Page 33 of Crowned A Traitor
“A punishment?” Klara took a gulp of wine from the table mistaking what was inside the gold goblet for water. The thick lukewarm liquid coated her tongue as she tried to refocus on the conversation.
“He was quite pleased with my destruction of the Ghouls’ nest. Losing my heart, not so much,” she stifled a laugh, and the Queens frowned at her. Klara took the crystal jug of water and filled a glass, leaving them in suspense as she drank.
“The border,” Klara said, and her Guardians ceased eating. “He has charged me with sealing the borders from smugglers and portals.”
Lilith’s fork scraped the plate drawing everyone’s eye and Eve almost choked on the food still stuffed in her mouth. Abadan pursed her rouge lips while Klara bit into the fluffy pancake.
The High Queen made her fortune on the bribes gained from smuggling Creatures into Kalos and through the Port to the Human World and other realms. In turn, the Port thrived as Abadan didn’t restrict the Pirates movements and the Queens’ table was always full of whatever they desired. With the Lesser Demons and Witches in charge of portal smuggling in the Forest, it kept them out from under Abadan’s feet and she still made a profit.
“Are you saying my Guard is ineffective?” Abadan tapped her claws against the table.
Portaling into Kalos was highly ineffective and why Klara hadn’t bothered. Once a Creature portalled through Kalion protections, the Fae are alerted to their exact location. If caught, Creatures were sent back or imprisoned and if the Creatures are found more than once, death. Without the extra income from smuggling, Abadan would increase taxes, and those who didn’t benefit from Abadan’s schemes had nothing to give.
“No, I would never imply such a thing. You have so much to do already, I’m merely an extra set of hands,” she assured, and Abadan cocked an eyebrow.
“Surprising that the King would place his Heir so close to the border without protection. If the Kalions got their hands on you, balance would never be restored.”
“For that to happen, the Fae would have to cross the Neutral Lands and the River before reaching me. I doubt the Fae Queen cares to put in so much effort,” Klara interrupted adding syrup to her pancakes, feeling their eyes on her.
“I’m sure she has her spies within our lands as we do in Kalos, you shouldn’t be so naive Klara,” Lilith chimed in.By spies, you mean Dark Fae.
“Even more reason why we should be vigilant,” Klara told Lilith.
“The King wanted your son to aid me, but I assured him that a Commander of such rank had better things to attend to.”
The High Queen lost all interest in her food. “Not hungry?” Klara said and continued to eat. “My son?” Abadan asked.
“Frendall. Yes, we go way back. Remember? Father practically raised him in my place.” Lilith cleared her throat as Abadan glared at her.
“Oh, and I almost forgot Eve,” Klara smiled. Eve looked from Abadan to Klara with panic behind her eyes.
“Mila was kind enough to offer a few of her soldiers to help with the extra patrols, but I hope you won’t be insulted that I rejected her help.”
Eve seemed to sink in the chair, “Mila has a heart like that, always wanting to help her King.”
“I never knew how close both your children are to the King. I’m surprised that you haven’t mentioned them before. I would have loved to have met them formally,” Klara said, taking another bite. “Considering that Mila is my half-sister.”
Lilith pushed her chair back, pulling the attention from Klara.
“You aren’t hiding any spawn, right?” Klara asked, and Lilith smirked, “no, I have my hands full with you.”
“You saw Frendall? Grow close, did you?” Abadan asked, exposing her teeth. “Probably seemed as if no time had passed.”
“He has done very well for himself, sadly we didn’t have much time to catch up,” she lied not wanting to give Abadan the satisfaction.
“My Guards told me how very distressed you were to be separated from him before you arrived here all those years ago.”
“As I’m sure you were when Lucifer took him from you.”
It was as if all noise had evaporated from Malum and even the Ogres didn’t dare to take a breath.
“With young and talented allies, maybe you should have sought their help,” Lilith chimed in, breaking the chewable tension.
“You have all poured such time and patience into my training. I wanted to prove that I can handle such a task alone.”
Abadan straightened in her chair, “accepting help can be a sign of strength. A little assistance never hurt, and both Frendall and Mila hold high ranks. Both could be seen as your equal.”
Equal, Klara bit her tongue. Abadan was calling her out. Klara looked to a close-lipped Lilith, the only one without a pawn in the field. Klara wondered why Lilith was so quiet.Hadn’t Lokey mentioned something about a deal, what was Lilith planning with a Higher Demon?
