King of Battle and Blood (Adrian X Isolde #1)(32)

I swallowed thickly.

“I love you,” I whispered through lips that quivered.

“I love you,” he replied, and I tucked those words into my heart, spoken so softly and so rarely, as I held his calloused hands for what felt like forever. Slowly, I let my fingers leave his, immediately wishing I could return to his side even as I backed away. I turned and faced Adrian, whose stare was curious and remorseful, and took his outstretched hand. He said nothing as we walked side by side, exiting the castle at the very front where a crowd had gathered beneath the night sky to watch my departure—a mix of guests from High City and courtiers.

Once again, I could not help feeling that this event should be filled with more celebration, and if I had become a queen to any other king, that would be the case. Instead, my people looked on in fear, disappointment, and horror.

My father followed and stood atop the steps as I descended them, only to meet Nadia at the bottom. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying, and she dabbed at her face with a white kerchief.

“Dear girl,” she said and drew me into her arms. I had managed to keep a cap on my emotions until that moment, when a cry burst out of me. It was only for a moment—a strangled sob that I grabbed on to and shoved deep down as Nadia whispered against my ear, “Remember what I told you.”

Then she kissed my hair and released me.

I moved on from her, turning toward Adrian, who waited patiently beside two horses. Both were gorgeous steeds with shiny, black coats. I approached the one Adrian stood near and stroked his nose.

“Their names are Midnight and Shadow,” he said. “Shadow is mine.”

“And who did Midnight belong to?” I asked. Adrian had not planned on returning to Revekka, least of all with a bride. An extra horse usually meant a death. The question was, had it been a vampire or a mortal?

Adrian did not answer but instead said, “Come. We must depart.”

I took the reins from Adrian and grabbed a tuft of mane with the same hand. With my other, I grasped the cantle of the saddle and placed my foot in the stirrup, pushing off the ground as I swung my leg over. Once I was settled, I stared down at Adrian.

“What place do I take in line?” I asked.

“You ride beside me,” he said. “It is where you will be safest.”

My brows drew together. “I am safe with my people.”

“Perhaps you were as princess of Lara,” he said. “But today, you are queen of Revekka.” He left my side and then mounted his own steed. “We will ride until sunup,” he said.

Daroc, who appeared to be the only vampire who had accompanied Adrian into the city, rode ahead of us, and as we fell into step behind him, I looked over my shoulder one last time at my father, who stood wreathed in the lantern light at the front of Castle Fiora, poised and regal and alone.





Eight


When brides departed with their new husbands, people gathered to offer gifts—small things like flowers, polished stones, and gold and silver coins.

For me, there was nothing, not even a crowd gathered within High City, though when I turned my head from left to right, I saw people peering through windows and from behind their doors. They were curious but afraid—both of the dark and of Adrian.

We came to the gate where Nicolae was on duty with another guard I did not recognize. I started to smile at him as I passed, because that was what Nicolae usually did when he spotted me. This time, he frowned and cast a dark look at both Daroc and Adrian, then me. His expression hit me in the chest, and I quickly looked away, knowing that he did not understand. He, like my people, did not know why Adrian still lived when I had gotten so close.

As I passed, I heard Nicolae say something under his breath, and I pulled on my reins, halting Midnight.

“Do you have something to share, Nicolae?”

The guard stared at me, and then his gaze flickered to his left, where Daroc and Adrian lingered.

“No, Your Majesty,” he said and bowed his head.

“I would hate to think that you would disrespect me,” I said. “Because that would mean I would have to dismiss you.”

His eyes connected with mine, his jaw clenched.

“With all due respect, Princess, I am beholden to the king of Lara.”

I went rigid, and after a brief pause, I slid off my horse to stand face-to-face with Nicolae.

“It’s Queen to you,” I said, and then I smiled. “Enjoy your last night on guard, solider. I will be sure to send Commander Killian notice of your immediate dismissal.”

I turned from him then, mounted my horse, and guided him past Daroc and Adrian. The two looked at me but said nothing as they followed me into the tree line. Once we were in the woods, I slowed my pace, unsure of where we were going. Adrian had brought a whole army to our border. Where were they?

“Part of the army has continued on to occupy other territories,” Adrian responded, and I wondered what he meant by other territories. Would he continue to Thea next? “A small party waits for us just outside the capitol to accompany us home.”

“Revekka will never be my home,” I said.

Adrian remained quiet.

We continued to where the vampires waited, in a small clearing not far from High City. Only a few remained of Adrian’s army, all mounted upon horses, covered in armor. I recognized only Sorin, Isac, and Miha.