The Rebel Queen (Outlaw #1) - Lexi Blake Page 0,71

from the coat around his muscular body to the loafers on his feet. He was polished and yet menacing.

On the outside Myrddin appeared to be a man in his prime, and I supposed he was. He looked to be around forty in human years, with dark hair and eyes that could change with his intent. Normally they were dark, but from time to time the color would lighten and yet still stay cold. He was attractive, but there was no way to miss the ruthless will that always surrounded the male.

Neil immediately moved in front of me, ready to take whatever the wizard would throw at us. He’d seen what Myrddin had done to Zack and yet he didn’t hesitate.

Myrddin sighed, a long-suffering sound. “Now there, Mr. Roberts. There’s no need for such dramatics. I came for a friendly talk. Do I look like I’m about to rip Her Grace’s throat out?”

“That’s Your Highness to you,” Neil growled back. “She’s the Queen of All Vampire and you will treat her with respect.”

“Vampire is fractured,” Myrddin replied. “As are all of the supernatural tribes. It happened shortly after the queen and king disappeared and left their duties behind. It was up to me to bring them all back together. I’m afraid that while Zoey still holds her Fae titles, the rest of them are gone. Kingdoms are fragile things, Your Grace. They tend to fall apart if the king isn’t around.”

“And whose fault was that?” Neil shot back.

I was tired. And maybe I had some of that recklessness that charged Lee’s every move. If Myrddin was going to kidnap me in broad daylight on a busy street, then he could go for it. There was a café next door and it looked warm and inviting and filled with a bunch of humans. I had to bet Myrddin was still holding the supernatural laws sacred for now, and our number one rule was—don’t scare the humans.

“I need something warm.” And it didn’t hurt that I could smell cookies. I turned my back on Myrddin and walked to the small café.

“Zoey, we should get out of here.” Neil was right behind me.

“And go where?” Myrddin was here, and I didn’t know if I could shake him. I also didn’t know how many guards he had hidden around the city, ready to pounce. If I was about to be taken, the least I could do was grab a snack.

“I don’t know,” Neil huffed. “Someplace that’s not here surrounded by… Huh. I guess you’re right. We’re safer in a crowd. Humans having those pesky cell phones on them all the time helps us out. Ooo, try the chocolate cake of death. It’s super rich. And meringue cookies. You know what? I could eat.”

He always could eat. Neil had that good old werewolf metabolism I envied. I thought briefly about texting Lee or Rhys, but then the danger simply shifted from myself to my boys. I had to hope they would take their time getting their errands finished.

I glanced over and Myrddin was still standing outside, staring in like walking away was the last thing he’d expected me to do. He looked…almost confused. When a young woman opened the door and walked inside, he followed her.

“Zoey, I’m only here to talk to you.” He held his hands up as though showing me he didn’t have a weapon would make me feel better. Myrddin was a weapon. Ancient magic flowed through his veins. “You know there’s an explanation for what happened. I’m going to assume your brain went to all the worst places since you seem to have a terrible impression of me.”

I ordered a pot of tea and let Neil select our treats while I moved to a table at the front of the café. It was by the window and chilly, but it also allowed people walking on the sidewalk in front of the café to see anything the wizard might do. “Are you seriously going to try to play me this way?”

Myrddin sat down across from me. “I know you won’t believe me but losing the king for over a decade was not my intent.”

“Excellent. It was all a mistake. I’d like my crown back now. I’ll let my husband know he can take his, too.”

Myrddin stared at me for a moment. “That won’t happen anytime soon. I’ve been forced to make certain deals in order to survive. Though I did not ever intend to banish Daniel, I’ve made the best of things, and