Page 73 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens
A loud laughter broke through the room. “You are as much of a Royal as I am.” William did not stop laughing. “If not less.”
“Our Queen will be pleased to hear about how you’ve been disrespecting the first to the throne.” My words cut through his laughter, stopping it all at once.
For a moment we just stared at each other, calculating our next moves. “Shall we get to the business now that we have settled our statuses?” I smiled.
“What do you want?” William Barren took a sip of his wine. “I already told your dog—” he nodded at Francis. “I am not interested in playing some imaginary war. Those missing people are your kind's fault and have nothing to do with me, those people are not even part of our court.”
“They will be soon enough,” I replied calmly. “Wurdulacs are building an army as we speak.”
Barren just rolled his eyes at my words. “Wurdulacs left our territory for good seven years ago, dear. Surely, you are smarter than to fall for such a foolish tale.”
My hands stretched out, handing the forged documents to the man before me. He skimmed through the paper as his smirk slowly disappeared. “What in the Kingdom is this?” He shoved the documents back into my hands. “Where did you get those from?”
“Our Queen demanded you see her personal documentation on the matter.” I folded the papers back into my pocket.
“Where is the proof that they are indeed her papers?” Barren’s narrowed eyes studied me. “The Queen is not the only one in the possession of a Royal stamp.”
Damnation.
“Of course,” I smiled sweetly at him, nodding. “I will inform the Queen you declined her request,” I said, heading towards the exit; Francis followed after me. I refused to look at him, yet his confused expression did not leave unnoticed.
With each step I took toward the door, I began to doubt my judgment more and more. Perhaps I’d underestimated William’s intelligence, perhaps no matter my act he could see right through my lies.
My fist rose to knock on the door when Barren’s voice stopped me in place. “Wait!” William shouted after me, spreading a triumphant smile across my face. “Allow me to see those documents again,” he spoke with indifference in his tone.
William walked toward us; Francis’ muscles tensed when the Duke stopped just a step away.
He snatched the papers from my hand, ignoring Francis’ reaction altogether. “What—” Duke’s eyes found mine. “What does the Queen require of me?”
I stretched out my hand toward the papers, demanding them back. Only when William reluctantly handed me the documentsdid I reply to his question. “Your army must be ready for the war,” I said. “Evacuate the residences of your region, give those in need shelter immediately. According to our sources, the first attack is planned to happen within a week.”
“How can you give out such specific dates?” He narrowed his gaze.
“Wurdulacs attacked the vampire grounds, kidnapping children for their army,” I told him the truth. “They are starving them to go after humans. According to our calculations the attack will happen within a week. The date is not certain, yet a very accurate estimation.”
Dread was unmistaken in William’s eyes, no matter him trying to hide his fear. “And if I refuse?” he challenged me, smirking.
“Then you shall fall first,” I met his gaze, bestowing him with a smirk of my own. “I will make sure of that.”
William’s jaw clenched. “I will see what I can do,” his muscles tensed. “Good travels, Cordelia.”
I kept my composure as we followed the guards out of the estate. I should have felt relief—triumph even—yet my lungs squeezed tighter.
My heart shook in my chest as we made it across the courtyard. Dozens of eyes bored into my skin, though their owners did not wear the confusion I expected. Most of them watched me with anger, some even gripped their blades.
An odd rush of amusement swept through me. They were frightened; frightened of a princess that was not fit to rule, but to mindlessly follow her mother’s orders. A weak, spoiled Royal who now posed a threat.
The guards dragged the gate open before us when I felt it. Dozens of eyes watched me carefully, yet only one pair bored so deeply it hurt.
“Your Highness,” the gate men bowed, gesturing us out.
The hair on my nape rose.
His burning stare pained my back.
“What’s the matter?” Francis asked quietly, realizing I was no longer following him out.
Everything calmed.
