Neither Lord Pippin nor I responded.
Lord Xenon was stuffing his arms into his suit jacket. “I looked into it yesterday. Athena’s contact wasn’t hard to find. The man stated they were extremely private and hardly left their estate. He didn’t have a lot of information to give on them except for what was already in the articles.”
Thank fuck. I started to get out of my seat.
Lord Belshazzar cleared his throat and lowered a glass of blood he’d been chugging. His voice was soft with hidden steel behind it. “I found another vampire in the area. She had more information to give. Athena didn’t look hard enough.” He took another long drink from his glass, not looking at anyone.
I paused, half in my seat and half out.Shit.
“And?” Lord Cato pounced on the lord’s words. “What did the woman say?”
Lord Pippin and I visibly tensed.
Lord Belshazzar placed his glass down on the bar, the crystalware now empty. His arctic blue eyes lifted and turned straight on Lord Pippin, cold and ruthless. “That they were planning to marry before Lord Pippin left her.”
Fuck. Fuck.Fuck!
Lord Belshazzar managed to find our one confidante there—from two hundred fucking years ago. And the apparent backstabbing bitch had blabbed.
Adelie hadn’t even known.
When Lord Pippin and I’d disappeared for seven years, we’ddisappeared. Our relationship had been serious, very much so. It had been ours.
Now, it no longer was.
Our dirty laundry was aired for them to see.
Lord Cato’s shoulders tensed. He rounded on Lord Pippin. His brown eyes turned blood red and his fangs bared. “You fucking left her like that? Without a goddamn word? Not even a fucking good-bye?”
My shoulders drooped at this turn of events. I quickly finished pushing up from my chair and stepped between my father and Lord Pippin. I raised my hands into the air, and spoke softly, “I didn’t understand it then, but I understand his reasons now. As all of you should. You’ve been through the process of being crowned king before. You know the dedication it takes to rule.” I lowered my hands and shook my head. “I still don’t like Lord Pippin very much, because it affected me personally, but I won’t allow you to condemn him for it. That isn’t right considering what each of you has done for the crown. Our people areall.” My blue gaze snapped to each Overlord. “Or have you forgotten that?”
Behind me, Lord Pippin placed gentle hands on my biceps and moved me to the side. He stepped forward and met my father head-on. His jaw clenched, but he stated with respect, “The Queen and I have talked privately about this. I have apologized to her for my lack of judgment and cruel actions. As she’s stated, she understands. But I will apologize to you too, Lord Cato. I am sorry that I hurt your daughter.” He swallowed and ran his fingers through his dark red hair. His words turned quiet. “I also hurt myself with my actions. I have no one else to blame for my mistakes. It’s all on me. And I am sorry.”
Lord Cato’s fangs disappeared. His eyes gradually turned back to brown. His head of black hair cocked, and his eyes narrowed. “If I remember correctly, your little sister died in a tragic accident during the time of your Challenges.”
Lord Pippin’s jaws flexed again. “Yes, she did.”
My attention snapped to my father. “And if I remember correctly, my mother died unexpectedly during your Challenges, Lord Cato. You think I don’t understand what that means?” My nostrils flared. This whole damn conversation with my father was ridiculous. The man didn’t really give a damn about me—obviously. I hissed, “Can we all move along? We have more important issues to deal with.”
Lord Xenon nodded his head gradually. “I think to keep everyone within the bounds of our law, from saying anything they shouldn’t right now, that is the best course of action.”
Lord Otto stood blinking repeatedly. He mumbled, “I still can’t believe Lord Pippin was thinking about marriage.” His gaze landed on me, his fast-blinking eyes pondering.
Oh good Christ. I did not want to hear what he was about to say. Too bad he didn’t give two shits one way or another. The man had no filter from thought to speech.
With awe plastered on his face, he muttered, “You must be one hell of a fuck, your majesty.”
“Enough, my lord”—my nostrils flared—“unless you want me to make your life a shit storm for the entirety of my reign?”
Lord Belshazzar grunted. A small smile lifted his lips, and a malicious glint shone in his eyes. “And you know how long she’s going to be queen.”
Yes, he did. If I did my job properly.
Lord Otto’s mouth snapped shut. “All right. All right. Threat received and heard. You can all fuck off now.”
Lord Cato grinned in delight, a little fang showing. “My daughter just beat you, my lord. How did that feel?”
Lord Otto tossed him a saucy glance. “Please. Your daughter apparently has a pussy straight from heaven.” He tapped at his chin. “I wonder how I can rub against those pearly gates?”
