Her New Reign Read online

  Her New Reign:

  A Reverse Harem Series

  (New Reign Book 1)

  By

  Larisa Long

  Copyright ©2018 by Larisa Long

  This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents are fiction. Any similarity to any real persons, characters, events or incidents is entirely coincidental. All Rights Reserved.

  Any trademarks, service marks, or product names are assumed to be property of their respective owners. No endorsement is implied.

  For Mom and Dad who always encourage me to follow my dreams

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Her Reign of Choice (Book 2)

  Also by Larisa Long

  Chapter 1

  I’m alive. I actually survived to my eighteenth birthday.

  Wake up, Mera.

  I refuse to open my eyes. Probably just my little sister Georgie trying to irritate me. Won’t happen. Not on my birthday. Ignore her.

  I flinch. Did something touch my face? Shift my hair away from my eyes? Nope. Not taking the bait. Back to the list. Chad: cake. Stef: decorations. Derick: breakfast. Shell: hair. Mom and dad: take me to breakfast so everyone can decorate.

  Someone clears his throat. His? Better not be my brother or one of his doped up loser friends.

  “Okay, that’s it. I’m opening my eyes,” I say in my most fierce voice. I expect to hear giggles or even a sigh, but there’s just silence.

  I slowly open my eyes. Four guys I’ve never seen before stand over me. They look my age and are each wearing a different costume. Strippers?

  One of the guys closest to me raises his eyebrow.

  “Did I say that out loud?”

  He shakes his head. “Mera, I’m Arc.”

  Brown curly hair that looks windswept in that perfect way. Cocoa eyes. A black, leather type looking jacket with medals and engravings which seem to be burned into the fabric. Underneath the jacket? No shirt which shows off his carved muscles and abs. Delicious.

  “You’re a witch.” I sit straight up in bed. Why would I say that? “That drink I had last night? That had something else in it, didn’t it?”

  Before he can answer, I notice I have four different necklaces of varying lengths.

  “Those represent each of us,” Arc says.

  I touch one of the necklaces which has some weird symbol on it.

  The witch closes his eyes and moans. “That one’s mine,” he says breathlessly. “When you touch them … you’re touching us. Intimately.”

  I quickly drop the necklace.

  The one with shoulder length blond hair steps forward. “Touch my necklace next. It’s been ages since I’ve been touched properly.”

  Did I mention he’s beautiful and shirtless? Hello. He has the build of a lifeguard, and his flawless skin sparkles.

  He looks down at himself. In a flash, he sprouts wings. Sprouts? Wings?

  I scream probably for at least … well until my voice gives out. None of them flinch.

  “This isn’t real. I’m dreaming.” But I’m still home. My room looks like it did last night. The walls are barren from where I ripped off all the posters. Since I’ll be living in the dorms at the University of Chicago … and since I am now eighteen thank you very much … I had to adult-up my life.

  I climb out of bed and look out my window. From my parent’s 18th floor apartment, I have a good view of downtown Chicago and the Miracle Mile. I whimper just a bit. The Miracle Mile. I want to spend my entire birthday down there. Every shop. Every—

  I turn around suddenly, and the guys are all staring at me. I forgot they were there. Well, almost. They’re too hot to truly forget. Had I been dreaming and they popped out of my fantasies? I can imagine a lot of fantasies about them.

  “Why are you all so drop your panties gorgeous?” I shock even myself. Why would I ask that? I don’t talk like that. I’m an honor student. Valedictorian. Pre-law. Mera, get a grip.

  I cringe and feel my wrist. My pulse is throbbing too fast for it to be normal. It has to be the flu making me wonky. Or bad punch.

  The dark haired one in a suit steps forward. “We survived because of our looks, but feel free to drop your panties for me whenever you want.” He studies me. “Would you like me to take my shirt off?” He makes a point to tug at his jacket and tie. “Show you my scars and marks?”

  Either I’m losing control over my words or they can read my mind. Although …

  I look the suited one up and down. Less clothes and more skin? This guy could make water boil. Smoldering comes to mind. I don’t know why. I don’t think I’ve ever used that word in a sentence. “You’re a vampire.”

  He grins. “I am. My name’s—”

  “Risq.” I frown. “How do I know that? Are you putting a spell on me?”

  His grin turns devious. “Do you want me to?” His black eyes hypnotically lure me closer.

  The shirtless and flawless blond one shoves the vampire aside. “Do you mind? It was my turn.” He grins and kneels before me. “Mera, I’m Blu.” He takes my hand and gently kisses it while his blue eyes flash mischief.

  “Faerie. Fae. Flirty trickster.” What are these words I’m speaking? Then I realize. Face palm. “I accidentally ate one of my brother’s pot brownies, didn’t I? I swear if he ruins my birthday party.”

  “No,” the faerie says. “You did not eat anything nefarious. This is very real.”

  I flinch. Faerie? Fae? I don’t even know what that is. Wait. “Are they the ones with tiny little—”

  “Careful how you end that sentence.” The vampire laughs. “Blu is sensitive about certain inadequacies.”

