Chapter 68

P.O.V. Ebon

I was torn. At times I was sure that Lyall was innocent, but at others I was shaken and thought I was too naive.

Either way, Viktor was up to something and I couldn't let him simply take everything I had.

Shortly after I entered my office, I received some of the kingdom's leaders and they pressed me about having given myself to Lyall.

At the time I couldn't admit that we were together, it was too risky, so I just said that we had spent the night training and hid the fact that we were companions and had tagged each other in the forest.

I was about to convince them that things were under control and that I would find out and punish whoever had attacked us, but Viktor, as always, made a point of spoiling everything once again.

“I can't believe you insist on trying to protect this criminal!” He said as he entered my office without even being announced, which leads me to believe that he was listening to the conversation behind the door.

“I'm not defending anyone, but I'm not so frivolous as to accuse someone without proof,” I said.

“It's not because you spent the whole night like a slut fucking him that you're going to convince me that your actions are for the sake of justice.”

I got so angry that I stood up and slapped the bastard who dared to disrespect me across the face.

“You bastard!” I shouted.

I was boiling with rage, but what pissed me off the most was that none of the men standing there moved to defend their queen.

“Yeah, hit me, you bitch! You'll pay dearly for this,” he pulled me close and said in my ear: ”I saw you two there. I know what you're hiding in your neck and if you don't cooperate, I'll execute your little boyfriend right now.”

I was paralyzed by his threat, but soon pulled myself together and ordered everyone out of my office.

I couldn't hold back the tears, the air seemed to escape from my lungs, I was feeling weak and unprotected and for a moment I thought about giving up on everything.

There was a silver dagger on display in my office. It was the symbol of our power as vampires and I was tempted to take it and end my life.

I wasn't sure if I had been betrayed by the man I love and my people were turning their backs on me. I would never accept giving myself to Viktor for the sake of power, so the end seemed the easiest...

“I think you'd better let it go. We have enough problems without a queen.” John said seriously and I dried my tears and at least gave up on that idea for the time being.

“Lyall is willing to take part in the fighting tournament. That way I'll have time to keep investigating and he won't go mad.”

“Why would he go mad? Is he being punished in prison?” I asked worriedly.

“That's what you get for despising a people so much that you refuse to know their customs,” John scolded me.

“What are you talking about?” I asked a little airily.

“You're buddies and you've tagged along, right?”

“Yes,” I agreed, a little miffed that he knew that Lyall and I had given ourselves to each other.

“Did he tell you about the rut?”

“He did, he said things get more intense and I think I'm being affected too, because I keep trying to control my crying.”

“Ebon, has your judgment been affected too?” He asked me a little impatiently.

“Just say what you mean and stop beating around the bush.”

“He's going to go mad... and not in the figurative sense. You need to be together.”

“Damn it, what if he doesn't win? I can't let anything happen to him.” I said worriedly.

“And why don't you go to him in prison?” he asked me.

“Viktor told the leaders and counselors that I spent the night with Lyall and even threatened to tell them that he marked me. I didn't plan to hide the fact that we're comrades, but in this context I think it could be very dangerous for us if anyone found out.”

“I understand... you stay here and I'll make sure he's okay and that he fights. He's a fucking Lycan, none of us are strong enough to beat him.”

John left and I felt a little calmer, knowing that I would soon be with Lyall for a night alone.

***

When it was evening, I went down to the dining room, when I was surprised by John, who looked very worried.

“Things got a bit out of hand,” he said worriedly.

“What happened this time?”

“Viktor demanded that Lyall fight without transforming, as if he were a weak human.”

“He wouldn't accept that, because it's practically a death sentence,” I replied.

“Viktor convinced him by saying that you'll be forced to stay with him... he acted on impulse to protect you... I think you should talk him out of it.”

I was already pretty annoyed about the whole thing and I still had to face Viktor waiting for me in the dining room, once again trying to manipulate and blackmail me.

“You look beautiful tonight,” Viktor told me as if the two of us weren't in a personal war.

“You may have clout with the leaders of the kingdom, but you're not going to sit at my table anymore, get out!” I said to Viktor, who gave me a smile in return.

“I'm not leaving here until you accept my proposal to be my wife.”

“Never!” I growled at him.

“I always knew you were ambitious, but I didn't know you'd let your little boyfriend die in exchange for power.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked curiously.

“The advisors and leaders want his head and the fighter who manages to kill him tomorrow will get a good prize, apart from the fact that he'll be at a great disadvantage, because as well as not being able to transform, he won't receive any food or water until the time of the fight. He doesn't stand a chance.”

“You asshole! You're sending him to his death!”

“As soon as I've finished with him, I'll take care of you, who will be mine, for better or worse. Our wedding is already arranged and no one will stop me, no matter how much you beg.”

I stood up, ready to leave the table, but I was in doubt about what to do.

I had to make a decision.