Shock colored Jamison’s face. “That is what you would ask of me?”
“Yes, handsome. That woman promised me she would be sending a boy that was capable of helping me get my original body back, and I haven’t seen him yet. I’m growing impatient.”
Jamison looked at me with a question in his eyes. I gave him a shrug. This whole thing was off the charts crazy. I didn’t know what I expected from the Queen, but this wasn’t it.
“I vow to have Ariana contact you if you let us pass,” he said.
The Queen of Demons nodded. “I will tell everyone the three of you were invited here by me personally. Then I’ll blame Metrapho. He’ll be your scapegoat. I’ve heard that he has been hurting small children again. He deserves to have his head spiked.”
Sammy rubbed his chin. “Do you scream ‘off with their heads’ when this gruesome act takes place?”
She laughed. “No! But I should. That’s hilarious.” She pointed towards the exit. “Now, go and keep your promise.”
With a wave of her hand, she pushed the fifty demons standing behind her up against the cavern wall. The Queen had skills. I nodded to her as we passed, but I didn’t fully breathe until the sun was shining down on my face. I didn’t fully laugh until we were miles away from the portal that led to Hell.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Upon our return, Jamison told me what his plans were for the key and asked me what I thought. He was treating me like an equal. As if it was our key to protect not just his, and my heart swelled with love. He said, and I had to agree, that we needed to split up the key into two parts, making it more difficult to steal, but we also had to have quick access to it if we ever had a reason to use it. I thought his idea was fantastic.
We took half of the key to a pond behind Jamison’s large estate. He told me a story that happened long ago. One where he rescued a family of water fairies from a shapeshifter that had the ability to turn into a sea serpent. Supposedly, the water fairies felt indebted to him and insisted in following him home. The tiny creatures resided in a bird feeder until Jamison realized they really weren’t going to leave him alone, so he built a man-made pond just for them. I was in love with a powerful Prince of Wolves who had a heart of gold. I felt like I had won the lottery.
The family of water fairies consisted of the two parents that had three teenagers and according to Jamison, “the cutest little toddler ever” named Marianna. Jamison called the father’s name a couple of times, and we sat on the edge of the lake, waiting for the family of six to come up to the surface. I was beyond exhausted. My eyes felt like they had so much crust in them and all I really wanted was a bed, but when Marianna swam to the surface, even I had to smile.
Jamison was right; she was a beauty. She was maybe four inches tall and had the most beautiful head of hair I’d ever seen. Little blond curls hung all around her tiny shoulders. Her purple eyes studied me as she sucked on her little thumb. She was making her mind up if she liked me or not when the other family members swam to the surface.
The three boys looked identical. I was assuming they were triplets. All had dark brown hair and purple eyes. They favored their mother who curtsied when she saw me, causing me to smile even wider. When he introduced me to them, they all nodded shyly. Except for the boys, they wiggled their eyebrows at me and punched each other in the arms. I gave each of them a smile in return.
Marianna resembled her father, who was saying, “Sir, did you call us?”
“Yes, I did. I have a very important job for you and your family, Javann. It could possibly be dangerous if anyone ever found out what you were guarding, but do you think you and your family are up for the task?”
Javann looked over to his wife, who gave him an encouraging smile. “Yes, sir. We owe you our lives. In return we would guard whatever you wish us to with our lives.”
Jamison was trying hard to hide a smile and failing. “I don’t think it will put you in danger as long as you never speak of it to anyone.”
Javann thought for a second. “I understand, sir. What will be guarding?”
Jamison gave him half of the key. There was no need to explain what it did or how important it was. The triplet’s eyes were practically bulging from their sockets.
Javann held the key that was wider than he was. “Sir, you honor us with this task. To guard something so important.” Javann’s wife was wiping tears away and sniffling. “There are no words to tell you how honored we are.”
“Thank you, friend. Hide it well. Now that that is out of the way, is there anything you or your family need?”
Whatever Javann was about to say died on his lips, as one of the teenagers said, “More trout? Oh, and maybe a water slide. That would be totally wicked.”
Javann and his wife started chastising the young boy and his brothers who were now begging. Jamison laughed. “Absolutely. I’ve been meaning to build a dock now for a while. I’ll get on that this weekend. I’ll order a slide and a water trampoline. Those have always looked like a lot of fun.”
