“Kingdom of Venom,” Nico corrected Roan.

  “What the hell?” the Kingdom of Claws Shaman cursed. “Why are you with these women?”

  “Leave her alone,” one of the tall guard dog females said through clenched teeth. “She’s been through enough.”

  “She’s been hurt?” Callon’s voice was filled with concern.

  “Like the rest of us, she was kidnapped and told to pick a man to marry,” a stocky brunette with pretty hazel eyes said. “Oh, and did I mention that man turned into a big-ass spider?”

  Nico chuckled. “I can see how that might be traumatizing.”

  “Glad I can amuse you,” the little female said.

  “We’re trying to right our wrongs,” Roan told the group of females. “You won’t be hurt, and you won’t be forced to mate with someone you don’t want.”

  “All of this has been explained to you, hasn’t it?” Callon raised his eyebrows.

  “Lyric told us what Visata said,” the brunette said. “We’re the only ones who stayed. The rest were nulled and sent on their way.”

  “The king and queen didn’t mention that.” Nico’s eyes stayed on the KOV female.

  “Why are you staring at her like she’s a new species?” Bane spoke up for the first time since they’d arrived the day before. To say Bane was a man of few words was an understatement.

  “What if I told you that this one is the mate to a male who is about to be crowned a king?” Nico looked at Bane and then Roan. “The new king of KOV to be exact?”

  Roan walked around until he stood on the other side of the female. Nico motioned to the still visible tattoo. “I’ve seen her tattoo before. It was on Azure’s great-nephew.”

  “I don’t want to go to the Kingdom of Venom,” the female spoke up.

  Callon eyed the woman. “What’s your name?”

  “Rose.” Her eyes shifted around as if she was looking for an escape. Nico hoped she didn’t run because Callon and Bane would be driven to chase her.

  “Rose,” Nico repeated. “It’s not very reptilian.”

  “Maybe because I’m not a reptile,” she shot back, showing a little backbone. That was good. She would need it.

  “That tattoo says otherwise.” Roan motioned to her arm. “Have you agreed to stay a part of our world?”

  Rose nodded, albeit reluctantly.

  “Then you have to go to the kingdom to which you’ve been assigned. If you get there and hate Talbot, you don’t have to mate with him.”

  Rose’s face turned a bright red.

  Nico chuckled. “He didn’t mean that kind of mating. Roan meant you don’t have to bond your life to his.”

  Her eyes dropped to the ground. “Then he’d only have half a soul.” Her voice was soft, and Nico could actually hear the pain in it. It bothered her, the idea of Talbot not having access to his beast.

  “Yes,” Nico agreed. “He may be an animal, but he’s not a monster. He would never force you to be with him. No matter what it means for his soul. Talbot is nothing like his great-uncle.”

  One of the other girls, a female with dark chocolate skin and long braids, took Rose’s hand. “You know we got your back. You want to stay with us, then we will make that happen.”

  The woman looked at Nico and then the other males in a clear challenge. Brave woman. Too bad she wasn’t a shaman.

  Rose shook her head. “It’s okay, Lex.”

  Lex gave her hand a visible squeeze before letting it go.

  “I’ll go,” she told Nico, lifting her chin and pulling back her shoulders. Her white-blonde hair blew away from her face, and Nico noticed for the first time that she had multiple piercings in both ears and a nose ring.

  “Don’t even think it,” Roan’s tone held a warning as he glared at Nico.

  He raised his hands. “What? I wasn’t thinking a thing.”

  “Bullshit,” Bane coughed.

  “Talbot would kill you,” Callon pointed out.

  Nico shook his head. “He’d try. That doesn’t mean he’d succeed.”

  “What am I missing?”

  “What aren’t you missing, Rose, is the better question,” Lex said with a smirk.

  Rose folded her arms in front of her. “I’m not that oblivious.”

  “You kind of are.” The brunette smiled.

