Chapter 29 Breaking Chains
The rebellious provinces sent demands instead of diplomats.
Renounce the abomination. End the pregnancy. Prove you are fit to rule.
Or face war.
After crumpling the letter, Kael tossed it into the flames. "They dare threaten us. In our own palace."
"They are scared," I remarked. Despite the simmering anger under my skin, I tried to remain calm. "Change is frightening.
A child born of impossible magic is terrifying."
"Fear does not give them the right to rebel. To threaten you. To threaten our child."
"What do we do? March armies to three provinces? Kill everyone who disagrees with us?" I touched my stomach. Still flat. But I swore I felt something. A flutter. Warmth. "That proves them right. Proves we are tyrants."
"Then what? We negotiate with people who want our child dead?"
"We show them we are not monsters. We go there. Talk to them. Listen."
Kael looked at me like I had suggested we walk into fire. "You want to travel to rebellious provinces. While pregnant. While assassins are hunting you. While your powers are unstable."
That last part was true. My magic fluctuated wildly now. Sometimes strong enough to tear reality. Sometimes barely a spark.
I had no idea how the pregnancy was exhausting me. Indeed. I'd like to leave. I want to be seen by them.
See us. See that we are not what they fear."
"That is suicide."
"That is leadership." I stood.
"You promised that we would work together on this. This entails staying out of the palace walls when the realm is on fire.
He was quiet. Calculating. The king is weighing risks and benefits.
"We take the Blood Guard. Full escort. And at the first sign of trouble, we leave. Immediately."
"Agreed."
Lyra appeared in the doorway. "Your Majesties. We found the traitor. The one who told the assassins about the pregnancy."
"Who?" Kael's voice was deadly quiet.
"Mira. The healer who examined the queen."
My blood froze. Mira. The gentle ancient vampire who had told us about the pregnancy. Who seemed to care.
"Why?" I asked. "Why would she betray us?"
"She is part of a group called the Purists. Vampires who believe in maintaining the old ways. No half-bloods. No humans with rights. No impossible children." Lyra's face was grim. "They paid her to leak information. Promised her protection when they overthrow you."
"Where is she now?" Kael asked.
"Secured in the dungeons. Awaiting judgment."
"Good. We will handle this personally." He looked at me. "You should stay here. Rest."
"No. If we are executing someone for betraying us, I should be there. We do this together. Remember?"
He did not like it. But he nodded.
We descended to the dungeons. Cold. Dark. The kind of place that swallowed hope.
Mira was in a cell. Still elegant. Still ancient. But fear showed in her eyes now.
"Your Majesties," she said. "I can explain—"
"You leaked information that led to an assassination attempt on my pregnant queen," Kael cut her off. "What explanation justifies that?"
"I was protecting the realm. That child should not exist. It breaks every natural law. If it is born, it will upset the balance of power. Create something we cannot control."
"So you decided to have it killed. Have me killed." I stepped closer to the bars. "You examined me. Touched me. Pretended to care. Then sent assassins."
"I did care. I still do." Mira's voice broke. "But sometimes caring means making hard choices. Sacrificing one for the many."
"You sound like Voss."
"Because he was right. The prophecy warned of this. You are becoming too powerful. Too dangerous. That child will make it worse."
"You do not know that."
"I know history. I have lived eight hundred years. I have seen what happens when rulers consolidate too much power. It never ends well." She looked at Kael. "Your father understood balance. Knew when to compromise. You have forgotten that lesson."
"My father is dead. I rule now." Kael's voice was ice. "And traitors die. No exceptions."
"Then kill me. But know that I am not alone. The Purists have hundreds of members. Thousands maybe. You cannot kill us all." Mira smiled. Sad. Resigned. "We will keep fighting. Keep trying. Until either you fall or the realm does."
"We will see about that." I looked at Lyra. "Find the other Purists. Every single one. Bring them to the throne room tomorrow. We are making an example."
Lyra's eyes widened. "Your Majesty. If there are thousands—"
"Then thousands watch. And learn what happens when they threaten my family."
"Sera." Kael's hand on my arm. "This is not the way. Mass executions will make martyrs. Make things worse."
"What would you have me do? Show mercy to people who tried to murder our child?" My voice rose. "They will not stop. Mira said so herself. They will keep trying until we are dead."
"Then we handle it smart. Not with rage." He pulled me away from the cell. To a corner where Mira could not hear. "You are letting fear control you. That is not who you are."
"Maybe it is who I need to be. To survive. To protect what is mine."
"Listen to yourself. You sound exactly like the tyrant Voss predicted."
The words hit like a slap. Because he was right. I was acting out of fear. Out of rage. Out of the cold vampire instinct that said, eliminate threats permanently.
My humanity would have hesitated. Would have looked for another way.
But my humanity was gone.