The Fallen Queen: (Gods & Monsters Book 2) (The Gods & Monsters Trilogy)

by Janie Marie

  “Like werewolves!”

  He laughed as he arranged the comforter over them. “What is your fascination with those beasts? Would you rather I turn into a deformed wolf or be a vampire?”

  “I think you’d be hot as a werewolf, but you’re my vampire.” She smiled, hooking her leg over his waist. She grinned wider and tried to pull them together.

  “Do I have to swaddle you in a blanket like an infant?”

  “Are you tired?”

  He chuckled and kissed her forehead. “No, but I think we should try to sleep . . . We will be spending the day with the children, and we need to speak to Jason before we leave.”

  Jane stopped her attempt to get him on top of her. “Oh.”

  David held her cheek. “I will deal with him. I want you to have closure with him, but you have nothing to fear; I will be with you the entire time. And he already knows we are together. He knew it was over between the two of you the night I slammed him against the fucking floor.”

  She nodded and rubbed her hand across his chest. “Do you think he’s angry or sad?”

  “Likely both, my love . . . Try not to worry. I know you love him, and you always will, but you two were not good for each other. His actions against you that night are unforgivable in my eyes.”

  “I don’t want to leave my babies again.”

  David slid his hand down her back. He was never going to tire of touching her. “I know. I wish you didn’t have to leave them either, but you need to come with us. And they will enjoy their time here; Gwen and Elle will take great care of them. They will have them spoiled beyond repair by the time we return.”

  “I don’t want to hurt Jason,” she whispered, pressing her face against his chest.

  He balled his fist behind her back. “I know you do not. Your heart is too good to wish him to suffer. I, however, only care whether you are okay. If he tries anything, I am stepping in. And you will not go off alone with him.”

  She kissed his chest before snuggling closer. “We’re naked in bed, and we didn’t do the nasty.”

  His tension vanished, and he laughed. “The nasty?”

  “Yeah,” she said, smiling against his chest. “The nasty, bump uglies, boning, mattress dancing, making babies, shag, fucking—oh, that one sounds mean, though.”

  David reached down and squeezed her ass. “Baby, you’re too funny. And it was—is—very hard not to do the nasty with you.”

  “Well, now it sounds silly.”

  He closed his eyes and kept rubbing her back. “It won’t feel silly when I finally have you.”

  “When will we?”

  “Don’t ask, Jane. We will when the time is right.”

  “Will it count if you wake up and we are already doing it?”

  He chuckled and smacked her butt. “Go to sleep. I guarantee I will not sleep through it when we make love.”

  “You kissed me in your sleep.”

  “That was different. Back then I thought being with you could only be a dream. Now, we are no dream.”

  “Thank you for tonight. I’ll never forget it.”

  David opened his eyes. “I love you, baby.”

  She smiled as she pushed herself up, and David lifted her by her ass so their lips could touch.

  “I something you, too.”

  Jane wrapped a fluffy towel around Natalie before lifting her out of the tub. As she patted her daughter dry, she listened to David talking to Nathan.

  “Big boys brush their teeth, Nathan. I know you want to be a big boy, so do as you’re told.”

  “Pizza,” Nathan told him.

  Jane dried Natalie’s hair and peeked over her shoulder, smiling as she watched David and Nathan. David was applying toothpaste to Nathan’s toothbrush again because her son had flung it off three times already. When David had heard her having trouble, he told her to finish with Natalie, and that he’d help her son.

  Her vampire was learning how difficult getting Nathan to do a simple task, like brushing his teeth could be.

  “No more pizza,” David said, firmly. “In fact, Cook says no more pizza unless you brush your teeth. So, first, brush your teeth, and then you may have pizza again tomorrow.”

  “First teeth, then pizza,” Nathan said, looking up at David.

  David handed him the toothbrush. “No. First teeth, then tomorrow you may have pizza.”