  “Regardless of your state of alertness, we need to get going before the silkies decide they want us caught in their web.” Nico pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Wolfgang, the King of Chaos. Seconds later, he got confirmation. “Okay, I’ve got a jet to take Rose to New Orleans,” he said to the group. “I’ll call Talbot on the way.” Nico looked at Rose. “This isn’t goodbye to your friends. You’re not a prisoner.”

  “I know.” She sniffed.

  The girls all gathered around and hugged her. They asked about phone numbers and made her promise to text as soon as she landed.

  “I’ll be in touch once she’s settled,” Nico told Callon, Roan, and Bane.

  “We’ll be heading back to the KOC,” Roan replied. “Maddie texted me. They’ve met with the demon, and apparently Katy’s little protector, Otto, is joining them. They leave in the morning. Callon’s going to lose his mind if he doesn’t get to accompany his mate to confront the voodoo priestess, and possibly Azure. Just head there when you’re done.”

  Nico nodded and then marched off to one of the two SUVs. He quickly shot off a text to Lyric. Thanks for the vehicle.

  Three dots appeared and then her response. I knew you’d figure out there was one that didn’t fit in with the others. And I knew you’d do the right thing.

  “Let’s go, Rosebud.” He pulled the passenger door open for her.

  As she got in, she shot him a glare. “Never call me that again.”

  Nico winked at her before he shut the door. “Why are all the good ones taken?” he muttered under his breath.

  As he put the vehicle in drive, he considered that their task here was done, but the real work had just begun. Ferreting out Azure’s allies would not be easy, even if the silkies rebuffed them. Dark days loomed ahead.

  But Nico had survived worse odds. As long as he had the open road ahead and allies at his side, he would face whatever chaos came. The future remained theirs to shape, no matter how dire it now seemed. After all, storms always passed. And tomorrow’s dawn unfailingly held renewed promise. Onward to the next adventure, which at the moment consisted of a reluctant animus that was about to become a queen to a kingdom on the verge of ruin.

  Damn. And he thought his task was difficult.

  Chapter Six

  Tough Little Thing.

  “Snakes. There are ten damn kingdoms, and I get the snake one. Why couldn’t it have been the Mouse Kingdom, or Butterfly Kingdom, or something that doesn’t slither and have scales? Any place where I don’t have to keep an antidote on hand in case I get bitten.” ~Rose

  Rose peered out the small window of the luxurious private jet and watched the clouds drift by far below. She still couldn’t quite believe everything that had happened in the last few days. Her life as an animus had become routine, even ordinary, if you will. After five years of living with the arachnids, she’d accepted her fate. She was content to remain in their gilded cage forever and never have someone to love or be loved by in return.

  And now… Now she was apparently the destined mate of the new snake king and en route to rule at his side. She inwardly snorted. Rose had never ruled anything. She preferred to stay to herself and people watch. People did funny things when they thought no one was watching.

  “Enjoying the view?” a gravelly voice asked.

  Rose turned to see Nico leaning casually against the cabin wall, watching her with a smile crinkling the corners of his intense, silver eyes. They fit in well with all the silver piercings on his face and ears.

  “Just trying to wrap my head around everything. It’s not every day you find out you’re destined to be mated to a king, who also happens to be a shapeshifting snake. It’s kind of … a lot.”

  Nico chuckled. “No, that’s not a common occurrence. But then, not every day does a kingdom find its fated leader and lady in the same era.” He gave an exaggerated bow. “Truly, the tattoo on your skin proves you are meant for this, Rose. I know it seems unbelievable.”

  Rose glanced down at the shimmering emerald snake coiled around her upper arm, apparently the match to one adorning the future king. When Jaxine, the arachnid tattoo artist, had done Rose’s tattoo, she hadn’t acted like she had seen it before.

  “I’m twenty-four years old. I don’t have a college degree. I have very little employment history. I’ve never even been in a serious relationship, and yet, you expect me to basically get married and run a supernatural society.” Her tone grew more agitated. Rose shook her head. “I’m no queen, Nico. I’m just a girl from northern California who happened to walk into the wrong herbal tea shop at the wrong time.”

