Queen of Ruin

es littering the card table. Staring down the greatest poker player he ever met, he threw in his s

p over them to the blue-eyed immortal. "Well, if yo

r drew two more and gave them to her, Haldir glar

"Those days are behind us. All those ancient rivalries need to end.

ed over the table and grabbed a handful of pretzels. "What in the hell are you t

brewing as he shook his head. "For a long time, there was some bad blood between our

at's what last night was all about? Am I some kind of goddamn bargaining chip in your negotiati

around the room as he raised his bottle to

p the little green-eyed freight train before she flew off the rails. "That's not at all what

be smarter than that. That boy played you like a damn fiddle. You

k and took a sip from his beer bottle. "Leave her alone. She wouldn't be the first p

et her in on the plan. "We're having dinner with them tomorrow, S

mess you just said, you really think I have any interest at all in seeing him

"Sugar, if he's your mate, this might be a blessing in disguise. The thing tha

him the deal was off. "Don't give me th

ger at the little shark. "No fucking way, Tess. You better show

laughed deviously. "You're all pathetic

g at Haldir. "Maybe there's some nursery school somewhere

Tess cheats her ass off. We're the only ones dumb enough to keep

hat all losers say. I never cheat; hustling is an honest trade. If the mark's too stup

and nodded towards the door. "Alrig

ped his arms around Tessa and kiss

aking off to? You just got here. You promised to take me out some

got her again in her side. "I have to go see Father Michael. I'll be back tomorrow evening; you won't

sts in excitement. "New Orleans? Sweet! I can't wait until I'm older so I can g

ed down his lips. "Yes, I'm sure he would

ir. "Those demons got nothing on me; I'll knock their asses clean out. M

nessed his little protégé talk smack as he taug

ainst her lips before she pointed it at him. "Bring me back something shiny and not

ck a crucifix and some Holy water and exorcise that fo

down and kissed her father'

walked away. "I love you too. Goodnight

the table. While he drummed his fingers on the green top as he thought, his e

beer and lifted his chin at h

on his parlor wall, and Jasper nod

the table and walked to the portrait of his wife. He gave it a

e lock clicked open, and he remo

mething just doesn't feel right. These are our will, stocks, and properties; I hoped t

as the icy hand of Fate nudged him to continue. "If anything ha

arms. He'd known them for centuries, and it wasn't like them to be so ne

n't want you to do that, not if you can help it. If that boy

ir pushed himself back in his chair. "And

e're going to war anyway, we take out all our enemies, so when Tessa takes over, it's with a clean sl

ad and smirked. "And Lord help whoever the fuck stands i

d and knocked his fist against the table. "Alright,

his hand across his mouth when suddenly, from behind him, a pair of soft h

r on his lap. As she wrapped her arms around his neck, he

ked down at herself. "He's been very active tonight.

pper goddess, and even after all the years they were married, she still took his breath away. "Sorry a

on his neck as a heaviness seeped into her

s a quick grin rose on his lips. "I didn't e

over Jasper as she caressed hi

thought of leaving her children behind to fend for themselves. "If the worst comes t

der the straps and slid them down. Her eyes traveled up to the ceiling then wove together as hi