Fangs snap from my gums, and I lunge for the vampire, ripping out his throat in a single bite. Those glacier blue eyes blow wide, and I shove the stunned male with all of my strength, pushing him through the open window to his death.
I retreat into shadow and watch his body burn under the first rays of daylight cresting the horizon, eliminating his threat to my kingdom, and his own. I ignore the biting doubt that my methods are ethical, because I just savedcountlesslives.
As I spin to the stairwell, my gown rustles, a thousand swatches of layered plum and black tulle commanding more territory than the doorway I’m dragging it through. I descend the turret, relief flooding me as I wipe the cold blood of another eligible prince from my lips and chin. Two weeks of courting and lying, of disingenuous glances and empty promises, and feigning interest in his assets across the Sereia Sea. But I played the exhausting game I’ve perfected over the last century because this prince deserved a swift and quiet death sentence.
Cursing, I lift my skirts higher as they threaten to trip me down the stairwell in my haste to leave my morning behind.
“My queen,” Emmanuel says at the bottom of the stairs, offering an elbow.
“Good morning, Em,” I say, taking his arm. We sashay into the dazzling throne room, welcomed by the candlelight of a thousand flickering wicks dancing against the shining cream marble.
I survey my court enjoying the last moments of their night before resting as we walk the center aisle, the mountain of tulle trailing us. Emmanuel’s rich black hair matching his fine suiting, sculpted cheekbones, and strong jawline turns heads as we stroll. Em is one of my best-kept secrets. His naturally brooding self is often masked behind a pristine smile, and no one beyond my trusted circle knows Emmanuel is my best assassin.
So good, in fact, that he’d been sent to kill me when he was human.
“Did you handle it?” he asks.
“It’s done.”
“Hathin was so drunk. I didn’t think he’d make it up the damn stairwell to you,” he laughs, that perfect smile pointed ahead.
“I’m thrilled he did,” I say, glad Prince Hathin is in our past.
He peers at me with a tilt of his chin. “So, who’s next?”
I chuckle at his eagerness and let my gaze drift to the Gothic carved arches above us, reaching across the broad expanse, as I think through my decision. I stare longingly at the only opening to the outside world in this hall: a darkened skylight, centered a few yards in front of my throne. It’s spelled to become transparent upon my signal, burning and destroying vampiric threats as needed. Thankfully, I haven’t used it on others in decades.
We approach the raised dais, and I know my answer. “We focus on the isles. Sereia Sea could be neutralized within the next couple of years.”
Goreon can wait a bit longer.
“I agree,” Emmanuel says, departing from my side as I ascend the seven steps to my throne, conversations echoing softly up the high stone walls. The corpses of each corrupt fallen ruler who stood in my way to secure the Night Kingdom territory are entombed in the stone below my feet, their names engraved on each riser I climb. The architect of this beautiful room grumbled at the offense of burying bodies in the stone, but I never want to lose sight of the pain we went through, the lives we lost. Especially in the pretty throne room. We willalwaysremember what’s important.
The room silences and bows to me.
“Please rise,” I command, heart full as I look upon the trustworthy souls before me. My ambition and relentless effort have protected them, and all of the citizens beyond these walls, creating a place of peace and safety for vampires and humans alike. It’s my greatest accomplishment and my greatest treasure.
The antechamber doors whip open, and my focus jerks up.
Second strides through them like he owns the place.
My second never gave himself a vampire name when he asked me to turn him centuries ago; he insisted his station was his identity, and that was enough. So, he’s Second, by station and by name.
A grin pulls joyfully at my lips as he barrels down the grand hall. I’m grateful for his presence after my morning. We share my vision for this kingdom, and we’ve worked tirelessly together to see that vision come to fruition.
“You won’t believe it,” Second warns as his massive form and long gait close our distance in moments. That’s a benefit too: He’s a naturally made bodyguard.
My eyes land on the letter he clutches. “What is it?” I ask, my insides jumping. Second is the closest thing I have to a brother in this life, and I know himwell—he’s rarely flustered by anything.
“A letter from Goreon.”
My body stills, the predator within me stiffening, and hushed whispers race through the room.
“You’re right,” I say. “Idon’tbelieve it.”
Werarelycorrespond between kingdoms. Vampires and their secrets rule this world.
And that silence is how I’ve quietly eliminated so many of my enemies. They handed me a wide-open door to lure princes under the pretense of courting for the position of king and assassinate my way to securing our borders, ensuring theNight Kingdom’s stability and way of life. Because no one talks, no one communicates their losses.
