Cleo took the seat under the spotlight.
Lord Cato began speaking of Cleo’s life. Her childhood and adult time in Egypt. Her slow migration to the west. Her accolades within the vampire hierarchy. Her previous husband. Her two surviving children. Her soul mate.
Herentire damn life.
I kept my ankles crossed and my hands placed on my lap. If I swayed at one point, I wasn’t the only one. Hours passed by. My stomach growled—quietly, thank god.
I should have had breakfast.
I eyed my father.
He was even talking about her favorite heirlooms.
After a moment, it clicked.
Fuck.My father was brutal.
Lord Cato was drawing this out.
Making her wait. He didn’t like her either.
Another hour passed. Then another.
Her family and friends had even stopped crying.
I stifled a yawn and blinked relentlessly.
I would not fall asleep. I would not.
Cleo held up a hand, her tone a warning. “Lord Cato, I believe that is enough. Your words have been very kind, but I’m ready.”
Thank fuck.
The Overlord nodded his head. “As you wish.” He moved behind her and released the back of her chair. It gradually reclined until she was lying flat on the seat, now a table. My father reached behind his head, drawing out his sword. It gleamed in the spotlight. “Cleopatra Conto, your Eternal Slumber is granted.”
His sword blurred, ending her life painlessly.
Luckily, her head didn’t fall onto the floor.
I’d witnessed that a few times. Very distressing.
Her loved ones started crying again, sniffling and weeping at the loss of her life. I really hated these things.
Lord Otto snapped his head in my direction.
Shit. Right.
I quickly stood to my feet, the other royals following. I led them from the room, exiting into the hallway again, our royal guard following our silent procession. I headed straight back into the waiting area…and right to the bathroom.
“Don’t you dare take forever, your majesty. I’ve had to piss for an hour!” Lord Otto growled in warning. He punched my father’s shoulder hard enough to knock him back a step. “Really, asshole? That was torture.”
My father simply grinned.
With my right hand on the bathroom’s door handle, I hissed in annoyance, “Someone tell Phoenix I want a fucking feast sent to my office. I’m heading there after I finish my business.” I glared at Lord Otto as I moved into the bathroom. “And it will be alongpiss. Because I’ve been holding it for three hours!”
I slammed the door. Jesus.
* * *
