Page 135 of A Throne of Blood & Vengeance

“Just remember what you promised, Erendriel.” I glanced to my right, where the Seelie King stood next to me, gazing out into the badlands. “The rangers are not to be harmed.”

He gave me a patronizing smile. “Of course, my young queen.”

I started to clench my jaw but killed the motion immediately, instead keeping my mask of apprehension and fear on. For just a little while longer, I needed to play the role of eager but inexperienced queen. It was a tightrope to walk, and part of me was thankful that it was coming to an end, but another part dreaded my showdown with Carmilla.

She had to be stopped, I knew this, but it didn’t mean I could just turn off my feelings for her. I knew Vail was struggling as well. We had both loved Carmilla as a stand-in parent. Her betrayal had left deep wounds in us both. At least now we had each other to lean on. Another person to talk to who understood exactly what the other felt.

Currently, Vail stood with Draven inside the temple, and everyone else waited in the first underground level until Carmilla was secured.

“Can you feel them approaching?” He gave me a curious look.

We’d been practicing for most of the time he’d been here. By which I meant I’d made pathetic attempts at using my Seelie earth magic and he’d played the role of patient teacher. I’d been mostly honest about my magic capabilities since I already had to balance so many other lies. Plus, I was never one to wasteresources, and while I didn’t trust everything Erendriel said, that didn’t mean he wasn’t a fountain of knowledge. One just had to wade through his bullshit.

Although, the scholars at Drudonia had never laid a hand on my lower back while giving instructions or found reasons to brush against my skin.

Vail and Draven hadn’t been fans of that but also hadn’t interfered—trusting me to handle the situation. They’d just glowered from where they’d been leaning against the wall, watching us.

I wasn’t blind—Erendriel was truly stunning, but he was also an arrogant asshole.

I already had plenty of those and wasn’t in the market for another.

Plus he didn’t understand the concept of no. Sooner or later, he’d meet the same fate as Demetri and that prick guard Vail had so kindly taken care of.

Maybe we could host a celebration once a year in their honor? Like a mock funeral of sorts.Here lie a bunch of handsy fuckers who got what they had coming. Rest in pieces, assholes.

“Samara?” Erendriel arched a dark golden brow at me.

“Apologies. It’s been a long day.” I gave him a tired smile and hoped that covered up the amused one I’d been sporting a second ago. “I can feel . . . something.” I looked away from him out into the badlands, and a crease formed between my brows as I concentrated. “But I can’t tell what it is exactly. Either it’s large or there are lots of somethings, and I get the sense that it’s moving this way, but it’s more a feeling than anything else.”

There was also the fact that I already knew Carmilla and her rangers were out there, courtesy of Rynn’s scouting, so my magic had something to go on. I wasn’t sure, if I’d had no knowledge of the situation, I would have been able to sense her.

“You’re actually doing quite well for someone who is so new to their magic,” he said encouragingly. “You’ll get better with time and practice, and of course I can teach you to speed things up a bit.”

A shriek came from deep within the temple.

“It seems your wraiths need to learn what it means to be quiet.” I glanced back towards the only room that was dark enough for the wraiths to gather during daylight.

“They do have a tendency to get excited,” he explained. “This temple is where we conducted most of the rituals to make them whole again. The ones who are still shadows are clamoring for the chance to be what they once were.”

“There will be no more rituals,” I reiterated firmly. “No more spilling of Moroi blood for your wraiths.”

“Hold up your end of the bargain, my young queen, and we won’t need to. Once we find the Unseelie Princes, their blood will be the answer to everything I seek.”

I very much wanted to find these Unseelie Princes, but I sure as shit wouldn’t be giving their location to Erendriel. Maybe they wouldn’t be assholes like him. I almost snorted. Of course they would be. I was rapidly coming to the realization that all Fae were assholes.

Maybe they were dead and we were all chasing ghosts. That would certainly be annoying. Although, as much as I wanted to find these princes, part of me wondered if it was for the good of Lunaria that they stayed lost.

More loud wailing came from the back of the temple, and a hint of annoyance flickered across Erendriel’s face. “I will see to my people,” he conceded and gave me a nod. “Make sure you get that door closed so that they can move around easier. They cannot walk in the light as I do and there are only so many shadows for them to hide in.”

“Of course.” I nodded back, keeping my tone respectful. He smiled at me before striding into the temple. I watched him go, keeping a close eye on his posture to see if he suspected any hint of deception, but I saw nothing.

As soon as he left, Vail and Draven appeared at my side. I sighed contentedly as I breathed in their scents.

“Everyone ready?” I asked quietly.

Draven leaned in to kiss my neck before whispering in my ear, “Of course, my love. Although Rynn is extra grouchy today. Damn near took my hand off.”

“You did call her a bad dog,” Vail pointed out.

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