Long Live the Queen (The Immortal Empire) (17 page)

“But a goblin isn’t human. Goblins are much more difficult to kill.”

Nice of her to remind me of that. “It was a silver and tetracycline bullet. That man – and some, if not all of his companions – came here tonight with the express purpose of injuring –
killing
– someone of plagued blood.”

“And now that man will face assault charges.”

I looked at her – hard. “Attempted murder. He’ll face attempted murder charges, because that was the crime he committed. Did you see his face?”

“Yes.” There was an edge of confusion in her tone. “We arrived on the scene just as he was being led away.”

“Did you see any bruises or lacerations? Any injury? No, of course you didn’t, because other than grabbing him to stop him, I did him no harm whatsoever. Yet he calls me the monster. He doesn’t even know me and he would like to see me dead. I understand that humans fear us, but if the Great Insurrection taught us anything, it was that hatred and violence bring nothing but death and suffering to all sides. The only way to make this empire great once more is to work together – not end each other.”

“
Child killer!
” someone shouted. The gathered crowd made a sound that was a mix of booing and cheering.

I turned my attention to them. “Do any of you know anyone who has been harmed by a goblin, vampire or werewolf? Anyone?”

Not one of them raised their hand or said a word. They just stood there and traded glances.

I walked towards them, and the cameras followed me. The humans drew back a bit, inching closer together. “My brother has been shot, stabbed and beaten by humans in his work for Special Branch. My sister almost died in a fire set by humans. I’ve been shot, stabbed, threatened… every time by humans. That’s three
people right there that have been victims of human violence. You call us monsters. No goblin has ever beaten or abused their children. Children are special to aristocrats, sacred, while humans often breed with abandon and indiscretion.”

I let that sink in, my gaze roaming the crowd. A couple more film crews had joined us. “No goblin has ever bombed a human establishment. No goblin has ever beaten their spouse or killed out of greed or compulsion. During the months I’ve spent with them, not one human has died to feed the pack. Yes, we’re capable of awful things, but I’ve never met a goblin or aristocrat as cruel or indiscriminately violent as a human.”

All right, so that was a little over the top, but it was also true. If a goblin attacked me, I’d know it wanted to eat me. A human would just want to watch me die.

Silence lingered uncomfortably. My point had been made. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a friend to check up on and a meeting to attend.”

The reporter called after me, but I turned on my heel and bolted for the palace once more. They could give chase in their vehicles if they wanted, but once I cleared the main fence, they’d have to admit defeat.

Vex met me in the palace foyer, just after I was cleared by security.

“How is he?” I demanded, first thing.

“Fine.” Vex looked me up and down. “He’s going to be fine. You?”

Tension radiated from him. He paced like he was in a cage. I took a step back. “Caught the bastard and gave him over to Special Branch. No blood spilled. Although I might be on the box again tonight.” Might? I don’t think there was any
might
about it.

He laughed – a harsh bark. “Of course.”

“Vex, I—”

“
No
.” Gold flashed in his eyes. “Save it. I don’t want to hear it.”

The breath literally caught in my throat.
What?

His eyes were really yellow now. “You were reckless and stupid taking off like that. He could have shot you too. He could have led you into a trap. Or you could have killed him.”

“None of that happened.”

“Because you’ve got more luck than sense!” He raked a hand through his hair. “Do you ever think of consequences, Xandra? Do you ever wonder how your actions might affect those who love you? Did you stop for one
fucking moment
and think about how much I worry about you? How afraid I was that you would be hurt? How concerned William was? Or do you honestly walk about with your head so far up your own arse that you think no one could ever possibly knock it off your fool shoulders?”

He hadn’t raised his voice, but his words echoed like screams in my mind. He’d been almost this angry when I killed the betty at Freak Show, and I’d been half in awe, half scared of him then. I have to admit that at that moment, I wasn’t thinking of William or of humans. I was thinking that I had finally pushed Vex to his breaking point. He was going to walk away after this, and who could bloody well blame him? I was not an easy woman to love. Hell, I wasn’t particularly easy to like.

“Don’t leave me,” I whispered, and cringed. Fang me, could I make myself sound any more pathetic?

He scowled, but his shoulders relaxed. “You’re my mate.”

Odd how he could pack more into three words than I could
ever try to articulate. I closed the distance between us and took his face in my hands. His fingers closed over my wrists, but he didn’t push me away.

What could I possibly say to make this better? Tears burned the back of my eyes. Sometimes I was such a
fucking girl
. Gah, it was disgusting.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “You’re right – I don’t think. I just act. I… I’m not used to having to answer to anyone, and I know that’s a poor excuse. I just saw William hurt, and after what Ali did to you, I snapped. No one has ever believed in me like the two of you, and I won’t let anyone take you away from me.”

Vex released my wrists to put his palms on either side of my head, and then he pulled me up on to my toes, pressing a kiss to my mouth that was so hard I thought I heard a tooth crack. I kissed him back with just as much intention.

I’d never been good with disappointing those I looked up to – especially men. I didn’t know what that said about me, and at the moment I didn’t care. I just made myself a silent vow to do something about it.

“I promise I’ll think more,” I babbled when he pulled away. “I’ll try not to be impulsive. I’ll be better—” He silenced me with another kiss.

“Just be you,” he said, resting his forehead against mine. “If I have a problem I’ll tell you, but I don’t want to change you, sweetheart. I just want you to… pause every now and then.”

I laughed. “I can do that.”

A lopsided smile slanted his lips. “Good. Now, we have people waiting for us. Victoria’s probably having kittens right about now. She’s not accustomed to being kept hanging about.”

