Page 58 of Speak No Evil
“Yeah, I didn’t mean to, so don’t get too excited,” Jade remarks, dismissing my amusement.
I control myself for the benefit of our guests, and we seat ourselves around the conference table. I keep theduyopsin my lap.
Julian, the King of Laurel Cove, takes the seat opposite me.
He and I haven’t had many interactions aside from what’s necessary for trade negotiations.
From what I’ve observed, he’s a just, fair leader. Even if his penchant for gray suits borders on parody.
His queen, Eden, is a willowy blonde with long legs and no muscle mass. If it weren’t for the vampire speed and strength, she’d pose no threat.
I’ve also never had an interaction with her without Julian by her side. But I can hardly blame the vampire for being protective of his queen.
Eden sits on Julian’s right, and the head witch sits on his left. Jade—who I’m pleased to see hasn’t relinquished her demon form—sits on my right, back straight, breasts unabashedly free.
Like the demonesses of old.
Instead of taking seats at the table, Ryker and Thorne stand behind Jade.
In our stories, a demoness would have a harem of demons at her beck and call. When taking official meetings of political or social importance, a demoness would often hold them entirely in the nude while her harem pleasured her.
It was a bold show of power.
I doubt Jade will ever agree to, or even want, the same, but seeing her next to me, breasts unbound…
It fills a hole in my soul I didn’t know existed.
“Thank you for meeting us on such short notice. We’re all busy people, so I’ll get straight to the point,” Jade starts.
The queen of Laurel Cove smiles wide. “I’m happy to see you’ve found yourself,” she says, and winks at Jade.
Behind me, Ryker growls. “Do not flirt with our mistress.” The threat in his tone needs no other words.
The vampire king’s eyes fill with his black power as he fills the space with a peculiar energy.
Ah, yes. Vampire coercion.
I let power equal to his flow into my gaze as well.
The king notices and thickens the dominance in the room so much, I fear he’ll forever impart the scent of his death magic into the upholstery.
Thorne and Ryker tense behind Jade, but with an imperceptible shake of my head, they stay neutral. Waiting.
I stare into the king’s blackened eyes. He doesn’t balk as I match his ante and raise.
The corner of his mouth twitches in what I think is his version of a smile.
The queen laughs. “I wasn’t flirting. But you’re clearly an excellent mate to be concerned.” She turns her attention back to Jade. “I know all about overprotective males.”
Jade, as is her way, pretends like none of it happened and moves on. “The situation with the witches in your city has reached a tipping point.”
“Tipping point?” The king finally speaks, eyes finally shifting from mine.
He fails to reduce the death magic stinking up the place.
“Yes. The covens have a blood-purity practice—” Jade sighs as I overwhelm the king’s coercion with oppressive demonic energy.
If he were human, he’d be balled in the corner, likely soiling himself.