  “First teeth, tomorrow pizza.” Nathan took the toothbrush, and even though he made a face from the minty taste he wasn’t used to, he brushed.

  David stood there, arms crossed, waiting for him to finish, but he had a faint smile that made Jane’s heart flutter. She loved seeing him with her kids. He was constantly stepping in when she was struggling with them. He was patient and addressed their needs quickly. Not once had she felt overwhelmed because he was right there, helping wherever she needed help.

  Jason always sat through their cries and ignored them when they asked for things. He’d say they didn’t need whatever they were asking for right away, and they’d figure out how to get it themselves if they really wanted it. He told her she was spoiling them, and they’d never learn if she did everything for them. She knew he was right, but she couldn’t sit there and tune out their constant whining and tears. So, Jason’s method of letting them wait meant she jumped when they cried or asked for anything.

  “Good job, little man,” David said. “Put your toothbrush where it goes.”

  Jane carried Natalie over to them, her smile so wide it was starting to hurt.

  “Hey, baby,” he said, leaning over to kiss her cheek. “Are you still good?”

  Her smile fell so fast it was jarring. It didn’t help that her feelings went from being awed by cuteness to complete dread and sorrow.

  David looked her in the eye before giving her a kiss on the lips. “I know.”

  Her chest ached as she leaned against him for a second. Breathing seemed difficult all of a sudden.

  “Come here, Natalie,” David said, pulling her daughter out of her arms. “Mommy needs a minute.”

  “Thank you.” Jane turned away as he led her children out of their bath suite.

  Her eyes watered, and her throat felt tight. She placed her hands on the counter and closed her eyes. She didn’t want to say goodbye. Not again.

  “Oh, my love,” David said, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

  “I can’t do this.” Jane tried really hard not to cry, but the tears came.

  He turned her around and hugged her. “You will do this because they need you to, Jane. You will always do what they need you to.”

  Jane hugged him, her body shaking as she fought to control herself. “Please don’t make me say goodbye, David. Please . . . I can’t do it. Please let me stay with them.”

  He sighed, tilting her face up. “Baby, I do not want you to do this either, but we must go. I am a knight, and I have a duty to this world. You know it is important for me to go, and you know I will not leave you. As much as I want to believe you have full control over your immortality and the entity, we both know you do not. Even if you did, your duty is to protect the world.”

  She tried to pull away, but he held her still.

  “Don’t be angry with me.” He kissed her quickly. “I am simply explaining why you cannot stay.”

  “There are plenty of others,” she said, her sadness shifting to anger. Why did the wives get to sit back in the castle and not her?

  “Jane, there is very little threat to the castle. If we stayed, we would be sitting here, very much like we have been since coming here. Do you really think that we—you and I—the two most powerful immortals on the planet—should sit back while our comrades fight greater threats?”

  She tore her gaze from his, but he still would not let her go.

  “You can be angry with me all you like, Jane, but you know I am right. You will feel incredible guilt if you learn one of the men end up hurt or killed in battle. You know what’s at stake. As my Other, you are destined to battle beside
us. This is the next mission. Each battle we triumph in means we are one step closer to living in peace.”

  He was right, but she didn’t care. These were her babies. She had told them goodbye once before; she never wanted to experience it again.

  “Baby, you can cry as much as you need to, all right? I’m not asking you to just suck this up. I can only imagine the pain and fear you are experiencing, and I do not expect you to be okay with leaving them, or with telling them we are leaving. Lean on me, okay?”

  Her lip quivered. “What if I don’t come back? What if something happens here?”

  David pressed his lips against hers and then kissed her forehead. “You will come back. I believe in you, and I believe we are both needed on this mission. And as far as something happening here, it is unlikely. Most of Canada is cleared of the plague. There are survivors, but we are so isolated there are few who seek shelter here.”

  “But the vampires here don’t like us.”

