The muscles of her neck worked as she swallowed. “Through the link you both share?”

He nodded and the shine in her stunning brown eyes dimmed. Her hand flew to her mouth, and she shook her head.

“I need a fact cleared up,” she said, her voice unsteady, but also filled with a strength he admired despite himself. “You were ordered to kill her?”

Again, he nodded.

Her gaze clashed with his. “Are you here to kill me?”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

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NOLA’S MIND WAS a field of land mines. Every new thought caused an explosion, starting a chain reaction of emotion. Shock, fear and incredulity. Disbelief and uncertainty. Excitement, hope and happiness, even dread. Queen. Queen Nola. Queen Magnolia Lee. Orphaned as a baby. Sickly, unwanted by other families. Shuffled from one foster home to another, some good, some bad. Some really bad. The weird girl with strange impulses she couldn’t discuss with anyone other than a golden god she’d just met but had known in her dreams for years. The grown woman unable to enjoy intimacy with a man without vomiting. The addict. Fledgling teleporter. Controller of dragons. Alien.

“I will not harm the Terran queen,” Bane said. “I will protect her with my life, even though—yes—I hate the power she wields over me.”

He’d avoided her question. Or had he? “That power. Are you bound to her—” me? “—forced to do whatever she commands?”

“Yes,” he hissed.

“D-does this future queen have a name?” Can’t be me. But it might be me.

Would he say her name?

“She does.” He released her, then. No connection, no body heat. Numbing cold infiltrated her bones. Peering deep into her starry eyes, he finally said, “Her name is Nola Lee.”

Gulp. “I can’t be a queen. I can’t rule anyone, much less an entire race of warriors and beasts. I can’t even rule myself! My life is a mess.” Except, the prospective job did kind of thrill her. Had she finally found her calling? Her passion?

Ruler of the freaking world, baby!

Too many flaws. Or maybe just the right amount?

Argh! The back and forth was beyond annoying.

“You’re right. You are not a queen. Yet,” Bane replied. “Until your...coronation, you hold the title of princess, your abilities limited.”

What! If she could teleport with limited abilities, what would she be able to do with limitless abilities? The prospect alone made her shivery.

Bane shifted, adding, “I am your warrior, forced to obey your every command.”