“I’ll findout the extent of your betrayal,brother,” I spat at him. “Even if it kills you.”
I didn’t allowhim a word in response, stalking off and leaving behind the love I once held for the man in the cell. Thinking of the many times we’d laid in bed together, experiencing a closeness I had never experienced with another, my heart felt torn to shreds.
And knowingAsteria had turned to him? Even before Calix stole her away? It took those shredded pieces of my heart and burnt them to ash.
* * *
I stormed through the palace,with slaves, guards, and courtiers alike scurrying out of my way quickly. It was enough to cause at least a glint of satisfaction within me. My father never inspired such fear or showed such dominance over his court.
But the feelingdidn’t last long. The specter of my father was surely laughing now. The two people who meant the most to me, fucking each other behind my back. I could practically hear his ‘I told you so’in a ghostly whisper.
Trust and love were overrated.Power was all I needed. It could never hurt me, after all, and that’s all those I loved had ever done. Power was simple and straightforward, with a clear path to achieve it. Love was messier than power by far. It was better to bury any tender feelings and let the drive for greatness fuel me instead.
The guardsoutside my mother’s door spotted me, bowing their heads and knocking to announce my presence before opening the door for me. I immediately entered, watching them close the door behind me before I spun to face my mother.
She sat backon her chaise, the red velvet crushed over time from how often she leaned on the arm sipping her similarly colored wine. She certainly enjoyed the theme, as her hair and currently raised brow matched suspiciously well to her favorite resting spot.
Her deep blackeyes fixed on me as I began pacing back and forth, but she thankfully remained silent and let me think. The only sound was the sloshing of her wine in the glass as she drank.
“How goes things with Tariq?”I asked suddenly, turning on the spot to face her. I had no desire to get into what was bothering me. I knew her opinion on Asteria quite well, and I’d already had enough of listening to her ranting about the “uppity slave girl” who had “bewitched” me.
“Very well.”She smirked, looking decidedly pleased with herself. “He’s agreed to hold off on the marriage until the realm is more stable.”
“How’d you manage that?”I inquired, my eyebrows flying upwards. He’d been annoyingly persistent about it since he’d arrived.
The lookon her face made me wish I hadn’t asked. I might throw up if she confirmed my suspicions.
“I merely remindedhim that a royal wedding needed to be an elaborate and regal affair, not a rush job before a battle.” She rolled her eyes, shaking her head slightly. “Which is true, regardless of the fact we have other plans. Royal weddings need to be attended by all the royals across the land. It would be unseemly otherwise.” She sniffed haughtily.
I rolledmy own eyes this time. “Except none of the other kings will live long enough to attend.”
She brushedoff my reminder with a wave of her hand. “It still holds true. If you’re the only king, then all royalswillbe in attendance.”
A smirk roseon my lips, and I nodded my head in agreement, giving her that one.
“Speaking of,will there be a wedding at all?” Mother asked seriously, leaning forward. Her long sleeves draped to the ground from where they split at her elbows.
“I will needa queen if I’m to have heirs.” I reminded her dryly. “One can’t begin a new dynasty without such, unfortunately.”
“I’m well aware, son.”She responded, unimpressed. “Considering I taughtyouthat. I mean, will Zerlina be the one? After all, you’re sure she is in league with your foolish sister in some nefarious plot.” She shook her head in dismay, sighing slightly. “I don’t know where I went so wrong with your siblings.”
I sighed,rubbing a hand through my hair before slumping onto the sofa across from her. “I don’t know. If I can prove her actions, I’ll have a case for execution. But I can’t imagine any other princess being so indifferent about their family's deaths.”
“Hmm.”She hummed, tipping her glass at me. “A good point. You could always marry her and kill her once she delivers an heir.”
My eyebrows rose,but it was a solid idea. I needed to marry no less than another royal, and the pool was limited to Zerlina, her sisters, Sybella and Danique, Sunneva and Isleen from Sunrise, and Dysis from Sunset. I couldn’t very well reward a princess who sided with my enemy either, meaning Dawn’s royal family was the only option.
Of course,there was one other royal available. A princess, heir to her kingdom no less. But the very thought of her had lightning running through my fingers in cracks and pops. I closed my eyes for a moment, gathering my emotions.
Asteria would returnto her rightful place, and I would have the chance to punish her then for all of her transgressions. She wasn’t raised to be royalty, but to be a slave. She had no true education or instruction on how to behave properly. Was it even fair to hold her actions thus far against her?
Well,I couldn’t see myself letting them go, but I would ensure she was retrained properly, until she was the perfect pet. Maybe one day, should she show enough deference and apology, I would consider raising her station.
Maybe then,after enough time had passed, and all those who remembered her treachery were dead, she would even make a worthy queen beside me on the throne.
Asteria’s bloodwould be even better than Zerlina’s when it came to birthing an heir. The blood of the soon-to-be former gods ran in her veins. Would it not be right to mix the new god king’s blood with the former king of the gods to bring about an heir?
The beginningsof a way to further this plan sparked in my mind. I stood suddenly, ignoring my mother’s confused look. I stormed out, heading to the guest quarters where Aelius rested.
