“You’ll have plenty soon. No need to be greedy.” I chuckled softly and began marching down the thin cave walkways once more. Drips of ocean water could be heard, and crashes of waves farther in the distance. “I have business I need to handle first, and then your savior will be here shortly.”
Gwen glared—even as weak as she was. “If you’re not rescuing me, who is?”
She was a fine, strong-minded woman. “I’m only helping. Nothing more.”
“You didn’t answer my question,” she slurred.
“That, I did not.” I smiled as I entered a room with a small, wooden eating table. Torches lit the space, much warmer in here than Gwen’s cell. I set her down on a chair and scooted her into the table so she wouldn’t fall over. I placed her arms on top of the moss-covered wood and patted her damp hair. “There you go. I’ll be right back.”
Gwen blinked and swayed where she sat.
I turned away and listened closely, searching.
“Ah. There she is!” I trotted back the way I had come. “Just two shakes, Gwen. Try not to fall while I’m away.”
I dodged between soldiers, killing them with my claws as I passed by without a thought. One after another, each vampire soldier plummeted to the ground, sans a head or a heart. I shook my hands out, wiping their slippery blood on my pants. I stopped dead in my tracks in the smallest room yet…where a mad queen sat staring at a wall, humming to herself.
Queen Niniane’s attention jerked in my direction.
I waved two bloody fingers and winked. “Hello there. I’ve come to take your head.”
The wooden seat clattered onto its back as she jumped to her feet—in all of her ridiculous finery. She screeched so loudly my eardrums hurt, pointing a finger behind me. “Get out of my castle now!”
“Madam, I hate to inform you of this…” I cleared my throat, trying not to laugh since I would be killing her soon. “You are in a cave. Not a castle.”
Her blink was slow. Lucidity returned to her eyes as the seconds passed. She straightened her spine, and the queen asked primly, “Who are you? Why are you in my personal room?”
“I’m the man who is going to kill you,” I stated patiently. “How would you prefer I do it? Head or heart?”
Insanity entered her eyes. Shescreamed.
“Head it is.” I shrugged as she raced toward me, with her claws extended. “I knew my first instinct was correct. It will shut your blasted mouth.”
I turned and sliced, catching her head before it hit the ground. I bopped my hip to the side, bumping her still standing body, knocking it over to the floor. I bobbled her head back and forth, playing catch, and walked down the cave’s small grooves again. I whistled softly while I strolled, hoping that poor Gwynnore hadn’t fallen over. She was dirty enough as it was.
I entered the small dining room.
My breath exhaled in relief. “You are still sitting. That is good. I can’t have you appearing as any more of a disaster than you already are. I don’t believe Belshazzar would like that very much.”
Gwen stared. She swayed even more.
I patted the top of her head again, promising gently, “Blood will be here soon. Be patient.” I set the mad queen’s head down on the table in front of Gwen. “See? I’ve taken care of the issue.”
Gwen grunted. “Yes, I see that.”
I cocked my head to the side, listening. “But there are a few more vampires I need to kill before I go. You’ll stay seated, correct?”
“No shit,” she slurred tiredly. “Go on a killing spree. I don’t really mind.”
I ran my dark amber eyes over her face and shoved my silver hair back over my shoulders. “It truly was a pleasure to finally meet you, Queen Gwynnore.”
“If you are real…it was a pleasure to meet you, too.” She dipped her head and then slumped forward to place her chin on her resting arms. “Go on now, Mr. Delusion. Make them bleed. My dreams need to be sweet.”
“Stare at Queen Niniane’s head. That should do the trick.” I pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. “Remember, don’t fall over.”
“Hmph.”
I chuckled and sauntered away, cracking my knuckles as I went. I would make the soldiers bleedreallywell. It sounded like a fine time—time to get back to work to clean up these fucking loose ends.
