Page 8 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

“Please, not now. Not today. I know you are my High Queen, and you have every right to this knowledge, but not today. I promise you another time.”

“Fine,” I conceded. “But I have one last question. If Luka will not take your crown, who will? Certainly not Lorenzo?”

The king laughed. “So Luka has told you about Lorenzo?”

“He did, and I had the displeasure of spending time with him.” Even if it was cut short.

“No, Lorenzo will not get the crown. Although he might think otherwise. I am ready to give up my crown, but I will hold onto it as long as I need until I find another heir.”

I had no idea how Arlo was going to find another heir, but I was satisfied with knowing Lorenzo wouldn’t be king. And I knew Luka would be too. Not that I had any right to care what Luka might think.

I stood, placing my empty glass on the desk. “It was nice to meet you, King Arlo.”

“You too, Lennox Adair. I look forward to many more conversations.”

I dipped my head before turning towards the door. “As do I.”

“What did he have to say?” Declan asked the moment the door to Arlo’s office clicked shut behind me.

“That is none of your business.” Declan grumbled as he followed behind me. “I don’t need a watch dog, Declan. I can find my way back to my room on my own.”

“It’s my job to escort you–”

“I need time alone,” I snapped. The footsteps behind me stalled, but I didn’t bother to look back. I knew the face Declan would be wearing without having to look. I’d be the same face my sister wore more times than not when around me.

I’d seen enough disappointment as of late. I didn’t need to see Declan’s too.

I continued toward my room alone.

5

LUKA

Smoke was thick in the air, it clogged the crowded street, making it appear later than it was as Nico and I wove through the stalls. We had been making our way through the Stygin market for over an hour looking for a specific vendor to no avail.

The Stygin market was a well-known secret among the Blood Court. All kinds of Fae set up shop in the market. Selling both legal and illegal substances. The palace was aware of the existence of the market but left the vendors alone on the promise they did no harm. Up until the past few weeks, I had only visited the Stygin market once, on a dare from Nico when we were teens. We only made it two blocks before a vendor tried to sell us a crystal. The sight of her smiling with her black rotted gums sent us both running back to the palace without looking back. We were never eager to return after that encounter. Never had a reason to.

But here we were, back at the Stygin market in search of a witch. A witch who possessed a wide variety of ancient texts. She wasn’t a frequent vendor here, she only made an appearance every few months, which is why I found myself checking the market once a week, in search of this so-called witch Scribe.

I picked up my pace as Ineared the end of the street. I didn’t have all day to wander. I looked both ways before I crossed the alley. We still had several more streets to assess, the market was packed today, making it harder than normal to move through the throngs of people.

“We’re running out of time.” I ran my hands through my hair. “We should split up.”

“Fuck if I’m letting you leave me alone out here.” Nico grimaced. “We can come back tomorrow.”

“I don’t want to come back tomorrow, I need to find this witch today,” I insisted.

“But what if she’s not even here? There’s no guarantee.”

I turned and faced my friend. “I need to at least try.”

Nico pinned me with a pitying look that made me wince as I fisted my hands at my side.

“Well, let’s keep going, brother.” I followed behind Nico as he continued down the street, even in the haze of the smoke his icy hair shone. I couldn’t lose track of him if I tried. “We should still have a couple of hours until your betrothed arrives. That’s plenty of time for us to find this little witchy and get your bride-to-be an engagement present.” I ground my teeth, he threw the words around so easily.

Bride-to-be.

Betrothed.

---