  The shaman came over and took the seat across from her. “None of those things matter any longer.” She opened her mouth to speak but closed it when Nico held up his hand. “I’m not saying your life before wasn’t important. But you’ve made the choice to stay when you were given the option to go. You could still change your mind, you know?”

  “It’s not that simple,” she said briskly. “If I walk away, I doom this Talbot dude to a pretty crappy existence. How is that a choice?”

  Nico’s brow rose. “It shows what kind of person you are that you have considered what his life would be like based on your choice. If I had to bet, I’d bet on you being a damn good queen. Visata chose you for a reason, Little Flower.” His raspy voice held warm conviction. “The greatest kings and queens were not born to it, but had greatness thrust upon them when destiny called.” He patted her hand reassuringly. “All will be well. My friend Talbot is a good man. He will help you adjust to your new role.”

  Rose bit her lip. “This Talbot… What’s he like?” If she had to marry a stranger, she wished to know something about him, at least.

  Nico smiled. “Ah, curious about your destined mate, are you? That’s a good sign.” At her blush, he chuckled again. “No shame in that. Let’s see, how to describe Tal?” He idly rubbed his hand across the five o’clock shadow on his face as he gathered his thoughts.

  “He’s brave, that’s for certain. Takes after his warrior mother more than his silver-tongued father. A tad too serious at times, but he has a kind heart beneath the solemn exterior.” Nico’s voice softened with affection. “And devoted utterly to his kingdom and people. He will be a wise and fair ruler.” Nico winked at her. “And as for looks, well, the boy was blessed there, too. Much like all Damarian males. Tall, classically handsome. You’ll have the finest arm candy in the realms, Flower.”

  Rose flushed again at his gentle teasing. But she couldn’t deny Nico’s words painted an appealing picture of the man the Creator had supposedly chosen for her heart. Perhaps she could grow to care for this Talbot in time.

  “How long have you known him?” She was curious about Nico’s relationship with her intended mate.

  Nico narrowed his eyes as he glanced out the plane window. “Oh, I helped look after him a fair bit growing up. His parents were good people, just busy doing Azure’s bidding. Talbot had a proclivity for running off, and his destination was all too often the Kingdom of Chaos. So I did my share of mentoring the lad on the sly.” His eyes crinkled in a grin. “Taught him how to throw a proper punch, how to kiss a girl. All the important things his tutors neglected.”

  Despite herself, Rose laughed aloud at the thought of the wild-eyed shaman giving romantic advice. “He’s lucky to have you,” she said warmly.

  “It’s me who’s lucky to see him come into his own.” Nico regarded her seriously. “You will be, too, Rose. I promise.”

  Rose nodded slowly. Perhaps if Talbot had earned this eccentric man’s faith and care, he truly was as good as Nico claimed. She would just have to meet him herself to know for certain, but the anxious knot in her chest eased a bit.

  Glancing down at her marked arm, she traced a finger over the shimmering snake. “Why did he always run off to the Kingdom of Chaos?”

  Nico brightened, clearly eager to share about the kingdom he represented.

  “A better question is why would you not want to come hang out with Chaos?” He waved his hands with a bit of flair. “Ours is a kingdom of wonders. You can’t just look at a member of Chaos and know what they might shift into one day, because sometimes they don’t even know themselves. You see, the Kingdom of Chaos are the outsiders. The have-nots, the never-has-beens, the black sheep in a pasture full of fluffy white ones.” He leaned back in his chair, getting more comfortable. “The Damarians that find themselves as members of the Kingdom of Chaos have something amiss in their DNA. They can be born to two perfectly healthy shifters, but for some reason they end up half lion and half horse. Or perhaps they have a slithering bottom half and a human upper body.”

  Her eyes widened. “Are you serious, or are you pulling my leg?”

  Nico’s silver eyes swirled, as she’d seen other shaman’s eyes do when they got emotional. “I would never joke about my people. They have it hard enough because once they are old enough to fend for themselves, the weak—or what some kingdoms perceive as weak—are kicked out of the kingdom they were born into and sent to Chaos.”