I took his hand and let him lead me further into the palace,
thinking about how Her Nibs had kept
me
waiting. “It might do the old girl some good.”

“She’s not that much older than me, you know.”

“And you’re ancient.”

He chuckled as we approached the stairs. “Brat.”

I smiled, but the remark made me think – played on the insecurity I couldn’t seem to conquer. What if I wasn’t immortal, or as long-lived as him? What if as I got older I started looking more and more like an actual goblin? Would he still love me when I had more facial hair than he did? A difficult woman could get away with a lot if she was cute, but with fangs and a beard… not so much.

“You’re fretting.”

I glanced at him as we reached the top of the stairs. “No I’m not.”

“Yes you are.” He gave my shoulders a squeeze. “We can talk about it later.”

We walked down a crimson-carpeted corridor, towards the room where Victoria had seen me during our previous meeting. I was becoming a regular fixture here at Buck House. Perhaps she’d give me my own key soon.

Her Nibs was there when we walked in, as was my father. I hadn’t expected Vardan to act so fast, but then I had to get my impulsiveness from one of my parents.

Or maybe I got it from my mother, who was sitting on a little antique chair like she owned the place. This was a turn I had not seen coming, I had to admit.

“What’s she doing here?” I demanded, turning to Victoria.

The tiny woman smiled sourly. “Apparently Miss Claire and the Prince of Wales have become allies in their quest to make the world a better place for all mankind.”

If sarcasm had mass, an anvil would have just fallen on to my head. I turned to my mother. “I thought you wanted to abolish the monarchy, not rub elbows with it.”

Juliet smiled at me, serene as a freaking madonna. “All I want is peace, Alexandra. You know that.”

I arched a brow and turned away. Seriously, were there hidden cameras watching us? I was rapidly beginning to wonder if I was like that bloke in the American film whose entire life was a box show. I turned back, struck by a sudden thought. Was Bertie the person whom Ophelia had heard on the telephone with Juliet? Was he the one wanting to tour Bedlam?

The Prince of Wales’ blue gaze roved over me. “You are in fine looks tonight, Lady Xandra.”

I had to try very hard not to frown. “Thank you, Your Highness. As are you.” What the hell was I supposed to say?

Bertie smiled. “You obviously take after your mother.” He nodded at Juliet, who actually blushed. That was disconcerting. “Why, the two of you could be sisters.”

“Indeed,” I replied, because it was more polite than “fuck off”. Pieces of a puzzle were falling together in my head. Somehow Bertie had got my mother to change her mind about the aristocracy – or had at least bought her about-turn.

“Let me guess, Bedlam just received a large endorsement from one of His Royal Highness’s charitable accounts?”

My mother had the grace to blush, but Bertie was the picture of innocence. “As heir to the throne, I take a great interest in helping those subjects who are unable to care for themselves.”

I smiled – and didn’t care that it was so obviously insincere. “You obviously take after
your
mother.”

For a moment – not even a second – dislike flashed in the prince’s bright blue gaze, but it disappeared so fast it was just a blink. “Thank you. I take it as a compliment to be compared to either of my parents.” He smiled, all grace and charm once more. “That is a rather splendid coat. You must give me the name of your tailor.”

“Bertie, do stop flirting.” His mother spoke in a monotone, clearly bored. “You’re wasting your words on Alexandra.”

Her son didn’t appear the least bit chastised. In fact the only one who looked at all put out was my mother. Stealing her thunder, was I?

But more important than my mother or flirting, or the cut of my coat, was William. He was stretched out on the sofa. Someone had taken his coat off, and there was a square of white linen covering part of his very furry chest.

I went to him and knelt on the carpet by his side. This should have been the first thing I did upon entering the room, instead of caring about my mother’s presence there. I took his hand in mine and petted it. “Are you all right, my friend?”

His wide mouth curved up one side of his muzzle, revealing a glimpse of ivory fang. “The wolf took the silver, drew the poison. I will heal. Did you eat his liver?”

He meant the shooter, not Vex. I hoped. “Special Branch has him.”

William scowled. “Not dead?”

“Believe me, I wanted to rip his heart out and bring it back to you, I did, but there were reporters there. Gawkers.”

“All the better,” he rasped.

I arched a brow. “Really? You honestly think that me ripping a man apart on every box in every household in the empire would be good public relations?”

He growled. “Perhaps not. I have honour, lady.”

“He pissed himself,” I chirped. “Does that help?”

“Oh, good lord,” Victoria lamented, pouring herself a glass of sherry.

William grinned. At that moment I could have sworn that I never saw anything that made me happier. “Indeed.”

I pushed up my sleeve and offered him my wrist. “Now, drink.”

Once William was back on his feet – though still a little wobbly – we began the meeting.

As we all moved to congregate in the area around the tea table – which actually had tea and sandwiches on it – Victoria stopped me.

“What you did tonight, letting the human live, tending to the needs of one of yours, those were the decisions of a leader. You went against your instinct to protect those who look to you as their queen. You’ve already come to understand that sometimes to be strong we must be seen as weak. Well done, Alexandra. Well done.”

I stared at her. It had been that sort of evening.

She shook her head. “Close your mouth, girl. It’s unseemly.”

Just when I thought I had a notion of what she was all about, she surprised me. A good tactic to adopt when trying to keep people on their toes. After all, predictability was akin to vulnerability.

Of course, she changed her approach as soon as we were all gathered around the table. “Someone tell me what the bloody hell is being done about the freak running round the city ripping out human gullets like they were meat pies!”

I flinched. She was shrill as a damn shrew. “It was only one human,” I heard myself say. That we knew of. Like the actual number mattered.

Those cold blue eyes drilled into me. “And what were you about keeping it in the plague den?”