Chapter 128 The Web
❀ Maeve ❀
My eyes shot open, residual scenes from a nightmare echoing like a last retort.
A nightmare…
Except, in it, I was the wraith, the apparition. Scores of people fled from me as I dropped upon them with my fangs flashing.
My mind began to wander to the town, to the little girl who wound through a tight crowd, bodies bigger than her, just to stab me over indoctrination.
I wrenched my thoughts back.
That was behind me. Vladis had offered to run an education and support scheme to help the people understand why a hybrid sat on the throne.
But I didn’t care. Not right now at least. I had bigger issues at hand.
I clutched my sheets with blunt fingers. The material was so light it made me sigh.
As a vampire, I didn’t need to pull back the shutters to know if it were night or day. I could feel the sun surrendering, the night creeping in.
My veins crackled with unfathomable power, but somehow still out of reach.
My senses were sharp and keen, and despite the thick walls of Veilmoor’s royal castle, I could pick up the low thrum of voices from above and below.
If I honed in, I could hear every single word. But I wasn’t interested in that. I already knew what they would talk about.
The hybrid royal. The pregnant royal. The enigmatic royal. All fighting for something that would cost the others.
It was sundown. Bastian needed me.
But a strange emptiness had hollowed out my chest. I felt echoing and cold, dread choking the air.
Things would change today.
As scheduled, my chamber doors slid open.
Jessica and two nameless maids walked in.
During the melee in town, Jessica had escaped while the vampires were distracted with me. She’d stolen a horse and returned to the castle.
But the most curious thing? When she reported the incident to the guards, they had standing orders to ignore it. On the basis that I’d taken enough guards to protect me and besides… that I could trace.
My eyes narrowed.
Sound logic. Except, as queen, the royal guard should be ready to march into molten lava after me.
Someone had deemed that unnecessary.
I’d long known I was just a doll cosplaying as Veilmoor’s queen. The ones with real influence hid in the shadows, pulling strings with little regard for hierarchy.
Jessica stared at my dried blood–coated skin for a second before catching herself.
“Your Grace,” she began, but changed her mind and stayed silent.
I walked to the bath, laying in the ornate glass tub.
Silent and efficient, they seasoned me with petals and oils and massaged my skin with it.
Hot water followed, poured directly over my head as they’d learned I preferred. It helped me think.
Save Bastian. Arrest Nikolai. Kill anyone else against me.
I’d rather rule alone than with snakes all over my court—
“The crown, Your Grace.” Jessica’s voice yanked me back to the present.
She held my crown on its crimson cushion, the gold catching the light like a celestial object.
They’d cleaned it of my scalp flesh and blood.
Jessica regarded me with something too close to pity in her eyes.
My brows creased.
Why did my limbs drag this way? My heart heavy with trepidation?
Bastian needed me. And a queen never hesitated, lest the snakes use that time to strike.
“Thank you.” I picked up the band deftly, turning to face my already replaced mirror.
My skin chilled.
I hadn’t even noticed.
Had I been so deep in slumber that someone had cleaned the shattered glass and replaced the whole wall?
It could’ve been none other than Nikolai.
He was here.
I shrugged off the thought of him. Not now. No distractions—
The hearth flames flickered from a soft gust of air.
The maids cowered.
My fists clenched.
I grated harshly, “Is there no damned way to fortify my chambers from unchecked tracing?”
“No,” Lilith responded snidely.
I turned to face her, ready to transfer my aggression. And froze.
“Tammy.”
Tammy stood beside Lilith, demeanor defeated, red eyes dim.
She tried to summon a smile, but failed.
“Leave us,” I said to Jessica and the maids.
As Jessica passed Lilith, I noticed she fearlessly maintained eye contact, her chin raised.
Lilith pulled her lips back in a snarl, fangs glistening with threat.
“What was that about?” I asked in a warning tone.
Lilith studied her nails lazily. “Your pet seems to have grown on you. She hates me for hating you. How noble.”
I ignored her statement and faced Tammy. “I’ve asked you this once before, but your answer suggested you didn’t need my help. Tammy,” my voice was grave, “are you being forced to do anything by Lilith? I’m not too busy for you. We came here together. In fact, I’m the reason you got turned. I feel a deep responsibility for you.”
“That’s not it,” Tammy whispered. Then, seeming to make a decision, she continued. “Being close to Lady Lilith was entirely my choice. In a way, I wanted to repay your kindness by spying on her for you.”
I was shocked to hear her say that in front of Lilith.
But also confused. I could feel it in my bones that the surprises had yet to cease.
“And?” I encouraged, glancing at Lilith.
Even Lilith’s expression had turned serious, the air thick with something heavy.
Tammy continued. “Please grant her a listening ear. I strongly believe our information will save your life tonight.”
My gaze still locked on Lilith, I asked, “I have just one question for you, and your answer will decide my reaction.”
Lilith tilted her head.
The hearth roared on.
My skin prickled with the awareness that the sun was close to setting, and I was supposed to be on my way to the glass mountain.
I couldn’t trace there since I’d never been there before. Only to places I’d seen and experienced.
“Did Nikolai capture and torture Bastian, and was Drusilla aware?”
Lilith didn’t even flinch. “Yes,” she said.
To Tammy, I gritted, “Did you know?”
Her face paled, eyes darting. Finally, she choked out, “I did.”
My chest tightened, but my face remained blank.
“Then we’re done here.” I started to walk past them to the doors.
I needed horses. And now.
“No, wait!” Tammy yelled. “You need to hear what we have to say. You’re in danger. Master Vladis—”
“I know,” I cut in without looking back, “about everything.”
“Then why are you so calm? If you go to the glass mountain, you will die. You need to stay and talk to Master Nikolai. He is unaware—”
I paused at the door. “If you know what’s good for you, leave Veilmoor with your new bestie. Tonight, I’m clearing my court of snakes. And it looks like you’re one of them. I expected more, Tammy. I’m disappointed.”
“Maeve,” Lilith interrupted.
My eyes burned with irritation and rage.
She dared address me by name? Her queen?
My fangs ached to tear out her throat.
Better late than never—