Page 3 of Of Skulls Of Shackles

King See.

He who would prefer that fondness nor warmth never existed between us. Though hedidwant us to be everything for each other in immortality. But before that could happen, he must… shatter my heart.

As ancient as I was, that series of connections eluded me.

I dipped my head at my seeing pawns, and they bowed back. While their—dare I say it—normaleyes—lowered to look at the stone floor, theirseeingeyes always stared in the same direction without blinking. Will Be’s seeing eye stared straight ahead to the future, while Has Been’s eye stared out the back of his head to the past, and then Is had an eye above each ear that stared always at the present moment.

“Are there any reports this dusk,” I asked after, feeling how the tension drained from my shoulders. Here was a predictable part of the day, and one not infused with tragic romance. How the Raises swayed always at such towering emotional heights was commendable.

Sanguine, ever reserved, spoke in his unhurried but succinct way. “Our liege grows impatient to hear your purpose first.”

Purpose, purpose, purpose.

There was a humming in the walls after Sanguine’s question, and I paused at the vibrating sound, which was so like a person’s voice muffled against a mattress, or heard through thick walls. Mother did not tend to speak through this side of the grave. The hum faded away, and no other noise came.

Curious.

I answered Sanguine, “I have no purpose yet. Your liege might feel as impatient as he likes.”

King Take was not in my good books after sending his sixth to war against me. I had been more surprised than anyone when his princess nuzzled my crotch, butIhad not sentmysixth against him in response, had I?

Though my sixth of humans were confused and unsure of themselves, really. Their number also did not equal the sixths of kings. But the whole thing made me wish to stomp my foot, and I did not wish to give in to new petulant urges!

Gangrel strode forward to pass me a letter. “Our liege takes this opportunity to continue negotiations with you pertaining to the slight against his princess.”

Is that what we were calling the crotch nuzzling?

Conniving Queen

Your counteroffer of providing my own princes to me for the space of one week is rejected.

If you will not provide your broken heart to me on a platter, then I suggest this as retribution for leading my princess into desire.

Pass over your queendom to me.

Ever thirst for Thirst itself

King Take.

He did not ask for much. Still, he was moving in a positive direction, and I could not deny my ability to connive—nor to lie and thieve. Though these vices were balanced by some great and kind qualities in me too.

Gangrel bowed. “My liege wished to remind you that he will war against you if negotiations are not fruitful.”

I folded the letter. “I am reminded. Anyone else?”

Sigil squelched forward. “My queen, our liege plots and plans against you. He is not himself. We worry for you greatly, while also finding it hard to resist offering encouragement to keep him in good saving spirit.”

I smiled. “I appreciate your wet worry in whatever amount you can give it. Do you expect that you would warn me of impending doom from King Bring?”

Slime sprayed over stone as Toil and Hex blanched with their blobbing brother.

“Oh yes, my queen,” Sigil exclaimed. “Most certainly. You are assured. How could you doubt us so?”

Because they were encouraging their liege in his plots and plans against me. But ultimately, I knew they could not move against me. My will was greater than a king’s. Yet for me, they were pawns, and for their kings, they were princes. Compromise must be wielded too. “Feel less torn on this affair, honored bringing pawns, if you please. I believe in you all.”

Embarrassment was one of their wettest and most enjoyable noises.

Sigil stretched his blobs taller so I could read the letter stuck to his slime.

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