“Years ago, I helped him out when he was in a pinch, all for one single favor to be repaid. And repay me he did. Your father may be a snake, but he is a man of his word.” The blond druid placed his hands on his trim stomach and clasped them casually together. “Then one day, I had a tiny prophecy while in bed with Devin and Ysander, not unlike the Three have.”
Still, I waited. The fire sparked close every so often.
“I knew I would become king.”
I sniffed and peered down my nose.
“All that needed to happen was Lord John’s death.”
“And? What does that have to do with Lord Cato? Lord John requested his own Eternal Slumber.”
“Your majesty, think for a moment. I know you’re a smart girl. Why would Lord John request his Eternal Slumber if he had found his soul mate recently?” Golden eyes skimmed over my face. “The answer is he wouldn’t. Not without persuasion. So I called in that favor to your father.”
My brows puckered, lost in the story.
King Niallan smirked. “Your father is extremely frightening when he wants to be. I don’t even know how he brought on Lord John’s depression, but he did it. He killed a royal, a death sentence action, all without a trace of evidence left behind. And believe me—I’ve looked for the evidence.
“And so started a spiral of events. Lord John died at his Eternal Slumber. His soul mate, Cleo, declined the Queen Novitiate position ahead of you for her own Eternal Slumber—because of his death. You accepted. The Original vampire amulet only brought me during yourKingChallenge. And now here I sit. The king of the vampires. All because of a single favor owed by your father.”
I stared, frozen in shock.
“So…” He winked at my distress. “All-in-all, Lord Cato made a person he loathes a king to his own loving people. How do you think that sits with him, your majesty? Like, deep down in his gut? I’d like to know your thoughts.”
My nostrils flared. “I’m sure it makes him ill.”
In reality, it probably made him happy.
The Overlords had King Niallan right where they wanted him, under their own roof so he wouldn’t escape them. But fuck if I was going to tell him that.
He chuckled. “I hope it does.”
I eyed the wall of fire, but asked, “What favor did you do for him that required a repayment?”
“That, I cannot answer. I am bound by my own power not to speak of it. Your father was extremely thorough while making the deal.”
I jerked when the circle of fire twisted.
Right before my eyes, it turned into golden mist.
King Niallantskedwhen I stepped toward it. “Remember what I said, your majesty. That mist can be very disturbing when I wish it to be.”
I scowled but took a small step back.
He stood from my chair and stalked toward me. My king began circling around the mist, watching me. “Tell me, your majesty, how do you think Lord Belshazzar will take your death?”
“I don’t believe he would take it well,” I stated honestly.
“I don’t think he will either. That’s why I had to get inventive. You see, I am going to make your own bodyguards kill you.” He grinned with malicious delight as he circled around in front of me, catching my shaken expression. “Crow and Phoenix may be the best with their swords, but I’m older and more powerful. It will be easy.”
A burst of inappropriate laughter rushed out of me.
“You find that humorous?” He cocked his head as he strolled by again.
“Actually, yes. I wonder if you even know you just put down your own manhood with that little speech.”
He stopped short in his tracks, and his brows furrowed for a good second. Then he snorted and returned to his stalking circle. “Poor choice of words.”
“If you say so.” My lips twitched.