  “That is not true, Jane. There are a handful who are upset about your presence, and they are being monitored or have already been dealt with. There are many thrilled to have you and your family with us. You were not in attendance at Dagonet’s burial; he was respected by many, and every guard immediately swore to always protect the children he gave his life to keep safe.”

  Her heart throbbed. “I wish I could have gone. I know he was a good friend of yours, and he cared for Nathan so much.”

  David caressed her hair and smiled. “He was a good friend. I think dying for Nathan was for the best, though. He saved a little boy he loved as much as his own son—he did what he failed to as a mortal. The other guards feel the same, and they have sworn to protect him and Natalie. Your children will be safe. They are cherished, and they will be doted on by everyone who meets them. Keep in mind that Gwen and Elle are incredibly skilled warriors, as are the other wives. I trust the children are in good hands. And Arthur has already spoken with Jason. He’s aware that we are leaving, and that my sister will step in when she deems necessary. He agreed without any argument.”

  “I still don’t want to go.” She knew she was being whiny, but she didn’t want to leave her children again.

  “I know.” He cupped her face. “You must, though. We will return, and you will tell them how their mother fought bravely with her knights.”

  Through teary eyes, she smiled and hugged him tightly. “I’m sorry for being angry. I know we have to go.”

  David ran his fingers through her hair. “Baby, you can fight with me all you like. I know this is not easy, by any means. We should get this over with, though. I gave Natalie her gown, but I’ve heard her jumping on the bed this entire time.”

  Jane laughed as he chuckled. “Give me just one more minute. I need to wash my face.”

  “We’ll be waiting.” He kissed her once more and then left her alone.

  A few more tears fell as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. How did she ever say goodbye to them before? How did anyone ever tell their children goodbye when they knew they wouldn’t return, or, at least, believed they would not? Her face scrunched up in agony as she remembered Wendy had done just that with her sons. Her best friend knew she would not be there for them, and she’d told them goodbye. Bravely.

  “Natalie, how did you put this on inside out?” David spoke from the bedroom.

  Jane let out a laugh mixed with a sob before quickly splashing some cold water on her face. After patting her face dry, she came out, smiling sadly at what she saw. David had a hand over his eyes while Natalie stood on the bed in front of him, fixing her nightgown. She was giggling the entire time, occasionally waving her hand in front of his face.

  David held a hand out toward Jane, but he still kept his other hand over his eyes.

  When she got close, he put his arm over her shoulder and pulled her to him. “Better?”

  Wrapping her arms around his waist, she breathed in his scent and sighed. “Not really, but I know you’re right.”

  “I wish I wasn’t, but I am proud of you.”

  Jane smiled, pulling away from him so she could help her daughter. “Baby, that’s the armhole.”

  “Mama, are you sad?” Natalie asked, finally putting her gown on correctly.

  “Yes, baby, I’m very sad.”

  David rubbed Jane’s back as he spoke to Natalie. “Are you dressed, princess?”

  “Yes, you can look now.”

  David chuckled, lowering his hand. “Well done, princess. Now, let’s sit down because we need to talk to you both about something very serious.”

  Natalie quickly sat on the bed, patting a spot for Nathan, who quietly took his place beside her.

  Jane stared at them, unable to look away or breathe. Her chest felt like it was caving in.

  David sat on the bed and pulled her onto his lap, but he spoke to Natalie and Nathan. “Now, what do you two know about the work your mother and I do?”

  Natalie looked between them, but it was Nathan who answered. “Knight’s princess.”

  David chuckled and kissed the tear on Jane’s cheek. “That’s very true. I am a knight, and Mommy is my princess.” He wiped her tears away and continued talking to them. “But she is also a knight in training. She fights the bad monsters with me and the other knights. We do this to keep you safe.”

  “And the rest of the world,” Natalie said, not taking her worried gaze off Jane.

  “That’s right,” David said. “God gave me, Arthur, Uncle Gawain, and the others, gifts so we could protect the world. There are bad things out there, and God gave us the duty to protect everyone. Your mother was chosen, just like I was. Did you know Mommy is more powerful than me?”

