His mate.
She tossed her head, laughing at something Katie said next to her. Then Katie gave a nod and wandered toward another bar in the far corner.
A man approached Emma and Dage fought the urge to growl. A vampire, a young one. Tall, blond, and from somewhere in the eastern district. What the hell was his name?
The young vampire took her hand and leaned over to brush a kiss on it.
Dage let a snarl loose.
Emma laughed and tugged her hand away, smoothing her hair back before speaking to the interloper.
Dage would kill him. The bastard had touched his mate.
Setting the glass on the bar behind him, Dage shifted his stance and set his feet, his gaze focused on his prey. All sound receded into the background.
The young vampire turned and Dage caught his eye. A slow smile slid over the king’s face, menace tinged with a promise of pain. For a brief moment he let a hint of his power glint in his eyes and glow from his skin. He’d have the young buck fearing his own shadow by the end of the night.
Blood drained from the vampire’s face until his lips turned purple, his eyes wide. He stumbled away from Emma, sweeping his hands out in a placating gesture. With a bow of his head toward his king, he backed away several feet before turning on his heel and dashing for the nearest exit.
Emma fought to keep her balance, the abrupt departure of her companion startling her. Suspicion filtered in and she turned to look where Dage stood across the room. His dimples flashed when he grinned at her, pure innocence shining in his deep eyes. Next to him Jordan struggled to contain his laughter, studying the floor.
The king was up to something. He existed as his own force and she had to consciously fight the urge to gravitate toward him, to let that heat and power surround her. To think she’d almost had sex with him in the cave. Need still rumbled in her blood and her breasts ached for his mouth. She gave him a quelling look which he met with a raised eyebrow.
Two men sought his attention, and he turned toward them, flashing her a look containing a promise she could feel under her skin.
Relief filled her when his gaze released her. Tipping back her champagne, she emptied the glass, raising an eyebrow at the stunning dark haired vision coming her way. Woman’s intuition had whispered the porcelain skinned goddess in the flowing crimson gown would stop eyeing her across the room and make a move.
The low hum of voices across the ballroom dimmed as the woman reached Emma’s side in a cloud of rose scented perfume. “Rumor has it you’re the king’s mate.” Sharp gray eyes narrowed and crimson nails sharpened to dangerous points tightened around a champagne glass.
Emma tilted her head. “Emma Paulson.”
“Simone Brightston.” An odd energy containing more than mere female anger pulsed around the woman. Shifter? Witch? “Former lover to the king.”
Well damn. Emma had known the guy couldn’t have lived as a monk for centuries, but still, the truth slid between her ribs like a knife. She forced a slow smile. “Former? You mustn’t have been very good at it.”
A rustle of silk announced Cara’s arrival. “Good at what?” The curious tone belied the sharp gaze. Nothing like an overprotective sister to make things interesting.
An odd humming set up in Emma’s ears while an electric current cascaded through her flesh. Power—at home and comfortable within her body. She cut her eyes to the king who remained absorbed in his discussion. The energy came from inside her. Interesting. One day in his presence and her physiology had already altered. She’d have to watch that.
Emma inclined her head. “Cara Kayrs, meet Simone Brightston. Former lover to the king.”
Cara’s smile belonged in a toothpaste advertisement. “How indiscrete.” She turned to run her gaze across Dage where he stood speaking to the group of men. “Why in the world would you let a man like that go?” She pursed her lips. “Oh. He let you go. Sorry about that.” Honey would’ve melted in her mouth.
Simone sniffed. “Such a pity when a royal vamp slums it with humans.” The glacial eyes slit into luminous orbs as she eyed Emma up and down. “Of course, you’ve not actually mated. Maybe there’s hope for the monarchy yet.”
Emma had no plans to mate with Dage, but this woman needed a smack down. Emma scented the air. “What in the world is that smell?”
Cara tilted her head. “Brimstone. Yes, I believe it’s brimstone.”
“You’re a waste of my time.” Simone gave a short huff and pivoted on her heel to glide across the room, her hips swaying in tune with the orchestra.
Emma bit back a chuckle. “Brimstone? Seriously?”
Cara grinned. “I was inspired. What a bitch, huh?” She tilted her head. “I’m getting the oddest feeling from you right now.”
“How so?” The energy ebbed to a soft pulse within her.
“I don’t know. Not psychic or anything. Just different.” Cara paled. “We’ve certainly entered another world, haven’t we?”
Emma huffed out a laugh. “Yes. Vampires, shifters, and witches. Who knew?”
Cara wobbled on her heels, her hand going to her stomach. “Oh crap.”
Oh no. Emma knew that look. Not good timing. She grabbed Cara’s arm and hustled her out the door. Emma nearly tripped in her heels, her arm around Cara’s shoulders as they all but ran for Talen’s suite.
Cara had a hand clasped to her mouth, her eyes a panicked hue in her too pale face. “Hurry.”
The guards lining the way let them pass, more than one instantly tapping an earpiece to relay information. Cara threw open her door, kicked off her ruby heels and hustled past a surprised vampire to the bathroom where she fell to her knees. Emma barely made it in time to pull back her sister’s hair before the vomiting began.
The vampire, Max, had been babysitting Janie since she’d left the party after dinner. He immediately tapped his ear communicator.
Cara purged her stomach and Emma flushed the toilet, releasing the auburn curls to run a washcloth under water. She handed it to her sister, who wiped her mouth and sat back against the flowered wall. “Well, shit.”
Emma smoothed Cara’s hair back from her face, concern pooling in her stomach. “The ball was lovely.”
Cara’s lips trembled as she tried to grin. “Yeah. Dage’s speech was awesome. Very rah-rah, go Realm.” Her gold dress pooled on the marble floor, which matched her pasty face.
Emma grabbed her embellished skirt, jumping out of the way to avoid being run over by Talen.
“Cara?” His eyes widened in panic as he reached for her, lifting her in his arms. “Dage, get the car. We’re going to the hospital.”
Dage slid to a stop right behind his brother, his gaze fierce, his jaw set hard.
“Jesus.” Cara put her hand to her head, her gown spread over Talen’s arm like a princess in a fairy tale. “Stop freakin’ moving me, damn it.”
Emma slapped one palm on the vibrating muscle in his arm. “Put her back down, Talen. It’s okay. She was like this with Janie.” It was just morning sickness. It had to be.
Cara began to gag again and Talen dropped to his knees, still holding her over the bowl. Emma leaned in to tug her sister’s hair out of the way until she finished heaving.
Talen turned his molten gaze on Emma. “What should we do?”
“Put me the fuck down,” Cara muttered, grabbing the washcloth and wiping her face again.
“No.” Talen shifted, sliding down until he sat with his back against the wall, his love in his arms, his face pale. Being helpless clearly pissed him off.
Emma turned toward Dage and Max. “Order some herbal tea from room service. Orange Zing if they have it.”
Talen met his brother’s gaze. “I want the doctor here. Now.”
Dage nodded, his gaze concerned as it slid to Cara. “He’s on his way.” Max hurried off to call room service.