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"And what do you ask of me in return?" The billion-dollar question If the price was too high, I would be forced to leave here with little chance of success

My father stiffened besiderebelled at what I was about to do, but he stayed quiet, honoring his decision

The Queen stepped up beside ht The upper hand was hers, and if I refused--well, she would happily take glee in ave another dismissive wave of her hand "You will swear to return to me here in New Orleans, on the eve of our annual celebration of T¸epes¸, to provide your service of guard as we enjoy our … festivities"

My mouth fell open a teensy bit withoutat your annual gala?" I asked incredulously She didn’t want my firstborn? Or my blood drained hourly? Or primal torture at the hands of Valdov?

"Oh, it isn’t irl It’s an … event It lasts for a full fortnight, and the revelry can get quite … out of hand We have hired s in check and away froe But this year ill require a more civilized crowd, for this year marks the five hundred and fiftieth year of our celebrations, and we plan to … outdo ourselves"

Creepy chills slid upto outdo My brain raced as I tried to process There was a catch There was always a catch My coain, would be acould happen toto take the et ood Queen’s interest in me

I planned to relowered at the Queen, distaste pulling his lips The Queen crossed her ar "If I agree to swear to your demands, it will co fast, "or I walk out now and take my chances"

She shrugged like"Name them and we shall see"

"After my duties are fulfilled at the … party"--it sounded so ridiculous--"I will leave here alive and … untouched" My skin crawled "I stay no longer than fourteen days"

The Queen appeared bored "Yes, yes, you will be alive You havemy time here, I won’t be your prisoner I will enter and leave the pre up for round out, her bored look changing to a glint of anger

Here was the kicker, so to insist on "And if my mate lives, he will be allowed to accoal There was no way Rourke was going to agree to let ot hi him

Before the Queen could answer, Tyler strode to uards To ensure you intend to honor your agreement about her safety fully"

The Queen’s eyes dilated to full black, her incisors dropping in an instant There was a horrible hissing as she shrieked, "How dare you question ree and my hand shot to my throat

My father calh!"

The Queen caernails curved to hideously sharp points Her skin slipping again Man, I was never going to get used to that

"Eudoxia"----"you come too close in your threats"

The Queen treled to tamp it all down She’d pushed her power too far, now she risked losing her prize "I will not … I will not tolerate being called without honor in my own ho thee

"Eudoxia, you fool no one,"here you want hter, for some reason I don’t quite understand But rest assured, henceforth I will reatest quest to find out" His eyes flashed a brilliant violet "Understand this now, o without a fight We have been forced into an agreeht forth will stand, and in addition, you will hire ten of uarantee their safety Make no hter arrives back here to fulfill her oath to you, she will be full Pack And she will be protected as such"