  The faerie sniffs. “Hardly. More like my overachievements.”

  I place my hand over my forehead. Is it a fever? An infection? Is it contagious? I’ve been planning my eighteenth birthday party since forever, and I don’t want to zombie anyone.

  “Mera, you’re not going to zombie anyone,” the witch says. “You’ve been chosen to be our—”

  “I’m dreaming. This isn’t real. Just wake up, Mera.” I jump when I look down. I’m wearing a tight black dress with knee high black boots and a long black and red cloak thing that drags the ground. “What in the actual freak?”

  I run to the mirror then jump back. I barely recognize myself. My normal short red hair is more strawberry red and long enough it twists past my waist in a braid. My usual look took about five seconds. Run my fingers through my hair. A hint of blush. A dash of lipgloss. And I was out the door. Now?

  I step closer to the mirror. Is this even me? Dark eyeshadow. Red lips. Dark eyeliner? How long would that take? I’m usually too hyped up on caffeine to even think in a straight line. I’ll look like a drunk raccoon. I shrug and study my reflection. I have to admit the eyeliner does make my blue eyes pop. Maybe I could try it myself. “Birthday makeover. I approve.”

  “Ow.” I draw up one sleeve and then another of the cloaky thing I have on. Four different tattoos appear up and down each arm.

  Arc smiles. “Our symbols. We belong to you now.”

  I laugh, but it’s a squeaky nervous laugh. This is a joke, right? Then, I feel a scratching on my ch
est. I peer down the top of my dress. “Yep, the same symbols cover my heart.”

  “Oh, can I see?” Blu jumps up and down. “I want to see. Let me see.”

  Arc holds him back. “Calm yourself.”

  “Do you like your colors?” The one with a faux hawk and darker blonde hair asks. He has dark eyeliner which highlights his light green eyes and various piercings through his ears, lips and eyebrows. He’s dressed in black pants and an intricately designed open trench coat. His chest is almost completely covered with sayings, strange symbols, tattoos, marks and scars. He looks the youngest.

  “I’m actually the oldest. I hope you like your outfit. Red and black are the colors I chose this time.”

  “Yes.” The witch nods reluctantly. “The other colors were not so lucky for us.”

  Just as fast as the words leave his mouth, all of them are wearing red. The vampire is wearing an all black suit and red tie. The tattoos and sayings on the shirtless turn red and black.

  “Don’t be afraid,” the pierced one says.

  I normally didn’t go for the goth or pierced, but damn he’s gorgeous in a haunting and I so want to heal him type of way. Much less dangerous than the vampire. His eyes are kind but full of such sadness.

  He steps forward and kneels. “Sorry, Mera. I neglected to introduce myself. I’m Zash.”

  The other three look at me waiting for me to say something.

  “What’s a reaper?”

  He swallows hard. “Something I hope you’ll never need.”

  All of a sudden, images of each of them being tortured singe my brain. “What the hell was that?”

  “I’m sorry,” Zash says. “I didn’t mean for you to see that.” He looks to the witch. “The images bled through.”

  The others bow their heads not out of respect but shame. All except for the vampire. I didn’t think shame ever crossed his narcissistic mind.

  He shakes his head. “Not once. Why would I be ashamed of this?” He looks down at himself, and he doesn’t have clothes.

  I quickly look away. The reaper immediately steps between me and the vampire to shield me.

  Arc growls. “Risq, what have we said about casual nudity?”

  “That it’s absolutely necessary.” Risq laughs. “Sorry to make you jealous, Blu.”

  The faerie rolls his eyes. “Did you have to preorder something so small?”

  Arc sighs. “Is this any way to greet Mera?”

  Zash glances behind him and then meekly smiles at me. “You’re safe now. He’s dressed again.”

  Risq throws up his hands while still glaring at Blu. “I’m sorry, Mera. I promise never to undress again until you explicitly demand it.”

  Blu claps his hands. “Since she’ll have the good taste never to request that nightmare, the rest of us will be eternally grateful.” He bows to me.

  I glance at my book shelf with the dangly legged cat clock. “I still have loads to do before my party so I gotta speed this dream along.” What did I learn in psych class? Humor the mad?

  Blu smirks at me. “We’re not mad.”

  Right. Do I admit they are crazy or talk with them as if their madness is real? I study each of them. Not the dangerous vampire.

  Risq flashes his fangs.

  I jump back. Craptastic. They even brought props. The witch?

  Arc’s smile is less than genuine. Although, he appears sane and reasonable and the one in charge.

  The vampire shakes his head. “The last one we chose? Arc turned her inside out.”

  My eyes widen. “Good to know.”

  Arc sighs. “That’s only because she betrayed us for the other group. They had two sets of succubus twins. She was obsessed with unnatural things.” He studies me. “You wouldn’t do that, would you?”

  I stammer. I have no idea how to answer that. What about the flirty faerie?

  Blu eyes me as his smile grows. “That makes sense. I’m usually the chosen’s favorite.” He looks down at his chest. “I was built for lust.”

  I can’t help but look him over. Lean with the perfect amount of muscle. I shake my head again. What is happening to me? What about the shy reaper?

