battles and sex and babies. Blood, sex, and dragons; my life has become an episode of Game of Thrones.”
I looked over my men. Odin, Re, Azrael, Kirill, Toby, and Wolf; all staring at me as if I were a stranger. I finally woman-up and tell them what I want, and they think I'm sick. It figures. Fuck them. I didn't need them. I didn't need any of them. I could make an army now. I just needed my cat. Where was Nick? I'd take Nicky and go back to Hawaii. We'd start fresh. Godhunter 2.0.
“I'm sorry to disturb your peace. Sorry that your wife has finally realized that she's the one who got the shitty end of this deal.” I stalked past Kirill and toward the other men. “That all of you get to have me and then leave and have time to yourself while I have to turn around and service the next man, pop out the next baby, and keep all of you ungrateful bastards happy. Well, I'm tired, Re,” I snarled at him and bared my teeth. “I'm tired of being your whore and your broodmare.” I transferred my glare to the others. “I'm tired of giving and giving and getting nothing in return. I ask you to stand by me and change our lives for the better and you wuss out. Fine. I don't need you. I don't need any of you.” I glared at the Intare. “Especially not you broken kittens who I've saved over and over again. You betray me now? Really? When I have the power to change everything for the better? Fine. I won't force you. I don't want you with me if you don't want to be there. You're free; do whatever you like. But
