Our people were all, and to take a risk like this could be catastrophic if it didn’t absolutely need to happen. Want versus need were two very different things. TheSecretmay need to wait.
“The Queen must be at two of the King Novitiate’s Challenges. You can’t stay behind either.” Lord Otto stared with meaning. “We all have to go in there for his Challenges.”
This meant I still didn’t know everything.
If we needed to go into that druid stronghold, with the possibility of death for all of us, then I definitely didn’t know the whole story. This is where they needed to be instead of taking care of the Challenges elsewhere. Their plan was moving forward despite the risk. There was only one thing they’d kept silent about recently.
I grunted. “The attack?”
Lord Belshazzar cracked his neck.
The rest stayed silent.
Fucking law.
“Fantastic,” I muttered. I shoved the hatch down a little harder than needed and picked up my bags from the snowdrifts where I’d set them. The wind whipped at our faces without mercy. “Next time, a little heads up would be appreciated. I know you can manage that. You all talk more without words than anyone I know.”
Lord Belshazzar’s lips twitched. He played on his words from earlier. “That still wouldn’t have changed the outcome.”
I snorted, annoyed—and amused. “No, it wouldn’t have.” We were still walking in there. Guards or not. I tipped my head to where my father was now standing next to Master Niallan and his goons in this hellish winter land. “Lead the way, my lords.”
I may have given them the lead so I could sneak next to Lord Belshazzar again without anyone wondering at my motives.
I could sip on druids all day long and then walk on their corpses without breaking a sweat. But this snowstorm was messing with my vampire senses. All I could see was unusual darkness and thrashing snowflakes in front of my face. There had to be druid magic at work here, protecting against vampires, using our natural gifts against us. I wouldn’t be surprised if rocks suddenly appeared under our feet and attempted to trip us during our trek.
“Follow me,” Master Niallan ordered. He turned and hiked directly off the road, speaking over his shoulder. “If you lose sight of me from here on out, you’re fucked. So stay close.”
Knew it. Druid shit.
The snow grinding under our boots began to echo all around, obscuring our essential hearing. Our breathing charged the air like a banging on a warrior’s drum, the soft flakes turned to stinging pellets against any exposed flesh.
Irritated, I growled, “How far is it?”
Ysander laughed loud and clear. “Two minutes in with druid magic and you’re already complaining? You better hide in your room for the entire trip, your majesty. Lord Belshazzar won’t be around all the time to protect you.”
My eyes narrowed on his muscular back, aggravated my actions hadn’t slipped his attention. “Keep thinking I’m a coward. I don’t mind.” And neither did I move away from the lord’s side. Taunting didn’t work on me. “It’ll be easier when I rip your throat out.”
His gaze snapped back over his shoulder. The pleased smile on his face was still in place. “It would be fun to watch you try.”
My smile matched his. I didn’t need to respond.
Now, I was rooting for Ysander’s death.
All by his best buddy’s hands.
Devin could die later. I didn’t mind waiting.
I was a tolerant person.
He chuckled and turned back around. “Your majesty, you look just like your father with that look on your face.”
I knew about my father’s history. It was all part of my training. “Oh, yes. Didn’t Lord Cato find and then trap you in a hole for fifty years? I’m sad I missed that. I imagine shoveling dirt over your body was a true pleasure.”
Ysander’s back muscles twitched.
My father snorted behind me. Quietly.
Lord Belshazzar glanced down in my direction. Lifted a black brow. He droned, “I believe your father added an outhouse over that spot. It was used by our people on a regular basis. It was their favorite shit hole.”
