by Larisa Long
“Why?” Risq asks with disgust.
I jump when I hear pleading which sounds like it’s coming from above me. “I was going to study human rights law back in my world. Thought I’d study immortal rights law here.”
Arc presses his lips together. “What does that mean? Human rights law and immortal rights law?”
“Human rights law fights discrimination and promotes freedom and equality for all.” I hear myself and have to admit I would have made a kick ass lawyer. “Theoretically at least that’s what it’s supposed to do.”
Arc studies me. “You mean ensure equality and prevent those in power from harming those without.”
I smile. “You explain it better than me.”
Risq steps back. “So you’d want to study the laws here to ensure the immortals …” He places his hand over his heart. “Like us have rights?”
“I was hoping to learn the laws of the land in order to use it against the humans who created them.”
“To change from within.” Arc nods. “We owe you because you were never cruel. It wasn’t your order that placed us in the dungeon. That was Blu. And you could have declared us quiguleres.” He looks at Risq who nods in agreement. “Let me guess which ones wanted you to sign that document?”
“Against my better judgement,” Risq sighs. “We’re going to give you a choice.”
I take a deep breath.
“You can choose to stay here with us,” Arc says.
I look back and forth between Risq and Arc. I remember very well what Risq hinted before about being his slave.
I look for any hint of them telling me that wouldn’t happen, but both look at me with the blankest of expressions. “Would that keep Blu, Zash and Janx safe?”
Arc waits awhile then nods. “I would ensure they remain free. Although, they will try to rescue you.”
“They will.”
Arc narrows his eyes. “You won’t even ask in what conditions you’ll be kept?”
I shake my head. “What’s the other option?”
Screams surround us. I look around.
Risq grins. “There are several cells in this prison.”
“You can go back home.”
I frown. “I assume the castle is destroyed.”
Arc moves closer to me. “Your home. Chicago.”
I step back. “I couldn’t. It’s been what thirty or so years. Everything I know is changed.”
Arc shakes his head. “I will take you back to the morning of your birthday. Before you woke up. Before we arrived.”
My heart beats faster. I’m afraid I’m going to be sick. “Back to my parents? Back to my life?”
“It will be like we were never there,” Risq says.
Reality hits. “You’ll wipe my memory, won’t you?”
Arc nods. “You’ll never remember any of this.”
Explosions rock the room. Risq sighs as he listens to the screams around us. “The reigns are fighting back.”
“We don’t have much time,” Arc reminds.
I close my eyes. “What would happen to all of you? Will it be the same time here? Before you got me or would it be the present?”
Arc grins. “Would that matter? Would we matter to you? Which one are you more worried about?”
I look at him like I can’t believe I still have to convince him. “All of you.”
Arc’s eyes widen. He leans closer to me. “Do you know why you always thought I didn’t trust you?”
“Because you’re trying to overthrow the humans?”
He shakes his head. “Because I couldn’t allow you to know how I truly felt. I saw the opportunity when I heard your thoughts when you spoke with Janx. I scared you, and I knew the dragon would react. And we could escape.”
My mind races as I think back at my interactions with Arc.
“That kiss was the most difficult. I had to pretend I was kissing King Pole.”
I grimace. “I do not miss him.”
“I did appreciate that,” Risq says, without relaxing his hatred for me even a little bit.
Arc pushes me against the wall. “Forget about the vampire. He’s not part of this. Look into my eyes and tell me what you see now.”
I study him. There’s more depth. Honesty. “Power. No hesitations.”
Arc kisses me. This time I feel it. His passion. His intensity. I forget how afraid I was of him. I forget everything as I let myself feel what I probably was always meant to feel for him.
He stops kissing me. “I believe that.” Arc looks in my eyes. “You were always meant to fall in love with four immortals.”
I glance around to check my vision. Maybe I am hallucinating. Did I hit my head so hard I’m suffering a concussion? Maybe a subdural hema something?”
Arc laughs as he runs his fingers through my hair. “I’ve missed the way you try to figure everything out. I wonder if you have room in your heart for a witch who used to be human.” He shakes his head and steps back. “If I wasn’t committed to this cause, nothing would have kept me from you.”
Risq clears his throat. “Do I have to listen to this?”
“You owe me,” Arc warns.
Risq takes a loud breath. “Agreed.”
Arc looks at me and allows his smile to broaden. “This time you decide your fate. I won’t take that from you again.”
“There has to be more to it than a simple decision,” I say. “There’s always a catch.”
Arc nods. “There always is, but you won’t find out the details until you decide.”
“But how do I decide without the details?”
“Such a dilemma for poor Mera.” Risq places his hand over his heart. He looks glum like he actually cares anything about me.
His eyes dance as his forced smile fades. “I never liked you. You always knew that. Seeing the others fall for you was excruciating. Listening to Arc moan about how much he loves you and misses you is equally appalling.”
Arc grabs my hands. “I need you to know, Mera, that I was never conflicted in my feelings for you. I only kept my distance because of the cause that I was pledged to long before we met.” He places his hand over his heart. “I wish you could know me. The real me, and I would—”
Risq sighs loudly. “You have an hour to decide. I’m sorry, but there’s only so much I can listen to.”
“An hour?” My mind races. Do I weigh pros and cons? Is there even a con about leaving? Or staying? My family and everything I’ve ever known versus the immortals I love. And what would happen to them?
Before I know it, I’m pacing. Do I make a list? Debate it? Pretend it’s an essay? An assignment? Follow my heart? An hour to decide my fate. To decide my future. I promised Zash I would always choose them. But a chance to see my family again? Who wouldn’t take that?
Risq laughs. “I’ve forgotten how pathetic you humans are. I’m just kidding about the time limit. We need your decision now.”
I look to Arc.
Arc’s eyes express the sadness I truly believe he feels. “I’m sorry, Mera. He’s right. What is your decision?”
Her Reign of Choice (Book 2)
Mera must make her choice. Will she stay to protect her immortals? Or will she put the ones she loves in danger by returning to Chicago? As the insurgency grows more desperate, the reigns fight back and not everyone will survive.
Also by Larisa Long
The Bering Sisters: A Regency Romance
The Praesim Series (Paranormal Romance)
Prae for the Chosen (Book 1)
Silent Eyes (Book 2)
New Reign Series: A Reverse Harem Series
Her New Reign (Book 1)
Her Reign of Choice (Book 2)
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