Page 136 of Wrath

“Let’s focus on one thing at a time, okay?” I pressed my lips to her forehead. “Let’s start with your fucked-up family.” I shifted her in my arms. “I wish I could tell you that everything will be okay, but I don’t want to lie to you. I have no idea why Peter’s here or what he wants. I don’t know why Lilith decided to create these trials for us. I have no idea how the battle with Aaliyah will turn out?—”

“You really suck at pep talks, you know that?”

I ignored her barb. “But Idoknow you have us. Your new family. Together, we can do anything.” I smirked slightly. “Even bring a vampire back from the brink of insanity.”

“You’re still insane if you think we can pull this off.” As she spoke, she began to trace my face with the tips of her fingers, the delicious friction causing goose bumps to pebble on my skin. “How have you been?”

“Are you asking if I’ve been hallucinating lately? Because the answer is no.” I lowered my chin to her shoulder and then nuzzled her neck. “I think I’m finally at the point where I’m…proud to be a vampire. Maybe that isn’t the right word.”

I paused, considering, and then continued. “I no longer hate the face I see in the mirror. And because of that, I can do what’s best for myself—including drinking blood. Granted, the only blood I want to drink is yours…” I grazed my fangs across her throat, and she sucked in a breath. “But your blood is enough for me. More than enough. Everything about you is more than I deserve.”

She ran her fingers through my hair, tugging softly. “I don’t deserve you, Jax.”

“You deserve the world, Z,” I countered immediately. “I want to be the one to give it to you. Which brings me to your other worries—the kings and ruling. The kings won’t be a problem after today.”

“It’s not the kings I’m worried about, per se,” Z confessed. “It’s how you guys will react to their deaths. You may hate them, but they’re still your fathers. I don’t want you guys to regret…”

She swallowed, unable to finish her thoughts.

“I can’t speak for the others, not really, but I know I won’t regret a single thing. That asshole may be my father, but only in blood. Not in the ways that matter. He’s a blight on society, and I’m thankful I finally get the opportunity to take him out.” I lifted my gaze to stare into her eyes, allowing her to see my conviction and sincerity.

Maybe I was going to hell for this, but I couldn't find it in me to regret this particular decision.

My father was a bad, bad vampire.

He deserved what was coming to him.

“And finally…” I tipped her chin back with my pointer finger. “Ruling. Are you scared to become queen?”

I wouldn’t blame her. My brothers and I… We grew up expecting to rule. Z didn’t.

“I’m terrified,” she whispered, her lips parting. “Everybody is putting their trust and faith in me. I don’t want to let them down.”

“You won’t,” I said earnestly.

“What makes you so certain?”

I smiled softly and cupped her cheeks. Her skin was warm beneath my hands, blazing through me like a fiery inferno. “Because you’re scared.”

She stared at me incredulously.

“It shows you care,” I continued. “If you weren’t scared, then I would be worried. But you’re only feeling this way becauseyou care so damn much about everyone else—both humans and nightmares alike. Look at what you’ve already done, even without a crown? Humans are working with nightmares. A council representative bowed to you. You have princes who worship at your feet.” I leaned forward until I could rest my forehead against her own. “You’re going to make an incredible queen, Z. You already are one.”

She offered a wobbly smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Then why do I feel so sick all the damn time?” She leaned away from me and placed a hand over her stomach. “I swear my nerves are killing me.”

“I never would’ve taken you for a nervous puker,” I said with a chuckle, remembering the car ride up here.

Since Z didn’t want to display any weakness in front of the others, she would often throw up in a bag.

“Shut up.” She playfully shoved at my shoulder, but I could see my words had the desired effect—she might not entirely believe them, but her mood had been lifted considerably. “You would be throwing up too if you were forced to claim a throne you don’t want.”

Some of my amusement faded.

I grabbed her hands again and held them tightly. “If you truly don’t want to be queen, you don’t have to. I know you won’t run away until the battle is won, but afterwards, we could find someone else to take over. Someone we trust or even an elected official. We could run away together, all eight of us.”

“You guys would give up your crowns for me?” Her mouth parted.

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