  Zash blinks slowly but doesn’t smile.

  Much less dangerous. I think.

  The faerie leans closer to me as his silky wings graze my neck. “Yes, but the shy reaper has that pierced tongue, and I’ve heard that can be terribly dangerous. Or was it pleasurable? I can never remember.”

  I shiver. “So, you can read my mind?” I didn’t know the first thing about shielding my thoughts from whatever is happening. I’m instantly drawn back to the shy reaper.

  He immediately blushes.

  “Sorry,” I flinch. “You’re all too gorgeous, and this is such a strange dream. I think the pot brownie has made me—”

  The vampire grunts and narrows his eyes as his gaze greedily claims my body. “Everything you just thought of is completely within my expertise.”

  My stomach gets queasy as I can’t stop the blush from taking over. “So not cool, vampire. I couldn’t control my thoughts.”

  I try to ignore the faerie’s red translucent wings as they nibble across my skin. It feels so delicious like I’ve been waiting my entire life for him.

  Blu moves even closer. His breath is hot against my ear. “Wait until you taste my lips. You’re not one of those anti-sugar people, are you? You love brownies, don’t you?”

  I close my eyes and smile. “Heaven. Who wouldn’t love brownies?” Wait. “Stop. What is happening to me?”

  Arc steps forward. “It’s natural. You’re bonding with us. Claiming us. Allowing us into your system. All of our essences are mixing and merging.”

  I tense. “That sounds obscene.”

  Blu nods. “If you do it right.”

  “That’s why we chose you.” Zash’s eyes plead with me. “You’re our best chance.”

  Blu’s wings brush against me again. “Our fate is in your hands.”

  Zash’s eyes get very teary. “You are our only chance.”

  Arc places his hand on the reaper’s shoulder. “Zash, we don’t need to burden Mera with this now. There’s plenty of time.”

  “Not really,” Risq says. “You know that. If she doesn’t—”

  “She will,” Blu winks at me. “Her skin warms when my wings caress her.” He looks at Zash. “You can read her, empath.”

  “An empath and a reaper?” I ask.

  Zash reluctantly nods. He studies me. A brief smile appears. “She’s drawn to us but still afraid.”

  “Probably too shocked about Risq’s small bits,” Blu hisses.

  “Careful, Blu,” Risq huffs. “I know some who crave faerie wing stew.”

  Zash moves a bit closer to me while still carefully keeping his distance. He studies my eyes and my face never once looking me up and down in a creepy manner. “You’re the one. We finally found you.”

  Arc closes his eyes and sighs. “Then it’s settled.”

  They nod in unison and move closer to me.

  I step back. “Sorry, but this is my birthday. The whole day’s planned. I’ve got to get ready for college and …” I remember and relax a bit. “This isn’t happening. It’s a dream. There’s no such thing as boss witches or flirty faeries or shy empath reapers or dangerously small vampires.”

  “Dangerously small?” Risq sighs.

  Blu laughs. “Nailed that one.”

  Zash nods. “I’ll try to open up to you and not be so shy.”

  I back into something that doesn’t move or budge. “What did I just run into?”

  “Me.” Blu’s whisper infects my brain as I almost black out. How did he move so fast? Why can I not take my eyes from them?

  “Because you belong to us now.”

  I didn’t know which one said that. Blu’s wings encase me. The other three circle me.

  The room spins. The background blurs, and only the guys are clearly in focus. Blu’s wings enclose us all.

  The witch holds
my hands. “Just breathe.”

  I relax as some kind of sweet cotton candy tasting dust fills the air. “Faerie dust?”

  The reaper nods.

  “That’s really a thing? What about my parents? My brother and sister?”

  The witch massages my hands. “They’re fine. We’re not going to hurt you.”

  “Not unless you want us to.”

  I roll my eyes. Had to be the vampire who said that. Cocky bastard. “Why didn’t you choose Stef. My friend’s totally into the paranormal. I don’t believe in ghosts or goblins or imps or—”

  Blu laughs. “You don’t have to believe for us to be real. You’ll see when we get home.”

  “Home?”

  “Your castle,” they all whisper. “You’re our new Queen.”

  Chapter 2

  We finally stop spinning. I think. My brain is too sloshy, and my insides noisily churn.

  “Just close your eyes and breath,” Arc says, as he continues to hold my hands.

  Zash gently touches my shoulder. “It’s going to be alright,” he whispers. “I promise.”

  My stomach has other ideas about calming. I shake my head. “I’m going to be sick.”

  “No, you’re not,” Arc says. “Open your eyes and look into mine.”

  I look into Arc’s calming brown eyes and immediately feel better. “Where were you when I had food poisoning?”

  He smiles then nods to Blu who still has his wings surrounding us.

  Blu slowly lowers his wings, and I look around while they watch me. The faerie has an issue with personal space because he’s always super close to me which I really don’t mind for some reason. Arc is a few feet away while Zash is the furthest.

  Wait. “Where’s the vampire?”

  “Here,” Risq says, leaning against a window sill guzzling red goo from a glass.