Chapter 141 Grief.

Chapter 141 Grief.
Josh’s POV.

The silence in the palace was louder than any shout. It had been five days since Camille rode out through the gates of the kingdom with Linus and a company of our best men, five days since scouts were sent out to look for Lord Khaos, and for five days, the air in our chambers had felt stagnant and heavy.

I couldn't stop pacing in my alone time. I expected a letter, a messenger. Anything that would at least tell me my wife is alive and okay. Right now, I'm kind of regretting it.

The door creaked open, and I stopped pacing and spun around. Lorenzo was standing there at the doorway with a smile on his face.

"Dad?" he asked softly, "can I come in?"

I nodded returning his smile. "Of course you can son."

He stepped, into the room. "Are you still worried about
Mom?"

I let out a long, ragged sigh that seemed to drain the
strength from my legs. I sank into a nearby chair, burying my face in my hands for a moment before looking up at him. "Yes, Lorenzo. I'm worried. Five days and not a single word from your mother. It drives me crazy not knowing what's going on with her? It isn't like her." I leaned back, my eyes tracing the ceiling. "I just... I miss her. This palace feels like a tomb when she isn't in it."

Lorenzo walked over and sat on the edge of the table beside my chair. He placed a hand on my shoulder—his grip was already as strong as mine. "She’s the strongest warrior I know, Dad. You know how she is. She’s probably just busy knocking heads together and making those witches listen to reason. She’ll be home before you know it."

I looked at my son and managed a weak, appreciative smile. He was trying so hard to be the pillar for me. I realized then just how much he had grown. The messy-haired boy who used to hide behind his mother was gone; in his place was a young man with steady eyes and a kingly bearing.

"You're right," I said, straightening my posture and trying to shake off the gloom. "Thank you, son. I’ve been so caught up in the council meetings and the kingdom reports that I realized we haven't actually talked in a while. I’ve been a bit of a ghost lately."

Lorenzo shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "I understand, Dad. I know what it means to be King. There’s always some problem you need to solve."

"Still, I want to know more about my son," I said, genuinely curious. "How is the training going? I heard you over powered two of the senior guards yesterday."

Lorenzo’s eyes lit up with a spark of pride. "Yes Dad, I did. Training is quite fun. I’m focusing on my speed. I want to be able to move like Mom does. Probably become even faster than her."

I smiled at him with pride in my eyes. "I'm sure you're going to surpass your mother son. She's truly a force to be reckon with, and you will become like her some day."

"Thanks Dad." He said looking genuinely happy with my compliment. I already know for sure that my son is going to be an even greater King than I am. Camille and I have been training him for it.

We talked for a few minutes, and its been the best moment of peace I’d felt since Camille left. I was just about to ask him about his thoughts on the new council appointments when the door was thrown back against the wall with a violent crash.

Roman stomped in, his face ghostly pale and his eyes wide with a terror that made my blood run cold. "Your Majesty," he gasped, his voice cracking. "Lord Linus. He’s back. But... he’s alone."

My heart felt like it stopped beating entirely. I was on my feet before Roman could say more. I didn't say a word as I bolted past him, my vampire speed carrying me through the corridors like wind. I could hear Lorenzo’s heavy footsteps right behind me, his breath hitching in panic.

We reached the Great Hall, and the scene that met me was a nightmare. The council members was already gathered, standing in the courtroom with grim faces and hushed whispers. In the center of the room stood Linus.

He was a wreck. His face was a map of bruises and jagged cuts, his clothes torn to ribbons. He looked like a man who had crawled back from the gates of hell.

What the hell is going on?!

"Linus!" I roared, my voice echoing off the walls. The human part of me was screaming, and the vampire was clawing at the surface. "Where is the Queen?!" Linus didn't look at me. He kept his head bowed, his shoulders shaking with what looked like a sob of pure guilt.

I didn't wait for an answer. I crossed the floor in a blur, my hands slamming into his collar. My fangs extended, aching with the sudden rush of adrenaline, and my eyes burned a predatory red. "I asked you a question!" I hissed, my face inches from his. "Where is
Camille?!"

Linus looked at me then, his eyes filled with sadness. He didn't speak. He only clapped his hands twice, a slow, hollow sound. "Forgive me your Majesty."

Two guards entered from the door way, carrying a stretcher. Atop it sat a body, covered entirely by a white sheet that was heavily stained with a sickening amount of dark, dried blood.

The council members let out a collective gasp of horror. I went rigid. I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. My hands let go of Linus’s collar, and I stumbled back. I felt like I was falling, even though my feet were planted on the stone floor.

It was Lorenzo who moved first. He stumbled forward, his breath coming in jagged, terrified sobs. His hand trembled as he reached for the corner of the sheet. With a sudden, desperate yank, he pulled the cover back.

The world shattered. Right before my very eyes.

It was Camille. Her beautiful, fierce face was ashen pale and cold. Her eyes were closed, her long hair tangled and matted with blood.

Lorenzo let out a sound I will never forget—a broken, high-pitched wail of agony. He collapsed to his knees beside the stretcher, clutching her cold hand to his face and weeping uncontrollably. "Mom! No... Mom, please wake up! Mom!"

I stood there, a statue of grief. I didn't know when the tears started, but they were hot and stinging, blurring my vision. I felt like my soul had been ripped out through my chest. I walked forward, every step feeling like I was moving through waist-deep water. I knelt on the other side of her, opposite my broken son.

I reached out, my trembling fingers brushing her cheek. It was ice. Colder than a normal vampire temperature. The silence of her heart was a scream in my ears.

"Camille..." I whispered, my voice breaking. I leaned down, burying my face against her neck, and let out a sob that shattered my heart in two. I wept for the years we should have had. I wept for our son. I wept for the peace she had died trying to protect.

We went through so much together. She promised to come back safe and sound. She gave us her word. But here she was lying dead. I won't be able to see her beautiful eyes ever again and that hurts so much. It made me feel lifeless.

After a long minute, the grief didn't go away, but it transformed. It curdled into something dark, sharp, and poisoned. The sadness was pushed aside by a towering, volcanic rage.

I slowly stood up, my eyes glowing a brilliant, murderous red as I turned them on Linus. My voice was a low, terrifying growl that promised nothing but death and pain to the one who has done this to my Queen.

"Linus," I said, each word dripping with hatred. "Tell me exactly what happened to my Queen."