My eyes refused to open as soft, gentle kisses coaxed me out of a deep, all-consuming sleep. The kisses felt familiar, soothing, and loving.  I smiled.  Luthias had returned. I stretched my arms up over my body and arched my back as I forced my eyelids open.  The world was fuzzy, but I could see the outline of his dark hair, pulled back in a neat queue at the base of his neck.  This strong hands stroked my cheeks while he muttered words I was yet to be able to understand.It wasn’t Luthias returned to me.  It was Geo.  Was I dreaming?  I reached out to stroke his cheek.  His face felt real.  His kisses felt real.  I wished my eyes would focus so I could see him clearly. When my efforts to see him proved too taxing, I gave up and allowed my eyelids to close again.A sense of security came over me as his strong arms carefully lifted me from my chair.  I felt as if I was floating while he carried me

I refused to allow Geo to treat me like a china doll and insist I stay behind when they went to rescue Luthias.  I no longer had a life that depended on my keeping it safe in my womb.  I was fully recovered and felt stronger than ever.   Not to mention, whether Julia liked it or not, I was also their rightful queen. It took my throwing that fact, plus the fact that I was queen of Vampire Land, at Geo before he’d relent and include me in on the plans. Since we were going up against Vampires from Vampire Land, I sent a message to Lord Moken, commanding he meet us to discuss strategy.  He arrived with surprising speed and equally surprising eagerness to assure me that battle was something he excelled in.  He would see to it that, not only would Lord Luthias be returned to me, but that scum Pierre and his consorts would pay dearly for their deeds.   I reminded him that Abigail had her own agenda and Bartholomew’s weapon of

My eyes were blindfolded, but I was able to decipher that we were in a cave by the way the acoustics and the feeling of cold stone and earth beneath me. My hands were tied behind my back the then the rope was extended to tie my feet together as well.  I had no other choice but to lie on my side in the fetal position while I listened to Luthias beg for my safety and release.“What happens with her will be determined when Lord Pierre arrives, no sooner,” Jason grumbled.“I can’t believe you never consummated the marriage you idiot,” Abigail said with angst.“She was swollen with child,” Jason argued.  “I’m not a monster.”“You can still consummate with a child in there,” she hissed.“I was warned it would be too dangerous,” he said defensively. “How could you trick me like that?” I asked weakly.“She’s awake,&rdquo

It took some time before life settled down.  Luthias left Verso when his week of further convalescing was up, but not before making love to me one last time.  It is a moment I will hold deep in my heart forever.Gwendoline and I got back to work focusing on developing my magical skills.  My grandparents set to work on a spell to enable werewolf hybrids to enter Verso.  Gwendoline was allowed to monitor their progress, but we felt her emotional attachment to the situation might impair their progress.  She grudgingly stepped aside and allowed them the necessary magic freedom they required.I saw very little of Geo, who had his hands full with being King. With the threat of Bartholomew’s army at a minimum, he was able to focus on bringing the kingdoms back to order. His first task was to find the residents of Verso who supported Pierre in his schemes and bring them to justice.  He took the burden of ruling Vampire Land from me while I m