chapter 67

Amra's POV

The murmur of conversation swelled and dipped around me, a wave of meaningless chatter that did little to soothe the churning cauldron of emotions within me. My appetite, nonexistent moments ago, had returned with a vengeance. Starving myself wouldn't achieve anything. In fact, I needed all my strength, both physical and mental, for the battles to come.

What the hell was Jasper doing?

As I reached for another skewer of roasted boar, a tidbit of conversation snagged my attention. Two females of the pride, their faces flushed with wine and misplaced bravado, were gossiping about the current situation.

"Did you hear?" one of them slurred, her voice thick with excitement. "Von called all the warriors to the war room. Seems they're making some plans..."

My ears perked up. Plans? What kind of plans? A surge of curiosity, laced with a sliver of apprehension, warred within me. Surely, he wouldn't do anything without consulting me… would he? No. That woudn't make sense.

"Probably just planning what to do about that missing queen," the other woman scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "And Amree. Hopefully, she'll come to her senses and go find a real mate."

"I don't know what her deal is. I mean... she and King Von are so close. Who would want used goods when you had a chance at the king?"

My hand tightened around the hilt of the jeweled dagger strapped to my thigh. This shrew dared to speak of Von getting with Amree? With so much disrespect? In my presence, no less? The urge to retaliate, to carve a bloody lesson into her arrogant hide, was a physical thing, a thrumming tremor in my hands.

"Well, it's good that she's an idiot," the other one giggled. "I'll be snatching him up soon enough, well before she comes to his senses."

I forced myself to smile, a slow, predatory curl of my lips.

"Careful, Elara," I purred, my voice laced with honeyed venom. "Disrespecting the King is a dangerous game to play. Even for someone who fancies themself a contender for the throne."

Elara's face contorted in a snarl, her earlier bravado replaced by a flicker of fear. "And who, pray tell," she spat, "are you to lecture me on respect? Everyone knows you stayed behind when they went looking for those two leopards."

"Someone," I replied, my voice dropping to a low hiss, "who understands the delicate balance of power in this pride. And someone who wouldn't hesitate to remove a thorn from Von's side… permanently."

Elara's bravado completely evaporated, replaced by a look of naked terror. The message, I was pleased to see, had been received loud and clear. Elara might have her sights set on the throne, but her reign would be a short one if I had anything to say about it--if she could even get there. As if Von would choose her over me. The only reason he was even humoring the leopard whore was because he thought they were mates.

Before Elara could stammer out a retort, a prickling sensation spread through my mind, a familiar tingle that signaled a mind link message. A jolt of surprise shot through me. The surprise turned to pleasure, as I heard Von's voice in my head.

"Amra," Von's voice resonated within my head, his tone laced with a hint of urgency. "Where are you? Get to the war room immediately."

My heart hammered against my ribs. I knew he wouldn't be having a meeting without me. I must have missed the call. Though, it worried me that he was in the war room so soon after the ceremony. During the feast? Had they found Jasper? I had to go with him if that was the case and kill him at the first chance I got. A knot of unease tightened in my gut.

Pushing myself away from the table, I flashed Elara a chilling smile. "Duty calls," I declared, my voice dripping with false sweetness. "Wouldn't want to keep the King waiting, now would we?"

Elara shrank back, her bravado thoroughly extinguished. The other woman glared at me, but neither of them spoke. With a satisfied smirk, I turned and stalked away from the table, my mind a whirlwind of questions and anxieties. The feast carried on. More people seemed excited that she was dead than trying to actually celebrate her death.

I bet it would be an even party when we were finally rid of that leopard whore who dared to sink her claws into Von.

I walked down the corridor, keeping my pace urgent but not overly happy. I couldn't be sure who was watching me, and I had to prepare myself. The options were simple. Either I led them on a wild goose chase, or I went and killed Jasper myself. With any luck, Ari was as close to death as possible. I sent another message to Jasper, hoping he'd respond.