The boys were jumping up and down with excitement while Marianna was still sucking on her thumb, trying to figure out if she liked me. Finally, she gave me a shy smile. That one smile made me feel like I had just won an Olympic medal.
“If you all will excuse us, Charlie needs sleep.”
For whatever reason, my face blushed at his wink. He made the word sleep sound scandalous. Jamison helped me stand to my feet as we said goodbye to the water fairies. The teenager who had proved to be the most brazen stopped right before diving back into the water. “Oh, Mr. J?”
“Yes?” Jamison replied.
“Way to go; she’s totally hot.”
Jamison was laughing as the teenager disappeared into the water. We walked into his massive log cabin home as he spun me around, giving me a gentle kiss. “You are totally hot. Hopefully, the horny teenage water fairies won’t steal you away.”
I shoved at his chest. “You’re so not funny. Just stop.”
A yawn escaped before I could stop it. Jamison swung me up into his arms. “You need to sleep. I can’t have a tired mate.”
I curled my head against his chest and closed my eyes. The last thing I remembered was the steady beat of his heart and how I finally felt safe.
Four days and nights went by before I woke. My body was sore, but I was alive.
“You’re awake.”
Glancing over to my right, I saw Jamison slumped in a chair that was too small for his large frame. He looked like he hadn’t bathed or eaten in days, but he was still handsome.
My voice squeaked, “Hi.”
He jumped up and got me some water. Putting a hand behind my head, he held me up while I drank.
“I’m still in shock that you came after me,” I said. “You saved me.”
“Of course I came after you. I told you once before I’ll always come for you.”
“I’ve been out for a while?” At his nod, I said, “I’ve never been so tired.”
“You can’t ever leave me again.” Sitting down on the edge of the bed next to me, he took time gathering his words. “I love you with all my heart. When the Demon Prince took you, I almost went insane. It’s going to be a while before I can let you out of my sight. Be patient with me?”
“You rescued me from Hell. I think I can be a little patient. You said that there were more steps in becoming your mate?” At his nod, I said, “I would like to complete the bond.”
His blue eyes rounded in shock. “You are sure?”
“Absolutely sure. I want to be your mate.”
He leaned down and kissed my forehead.
“Wait until I tell Tandi that I have a mate that would literally go to Hell and back for me. She is going to be so jelly.” I sat up, stretching. “What are we going to do with the other half of the key?”
“I have a fireproof safe in the basement. It’s hidden in a secret room. I think between the Prince of Wolves and the Queen of Warlocks and Witches, the two of us can keep it safe.
Don’t you?”
“Hell, yeah, I do.”
Laughing, he scooped me up. “Come on, mate.”
“Where are you taking me?”
“Before we complete the ceremony, you are in need of a bath. And since you’re so weak, I’ll have to bathe you myself.”
I was too tired to blush. “Then will you carry me around and let me see your awesome house?”
“Your wish is my command. The only place I will not take you is the guest apartment. Sammy’s made himself a home there and has got acquainted with Xbox. If we go there, he’ll persuade you to play, and we’ll be stuck there for hours, and I have different plans for you.”
I giggled as he shut the bathroom door with his foot, and I realized that if a hot angel placed his hands on you every chance he got and carried you like you were the most priceless gift in the world, then the cliché was true. Love conquered all. I had a feeling that we had not fought our last battle against evil, but this man carrying me would make every fight worth winning, just so that I could say I belonged to him. This was a fate I could live with.
For the first time, I was waving my freak flag without worrying about the repercussions, and finally I felt like I wasn’t pretending to be someone else.
The Vampire Queen
Book 3 in the Wheel of Crowns series
It’s not easy being the worst vampire ever
Tandi may have been killed by ghouls, but now she’s a brand new vampire. And she’s determined to be the best.
But determination can’t take her very far when she won’t even kill a deer for its blood. Not to mention she’s not as subservient to her master—the Prince of Vampires—as she should be. Despite him being a dead hot guy, and powerful enough to have broken free of the Queen’s influence.
Little does she know that the Queen of Vampires wants her Prince back, and Tandi’s about to get caught in the middle. Just as well the Prince is unusually protective of her, even if she is trying to hide her developing feelings for him. Because when they’re invited to a wedding, the Queen will plan Tandi’s death there. And the crown-wearing vamp has several ways to do it.
