Page 49 of Unbound By Shadows
“The courier said it would reveal a message for the recipient.”
“Do you think it’s enchanted? How do I know it’s not poison?”
“I can’t say, but it hasn’t harmed me so far.”
Curiosity outweighed caution, and Zaybris withdrew the shard from Waldron’s hand. Nothing happened at first until he held it up to the light. The image of a face glowed within.
“It’s Queen Thema of the Malkina,” Zaybris said.
“Do you want to receive the message in private?” Waldron asked.
“No, you may—” His words were cut off when the queen’s voice began to resonate from within the crystal.
“Dearest Zaybris, King Zaybris, welcome home,”the queen purred in her sultry voice.“My sisters and I are so pleased to have a strong leader like you return to our realm.”
The queen smiled demurely, and pride rushed through Zaybris atthe compliment. “Greetings,” he said, then realized she could not see or hear him. The message was embedded in the crystal.
“We hate seeing what’s become of your people and want to help. So, to welcome you as the new ruler of the vampire and Goblyn race, I would like to offer you a gift. Consider it a peace offering to Aurelia’s new king.”
Zaybris’s lips parted. A gift? For him? How delightful. And appropriate. Actually, why hadn’t he received more gifts since he took reign? He had always found Thema to be Lilith’s orneriest of sisters, but perhaps she had softened with time. He leaned closer as the message continued.
“King Zaybris, I want to offer you a human. A living human, here in Aurelia. She is beautiful, healthy, and robust with life. She came to us by chance, but I give her to you by choice.”
Zaybris’s body began to tremble. Could this be true?
“She will be delivered to you at your castle in the coming weeks. I hope you will make her feel… welcome. There are others who would do anything to possess her. So I ask of you, King Zaybris, when my servant arrives, please receive him and the human alone. Put an old queen’s mind at ease that this precious gift will go directly into your care.”
Zaybris knew Queen Thema could not see him, but he nodded furiously all the same. He turned to see if Waldron was as thrilled as he was, but his expression was serious.
A coquettish smile lit the queen’s face, and her golden eyes twinkled.“Very well then, King Zaybris. I bid you good night. I look forward to the boons of our new friendship.”
The image faded, and the crystal turned clear again.
It was several minutes before Zaybris felt he could speak. When sound finally rose from his throat, it wasn’t speech. It was laughter, so joyful and fervent that it made Waldron lean back.
His prayers had been answered. A true miracle! The reason why all of his missions had failed dawned on him. Greater mysteries had been at work this entire time.
He turned to Waldron. Clasping the other vampire’s hands, he said, “At last, our salvation has come!"
“Eh, this seems very strange, my king… ” Waldron said.
“It's not strange. It’s good fortune! At last.” Zaybris did a little dance around Waldron then clapped him on the back. “However, if it will take weeks for her to arrive, I don't know if I can wait until then. If vampires are dying, as you say, lives are at stake. I want the human now. And a king always gets what he wants.”
Placing his hands on his hips, Zaybris roared for his servants. After they came skittering in, he declared, “Send word to every vampire—there is a human in Aurelia! He who finds her and brings her to me untouched will receive a great reward. They will be appointed to my counsel of advisors, receive ten bags of gold, and… they will be among the first of my subjects to receive a vial of her blood. After I take my share, of course.”
The servants looked confused and failed to leap into action, which enraged Zaybris. “YOUR KING HAS SPOKEN!” he shouted, and each of the servants began to run in different directions. He stuffed the crystal into the breast pocket of Waldron’s jacket, instructing him to keep it safe.
Zaybris adjusted the ruffles that ringed his shirt cuffs. Everything was coming together beautifully.
Soon Lilith will see how worthy I am of her.
Chapter 20
When Selene woke the next morning, she wanted nothing more than to hide in her sleeping bag. The light coming through the tent meant the sun had risen, but the air was damp and cold. She had slept terribly, plagued by dreams of bloody Lycahs and vampiric smiles. Rubbing at her gritty eyes, she rolled to her side.
Her limbs felt heavy, and her stomach knotted with regret. She had been a fool. An idiot whose hormones told her sleeping with a demon was a good idea. What was wrong with her? She was romanticizing a creature known for evil, mainly because he was hot and smelled good.
As both a demon and a royal guard to Queen Thema, Selene knew Sam wouldn’t be a stranger to violence, but she hadn’t imagined him capable of such brutality. The gleam of viciousness in his eyes, the unholy strength of his body—it was a sight she wouldn’t forget.
