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“I know.”

“You’re not alone anymore. Punishing yourself was a waste of time.” She stroked his hair, getting lost in the thick strands.

“Maybe.” He groaned. “We did what we had to do ... for peace. It’s over.”

The note of acceptance in his voice warmed her throughout. Now they just needed to survive the night. His body shuddered against her, the too hot sweat pouring off him and coating her shirt. Every inch of her body hurt, and her shoulder was probably dislocated. If the lion wanted to get out of the room, no way could she stop him.

The strength required in refusing the moon was nearly impossible to gauge. Ninety-nine percent of creatures couldn’t come close. Jordan was the strongest man she knew, but he was battered and depleted. She gentled her voice. “Just a few more hours.”

Far in the distance, a wolf howled to the moon.

Chapter 31

The sun rose slowly, out of sight, shoving the remnants of night to oblivion. Katie came awake with a sigh. “Ow.” Her entire body pulsed like a deep bruise. She pulled stiff arms from Jordan’s neck, lifting away from him. Her shoulder popped back into place. “Ouch.”

Stubble lined his stubborn jaw. Dark circles cut above his cheekbones. But his topaz eyes were clear and strong. A smile slid across his full lips. “Mornin’.”

Warmth slammed into her abdomen. “Ah, morning.” Her face heated.

“That’s a pretty blush on you, sugar.” He ran both hands down her arms, springing tingles to life. “It’s cold. Let’s go in.”

“How are you feeling?” She pushed off his lap with a groan. Every bone she owned popped as she tried to stand.

“Like myself.” He stood, stretching and popping vertebrae. “Let’s not sleep on the ground again.” Rubbing his jaw, he surveyed the destruction outside the gaping hole. A series of loud boots clomped in the hall. Dage appeared in the courtyard followed by the shifter enforcers and several vampire soldiers.

Dage and Noah approached the room. “Everyone all right here?” The king surveyed them, sending shards of electricity up Katie’s neck.

Jordan snarled. “Get out of my head. We’re fine.”

Katie frowned. “Seriously. You’re not supposed to mind read.”

Dark shadows lined the king’s eyes. He winced. “Just making sure.”

Jordan tugged Katie into the meager sun. A soft breeze wandered across the grass. “Was headquarters breached?”

“Yes.” Power and anger danced along Dage’s skin. “We’ll fix the security problem. Most of the Kurjans are down ... a couple escaped, including Kalin. We’ll need to step up efforts to take him out.”

Jordan nodded. “We’ll do what we have to do.”

Katie smiled. If nothing else, the guy had found peace with his past. Hopefully with their future, too.

Dage frowned. He turned to face her fully, gaze dropping to her stomach and then back up. A smile lifted his lips. His metallic eyes shimmered vampire silver. Then he tossed back his head and laughed, a deep, genuine bellow. Winding down, wiping his eyes, he grinned. “Twins. Girls. This is fantastic.”

Jordan grinned, turning the warmth of his smile on her. He tugged her into his battered body. “Yeah, it is.” He dropped a gentle kiss on top of her head. “Why don’t you go check on Janie and I’ll help clean up? Be in soon.”

Not one bone in her body wanted to help clean up the dead bodies, whether she was ready to help him lead or not. “Good idea.” Squeezing his hand, she shuffled through the main doorway, winding down several flights of stairs and getting caught by the queen.

“Oh, good.” Emma pushed unruly black hair off her face. “Come into the lab. I need a blood sample.” She all but shoved Katie into the room. “Then I need to get Jordan’s. I knew he’d survive the moon. I think his blood will be the key to curing the virus.” Excitement flushed her classic face.

Katie dutifully jumped on the examination table. “Is everyone all right?”

“Yep.” Emma scratched her chin, reaching for a syringe. “Though Janie had a run-in with a Kurjan. Brave little girl.” She sighed. Quick movements had Katie’s vein swabbed. Emma took blood, slowly removing the needle and gently placing a bandage over the small wound. “I wish we could end this war now.”

A chill swept down Katie’s spine. For once, she was very glad she didn’t have the queen’s psychic abilities. “We’ll end the fight, Emma. I know we will.” Tucking her arms around her stomach, she reassured both herself and the cubs resting there. “We’ll make the world safe.”

Nighttime had fallen, bringing a quiet sense of peace to the Realm underground headquarters. Emma Kayrs stretched her legs out on the bed and tossed the stack of papers on the table. Everything had gone fuzzy, her eyes were so tired. “Come to bed, Dage.”

The king stood tall, shirtless, staring at a wall screen depicting battle plans. Bruises marred his back from the fight the previous night, but with his abilities, they’d disappear by morning. Their bedroom looked more like a combination of war room and laboratory than an actual place to rest. “The plan is good. Conn and Kane should have Jase home by tomorrow night.”

“I know.” Emma kept her voice soft, reassuring. “Jase will be all right.”

Dage turned, blue emotion shimmering in his silver eyes. “He has to be, though I wish we could find a demon destroyer.”

Sounded like a special type of weapon. “Demon destroyer?”

“Yes.” The king rubbed his face. “Enhanced female—psychic like you but with the ability to deflect the demon mind powers. Maybe even turn it against them.”

Intrigue had Emma sitting up. “Human female?”

Dage shrugged. “Rumor has it. I’ve never seen one ... they’ve probably died out if they ever existed. I’m sure the demons went after them, unless they’re just a myth.” He growled low. “I should’ve found the truth about them before sending Jase into danger.”

Worry and hurt for her husband mingled with concern for Jase. “He wanted to go on this mission, Dage. He’s a soldier, and he was ready.”

“He’s my brother.” Simple words, yet a true indication of what the king faced every day in balancing family and duty.

“You trained him well.”

“Aye, we all trained him well.” Dage stretched his neck, all powerful male animal. “Jordan is all right?”

Hope caught Emma’s breath in her throat. “Yes. I think his blood will give me the cure for the virus. As soon as Kane gets back, we can really get down to business.” Though she’d do everything possible before then.

Dage nodded. “Jordan’s results show no sign of the virus?”

“Not yet. There are still markers in place, but I’m hoping it’ll disappear. Or become irrelevant, like mononucleosis after someone survives infection.” Emma stretched, purposefully flashing a bit of leg beneath the shimmering blue negligee. “When Katie bit him, she, in effect, mated him. He’s back to the arrogant lion leader we’ve always known.” Emma grinned.

Dage quirked a lip. “Arrogance in a leader? What shall we do? Good thing I lack such baser emotions.”

She couldn’t help the snort of disbelief. Then she took in the king. Broad chest, wicked tattoo of the Kayrs marking winding over his shoulder to his back, a truly sexy vampire. Long legs, so much power for one man. A slow smile spread across her face. “You seem to have quite a lot of energy although you just fought all last night.”

One arrogant eyebrow lifted. “I always have enough energy for you, love.” Two steps and he perched a knee on the bed, sliding forward to trap her beneath him.

“Prove it, king.”

Several quarters down, Talen Kayrs growled low, his gaze on the food before him. Pressing his elbows into the table, he frowned again.