I watch as she strolls over to my husband. Erik and Victor follow her like hounds, chomping at the bit to please their master.
Make an army?
That’s impossible… unless you had a rune that could force control over people.
Snap! Swoosh! Bang!
The mage opens the portal; Galen glances my way. Sable slips on a matching pair of silk gloves. A vampire soldier hands Erik a large crate made of old wood crudely nailed together.
“What’s that?” I shouldn’t show interest, but what does it matter now?
“King Galen told you!” Sable shouts. “Father wants the bodies of his nobles back.” She taps the crate.
Horror has me staggering back.
Sable wins this round.
Galen actually looks remorseful as he lowers his eyes to me and takes three steps forward.
“You…” I know what’s in the box. “You burned them!”Sable is bringing back their ashes.
Fae bury their dead. It’s an atrocious crime to desecrate a dead body. To burn the skin from the bones, to watch the vessel of the person become absolutely nothing. Ash that will soon be watered down and mixed with the dirt.Dirt!
Galen steps closer. “It was Sable’s suggestion,” he acknowledges.
“Sable…” A cold laugh escapes my lips. “Does Sable have a dick she wields as her scepter? Does she wear Blackthorn’s crown on her wicked head? You are the king!” I roar as I belittle him in front of his guards. I glare at him through hooded, spiteful eyes. “Or did you forget that when you fucked her? Was she the one bending you over because it sure looks like it!”
His face pales, then reddens as he glares at her.Whispers start to spread among his men.
“Yes.” I nod. “She told me,” I state. “You’re not the first king she fucked, Galen, but you are the first one foolish enough to hand her an army.”
He flashes his fangs. “I gave her nothing but my cock, Selene, enough of the dramatics.” He bats his lashes. “Things could have been different had you just bent a knee.”
“Oh yes, it’s always the woman’s fault. That case might be true when I am the one hovering over your dead body, my dear, sweet husband.”
“Good,” he runs his tongue over his fangs. “We are back to our typical banter.”
You stupid fool! “I did bend a knee to you. I was foolish enough to suck your cock, too.” I step closer and allow my lips to glide over his earlobe. “Do you know what I noticed when I looked up at you? Weak men only feel strong when others bow down. An intelligent man knows his true strength comes from those he allows to stand by his side. A crown does not make a king. Remember that when someone knocks the precious metal from your head!
“Mark my words, Sable does not need to steal your crown; you're handing it to her by allowing her to leave.”
For a moment, he glances at Sable as she approaches the portal. Galen can stop this. Order Sable to remain here. Instead, he shouts, “Leave, Sable.” He waves her off.
She hesitates, then smirks at me again before she disappears with the ashes of our nobles.
I close my eyes and rest my head in my hands. Father won’t forgive this.
That’s why Galen agreed.
He’s so fucking thirsty for another war. A war to end all wars, because it won’t stop with my people. It will spread over these lands like a disease.As Galen and my father fight, Sable will be hunting down the runes; it all makes sense.
Sable coaxed this, planted the seeds as she fucked Galen.
She needed them distracted so she could figure out how to bring the runes back into the world and make her army!
That’s not all. Sable knows I’ll hunt her down and try to stop her. So she needs protection, distance, but also an army! She’d never find one here, so she had to return home so she could… take my father’s.
She’s going to kill him!
