Page 110 of Clash of Kingdoms

“And this makes you feel better?” I asked in disbelief. “I fought for the woman I love, and you dismantle everything I did?—”

“You said you wouldn’t marry her.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Because she’s not family. And family is the only code I honor.”

“Then I’ll marry her,” I snapped. “I’ll fucking marry her right now. Stop this bullshit.”

He didn’t take the sword away from Huntley’s throat. “Too late, son.”

“You’re so full of it. Even if I made her a vampire and married her, you’d still pull this stunt?—”

“You’re probably right.” He looked down at Huntley, a slight smirk on his lips. “Aurelias, we’ve always been better than the scum we call humans. They’re good for very few things—feeding and fucking. Unlike your brothers, we’ve always been in agreement about this. Don’t let one good lay change your perception.”

Anger slithered down my spine.

Father looked at me, like he could feel my rage and was amused by it.

“Aurelias.” Huntley spoke with a calm voice. “Get Harlow out of here.”

“I think that’s wise,” Father said. “No daughter should have to watch her father be executed.”

Harlow choked back a sob.

“Father.” I raised my hand slightly. “Take the blade off his neck and step back.”

Father dug the blade in deeper, made the line of blood thicker.

“Stop,” Harlow begged. “Please stop.”

I stepped forward. “Stop. For me. Please.”

Father relaxed the pressure. “I came all the way here for you, Aurelias. And you would ask more of me?” Both of his eyes rose at my request, like I was in the wrong here.

“How can you rule two continents at once?”

“With dragons,” Father said, his answer already prepared. “With my oldest son, Prince of Kingdoms, ruling in my absence. We would do this together, Aurelias. We would rule two worlds…and then three…and then four.”

“I don’t share your ambitions, Father. There’s only so much fucking and so much feeding we can do.”

He grinned. “Well, we have all of eternity to try.”

I kept my hand up. “I’m begging you, Father. I’ll get on my knees right now and do whatever the fuck you want…just let him go.”

His eyes narrowed in offense. “What is your fascination with this man? I’m the strongest vampire who’s ever lived, and yet, you care about this man on his knees with his face to the floor.”

“Is that what this is about?” I asked quietly. “You’re jealous?”

“I’m jealous of no human.”

“But you’re jealous of my respect for him, respect that he’s earned. I’m sorry if my admiration for his integrity and his courage threatens you. Perhaps if you had more kindness and empathy, I would feel the same way toward you.” The last thing I should do was piss off my father, but the words tumbled out. “Now take your fucking sword off his neck and let him go.”

“You want me to take the sword away?” He turned to Huntley, moving around until he was in position to swipe his head clean from his shoulders. “Huntley, give me your word that you revoke your title as king and grant it to me. That you’ll live your life as a mere citizen to obey my command. That you’ll never try to reclaim the title with force or secrecy. Give me your word—and I’ll let you go.”

Huntley’s answer was immediate. “No.”

I’d expected no other answer.

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