ROMAN: Fury of Her King (Kings of the Blood Book 2) by Julia Mills Page A

need…”
    Turning so fast he surprised even Viktor, Roman stepped up to his
Commander and spat, “Would you have just let Bjorn go after what he did to
Katarina? Could you have let him draw breath after daring to lay hands on your
mate?” He shoved Viktor. “Tell me, oh great Supreme Commander, what did you do
when the keeper of  your  heart was threatened?”
    Viktor speared Roman with a steely gaze and in a low rumble
replied, “Calm yourself, General, and let us speak like men of honor.”
    Pushing past the Commander, he scoffed, “Men of honor? Is that
what we are now?” Stopping at the bar, he gripped the railing and hung his
head, growling, “Is that what you were when you separated Bjorn’s head from his
shoulders?”
    Viktor’s response was cut off by the opening of the door. Looking
up, Roman sighed as Katarina, the Commander’s mate, entered the room. “Sounds
like you boys need a referee,” she chuckled, stopping next to Roman and patting
his arm. “How you holding up? Anything I can do?”
    “Take your mate out of here. I tire of his useless advice,” he
grumbled, reaching for the single malt, pouring two fingers and downing it
before adding, “He does not approve of my way of handling these matters.”
    Looking to Viktor then back to Roman, Kat nodded. “It’s not that
he doesn’t approve. I think he just doesn’t want you to make the same mistakes
he has.” She held up her hand to silence his retort. “I’m not saying he’s
right, just telling you what I see.” Patting his forearm again, she asked, “Why
don’t you explain to me how you know it’s Valentina and Laurent who did all of
this?”
    Roman saw her nod to Viktor and knew she was doing her best to
mediate. Katarina had been a wonderful addition to their group. It was good to
see his Commander find the one created for him by the almighty Zeus and
settling down to an eternity with the one he loved. The gods knew the old man
needed a woman’s touch and the changes in Viktor had been nothing less than
miraculous. Gone was the brooding businessman who barked orders and demanded
perfection.
    Kat was a good woman and a perfect match for the Unum of the Kings
of the Blood. She brought laughter and joy to not only Viktor, but all the
Kings. Even though he was at his wits end at the moment, Roman appreciated her
efforts and respected her enough to give a brief explanation while he tried to
figure out how to ‘kidnap’ Cynthia himself and hold her hostage, just so she
would at least listen to him. All he wanted was to explain, to make her see
reason, but that was difficult to do when she refused to call.
    Taking a deep breath and working hard to control his temper, Roman
explained, “I found this album.” He laid his hand on the worn leather bound
volume laying on the bar. “Where Cynthia was being held. There are exactly ten
people who know of the existence of this book.” Pouring more whiskey, he looked
over the rim of his glass as he took a sip. “Myself, my brothers,” he nodded to
Viktor then looked back to Katarina, “ Vasiliás sas , Gregorio, Valentina,
and Laurent.” He looked at the remaining amber liquid in the bottom of the
glass. “I know beyond all doubt that neither Viktor nor any of the other Kings
would dare to kidnap my mate or reveal my secrets. They have just as much to
lose as I do.”
    He looked over her shoulder and out at the sun setting on another
day without his mate. Sighing, he took another sip and went on, “I do not know
if you are aware and I will ask for your utmost discretion but Gregorio cannot
leave the house. Not only is he kept alive by the same magic that flows through
all of Zeus’ warriors, but he also suffers from agoraphobia.”
    Turning and pacing towards the fireplace, he ran his hand through
his hair. ‘So, you see, that only leaves Valentina and Laurent.”
    “But why would they work together? She is, after all, your feeder
and about to be set for the rest of her life when