Chapter 22 ANCIENT HUNGER 2
"The servants are free. That is law. Any noble who defies this will face execution for treason." His eyes scanned the crowd. "Is that clear?"
"They are ours!" A noble I did not recognize shouted. "We paid for them! Invested in them! You cannot just—"
"I can. I am your king. This is done." Kael's hand went to his sword. "Challenge me if you dare."
No one moved. No one was that stupid.
"Good. All nobles return to your estates. Servants, you are free to go where you wish. Half-bloods, thank you for your assistance." He looked at me. "My queen will ensure proper compensation for anyone who was harmed."
We walked back to the palace. I could feel his rage. Tight. Controlled. Barely.
"This is because of me," I said. "If I had not pushed for the reforms—"
"This is because of centuries of rot. Because they think people are property. Because they are spoiled children who need to learn the world has changed." He stopped. Turned to me. "Do not blame yourself for doing what is right."
"People are dying for it."
"People die for everything. At least these deaths have meaning." His hand cupped my face. "Do not lose your conviction because it is hard. That is when it matters most."
We reached the palace. More problems waited.
Lyra approached looking grim. "Your Majesties. We have reports from the border. Another vampire kingdom sent envoys. They want to meet with you. Discuss alliances."
"Which kingdom?" Kael asked.
"Valcrest. The northern realm. King Aldric wants to negotiate trade agreements and possibly a treaty." She paused. "He also wants to meet the Shadowborn queen everyone is talking about."
"That sounds like a trap," I said.
"Probably. But refusing a diplomatic envoy could mean war." Lyra looked between us. "You need allies. Even dangerous ones."
"When do they arrive?" Kael asked.
"Three days. They are already traveling."
"Prepare the state rooms. Full security. And Lyra? Trust no one from Valcrest. Aldric is a snake."
She left.
I looked at Kael. "Do you know this king?"
"We have history. He tried to conquer Nocterra fifty years ago. I destroyed his army and sent him running." Kael's voice was cold. "If he is coming here, he wants something. Or he wants to test us."
"Then we show strength."
"We show unity. That is more important." He pulled me close. "They will try to divide us. Find cracks in our bond. Use them against us."
"There are no cracks."
"Are you sure? Because you have been avoiding me since the Sanguine Vault." His eyes searched mine. "You are pulling away. I feel it through the bond."
I wanted to deny it. But he was right. I had been distant. Scared.
"I almost lost you down there," I said quietly. "You threw yourself in front of that thing for me. You could have died."
"And I would do it again. Without hesitation."
"That is what terrifies me. You have no sense of self-preservation when it comes to me." I pulled back. "What if next time I cannot save you? What if you die protecting me and I have to rule alone? I do not know if I can do this without you."
"You could. You are stronger than you think."
"I do not want to be strong enough to survive losing you!" The words burst out. Raw. Honest. "I want you alive. I want us together. I want—"
He kissed me. Hard. Desperate. "I am not going anywhere. The curse is broken. I am stronger now than I have been in decades. We survived The First. We will survive whatever comes next."
"Promise?"
"I promise." His forehead rested against mine. "But you have to stop pushing me away when you are scared. We do this together or not at all. Remember?"
"Together," I agreed.
We spent the next three days preparing. Training. Planning. Making sure the palace was secure and we presented a united front.
The night before Valcrest's envoy arrived, I stood on the balcony looking at the blood moon.
Kael appeared beside me. "You should rest. Tomorrow will be difficult."
"I know. I just needed air." I looked at him. "Do you ever regret it? The bond. Me. Everything that came after?"
"Never. You?"
"Sometimes I wonder what life would have been like if I had stayed invisible. If the bond never formed." I leaned against the railing. "Would I still be scrubbing floors? Would Marcus still be alive? Would any of this have happened?"
"Maybe. Maybe not. Fate is cruel and kind in equal measure." He pulled me against him. "But I would not trade what we have. Even with the danger. Even with the pain."
"Even if it destroys us?"
"Even then." His lips brushed my temple. "Because you are mine. And I protect what is mine. Always."
The next morning, trumpets announced the arrival of Valcrest's envoy.
We sat on our twin thrones. Dressed in formal regalia. Crowns on. Weapons hidden but ready.
The doors opened. A delegation walked in. Twenty vampires in northern armor. Cold. Pale. Dangerous.
And at their head walked King Aldric himself.
Tall. Handsome. With white hair and ice-blue eyes. He looked young but power rolled off him in waves. Centuries old. Ancient. Predatory.
His eyes found me. Lingered. Something hungry in his gaze.
Then he smiled. "King Kael. How lovely to see you again. And this must be your famous Shadowborn queen." He bowed. "King Aldric of Valcrest. At your service."
"State your business," Kael said. His voice was ice.
"So hostile. I come in peace. Truly." Aldric's smile widened. "I want to discuss alliances. Treaties. Perhaps even more interesting arrangements."
"What arrangements?"
Aldric's eyes fixed on me. "I have heard fascinating stories about your queen. Her power. Her bloodline. Her beauty." He stepped closer. "I would very much like to know her better. Perhaps a private audience? Just the three of us?"
Kael's hand went to his sword. "My queen does not grant private audiences to foreign rulers."
"Pity. I had hoped we could be friends." Aldric's gaze never left me. "But perhaps dinner? Tonight? To discuss terms?"
"Perhaps," I said. Keeping my voice neutral. "We will consider your request."
"Wonderful." He bowed again. "I look forward to it, Your Majesty."
He left with his delegation.
When the doors closed, Kael turned to me. His eyes were black.
"He wants you."
"I know."
"And if he thinks he can have you, he is going to die."
"Kael—"
"No. You saw how he looked at you. Like you were something to possess. To take." His hands clenched. "I will not share you. Not with him. Not with anyone."
"I am not asking you to share me. I am yours. Only yours." I touched his face. "But we need this alliance. Or at least we need to know what he really wants."
"What he wants is you. Dead or claimed, I do not care which."
"Then we attend this dinner. Figure out his game. And end it before it begins." I kissed him softly. "Trust me?"
He was quiet. Then nodded. "Always. But if he touches you, I kill him. Alliance or no alliance."
"Deal."
That night we dressed for dinner. I wore a gown of shadow-black. Kael wore his formal armor.
We walked into the dining hall where Aldric waited. Looking pleased. Confident.
Like he had already won something.
This was going to be a very long night. That was everything.
This was going to be a very long night.