Queen of Myth and Monsters (Adrian X Isolde, #2)(7)

“I am afraid I have no time this morning,” I said. “I must meet with Gavriel.”

Killian’s shoulders stiffened. “Why?”

The word tumbled out of his mouth unceremoniously.

“I have questions about Lara,” I said.

He was quiet for a moment, likely wishing to contain his initial reaction, but he did not need to because I knew how he felt. It was the same way I had felt any time he had minimized my concerns regarding Lara’s politics or defenses.

“Do you not trust me?” Killian asked.

“This has nothing to do with trust.”

“Then why not ask me?” he said.

“Because you are too close,” I said. “I need the truth.”

“Are you calling me a liar?” he asked.

I clenched my fist to keep from rolling my eyes. “No,” I said. “Unless you knew my father intended to kill me when he arrived here. Then I would call you a liar. Then I would call you a traitor.”

Killian paled, and when he spoke, his voice was a quiet rumble. It hinted at the pain I had caused with those few words. “You cannot think I would have let him hurt you.” When I did not speak, he continued. “If I had known his intentions, he would not have made it beyond the borders of Lara.”

There was a part of me that had expected Killian to justify my father’s decision because he had been just as upset when he’d come to Revekka and discovered that not only did the Blood King still live, I was in love with him. Instead, Killian attempted to protect me.

“I wish I had known,” he added. “I would have liked to spare you this agony.”

There was a lot to say about Killian and the complicated nature of our friendship, but perhaps his greatest attribute was his loyalty—not to crown or title but to me.

“I do not doubt you,” I said. “But it is for that reason I must speak with Gavriel. Your view of Lara was influenced by my father. How are either of us to know the truth?”

“Is that an invitation to join you?” he asked.

I studied him briefly and then said, “Only if you agree to wear my colors.”

His jaw tightened. “Which colors?”

“Red for Revekka, blue for Lara, and gray…for when I conquer Vela and free my mother’s people.”

“You wish to conquer Vela?” he asked, his brows raising.

“I will conquer Vela,” I said. “I will burn it to the ground.”

***

Killian waited outside my door while Violeta helped lace up my boots and clasped a blue, fur-lined cloak around my shoulders. Despite the cold, I did not wish to meet Gavriel within the castle. I did not trust its walls with their hidden passages and concealed doors—anyone might happen upon us; anyone might listen. At least in the garden, it was harder to hide. More than that, however, it was a place from which I drew comfort and strength because it was where I felt closest to my mother, though I was miles away from her gardens in Lara—the ones my father had made certain survived long after her untimely death.

Once more, I found myself at odds with my father, whose love allowed for altars dedicated to my mother’s memory but no action toward what mattered most—the freedom of her people and the life of her daughter.

I led Killian outside through the entrance of the Red Palace, following a path that cut between green hedges and a set of stone steps that descended into the extensive gardens. It had grown colder since I’d seen Adrian off this morning, and I briefly wondered where he was now, if he had any luck locating Gesalac or Julian, and when he would be home.

“Everything is still alive,” Killian said.

It was true—trees were still lush, flowers were still blooming, the hedges were thick—and yet snow whirled in the air, gathering in the crevices of leaves and petals, glittering red beneath the heavy sky.

“Winter falls upon us fast,” said a voice, and I whirled to find Gavriel pushing away from the castle wall on which he had been leaning. He was an imposing figure, both because of his build and his height. As he approached, he scanned the landscape, eyes squinted, adding, “Everything will die soon.”

His words felt ominous and sent a chill up my spine.

I’d only had one interaction with Gavriel before today and it had been after I had discovered the desecration of Vaida in Lara. Adrian had assigned him to stay at Castle Fiora, and there he had remained until my father made the journey to Revekka for my coronation.

Now I wondered what would have happened had they not come at all.

Gavriel bowed low before me.

“My queen, Commander Killian,” he said and straightened. “I apologize. I did not mean to startle you.”

“I did not expect you so early,” I said.

He grinned. “It would have been in poor taste to be late for a meeting with my queen.”

I studied the vampire, curious about his speech.

“Where are you from, Gavriel?”

“Keziah,” he said.

I did not know much about Keziah, save that their ruler had refused to join the nine kings who would make up the Nine Houses of Cordova. They had not been the only country in Cordova to do so, preferring not to organize against the Blood King or take his side. Among the Nine Houses, their choice was perceived as indecision—a weakness that needed to be eradicated. And yet when the Nine Houses organized an army to move against Keziah, they found its people were anything but weak. They had fought ruthlessly to maintain control over their land and the kings of the Nine Houses were forced to retreat.