  Rose listened raptly as Nico wove vivid tales of his kingdom. He made it seem a place of myth and adventure, dangerous but beautiful. “The members inhabit several different cities in the United States. They like it where it’s bright, busy, and no one asks questions. Many of them work for circuses, or in theme parks, where their abilities—believed to be fake, of course—aren’t questioned. Or people assume they are wearing elaborate ‘costumes.’” He made air quotes around the last word.

  She tried imagining herself being a member of such a place, instead of the Kingdom of Venom. Rose thought she’d actually feel more at home with Nico’s kingdom. She’d always been the odd man out. But the snake tattoo didn’t lie. Jaxine had made it clear that each tattoo put on a female set their destinies in motion.

  Nico finally sat back with a satisfied grin. “So, think you could have handled a dash of chaos in your life, Little Flower?”

  She nibbled her lip thoughtfully. “Well, since I don’t really know what KOV is going to be like, I can’t say for certain which would suit me better. Though I’ll admit what you have described is intriguing. And I honestly feel like I’m more suited to the Kingdom of Chaos and its outcasts.”

  The shaman reached over and gently turned her arm until the shimmering snake was displayed. “This says otherwise. The marks do not lie.” His gravelly voice held conviction. “I know it’s much to take in, but you were born to stand at Talbot’s side. And Venom sorely needs you both now if we are ever to have peace again.”

  At his solemn words, unease prickled along Rose’s spine. “This enemy you mentioned, the former King Azure…” She hesitated, almost afraid to ask. “How dangerous is he?”

  Nico sighed heavily. “More than most realize. There is a madness in him now, a lust for power that drives him to dark deeds.” His craggy features creased with worry. “Long has he coveted animi, and having as many of them as he can possibly get his scales on. If he learns of your coming…”

  When Nico trailed off ominously, Rose prodded. “What? What would he do?”

  “Nothing good, because you will make Talbot stronger. He will be a formidable foe to Azure.” Nico shook himself slightly. “Forgive me. I should not burden you so. You are under my protection, and Talbot would never permit any harm to you.”

  Nico gave her a reassuring smile. “This is a happy day. Let us speak no more of shadows.” He took her hand gently. “Soon you will stand with your mate, and together you will lead KOV into a healthy place and time. That is all that matters now.”

  Rose clung to his calloused hand like a lifeline. In the space of two days, her whole reality had shifted beneath her feet. It had for all the animi. But she could choose to accept the upheaval with courage, as Nico seemed to believe she would. The love promised by this bond might yet be found. And perhaps she truly could make a difference in this mess of a tattered kingdom that Azure had fled. Wasn’t the chance to change lives for the better worth any risk?

  Meeting Nico’s earnest gaze, Rose slowly nodded. “I’m ready,” she said with growing conviction. “I’m tired of just being a gilded-cage bird.”

  The shaman smiled wide, pride shining in his eyes. “There’s a brave female.” He lifted her hand and gallantly brushed a kiss over her knuckles. “Adventure awaits, Little Flower. Destiny calls, and we must answer, and possibly raise a little hell while we’re at it.”

  Settling back in her seat as the jet soared through the clouds, Rose allowed herself a small, hopeful smile. Whatever this strange life held, she would face it with courage and an open heart. This was a new chapter in the story that started five years ago with her abduction. It was time for a change.

  “Give me a moment.” Nico released her hand and stood up. He walked to the back of the plane. Presumably, nature called. As he left her alone in the front, Rose stared out into the clouds, still trying to picture what Talbot could look like and what his expectations of her might be.

  Talbot paced the polished stone floors of his chambers, too restless to sit still. Now that the moment of his ascendancy to the throne was imminent, doubt plagued him. Was he truly ready to lead?

  Buzz. Buzz. Talbot jumped. Snatching up his phone, he saw a text from Nico that simply read:

  Call me. NOW.

  Pulse quickening, Talbot hit the contact icon. The Chaos Shaman picked up on the first ring.

  “There you are,” Nico said without preamble. “Been trying to reach you. I’ve got news, and you’re gonna wanna sit down for it.”