The Opalescent Kingdom のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 41 - チャプター 50

"Don't you think this dress makes me look kind of tubby?" I glanced into the mirrors surrounding me, not liking what I saw one bit. This was supposed to be a special day. I needed to look my best.Bastion snorted, coming up behind me and wrapping me in his warm and electrifying embrace. "You're allowed to look tubby. You're pregnant, baby." He grinned, flashing me his dimples as we made eye contact through the mirror in front of me.I swatted at his arm playfully. "That's not what you're supposed to say," I chided, making him pout, cradling his arm as if I had hurt him."You're supposed to say, 'No, Aria, you don't look tubby one bit.'" Rory helped, smirking as he finished tying his tie.Bastion huffed into my shoulder. "But it is true, love. You're only going to get bigger. You have two whole beings growing inside of you."I frowned, rubbing my hand over my swollen belly. "Yeah, but I'm only three months along. I'm not supposed to be this big yet.""Again, twins," Rory stated, peckin

I woke up a little after ten.Geez, they really let me sleep in.Those two had taken to spoiling me lately, and I knew it was because of the pregnancy. We no longer trained as often. It wasn't mandatory, anyway.Rory and Anthony assured us that we wouldn't be entering a traditional war with the Sire King. I guess it wasn't his style. That just made me nervous as to what was his style, though.Was he an assassin, or something? Did he hire hitmen to take people out?They didn't entertain my guesses but said that we would know if he made a move. All I knew was that the guy was intimidating and sadistic, which didn't rub me the right way. I wasn't prepared to handle personal attacks like that.I heaved myself off the bed.I felt huge. My feet were swollen and my hips were constantly sore. I looked more like I was 7 months pregnant instead of 5, and it wasn't pleasant.Rory, of course, went out and bought me a whole array of maternity clothes, even though I explained that they wouldn't be

"Have you ever met the Sire King?"Rory's fork stopped mid air, his eyes darting to mine. He placed down the slice of cucumber, wiping his mouth on the linen napkin before folding his hands under his chin and speaking."Unfortunately. Not every vampire has, though."I twirled the pasta on my own fork, picking the questions I wanted to ask carefully."How come?""Vegas is a busy city. Vampires are much less personal than werewolves in a pack. We stay sprawled out for the most part. We have our own jobs to do. Where wolves focused on their roles within pack borders, we focused on our own personal escapades."I contemplated his words. How could the Sire lead at all if he didn't even know all of his subjects?"How do you know him, then?"He cringed, likely in remembrance."We own one of the most lucrative businesses in the city. He pays us a visit every now and then to make sure we are behaving.""Sounds more like a parent than a King." I mused, popping a meatball into my mouth."I assure

"Hey there, beauty. You look a tad disheveled today." Dylan teased, a knowing look on his face.Rory rolled his eyes, sliding his arms back into his shirt."I hope you have a good reason for interrupting, asshole." It always surprised me how differently he addressed his best friend. I giggled."I didn't hear any cries of passion, so you were either already done or you're not doing something right.""Always an expert." Dylan grinned back, pleased with himself."Well, I just came by to deliver a message." He blew me a kiss and I growled back at him playfully."Stop hitting on my royal and do your job." Rory snarled, gracefully lowering himself in his chair and pulling me to sit on his lap."What's the message?" I followed, softer than Rory."Right. Uh, well, I heard word from the ARIA that you'll be needed there tomorrow, man." His hand shot to his neck, rubbing it apologetically, avoiding my look of disappointment."Not happening. We have a very important appointment for the twins tomo

"What the hell do you mean he's not there?" I jumped from the table, already throwing on my clothes as fast as I could manage."A valet said he arrived, but left—" He clamped his mouth shut.My heart was hammering against my ribs."What, Rory? I need to know."He eyed me worriedly before running his hand down his face in frustration."He left with Annalise." My heart stopped, and I could feel Sella snapping her jaws."Who the fuck is Annalise?" She growled, taking control."The Sire's Queen." He whispered, reaching for me.Sella nipped at him, making him recoil."That son of a bitch..." She ranted, storming past Rory and out the door."Bastion!" She screeched over mind link, but there was only static. Our connection seemed fine, but his end wasn't responding correctly."Sella, where are you going?""To bring his ass back!" She snapped. He appeared before us in an instant."Absolutely not, Sella. You can't go into town. I'll get him."She bared her teeth, but I fought her for the reins