Queen of Myth and Monsters (Adrian X Isolde, #2)(8)

Every year, the kings would meet for assembly to discuss their so-called unified approach to ruling the houses. To the disdain of most in attendance, my father brought me along after I turned sixteen, and it was there I learned the true fears of men—anything more powerful than them.

The kings would malign Keziah, embarrassed by how they had been beaten so brutally, but they never approached the subject of invasion again.

I recalled deciding then that if I were ever going to go to war against the vampires, I wanted Keziah on my side.

How time had changed things.

“How long have you served my husband?”

“Ten years,” he replied.

“So little?”

He chuckled. “Not all of us were born centuries ago. I left for Revekka as soon as I came of age to swear allegiance to King Adrian.”

“I did not think Keziah wanted vampire rule,” I said.

“My people are proud and very brave, but even they are not strong enough to survive what this world has become.”

I wondered what he would do if Adrian failed to protect Keziah.

“If you are trying to determine the depth of my loyalty, perhaps you should ask me. It would save us both time, given that we have so very little of it.”

“It is not your loyalty to Adrian I wish to assess,” I said. “It is your loyalty to me.”

“You are one and the same.”

His statement did not put me at ease. Rather, disappointment blossomed in my chest. I wished to be Adrian’s equal, but equality did not mean we were the same.

“How wrong you are,” I said. I took a breath and asked, “How are my people?”

“Agitated, uncertain,” he said.

I had expected such news, but hearing it was disheartening.

“The news about the destruction of Vaida spread quickly, and on the heels of your marriage to Adrian, some of your people believe he broke his promise to protect them.”

I glanced at Killian, who had once assumed the same.

“And the Sanctuary of Asha is not helping,” Gavriel added.

My gaze snapped back to him. “The sanctuary?”

“You’ve a priestess there who claims Asha has sent their salvation.”

Despite the strong presence of goddesses within my life, in the lives of everyone in Cordova, I had never been religious. I could not fathom worshipping anyone who had taken my mother from me so young, but I would be stupid if I did not acknowledge either of the goddesses’ power. And true power it was, because it was strong enough to have created Adrian.

“Have you heard this?” I asked Killian, who shrugged, then shook his head.

“A few whispers here and there,” he said. “Nothing more. I certainly have not seen any evidence that it is true.”

“You don’t need evidence when people have faith,” I said. The mere fact that anyone would believe the priestess or trust the veracity of her words was dangerous—especially to my rule.

“How do we know this isn’t some falsehood spread by the priestess?” I asked.

“We don’t,” said Gavriel.

“Find out,” I said.

“As you wish,” he said. “Anything more, my queen?”

“Return to Lara tomorrow,” I said. “Tell the court my father has decided to extend his stay in Revekka.”

I thought about embellishing, adding that King Henri had missed his daughter too much to stay only a week, but I could not manage to speak the words.

“My loyalty is to you, my queen.” Gavriel bowed, accepting my orders, and left.

With Gavriel’s departure, I remained silent for a long moment, considering his words. I’d known returning to Lara would not be easy, given how I had been treated upon my departure, but this certainly complicated my plans.

“With rumors of the salvation of Asha, what of Nadia?” I asked Killian, my voice hushed.

Nadia, my maid, the woman who had helped raise me, was a passionate follower of Asha, and I could not help hearing her voice as Gavriel’s warning played through my mind.

Asha is our savior, she would say. She will send our salvation.

When? I asked. After we are all dead?

Insolent child, the goddess gave you life!

My mother gave me life, I said. She died for me too.

When Killian did not answer, I met his gaze. I knew what he would say before the words left his mouth, and yet I could not protect myself from the pain, the heartache, of knowing she would never choose me.

“Nadia loves you,” he said. “But she loves her goddess more.”

I might have flinched had it not been for a bell signaling, sharp and frantic, so loud it echoed in my bones.

“What is that?” Killian asked, and though I had never heard the sound before, my heart raced with it, frenzied and panicked.

“Something horrible,” I said, a sudden lump forming in the back of my throat.





Three





Isolde

I gathered my skirts in hand and raced through the garden. Killian followed, and once we had topped the stairs, the ringing had ceased, replaced by dreadful, deafening screams.

A crowd had gathered in the courtyard. I pushed my way through to the front in time to see Miha and Isac leading a small party of soldiers into Cel Ceredi on their horses where giant, black dogs chased, mauled, and mangled my people in the streets of the village.