It surprised me he didn’t refer to me by my titles. I liked it.
I felt like I was back out there again, along with the other Titans fighting for the survival of our species and empire.
“It’s much like yours,” I said. “I was attacked and my body was badly burnt. I didn’t think I was going to survive. Then this angelic apparition appeared and she nursed me back to health. I knew right away she was the one for me. She glowed.”
The other Titan males nodded with understanding.
“Then we went on the run, trying to reach the Fallen Temple before the Changelings could catch up to us,” I said. “We lay beneath a blanket of leaves that kept us warm against the bitter cold.”
Dyrel leaned forward.
“Have you guys ever been with someone who enjoys sex so much?” he said. “I mean, no offense to you or your fated mates. I know I would be nothing without mine. But she… she really enjoys it.”
Traes chuckled.
“I’m glad someone had the bravery to say it,” he said. “I’ve never had this much fun with a lady. I mean ever. And I can’t wait to get to her tonight. I don’t care what state I’m in.”
We roared with laughter. It felt good to speak with the everyday Titan.
“How do you feel about getting married tomorrow?” Chax said. “Nervous?”
“Not in the slightest,” I said.
Then I hesitated. I peered at the Titans around the table and glanced over my shoulders to check my servants weren’t within listening distance.
I could speak openly with them, couldn’t I? I was aching to speak with someone who might understand what I was going through. I didn’t feel comfortable discussing it with anyone else in case they spread the rumor—accidentally or otherwise—that there was something wrong between Hazel and me.
It could end up in the ear of an enemy who might seek to use it against me. Or it could become common gossip whispered among the people.
Hazel didn’t deserve that.
But with these men… I felt comfortable. Maybe it was because they dated her friends, because they knew what human females were like and might have an insight into how I ought to handle the situation.
“The truth is,” I heard myself saying, “there is something I am a little worried about. You see, when we first met, Hazel had no idea who I was. I was so badly injured that not even the Titans recognized me. Then the time came when I had to reveal myself. I took the lead in fighting the Changelings back and that’s when she realized who I am.
“She ran from the room and I chased her down and calmed her down. When I asked her to marry me, she said yes without hesitation, but the one thing she was nervous about was becoming the empress. I’m not sure how I can make her happy or come to terms with that. I mean, that is what she’ll be after the ceremony is complete. The empress of the Titan empire. Billions will look to her for leadership and wisdom.”
Kal swilled his ale around in its glass.
“She’ll come around,” he said. “Human females are resilient. There hasn’t been a single obstacle that’s come up that Sirena hasn’t met head-on and overcome.”
“He’s right,” Traes said.
“I admit I don’t know your mate,” Dyrel said. “But if she’s anything like Maddy, there’s no telling her what to do or what not to do. Once these human females want something—especially if it’s with something of the heart—they grip tighter than a jinxor in mating season.”
“He’s right,” Nighteko said. “You didn’t make her fall in love with you. It just happened. The same way she could never stop you from falling in love with her. She’ll get used to being the empress. The same way she got used to falling in love with a Titan.”
I smiled at them each in turn. They were right but it still didn’t make it easier to accept.
I came with baggage. I never thought of my position that way before, but that’s what it was.
“Thanks, guys,” I said.
Shouts rang up from the guards outside. I couldn’t make out what they were saying, only that they sounded disturbed.
I leaped to my feet. The other Titans were only an instant slower. Their eyes were bright and alert, instinctively circling to keep me safe.
Then the shouts became more frantic and the words became clear:
“Ship!” he bellowed. “There’s a ship!”
My heart was in my throat.
I had no idea what the ship was there for. Was it there to attack me again? To finish off the job it’d failed to do last time? Or was it there for another reason?
With it coming so close to the palace and the guards yelling at the top of their voices, I didn’t think it was something to look forward to.
My guardsmen entered the room and surrounded me.
“We have to get you to safer ground, your majesty,” Garrick said.
“The east room!” the voices outside bellowed. “It’s outside the east room!”
The east room?
But we were in the library.
Nobody was in the east room.
Except…
The blood fell from my face.
The other Titans wore the same haunted expression.
We moved as one, bolting toward the empty archway that led to the hallway.
“Disengage all defenses!” I yelled at Garrick.
He said, “But sir—”
“Just do it!”
The other Titans followed in my wake. The guardsmen tore after us to protect me and keep me from harm.
But it wasn’t me they had to worry about.
I kicked the east room door open and bolted inside. The sofas lined the back wall and glasses of wine turned in the air, their spilled cargo hovering in midair.
I got there just in time to see Hazel encased in the bright beam of light. It pulled on her dress.
I ran forward and reached for her.
“No!” I yelled.
Too late.
The tractor beam yanked Hazel out of the window backward.
I launched myself after her. I dived and stretched.
My fingertips grazed the fabric of her dress as she floated out of reach and disappeared
