Page 1 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

1

LENNOX

The scent of burnt flesh clung to my nostrils as I watched the last of the bodies disintegrate to nothing but ash on the cobblestones. It was reckless really, for me to remain here while the bodies burned.

Anyone could turn the corner into the dark alley and find me, find the High Queen of Lethenia, burning bodies with the embers from her fingertips.

But what could they do?

I was High Queen Lennox Adair. I ruled all.

If I wanted to kill without consequence I would.

If I wanted to bask in the feeling of vengeance I would.

I glanced over my shoulder at the sound of voices nearing. There might not be consequences for my actions, but that didn’t mean I wanted to explain myself.

A tingle rushed through my body as I called to my magic and drew water to my fingertips, sending it careening toward the smoldering ashes. The ashes disintegrated in the water as they streamed through the cracks in the stones, mixing with the blood that stained the street as it flowed.

I pressed my back against the side of the building, hiding behind a stack of crates as the string of voices passed. It wasn’tuntil their voices faded, and I could no longer hear their heavy footsteps, that I pushed myself off the wall. I didn’t spare the alley a second glance as I pulled the hood of my cloak over my dark hair, casting my face in shadows as I went searching for my next victim.

It was late, the sun had given way to the moon hours ago, shortly afterward was when I left the palace and took to the dark streets of Alethens, as I did most nights.

I could hardly bear to visit the city in the daylight—the sight of the ruined buildings—I couldn’t stand to see the aftermath of the attack on my city. The memories of that day—they were too much. I shoved them down and locked them away with the rest of the memories I refused to confront.

On the rare days I offered my assistance in the city, I busied myself with work. I helped clear the rubble from the streets until my palms bled. I relished the pain. It was one of the few times I felt anything but rage and guilt these days. Rage about what the rebel vampire group, the Vanir, had done to my city, my people. Guilt over not anticipating the attack. I let down my guard and my people suffered because of it.

Slowly, ever so slowly, we were building our city back up. The streets had been cleared, and buildings destroyed by the Vanir were being rebuilt.

According to Kara, children were playing in the streets again. Store owners and vendors had opened back up their shops. Our city was moving on, so why couldn’t I?

I shook my head. Those were the exact kinds of thoughts I sought to avoid. If I let myself dwell on them, I found myself in a spiral with no one to help me get out.

No one paid me any attention while I wandered the dark streets. With my cloak casting my face in shadows and my glamor hiding the color of my eyes and hair, no one should. No one ever did. Why would anyone expect the High Queen to be out at this time of night in Alethens?

The enchanted sign above the bar glowed in the dim light,Atine Tavern, it read as I ducked inside. The establishment was crowded tonight. The tables were occupied by patrons engaging in rounds of cards as they did most evenings. I scanned the room for an open table, coming up empty. Even the back booth I favored was occupied, it was nestled in the far corner of the tavern, offering a perfect view of the room while allowing me to hide in the shadows.

I planted myself on an empty stool at the bar, lowering my hood as the barkeep approached. The bottom half of his face was covered in a dark beard that extended far longer than any beard should. His hair was the same dark onyx as his beard and was pulled back from his round face. Creases appeared at the corners of each of his eyes as he smiled.

“What will it be tonight, sweetheart?” I tensed. A feeling acute to a dagger nicking my heart brushed through me. I swallowed past the lump in my throat.

“Whatever ale you have on tap.” He nodded before turning and fetching my drink.Sweetheart. No one had called me sweetheart since—No. I shook my head. I couldn’t think of him. Not now. Not when I had much more important things to worry about.

The barkeep returned with my drink, placing the foaming mug of ale on the worn wood bar. I slid a coin across the counter as I brought the cup to my lips, drinking half the glass in one go. I cringed. It tasted foul, and I felt like I needed something much stronger right now. But I couldn’t dilute my senses too much—not yet anyway.

After.

After I completed my task I could indulge as much as I wanted.

I sipped on the rest of my ale slowly as I remained at the bar, my eyes tracking every person who wandered in and out of the establishment, keeping my gaze on the fair-colored male in the corner booth near the front of the room. He had his arm slung around a pretty dark-haired female. The male hadn’t beena part of this groups nightly game until a week ago, but he had been here playing every night since. He slammed his cards on the table, a grin spread across his face, causing a dimple to appear in his left cheek. The others at the table groaned and grumbled as the male pulled his earnings towards him.

The female beside him giggled as he placed a kiss to her cheek, before slipping a coin into her hand. The male unwrapped himself from the female and stood, throwing several more coins on the table. He was leaving on a high note,smart male. The female remained at the table, immediately fixing her gaze on one of the other players.

Good. It would complicate things if she was attached.

I downed the remaining dregs of my ale and tossed another coin on the bar. I pulled my hood over my head and headed out the back door.

“Going somewhere?” I drawled from where I leaned against the wall of the alley between the tavern and the neighboring building. The male paused on the sidewalk, glancing around until his gaze landed on me.

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