hurt me.” She turned and poured tea into the cup she’d made for Dean.
The door to the back bedroom came open and the royals stepped out, Daniel leading Zoey, with Dev coming up behind her. Dev looked worse for the wear, his hair mussed and a tired look in his eyes. He glanced around the room. “Kelsey, Dean, I apparently have some apologies to make.”
“Nah, we’ve all gone psychotic at some point,” I pointed out. “Hey. It makes us even for that time I tried to take your head off with a baseball bat.”
I hadn’t been in control of my wolf at that point, and I got pretty cranky.
A weak smile crossed his face. “Ah, good times.”
“Well, I nearly got murdered by plants, so I will totally listen to an apology,” Dean said. “And I think I pulled a couple of muscles, too.”
“I deeply apologize, Dean.” Dev bowed at the waist. “I hope you can forgive me.”
Dean shrugged and a grin tugged his lips up. “All right. You were under the influence of a powerful spell. I suppose I can forgive you.”
Erna put the mug in front of Dean. “Well, I don’t know if I will. After all, you nearly injured me, too, and Dean is in my charge. You’re lucky I helped you. My first thought was to simply end both of you. The spell used on those stones was immensely powerful. I will admit I didn’t think the old legends about an Earth plane magician could possibly be true, but that spell makes me rethink much. Kelsey, would you like some tea? If your head is still aching, it could ease it.”
I didn’t want to drink anything she prepared. I put a hand to my belly. “I can’t even think about putting something on my stomach right now. Morning sickness.”
My stomach was perfectly fine, but I was going to use that excuse as long as I could. I had to hope she didn’t want to hurt Dean. Though he hadn’t touched the tea yet. I wondered if in the past he already would have been drinking it. The stone would have made him want to please Erna.
Luckily she was far too busy judging me to notice Dean wasn’t drinking. “Yes, I heard you talking about being pregnant. It’s foolish to be adventuring while you’re carrying a child, but I suspect you know what you’re doing. Green Man, if you want to make it up to me, kindly take your pixie back. She seems to have taken a liking to me. I can’t abide insects.”
Zoey’s brow arched. “She’s not an insect.”
Dev held out his hand and Arwyna flew to it. “I’m sorry. She finds your energy infinitely interesting.” He stared down at the pixie as though listening intently. “She says the energy around you calls to her.”
Erna’s shoulders went stiff. “I’m sure I’m still crackling with energy after being forced to save you all. I would prefer she give me some space.”
Arwyna seemed to be saying something but I couldn’t hear her, and Dev merely nodded and then placed her on his shoulder.
“When can we leave?” Daniel asked. “I’m eager to get to the Vampire plane. Will we have any trouble entering? Do they simply allow anyone in?”
“It’s guarded on the Vampire side, but I’ve already taken care of things,” Dean said. “My parents have made arrangements to allow you access. If anyone asks, you’re meeting with Malone Corp.”
“I can certainly talk business,” Dev offered. “Will this affect your parents? We intend to break Summer out.”
Dean simply shrugged. “Nah. Corporate warfare is a big thing where I come from. Like sometimes there are literal wars. It’s why a man like Taggart is so sought after. No one will blink an eye, and if Lodge InterPlane decides to come after Malone Corp, my father will happily go into battle. He recently signed this new head of security and he wants to put him up against Taggart and see what happens.”
I didn’t think I would like living on a plane where the rich literally ruled everything. “Your Highness, they also sent us the blueprints to the building. I think you should study them. We need a plan of action. We won’t have much time.”
“Dean can help you,” Erna said. “He’s excellent at glamours. Dean, don’t underestimate the vampires. They will be ready for battle magic. Your best option is to get in and out without detection.”
“I will not allow them to take my daughter,” Daniel promised. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Normally