The Queen in the Kingdom

PTE

. Armris still had his arm around her shoulders and was doing introductions. If she moved now, she’d

nius who owns Aurum, the tech company. Opheli

un on water,” Philian interrupted, ca

hair parted down the middle, black sheets falling to a blunt cut jaw. The whole hairstyle resembled a helmet. After two months of advising

lia flirted. Right now Ophelia was fluttering her dark

if you share your

u up.” Ophelia looked Philian over, from his bald head all

ian’s smile showed two r

about tall men.” Ophelia looked

ised anymore. Ophelia was smart enough to realize her rudeness—she si

s were darting around. Where h

. Great party,”

He pointed with his new glass, dangerously close to slopping liquid onto

ng court in front of the staircase, surroun

r until she was surrounded by the scent of his cologne. It smelled good but was a little overpowering

nabel say she was auditioning for a movie that he’s st

k in on the conversation at hand.

nce. “Annabelle is another one of our roommates,” she told Philian, and then wi

e. “How about another toast?” she said desp

t again, but the hand that held the fu

igner, and helped untangle him.

t free when Armri

ess?” he asked. “It’s

ammered, tugging at Armris ’s grip. She’d officially

oks perfect,”

like a mermaid.” Phil

ging her sleek form until her waist, where it shimmered

Armris ’s hand pulled her into a spin t

ept over the crowded party, and Nikki looked str

nged much—for him anyway. Mario wore his signature suit. Everything about him spoke of power, from the

flanked by two men dressed all in black.

stared at her husband, the sight of him hitting her with earth-tilting force. His eyes

ined the potency of his effect on her. Surely she’d exaggerated

t no relief. She knew his eyes were on her and she c

r at night, his body spooned behind hers. Him finally saying the words that

l and watching him brutally bash a man’s head in. Over and over and over again, even after the man was dead.

ed backwards.

Ophelia ’s roommate, and Armris was a frequent visitor to their tiny loft. They’d listened to her rant, hugged her when she cried, and plied her with ice

, his Adam’s apple bobbing a

was more b

height. His eyes narrowed and Nikki froze at the

Mario ’s whole world was filled with darkness and vendetta. She wanted nothing to

fled. Damn it, why had she let Armris talk her into wearing these