King of Battle and Blood (Adrian X Isolde #1)(64)

“Can you sing?” I asked, my heart hopeful for her answer, and for a brief moment, I imagined teaching her songs from my mother’s home and felt a surge of happiness.

“I can,” she said.

“Then you will stay here in the castle with me. I could use a mortal companion,” I said.

Before she could reply, her father clapped his hands loudly. “That is most generous of you, my queen!”

I stared at him, and despite the look of disgust I cast his way, he maintained his enthusiastic expression. After a moment, I returned my attention to Vesna.

“My queen, that is very generous of you. I fear…I fear to leave my sisters behind.”

“We will do something about those fears,” I replied and then summoned Ana, who had positioned herself near the dais. “Take Vesna to my quarters. I will join her after this is over.”

I watched until they disappeared into the adjoining room, and as I turned, I drew my knife from between my breasts, hiding it in my skirts before turning back to her father. I took two deliberate steps to face him.

“You will not regret your decision, my queen!”

“You are right,” I said. “I won’t.”

The knife slid home between his ribs, and as his eyes widened, I withdrew it with a jerk so that he fell heavy and dead at my feet, blood dripping from his mouth. I stared out at those gathered before me and those who were waiting for an audience.

“Anyone else wish to offer their daughters as a concubine to my husband?” I asked.

There was only silence.

I turned and made my way back up the precipice.

Adrian held out his hand. “Your knife.”

I hesitated but offered it to him, as he didn’t seem to be so much disappointed as pleased. Then he took it and cleaned it as he had done last night, returning it to me immediately. Another set of guards dragged Cain’s body from the center of the room, leaving a streak of blood as they went.

No one else left me out in their address after Cain, and he was not the last to ask for immortality, though no one bothered offering their daughter as a sex slave. What surprised me most was that Adrian declined every request from a mortal to be turned, and I began to wonder what would convince him.

The final person to ask was familiar to me, and seeing him in the great hall of the Red Palace shocked me.

“King Gheroghe.”

His kingdom was Vela and had yet to be conquered by King Adrian.

“Prin—Queen Isolde,” he said, bowing. “A pleasure. It has been a long while since last I looked upon your beauty.”

I felt Adrian’s eyes upon me as I spoke.

“It has been a while,” I said. “Since I put a knife against your son’s throat. How is Prince Horatiu?”

He had been one of several to suggest they could both please me and lead my people, insinuating that I could not do it on my own, and when he’d cornered me in the dark to kiss me, I’d reacted by drawing blood.

“Much recovered,” Gheroghe replied.

“What is the reason for your visit, King Gheroghe?” Adrian asked, a note of irritation in his voice.

“I have come to surrender,” he said. There was a surprise quiet that flooded the entire room, and then he added, “In exchange, I ask only to become immortal.”

“Surrender does not usually include negotiating where I am concerned, King Gheroghe,” Adrian said. “You surrender and keep your title and ensure the safety of your people. There are no other options.”

“Vela has much to offer, my king. Not only would you inherit a wealth of iron ore, but you would have access to launch an attack on the Atoll of Nalani, a kingdom rich in pearls and gems.”

I straightened and my hands fisted, hearing my mother’s homeland thrown into talks of conquering.

“You would inherit so much more than a wife with a penchant for knives.”

“I like my wife and her knives, and while I’d prefer your surrender over battle, I will gladly go to war nevertheless.”

King Gheroghe’s eyes widened, and as Adrian rose, I followed.

“I-Isolde,” he said, as if begging me to come to his defense.

“You lost my support when you suggested that Adrian invade my mother’s lands,” I said. “Return to your kingdom and await the war.”

The memory of Adrian’s words were not lost on me; I had just approved of the invasion of one of the Nine Houses.

Adrian took my hand, and we returned to the adjacent room. He pushed me against the door, dragging my hips against his, and kissed me.

I held his head between my hands and freed myself.

“How many women have you accepted as concubines?” I asked.

“None,” he said. “But I have never executed a man for the offer either.”

“He was a snake,” I spat.

“I am not disagreeing or disapproving,” he said, and he ground into me further. The hard length of his cock settled against my stomach. Then his voice lowered to a low rumble, and it was as if he were confessing a sin. “You are everything I have ever wanted.”

I stared at him and saw the same gentleness, the same raw emotion I’d seen last night. And I couldn’t indulge.

I pushed him back and slid out from between him and the door. He reached for my wrist, and I met his gaze.