Page 15 of Darkest Heart

With the king and queen gone, the nobles submitted to us. My father was back on his throne, with Velda alongside him. She pulled her blonde braid over one shoulder, the silk of her dress sliding either side of her crossed legs. The slit ran to the top of her thigh, where the noticeable scar from her death stood out. I knew she’d been turned by my father, but I’d never cared to ask how or why.

He walked down the staircase slowly, then sped over the last twenty steps, not bothering to use his wings to fly down. For whatever reason, he nor Sargon seldom used them. Although they were one of the greatest perks of our supposed curse. Several people bowed to him as they made their way to the feeding room. Kalon held his head high, the crown glistening amongst his red curls. “Come here,” he beckoned, and I bowed. I had my title now; one I’d only gotten through a betrothal to the princess of Asland to cover up a colossal fuck up. His fingers clamped over my shoulder as he walked me outside. I didn’t appreciate the dominance, but I needed him until Olivia was back. “Do we have mortals on their way?” he whispered as the frost-bitten wind hit my lungs.

Anyone who thought our relationship was much more than a transactional agreement was mistaken. He appreciated me for my callousness and devious side. It was the same way he used Velda, but then, she wasn’t in this for love either. So, I guess it worked. “They’re on their way.”

He clasped his hands together. “Good.”

She glided to his side, her blue eyes a mirror to Gwen’s, but lacking the seductive prowess she exuded. “We made it,” she said, no longer looking at me but over the forest. We barely spoke, merely tolerating each other. “Finally, the people can have a powerful leader.”

Kalon nodded and cast his eyes onto the horizon. I watched as they soaked in whatever moment they were having and wondered how I would kill them once Sargon was gone and Seraphina returned. I only hoped they found her, and some died trying. Of all of them, Erianna was perhaps the only one I tolerated enough that I wouldn’t mind her coming back with the princess. Even then…

Kalon cleared his throat as the drawbridge lowered. “Get them situated. We will see you inside shortly. I have an announcement to make.”

Velda placed her hand on his chest, her pale skin almost translucent under the gray sky. “Yes, we do.” She glanced at me. “Make sure this supply doesn’t run out so quickly.”

Kalon stepped away from her touch, then brushed down his robes. “There’s no need for that. We will have more than enough soon.”

My brows furrowed. Before I could ask for any elaboration, he and Velda hurried back inside.

Azia and I had hidden the aniccipere attack well, our secret remaining between us. But the blame for the mortals escaping was placed on me.

I shook my head, pushing the anger down. It would be worth it one day. Everything I did was for the greater good of Sanmorte. If that meant taking responsibility for something that wasn’t my fault, then fine.

“Your Highness,” the Blood Knight addressed me at the drawbridge. “This is the fresh batch you requested. Straight from the shores of Salvius.”

I pressed my thumb to my bottom lip, eyeing the fresh prey on the bus. The sweet scent of their sweat hit my nose. Fresh blood. With Sargon gone, we didn’t have to abide by his ridiculous rules about getting our mortals from blood dens, just because they were more experienced. Sure, sometimes he would throw in the occasional one plucked straight from their home, but mostly he kept to his archaic rules.

I tossed the Blood Knight a bag of coins. “One hundred stagma,” I said. He had waited to bring them in after Sargon departed, like I’d asked. His eyes shone, his head bowing as he pocketed the stagma. “An extra thirty for your obedience and discretion,” I said, passing him a second, smaller bag.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

I turned my attention back to the fresh mortals. A smile curved my lips as I eyed the bus. I didn’t want practiced blood bags. I enjoyed the challenge of the untamed and relished in their pleading. Their blood tasted all that better when it was tinged with fear. “Take them to the south wing.”

He arched a brow. “His Majesty usually requests we have them placed in the dungeons.”

I cocked my head, glaring into his tiny eyes. “The king isn’t here.” My glower intensified until I saw him gulp. “Separate them into four rooms. Adrian and I will come in an hour to introduce them to the castle.”

He bowed, then turned to unload the bus. I looked at each of them, deciding on who would join us in the Blood Brother’s wing, and who would go elsewhere.

One by one, the Salvian mortals from a kingdom far enough from ours that it wouldn’t start a war, but close enough that we could still get to them. Taking them from our neighboring kingdom, Baldoria was only fueling the fire behind their guild, which protected mortals. The more we took, the more attention we brought to ourselves. But we had to restock, with our last lot being slaughtered by the aniccipere. I fucking hated them and wouldn’t be sorry to see all of them burned to ashes.

With the king gone, we would show the sangaree how a kingdom should be ruled. I looked each mortal up and down, nodding with approval as their eyes didn’t meet mine. Submissive. Afraid.

“Get off her!” A woman screamed from the back, and the corner of my lip curled. I craned my neck around the long line of people, chained to each other, and saw her. A wave of mousy brown hair hung down her back, and freckles dotting her nose and cheeks. My gaze slid to her thick thighs. I wouldn’t mind sliding between those.

“Fuck you!” She spat at the Blood Knight, and I grinned. Behind her, a shorter, smaller version of her hid. The woman held her arms out over whom I presumed was a friend or possibly her sister going by her protective stance.

This should be good.

The Blood Knight stepped closer, elongating his fangs. I waited for her to scream. Cry. Plead for her life. But she didn’t budge. He grabbed her shoulders, knocking the girl behind her to the ground as he pushed her into the side of the bus. She didn’t show a morsel of fear. Instead, she balled her fists. She was preparing to fight.

Something deep inside of me tightened, my chest heaving as I watched the scene unfold. Without thinking, I sped to them, my hands around the Blood Knight’s throat. His spine cracked as I slammed him against the ground, forcing the air from his lungs. “This one’s mine,” I growled in warning, feeling more animal than vampire.

He winced as his wounds healed themselves, then slowly caught his breath. His eyes darted from her to me. “Why?” His nose twitched, his eyebrows drawing together as he pulled himself up from the frost-captured stone. I shot him a murderous glare, and he nodded quickly. “Of course, YourHighness.” He said and climbed to his feet.

I let him go, feeling waves of rage pulsating through me. Normally, I’d have beaten him for showing such disrespect. After all, I was a prince now. Crowned by Sargon himself before he left, so I could marry that bitch, Penelope. But I was far too amused by the mystery woman to care.

“Hello, little warrior.”

---