The wall slides open, revealing a long, dark hallway.
Galen breezes inside. “Come, Titus.”
I follow, unsure whether I’m heading to my death. But as Everett said, I’m a soldier. I don’t run from what scares me.
Galen’s fuming exhales echo off the hall. He pauses and presses another spot on the wall. This time, a large room is revealed. A fire crackles, and the scent of parchment, ink, and cedar fills the air. The only light is from the fire.
There are no windows to escape through. No one can see or hear what he will do to me.
It’s clearly his office, lined with bookshelves and a large round desk with maps and notes. “You may sit,” Galen grunts.
The fire in my veins itches to be set free. It senses a threat. I grab the chair and lower myself into it, but my ass remains on the edge.
I killed a prince. Will I have to kill a king in order to survive?
I would do so in order to reunite with my family. And to protect Everett’s magic. I will not let his death be wasted.
Galen joins me with a bottle of amber liquid. His chair is a pair of warm hands he sinks into. His mouth tightens like wood submerged in icy waters, the corners cracking and splintering. He covers his fury with his cup as he swallows.
He tips his head back, exposing his neck to me as he drinks.
You’re a stupid man. Maybe I’m the foolish one for thinking I can kill a king.
His gulp is thunderous; his hand moves like lightning, offering me the bottle. I grab it by the neck and drink. Each swallow is forced.
Galen rests his elbow on the arm of his chair as he rubs his temple. “My wife wants you dead,” he states matter-of-factly. His tone makes me feel like a tree whose branches hinder the walker on a pathway.Galen likes the tree for the shade it provides—I won the war for him.
I’m his trophy. Selene wants me cut down.
“That’s unfortunate,” I respond. He has to protect his wife, so I make sure he can. “The killer had a sure aim. I’m sure the queen’s hands are too delicate to pull a bow back with such force.”
Galen's voice turns into a ghost’s whisper. “Even tiny spiders can create remarkably intricate webs, Titus.” He coughs and speaks loudly. “You’re clever.” Galen leans back, but his eyes seem to inch forward, attempting to peel me open.“Is that how you killed her brother?”
This is a fight, make no mistake. King Galen is testing me.
“To be honest, it was luck. Everett was highly skilled, but exhaustion weakens us all in the end.”
He reaches for his crown and rubs it.
Like all vampires, Galen has elemental magic. His comes in the form of thorny vines that can lash out and cut through flesh as it grabs bone and snaps it in half.
If Galen knew I possessed magic from a fae, he’d never let me taste my next breath. It’s already bad enough that I killed the prince and not him. But Galen would need to be on the battlefield, not tucked away in his castle.
His hand slips to conceal his mouth. “Why don’t you lie to me? Embellish your story. You could have spun an elaborate tale of how weak the prince was and the pleasure you took in killing him.”
Men who don’t kill with their own hands take pleasure in it.
Soldiers don’t.
“It’s a crime to lie to you.”Don’t flinch. That’s right, stay humble and still.
“Yet it happens every day.” He props his head on his hand. His index finger traces the curve of his cheek. “Sometimes, I let crimes go unpunished. I assure you, this one will not be ignored.”
“May I speak freely?”
He nods.
“I expect nothing less of the queen. I killed her brother. She wants my blood.”