But Tandi is full of surprises herself.
When a disreputable cat turns up promising to help, together with the gorgeous Prince they hatch a plan. It’s dangerous. Maybe even deadly. But if everything goes just right, they might just have a chance.
Of course, when does anything go just right? Maybe being killed by ghouls wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
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The Vampire Queen: Wheel of Crowns book 3
The Demon Queen
Book 4 in the Wheel of Crowns series
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Ruling demons has never been easy. But it’s about to get a lot harder.
Carmen is finally free from years of torture. And with her evil daddy—the Demon King—dead, she’s also wearing the crown and ruling with sass, even if she still doesn’t have her own body back. But being a Queen isn’t as easy as she thought it would be. Not when she has a weakness. One she must keep secret.
Because unlike her demon subjects, Carmen isn’t completely evil. And that tiny spot of goodness in her heart might just be her undoing. Demons don’t take kindly to their ruler being nice, you see.
When rumours of her weakness begin to circulate, the mutiny is on. And Carmen will have to look for help from an unexpected source. From someone she has every right to be wary of. Someone she really shouldn’t be developing feelings for.
But a certain soothsayer has been guiding events behind the scenes—for the most part behind the scenes, anyway. And if those plans include Carmen getting her body back, she might just have the power to keep her crown.
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The Werewolf Queen
Book 1 in the Wheel of Crowns series
Haven’t read the first book yet? It doesn’t matter. They can be read in any order.
I always wished I had supernatural powers. Now I wish I didn’t.
Sadie’s a dud, a failure—the only one in high school who doesn’t have any kind of supernatural powers. Her psychic bff, Jo, knows something about Sadie’s future, but just won’t tell. And what the heck is going on when one of her teachers starts looking at her while he’s going on about powerful lost keys, portals of madness, and destinies?
Then it all starts.
On her 18th birthday, Sadie starts to feel weird. And when werewolves, vampires, and demons all turn up to spoil her party, the weirdness really ramps up.
Leaving her best friend, her family, and the only town she’s ever known, Sadie must find safety. But while the king of the werewolves can offer her somewhere to hide while she’s learning about her new powers, he can’t stop his psycho witch fiancée from finding new ways to try and kill her. Of course, the murderous tendencies of this psycho witch only get worse when she realises the Werewolf King is, um… attracted to Sadie.
And all that’s before Sadie sets off to try and find one of the lost keys. Before she visits hell. Before she picks up a pet ogre.
And before she realizes just how powerful she can become.
But if it really is her destiny to collect one of the lost keys, will she be able control her newfound power and help save the world and all the people in it she loves? Or will she buckle under the pressure?
She’s about to find out. A mansion surrounded by demons and full of vampires and witches intent on her destruction awaits. Oh, and that psycho-witch fiancée of the Werewolf King. What could possibly go wrong?
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The Werewolf Queen: Wheel of Crowns book 1
Acknowledgments
There were a lot of great people that helped with this book. My savvy editor, Rebecca Jaycox; the amazing Aelurus Publishing team; Jeff and his fantastic proofreader Katherine. A million thanks to you three for getting this book to where it needed to be.
Special thanks to my husband for the endless coffee runs and my two sweet kids that ask me every day, “How many words did you get today, mama?”
To my own mother, you are literally the strongest person I’ve ever known. I love you big. Also, thanks for listening to me drone on and on about my characters and enjoying them as much as I do. And to my witty, amazing, funny dad… psych! I had you going there for a second, didn’t I? I told you old man you must wait until book five. Big hugs for the rest of the good looking members of my crazy family who’ve cheered me on from the sidelines. Big thanks to God for giving me these said crazy family members.
About the Author
Brandi Elledge lives in the South, where even the simplest words are at least four syllables.
She has a husband that she refuses to upgrade...because let’s face it he is pretty awesome, and two beautiful children that are the light of her life.
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https://brandielledge.com
The characters and events portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Published by Aelurus Publishing, March 2019
Copyright © Brandi Elledge, 2019
Cover design by Molly Phipps
All rights reserved. Unauthorised distribution or reproduction is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the publisher.
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ISBN 13: 978-1-912775-08-8
www.aeluruspublishing.com
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The Queen of Witches Page 20
