Page 69 of Of Spindles and Nightfall
So sarcastic today. Is this a sign of nerves? Not to worry. With me here, this will be a breeze.
She snorted.
I concede that is a bit of an exaggeration. But don’t let me distract you. We are on a mission and a single misstep is likely to get us killed. Just act as if I am not here.
She snorted again, but didn’t respond as she entered the castle.
The moment the guard at the threshold of the throne room saw her, they jumped into action, opening the large double doors to reveal the ruler of the vampires sitting on his throne.
King Fallor watched Aryana enter with an impassive look in his crimson eyes. He gripped the armrests of his throne. Zarathos recognized the expression of someone who was constantly calculating, although there was a slight manic glint behind his stare. It was the first instance that Zarathos had seen the vampire king. Ever since the vampires had split off from the demon kingdom after Aryana’s great-grandfather defeated the demon arch king in battle, their two kingdoms had been on uneasy terms.
Aryana’s gaze shifted to the female in King Fallor’s lap. Horns and large seductive eyes and a tail that whipped from side to side. She ran a hand through the vampire king’s hair over and over. Shit. A succubus. Succubi could detect Bloodbindings.
The vampress’s heart thudded in her chest. Gods, if he heard it within the crystal ball, then her uncle and those around her would have no problem.
Steady, Aryana.
If her nerves gave her away, this would all be over before it began.
He heard her release several slow breaths and her heartbeat calmed before she entered the room.
“Aryana, I’m so relieved that you are safe.” Her uncle ran a hand over the succubus’s side who watched Aryana with bright, interested eyes. The king motioned for his entertainment to leave, then stood with open arms.
Aryana did not walk into them. She stopped a suitable distance from her uncle’s throne and bowed. “Uncle, I have escaped the demons who kidnapped me and I have returned to you.”
The succubus made her way down from her perch in the king’s lap and Aryana took several quick steps to the right, trying to stay clear of her. The demon woman passed, taking in a sharp breath, a small smile coming to her lips.
Shit.
“And we are ever so happy to see you here and well,” King Fallor said. He shifted to address the vampire standing to his left. “Are we not, Raydin?”
Raydin. That was the male Aryana was supposed to marry. Her betrothed. The one who couldn’t care less about her. His long auburn hair was pulled into a low ponytail; his red eyes, prominent against his pale face, gave him a ghostly pallor. He stood next to King Fallor with a dutiful expression and a dull pull to his mouth.
“Yes. My love, are you hurt?” The caring tone was clearly forced.
Darkness curled in Zarathos’s veins. His love? Not anymore. A savage thrill surged through him, drowning out reason and filling him with a sense of triumph. He had gotten to Aryana first.
The vampire princess washis, not this snivelingweasel’s.
“I’m unhurt,” she said.
At that point, a female entered and burst into tears. She raced over to Aryana and threw her arms around her. Aryana stumbled back but awkwardly returned the embrace. “Mother?” The surprise was evident in the vampire princess’s tone.
“I was certain I would never see you again. Oh, my baby, I’m so glad you’re safe.”
“I’m fine, Mother, really.” Aryana’s voice was suddenly thick. She cast a glance toward the entrance to the throne room where an old human female stood with a handkerchief, dabbing at two little punctures in her neck. Zarathos should have known Aryana would always pay attention to any human present, no matter how insignificant. This one must be a human giver. His spy had informed him of the old looking woman that was constantly found at the queen’s side. She huddled back into the shadows so as not to draw notice, though he suspected the scent of her still recently inflicted wounds probably made that impossible.
“How did you escape those nasty demons?” Aryana’s mother stepped back, wiping at her eyes.
“Yes, Aryana,” Fallor drawled, having returned to his throne. “Do tell us how you made it back after so many days.”
“I was being held by King Salen in his dungeons, but I was able to overcome him and get away.”
“What a relief,” Fallor said, though like her betrothed, the feeling was obviously forced. Shit. This vampire reminded Zarathos a little too much of his own father.
Aryana’s mother hugged her closer.
“I heard the demon arch king was the one who originally kidnapped you,” Raydin said.
