“But you mentioned the Dark Hunt,” he counters.
“Yes,” I say, pulling myself to the edge of the seat. “I’m not going to find the information I need here. But there’s a chance it lies in the hells. If I can get a message to Ylara, she should be able to find it.”
Ryc shakes his head. “I’m not sure I follow.”
“If Vaelyn upholds demonic tradition, Indui’s Blessed will be invited to attend. I can send message to Ylara through Sabien—”
“Absolutely not.”
I pause at his firm tone.
“Did you not learn during your last encounter with a vampire?” he asks, arching a dark brow. “And now you want to ask a vampire king to help you?”
“I’ve a better chance of sending message through Sabien—through one of Indui’s Blessed—than I do finding necromantic texts in Eldoterra,” I argue and a muscle feathers in Ryc’s jaw.
“I’m familiar with Indui’s Blessed. But why him?” he asks, holding my stare. “Why not Aymer or Alavana?”
I should be surprised Ryc knows of the four ancient vampirelines. But I’m not. A country sharing a border with the Vugura Kingdom should be aware of the bloody court tucked in the northern mountains. The two he’s mentioned, they’re also Indui’s Blessed—thehumanones.
“Sabien and I have history,” I answer, somewhat confused by his defensiveness. “I don’t know the others as I do Sabien.”
And while I don’ttrustSabien, he’s the only avenue I have in reaching Ylara right now. Of course I’m going to pursue it.
“History?” His eyes darken as he repeats the word.
Is this jealousy?
A wild spark of excitement sears down my spine, and I suppress a shudder under his intense eyes.
“If your concern lies rooted in jealousy, my light, it’s misplaced,” I say and he chuckles. “Our history is checkered. Sabien was rather taken by Kassil. Seeking separation and safety from the archdemon, I merely stepped out of the way during his visits.”
For the longest time, hellish celebrations were a reprieve. I knew, even if only for a few days, I’d be left alone.
Ryc’s stern stare softens. “It is not jealousy, little love,” he says. “But it is concern. Sabien and his mate Morgana share the proclivity of hunting mates. Turning them. To say they are not well received by the council is an understatement.”
Eons old vampires hunting mates to turn?
Why? It can’t serve anything other than spite.
“The Sovereign Queen of Erus cannot be associated with Sabien,” Ryc says, his tone firm.
“I am not Sovereign Queen,” I counter. “Not yet.”
“You know it doesn’t work that way,” Ryc deigns, heaving a sigh.
“And you are a fool if you think I’m going to let this opportunity slip past,” I quickly retort.
Silence stretches on between us.
“My other option is reaching Cerwiden,” I say, and his lips become a fine line. “I’ve neither visited nor have any trustworthy contacts in those lands. Ylara I trust.”
“And Sabien?”
I hesitate to answer.
“Sabien serves a purpose,” I finally say.
“I see,” he sighs. “I’ll send word.”
