Throne of Oak (Maggie's Grove) by Dana Marie Bell Read Free Book Online

Grove would no longer be the safe haven it had been for centuries.
    If Iva was being held captive by Van Helsings, it would explain why she hadn’t returned, and why her yew was slowly fading away. “What are they doing about it?”
    Parker’s brows rose in surprise. “More to the point, what are you going to do about it?”
    Mina rose and began to pace. “I can’t leave the Throne. You know that.”
    “You can. You’re just afraid to.” Mina scowled, but Parker didn’t look afraid. “Dragos is more than willing to help you.”
    Just the thought of Dragos sent a jolt of panic through her. He’d want more from her than she could possibly provide—not now, not ever. “No.”
    “Yes.” Parker stood, staring at her with his own scowl. “You’re ripping him apart, and you don’t even care.”
    “Parker!”
    Amara’s outburst didn’t stop her lover from continuing. “Do you know what happens to a vampire who finds his sotiei and can’t claim her? Do you have any idea how strong he is, to have withstood it for so long?”
    “I do.” Mina straightened her spine, aware it still barely brought her to his chin. Dryad females had a tendency toward shortness. “I do understand, and I’m sorry. I wish I could be what he needs, but I can’t even leave the Throne. If I can’t, if I lean on him, I won’t be a partner. I’ll be subservient.”
    Parker rolled his eyes. “Subservient? Balls. You’d have him in the palm of your hand.”
    “You don’t understand.” Mina began to pace, getting more agitated the more they spoke of Dragos. “He would become my everything. I would have to rely on him for everything. How can I do that to him? To myself?” She shook her head. “No. Until I can beat this stupid fear, he has to wait.”
    “His strength would become yours, Mina. His voice would drown out the fear.” Amara and Parker shared a fond look before Parker continued. “The mind bond would ensure it.”
    “Mind bond?” Oh, boy. Mina did not want the sexy-as-hell vamp rooting through her brain. Just the thought made her feel faint. “Yeah. He’s gonna wait.”
    Parker tilted his head. “Mina? Is something wrong?”
    “Hmm? No.” Mina smiled, hoping she wasn’t as pale as she felt. “I’ll be fine.” She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. “How are the wedding plans?”
    Parker and Amara exchanged another one of their glances before Parker shrugged.
    Amara grinned. “We’re going to speak our vows under my tree.”
    “And at night, so we’re both represented and the groom doesn’t look like black pudding on his wedding night.”
    Mina smiled. “And Brian and Greg?”
    Parker snorted. “Pair of idiots. All their plans are at sixes and sevens.”
    Mina and Amara stared at him. Amara recovered first. He acted so American that, despite his accent, it was hard to remember he was British sometimes. “I think what he means is, they can’t decide what to do, where, or when. And when they do make a plan they change it in a few days.”
    “Thus driving me batty.”
    “Parker? You’re already batty.” Amara flapped her arms at him.
    “That’s a myth.” Parker chuckled. “Vampire bats, indeed. What bloody fool came up with that one?”
    Amara pointed toward the oaken throne. “Let’s sit. I’ll fill you in on the wedding plans, and you can explain to me why you’re torturing Dragos.”
    Mina tensed again. “No. I won’t.” She tried to smile, knowing it was a weak imitation of the expression she usually wore. “But we can discuss wedding gowns.”
    “I want you to be a bridesmaid.”
    Mina closed her eyes. She wanted to be one too. She’d only known Amara a short while, but the hamadryad had been there for her, had helped save her. They’d quickly grown close as Mina attempted to work out her issues.
    “Please?”
    Mina felt the pull of one of her dryads. How could she refuse when Amara needed her? “I’ll try.”
    “Yes!” Amara danced around the grove. “The