Page 9 of To Bleed A Kingdom

“She's not planning to touch on the topic today,” he grudgingly admits, eyeing me with a dubious expression.

“Why the fuck not?” I snap.

“Lower your voice,” he warns, his dark green eyes anxiously bouncing from one ruler to the next.

Noticing I’ve caught the attention of the rulers nearby, including Queen Adelphia herself, I inhale a deep, calming breath.

“She thinks it makes us appear weak,” Theon says. “She won't look weak in front of the other monarchs.”

I scrub my hands over my face. “I don't care how it makes us look. They have to prepare.” Gesturing to the royals with a jerk of my hand, I hiss, “How can they protect their people if they're not even made aware?”

“I agree with you,” he says in a soothing tone, patting my arm.“But she won't change her mind.” Shaking his head, he returns his gaze forward, dismissing me.

Frustrated, I listen to the tedious discussions of the Kings Council. Not of defenses, trade, or even the welfare of their people. Oh no, the most powerful beings of Vanyimar gossip about gowns, balls, and limber new mistresses. Not a single topic of substance.

Temper spiking with each moment that passes, I have no more shits left to give when everyone stands to their feet, signaling the end of the meeting.

“I'd like to bring a matter to everyone’s attention.”

They pause halfway out of their chairs and stare, blinking slowly. I can only assume their surprise is due to the fact that I've never uttered a single word during these meetings, but I could be wrong.

Queen Adelphia hasn’t moved to stand, but at my words her back stiffens and her head slowly swivels in my direction. “I believe we've covered every topic scheduled today,” she bites out.

I highly doubt which king is fucking which servant was a scheduled topic of discussion.

“I'll have to insist.” Based off the storm brewing within her gaze, if there weren't others present to witness it, I have no doubt she would’ve blasted me with a wave of water, shattering my bones and pulverizing my organs in the process.

Dismissing her without a second thought, I return my attention forward, waiting patiently for the monarchs to return to their seats and all eyes to focus on me. “When I was on patrol today, me and two other guards were ambushed by a group of Soulless.”

“That's not uncommon,” Queen Celene of Arcadia says, her lips turned down into a confused frown. “Your borders are pressed up against the Cursed Woods. Your people hunt there regularly.”

Tapping my finger on the armrest, I pause before adding, “There were eight of them.”

Ravaryn’s King Elidyr startles and his eyes widen. “Eight?”

I nod. “Not only that, but four of them appeared to be newly dead.”

The rulers glance between each other, concern radiating from them until booming laughter draws all our gazes.

“How can you tell they're newly dead?” King Luthais of Raetia says on a lingering laugh. “Dead is dead.'”

“They were in an early stage of decomposition,” I reply, careful to keep my tone neutral in spite of my rising anger. “Unlike the Soulless we more commonly encounter.”

Elidyr rubs his jaw. “That is unsettling.”

“Have there been any disappearance within your kingdoms?” I ask. “Any new attacks we've not been made aware of?”

All shake their heads in answer.

Luthais crosses his legs, lounging back in his chair with an arrogant smirk. “It's obvious they came from Brecca.”

Annoyed, I clench my hands into fists, but my expression remains impassive. “Their clothing wasn’t that of the humans. The creatures appeared to have originally come from one of our kingdoms.”

Luthais arches a brow. “You're basing this off their clothing?”

“It's unlikely they undress themselves before they’re killed,” Celene says with a roll of her eyes, just as irritated with the insufferable immortal as I am.

“Of course not,” he replies, pasting on that charming smile. “But I imagine their clothes were dirty and worn. One couldn't possibly be able to determine which kingdom they came from based off such little information.”

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