  They looked at her with their mouths opened wide. “Really?” Natalie asked.

  “Really.” David kissed Jane’s head. “Do you remember Ryder?” They nodded. “Mommy even has power over him. She can make both of us do whatever she wants because she is so powerful.”

  “And because you both love her,” Natalie said. “Ryder loves Mommy, too.”

  Jane smiled sadly, but she was afraid to talk.

  David nodded. “Yes, Ryder loves her as much as you and I do. He is strong and powerful, but your mother was given gifts that even he cannot overpower.”

  “Wow,” Natalie whispered.

  “Yes. Wow is right,” David said. “Now, do you remember the monsters at your home?”

  “Which ones?” Natalie asked, making Jane’s heart ache. She didn’t want them to be afraid.

  “All of them,” David said. “Did you know they are all over the world?”

  Natalie shook her head while Nathan kept his eyes on Jane.

  “Well, they are. The world is depending on us to protect it, and that means we must fight. Ryder is fighting, as are other warriors like me, but the world needs your mother. The world is depending on those of us who are strongest to fight for the weak and frightened.”

  “You’re leaving,” Natalie said, her lip quivering as her eyes filled with tears. “You and Mommy are leaving.”

  David sighed, but he answered her honestly. “Yes, princess. We have to leave to help others.”

  Nathan didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to, though. His tears and cries as he crawled to Jane said enough. David helped both children onto her lap before wrapping his arms around all of them. Jane couldn’t contain her sobs as she listened to their cries.

  “Mommy, stay!” Nathan said, his panicky breaths making hers worse.

  Natalie cried. “Don’t go, Mommy. We’ll be good. I promise we’ll be good.” Natalie’s breaths came out fast as her panic seized her. “Mommy, don’t leave us. Again. Please, Mommy . . . M-mommy!”

  Her daughter wailed and Nathan cried so hard he was shaking.

  “I’ll come back,” Jane said, sobbing just as painfully as they were. “I’ll come back.”

  “I’ll bring Mommy back. I swear,” David said, squeezing them gently. “Shh . . . It will be all right. Mommy will see you aga
in. I will see you again. I know you understand why she is needed.”

  “Bring her back,” Nathan said clearly.

  Jane looked at David, her lips trembling as she watched him.

  David kissed both of her children on the head before he kissed her. “I’ll bring Mommy back. I promise.”

  David rested his head against hers, rocking them as she cried with her children. She leaned against him, letting him share some of this pain with her. He would kiss her hair, murmur in her ear that he was there, and that he’d keep his promise of bringing her back. He would lift one hand and rub either Nathan’s or Natalie’s backs. They’d quiet each time he touched them, and she wondered if his heat was something they could feel too.

  Jane closed her eyes as she cradled both of her babies. She twirled her fingers through Natalie’s curls and caressed Nathan’s chubby cheek. She didn’t want this. She desperately wanted to be a good mom, and while she knew she would never be allowed to be alone with them, she hoped with David at her side she could be a better mom.

  “They’re asleep, baby,” David whispered, placing a kiss on her temple. “Stay still, I’ll grab Nathan.”

  Jane whimpered as he carefully pulled her son away.

  “I know, baby.” David kissed her temple and then stood up completely. “It’s time to go, though. We have to talk to Jason before we meet the others.”

  She took a few panicked breaths as she watched him lay her son on the bed. “David, please.”

  He turned to her and lifted Natalie out of her arms. “Be brave, my love.”

  She covered her mouth, and through teary eyes, she watched her vampire kiss the heads of her children as he once again promised he would bring her back to them.

  Jane’s heart was being crushed. She couldn’t look away from their adorable faces. She never wanted to see the sorrow etched on their faces the day she left them before—but she saw it now.

  David pulled her up, hugging her as she fought screaming out her heartache. “Jane, I will bring you back.”

  “I just don’t want to leave them.”