King of Battle and Blood (Adrian X Isolde #1)(82)

She flinched but swallowed her fear. “Shouldn’t you know? You are his wife,” Safira retorted.

My hands clenched at my sides, and I wished I’d brought my knife. Still, even as I took a step toward her, she shrank back against the headboard, and I felt a small bit of satisfaction knowing she was afraid of me.

“I am his wife, which begs the question—why are you in his bed?”

It was another slap in the face—waking alone after being nearly killed, and now this? If he truly knew about my mother’s people, I would never forgive him.

She laughed, a haughty sound that made me want to shatter her teeth.

“I have warmed it for three nights,” she replied smugly, as if it were gossip to spread.

There was a part of me that did not believe her because I wanted to believe Adrian. I wanted to trust him. Then again, I was no fool. There were few men who would decline what Safira offered, but all I cared about was that my husband had.

“Don’t take it personally, my queen. It would be impossible for one woman to fulfill every one of Adrian’s desires. Luckily, many of us are up for the challenge.”

“You grossly underestimate me, Safira. Worse, though, is that you have made Adrian into something he isn’t.”

“And what is that?”

“A god,” I replied and left.

I had one guess as to where Adrian might be, and that was with his advisors, likely discussing Ravena’s successful corruption of Ciro. I was sure to be an unwelcome presence among the noblesse. Only, I did not care. I flew down the corridors, my feet carrying me as if they were not my own, and burst through the doors of Adrian’s council chamber.

He stood at the head of his round table with Daroc on his right, surrounded by what remained of his noblesse. My gaze caught and held Adrian’s, and I took two more steps into the room.

“Leave. I wish to speak to my husband.”

There was a beat of silence. No one moved, and I thought for a second I would have to repeat myself, or worse, Adrian would not support me in my interruption of whatever this was and force me to leave—a decision that would not bode well for him. But then the room cleared. I held Adrian’s gaze as each noblesse passed. Even Daroc’s—which was pointed and heavy—did not faze me.

Finally, the door closed behind me.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

I did not even know where to begin.

“Did you know my mother’s people were enslaved by King Gheroghe?” I could barely finish the sentence; I was in so much distress. “Those are my aunts and uncles…maybe even my grandparents.”

All this time, I’d been left to wonder if they cared about my mother, if they cared that I even existed, but it was possible they did not even know I lived or that my mother had died.

“Isolde—”

“Did you know?” My scream was so loud, my voice went hoarse.

His silence spoke volumes.

“You bastard!” I said, clenching my jaw so hard, my teeth hurt. Tears blurred my vision.

“What would you have me do?” he countered.

“Free them!” I yelled. “Kill King Gheroghe. Do you not plan to conquer Vela anyway?”

“It is on the list, Isolde, but it is not the priority.”

I flinched. “Are you saying I am not your priority?”

“I never said that.” He spoke with such reverence, my blood ran cold. “I care about you, far more than you will ever understand, but I can only do so much. I only have so many men. Not to mention I’m concerned about the crimson mist attacking our people.”

His words took most of the fight out of me. Still, I rallied.

“Recruit more men,” I said.

He tilted his head and his lips twitched. “Are you telling me to turn more people?”

I swallowed hard. I was forgoing all my values. Tonight, I’d asked Adrian to attack a kingdom of the Nine Houses, and I’d asked him to turn mortals into vampires. I’d fallen so low, and I didn’t care.

“I understand your anger,” he said. “I am not happy with King Gheroghe either. Even if he had something I valued, I would not offer him immortality for his crimes. His end will come, and it will be by your hand…if you are willing to act as a queen.”

“And how does a queen act?” I asked, fury still coursing through me.

“Everything must be strategic, and nothing can be personal until victory is near. Do you understand?”

He was telling me we had to plan. He was telling me I had to wait to free my mother’s people—my people. Could I handle the guilt of my own freedom? Of my own privilege?

“Everyone will want your sacrifice, Isolde. Be mindful who gets it.”

“Who gets yours?”

“Do you really need to ask?” he said, his voice quiet.

I did need to ask, because he’d left me to wake up alone, because when I’d gone in search of him, I’d found Safira instead.

“I just came from your room,” I said, and Adrian’s brows rose, more curious than alarmed.

“And what were you doing there?”

“Looking for you,” I answered. “But do you know what I found instead?” I could not even wait for him to answer, I was so angry all over again. “Safira. Naked. In your bed. She claims to have been there the last three nights.”