I nod, trying not to puke up my dinner.
My magic senses Sam’s, deciphering and listening, and I send him the most important message I can, not knowing how long I have with him.
We’ll be there tomorrow night.
And in response, his magic screams with warning before going dark again.
CHAPTER 11
VEYA
Present Day
ICAN’TBELIEVEthat was your first full drain last night,” Nerian says, leaning forward in his throne, fingers threading a necklace of human teeth.
Disgusting.
It’s the same dance as yesterday as I stand at the base of the dais, with Goreon guards lining the walls and a sneering court enjoying the show.
“Gods, what a privilege to witness a virgin drain. Honestly, I would’ve made more of a thing of it, had I known.” He waves his hand at me. “I wondered, but—”
“That’s enough,” I say, eyeing the empty throne beside him, for the queen who no longer holds it.
Nerian raises his eyebrows at me.
I clear my throat, trying to recover my temper so I don’t blow this, and smile brightly at Nerian. “Let’s move on. If you’d be so kind.”
“As you wish.” He leans back in his seat, finally dropping his repulsive necklace against the rich fur collar he’s wearing. “Where should we begin our discussions for the merger of our rule?”
My turn to raise my eyebrows. “I haven’t agreed to anything of the sort.”
Nerian cocks his head. “But you traveled all this way, my queen. Why risk such a journey and exposure in my territory without having made your decision?”
To get close enough to kill you.
“I’m a careful planner, Nerian. I don’t do anything without all the facts.”
“Ruthless and wise,” he says, but his mocking tone is not missed as he drums his fingers on the arm of his throne.
I prefer brave and bold.
“Let’s start with a tour. I want to know this place, how you run things, what you’reoffering.”
He looks at me shrewdly for a moment, mouth pinching, and I can feel suspicion radiating from him.
I nudge Nerian in the right direction. “From what I’ve seen, my assets far outweigh yours.”
He scoffs. “Definitely not.”
I raise my hands, gesturing to the ornate hall. “I havetwoof these throne rooms.Twostrongholds,” I lie. Castle Ruthlessness is unknown, cloaked in endless fog and cloud, built into rock and lying in wait. And those who secretly reside within her are prepared to defend and protect the Night Kingdom whenever we may need them.
The king bolts out of his throne. “Goreon is unmatched, ineveryway,” he snarls, fangs dropping.
I look at Del, standing at attention on the dais, and let a bored gaze rake him up and down. “Even your second is smaller than mine.”
Del’s thick lips part and his eyes gleam at my insult.
Nerian stomps down his steps, fur cloak dragging behind him.
