Page 20 of Wicked Thirst
“No rest for the King then.” She sighed. “I will not rest until my son is returned to me.”
“Then I too will not rest until we reach such a day.”
My throne room was in ruin, blood spattered across the dark stone floors and walls. The flags representing The House of Shade were torn from the walls and gathered in balls on the floor. Early morning rays of light peeked in through the stained glass, casting the crest over the mess in the throne room. I bent down and ran my fingers over cracked stones. “I’ve never seen such power from Night Spawn vampires.”
“Nor I. Something is unnatural about it.” Moira watched as our soldiers began to straighten the room. “We have prisoners held in the cells in the lab?” Moira glanced back toward me. When I nodded, she sighed. “Atlas will suit that best when he returns.”
“Agreed. But I will hold my promise to Piper and check to see if her friend is there.”
“Indeed.” She fretted with her hands, something she did only when she was nervous. Otherwise, she was the picture of what a royal should be. I wanted to offer Moira some comfort, but there was none to be given.
She sighed and pressed her hand to her head. “Then it will be handled.”
“This cannot stand!” Clive marched through the doors and across the throne room with his usual entourage behind him. They all looked as though the poison had hit them harder than it had Moira and me, as though sickness might take them at any moment. Their skin was sickly pale, their clothing was more disheveled than I’d ever seen, and the bravado with which they normally conducted themselves was gone. Poison would do that to a person. Illness would knock even the most boisterous of people to their knees. Well, everyone besides Clive. He seemed to be full of piss and vinegar at the moment.
I groaned. “Did you think I would let it stand?”
This drew him up short. “You’ve got a soft spot for the Night Spawn, but tonight is unforgivable! Something must be done.”
“I don’t disagree.”My mind was on Grayson, but I needed to try to focus for my people.
“They’ve been a drain for far too long.” Clive shoved his hands on his hips.
I sighed and reached for the patience I didn’t have. “Clive, make your point.”
“Extermination.” His face turned a bright red as he tried to shove his slick hair back into place. He normally dressed in old Victorian clothing, his way of maintaining the old ways, yet he’d lost his jacket, the linen shirt was torn and covered in dirt, and his pants were spattered with blood. Oh yes, he’d felt fear this night. Fear his arrogance couldn’t overcome.
The sound of the cane tapping on the stone floor came first, then the distinct click of heels.
“Clive!”Eloura held her head high and shoulders back as she strolled into the room. Everyone seemed to turn and look at her at the same time. She wore a long navy-blue dress that pinched in at the waist and complemented her dark skin. Her normal smooth hair stood on edge and smudges of dirt covered her face. She glared at him with dark eyes and pursed lips. “Have we not suffered enough extremes this evening? You have ruined my sleep and demanded my return to this place unnecessarily.”
“I’ll not hear talks of peace. Now is the time for action. We meet fire with fire.” He curled his hands into a fist.
“Foolhardy games are only suffered by fools,” she snapped and jabbed her walking stick into the floor in front of her to punctuate her point.
“I want to know what’s to be done!” He swung his gaze toward me.
My temper rose, and for once I let it. I’d spent years bartering diplomacy and in some ways it had failed. Now I had to deal with this while Grayson struggled for survival. “What’s to be done, Clive? Shall I swoop in with a vengeance into the Night Spawn headquarters and commit mass genocide? I’m sure there are many rulers who’ve scarred the pages of history with such actions. But I warn you . . . I will not be one of them.”
His color grew impossibly redder, and his cheeks puffed with anger. “This is not a slight we’ll take. The Blood Borns will not allow it.”
“I’m not saying it will be allowed,” I growled low in my throat. “I’m saying I’m not an imbecile.”
“Are you saying I am?”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, though daft prick comes to mind.” I towered over him. “It shall be dealt with. But a few rotten eggs do not make a rotten dozen. I will find the center of these problems and rip them out by the root. Nothing of this mess will be left.”
“You had better see to it.” Clive puffed his chest out.
“You dare to command your King?” Eloura shook her head. “Such disrespect is a punishable offense.”
“It is indeed.” I glared at him, wanting to see his head on a pike for the first time ever. I’d suffered Marius’ ego, but Clive would be knocked down a peg or two. “My duties as King are clear, as are yours, Clive. Now stand aside and let me see to my kingdom. You are of no help in these matters.”
Clive’s jaw opened and closed a few times, and his eyes bulged from his head.
Eloura chuckled. “Your King has spoken. Do you intend to disobey him and commit treason?”
His head snapped around as though he’d been slapped. “I will not.”
