Page 65 of Rise of the Queen

He laughed. “Please let me be there when you do.”

“I would never deny you such a pleasure,” I said.

“What insight about Stephen did she give you?” he asked. I explained everything she’d told me about Stephen’s gift. As I talked, he moved so I could see the goosebumps on his arms and across his chest. I laughed quietly. “We’ve always said he was the best at knowing how to mindfuck someone. We just didn’t know the part about saving them. It’s so much better once you know that part. I know we were all strangely okay with the possibility of him being a serial killer, but I adore the kinder, gentler vampire that he’s become. I’m glad he gets to stay that way.”

“Me too. You should tell him today. I can keep the others busy so you can have time with him.”

“Can you spare Ivan too? I think he’s going to prove helpful for Stephen in this.”

“Of course. I’ll make sure the Wonder Twins don’t get too jealous,” he said. He rolled us both over so he was on top of me.

“This. This is why I love you so much,” I said, pulling him down to me so I could press my lips to his.

He smiled against my lips. “All this time I thought it was my giant cock.”

“That is also why I love you so much,” I said, laughing. I wrapped my arms and legs around him as we both laughed at our silliness. “You’re my favorite. Tell the others,” I said, in between laughs.

“You’re my everything,” he said, smiling down at me.

While we were all in the gym that morning, Andrei was helping me in his normal, patient way, even when I was grumpy that I still didn’t feel as strong as I did before Ivan and I were taken. Ialways tested his patience, but he never got frustrated with me. He really was such a good trainer.

“So, I need to steal Stephen again. I know what his gift is, but I think he needs convincing of it. I also need Ivan’s help. I don’t want you and Misha to get jealous that you two haven’t gotten to babysit for a few days.”

He laughed. “We always prefer hanging out with you, but I know Stephen has needed you. We’ve all seen the change in him since he saw his sisters. It’s been good for him. I also saw what he had to endure as a kid. It’s a lot. I know he needs you. And I think you’re right. I think Ivan can help. They’ve both seen the face of evil.”

“You, however, are capable of seeing the good in people. That’s the glow you see. You’re seeing auras, Bubba.”

“How do you know?”

“I knew what you were seeing when you first told me, but my dad confirmed it. You and Ivan are kind of opposites. He can see evil, but you can see good. I think it’s why you only see it sometimes on Ivan, me, and Adrik. We’re all both. The acupuncturist is only good, so you see it on her all the time.”

“Stephen has it now too. After you broke his sisters. I noticed it the next day. It’s not as bright as you three, but it’s there.”

I smiled. “I need to tell Stephen first, but I’ll give you a sneak peek at what he can do if you promise not to tell.”

He readily agreed, looking at my thoughts. I replayed part of the conversation I had with Lena for him. “You can talk to Boss’s mom now too?” he asked, surprised.

“She had a message for Vitaliy. She felt bad for the way she came to me last time, because it worried you guys so much. She learned how to come to me the same way my dad does.”

He continued to look, taking in everything she’d told me about Stephen. “Whoa. That’s heavy. But badass.”

I giggled. “I completely agree, Bubba.”

Ivan and Stephen were with me in the penthouse later that afternoon, helping me make dinner. Andrei was helpful in distracting Misha, and Viktor was on his normal master of schedule duties.

“Viktor is going to be so happy tonight, Seph,” Stephen said, smiling.

“I know. I’m surprised he hasn’t had a meltdown because it’s been so long since I cooked. I feel bad about that. I’m going to have to make him cookies again to make sure he doesn’t hate me,” I said.

“He could never hate you, princess. But he does love you a little less when you don’t cook,” Ivan said, laughing.

“It’s funny ‘cause it’s true,” I said.

We laughed and talked, but eventually the conversation came back around to Stephen’s sisters and everything that had happened.

“Have you heard anything from your parents?” Ivan asked, curious.

Stephen couldn’t hide his grin. “My mom called me. Apparently, they’re still mostly catatonic. She wanted to know what happened. She said my oldest sister wouldn’t talk about it. In fact, she said my oldest sister is barely talking at all. She went between being worried about them to angry at me.”