The Queen in the Kingdom

TER

lking up the stairs, the victor (of course) of whatever faceoff he might have had with Phil

y. The air was cold and crisp but did little to cool her overheated skin. Hurrying to t

No way down. Now

er her shoulder. Maybe he wouldn't find her? But the

the Udall Estate, she'd texted him: I've left yo

etting a doggy lick in return), Nikki had gone inside to Ophelia and Annabelle, to hug and cry. Armris had shown up an h

and stared at the six voicemails Mario

ing to them, she'd texted him back. She was

but we will soon. I

wanted to say. His reply said i

k flowers were delivered to Ophelia 's apartment that Annabelle and Ophelia swore weren't from any of their admir

The truth was, as much as she'd been dreading this day, she knew it needed to happ

the beginning they'd sparked like fire but wha

truth was, sticking her head in the sand was the only way she knew to bec

nest with herself, and this was very, very hard to admit...she always had. She wanted his

her weakness. She wanted to be able to stand up to him

eak the cycle.

s sounded

w was he

pped through the grand doors and out onto the balc

en around Mario. Sharo, the Shades. They'd all learned t

e always could. They were connected, no matter the miles

s bad. She thought she needed space, so okay. Every single day he'd wanted to drive over, tear down

fought his less evolve

he was his wife and it was

aress on his tongue. He'd never want

tring of connection be

beautiful, delicate, with pale skin that glowed in the moonlight. The dress she w

im. He wanted to fall at her feet and beg her forgiveness. He wanted to grab her, flip her again

and was forcing herself not to reach for him. He all but growled i

nipples had clearly hardened, completely visible through the tight fabric that clung to her breasts. It was a good thing she'd retreated here for their reunion

so soon?" he finally

arms over her chest. More was the pi

lp smiling at th

g out her ridiculous shoes t

these on t

little pink spots appeared on her chee

t the balustrade. He knelt. So it was to be bowing at her feet after all. He lifted up the

e grinned. She seemed to lose track of whatever she'd been about to say. Oh yes, her bod

He didn't want unthinking obedience. Not from her.

tened it, caressing her ankle and her calf. The chance t

the balustrade. She was silent, but by the occasion

tood, she swallowed hard before fina

dropped hers and took a small step back from him. As if any amou

he said. She was like a skittish bird and she'd flee if he wasn't

learing her throat and trying

pe. You need to remem

You should take your own advice. I l

was suddenly out of his mout

that this was what he'd come here to say. This and more, but it had to

iveness for the viole

hooting that had blown out the windows and terrorized at lea

ld. I underestimated him and put you

n together. "But, if it makes you feel better, I

leaving you alone at t

eet. "It's alright. You would've stayed if you could

e? Did s

n the end it didn't matter. The responsibility was Mario 's. If he hadn't left her alone, sh

r in that position again. He would protect her and keep her safe. So

ing her up and down again in ad

aid, and Mario grinn

o talk things out.

months," she

keeping track? Co

need her words, just her e

like she hoped she'd been finally found. So much was said, and

ace, as you requeste