by G. K. DeRosa
The line cut off, and I bit back the curses threatening to explode out of my mouth. Kaige hadn’t said anything about the blood slaves. He hadn’t even tried to save them. Anger unfurled in my chest, and I tried my hardest to direct it through the bond.
Kaige stiffened beside me, but he refused to meet my gaze. Instead, he stared straight ahead at his father. “What resources of ours was Turstan referring to?”
“Gold, of course. Imera’s financial system is on the brink of collapse. It has been for decades now. If it weren’t for our coin keeping them afloat, the government would’ve collapsed years ago.”
My eyes widened, and the words flew out of my mouth without my control. “Imera is broke?”
He nodded, a somber expression on his handsome face. “There is nothing perfect about your human society.”
Turstan’s earlier words echoed in my mind. I’d questioned him about the blood slaves, and he’d accused me of having no idea what it took to run a country. Maybe he’d been right, but nothing excused what he was doing to those people.
Kaige rose, and I followed. “Thank you, Father. Please keep me abreast of the situation with the next shipment, as well as the alchemists’ progress on the cure.”
A cold smile slid across Razvan’s lips. “Of course, King Kaige.”
I didn’t know much about how Draconian politics worked, but Garridan had informed me that the former king would now become one of Kaige’s advisors. He’d sit on the council just like the other ordinary nobles. I couldn’t imagine that would be easy on a powerful man like Razvan.
Kaige led me out of his father’s study and into the quiet corridors of the castle. I held my tongue until we were safely beyond his father’s keen earshot, then I let my anger spew like a fiery volcano. “Why didn’t you say anything to Turstan about the blood slaves?”
He spun at me, his eyes wild. “How could I without giving you away? How would a nocturne king, thousands of miles away from Imera, have any idea about humans kept as slaves?”
His logic knocked the wind right out of me. I opened my mouth to object, then snapped it shut, not finding a single legitimate argument.
“The purpose of that call was to find out more about the spread of the disease. Turstan is lying through his teeth, which means it must be bad. We’ll know for sure when the shipment arrives next week.”
“If it arrives.”
I felt hollow, my feet moving me forward of their own will. Who knew how many humans would die in a week from that horrible disease? My father had barely survived forty-eight hours. Dread filled my gut as my footsteps resounded down the hallway. “And what are we going to do until then?”
“Pray to the gods that my brother and the alchemists find a cure.”
Chapter 17
Kaige
My fingers tightened around the steering wheel as I jerked it to the left to avoid a group of nocturnes on the cobblestone street. I cursed and slapped my palm on the dash. I’d never make it at this rate.
I slammed on the brakes to bring the car to a screeching halt.
“Sir, what are you doing?” The royal guard, Maxum, occupied the passenger seat, his gaze flicking between the crowded street and me. “I don’t think this is a good idea. It’s not customary or necessary for the king to be directly involved in this. It’s what the royal guard is for.”
“You really expect me to sit safely in the castle while riots erupt in Draconis?” I growled, unbuckling my seatbelt and hopping out of the car.
Maxum followed. “Yes, that’s exactly what you’re supposed to do.”
I couldn’t. Not when this was partially my fault.
A week had passed since my conversation with Turstan and still no shipment of blood. I contacted him again today and was promised the delivery would arrive in two days.
Two days was a long time when people were already going thirsty. And that was counting on the blood actually making it. If the disease had reached those imprisoned humans, with the conditions they were kept in, it would have quickly decimated them.
Unbeknownst to me, my father lowered the taranoi rations to appease the nobles. He claimed this was the only way to keep them from asking dangerous questions and uncovering the truth.
They couldn’t know the origin of the synth, but this wasn’t a solution. It angered the taranoi enough to force them to revolt. I received word that a group of them had stormed into several establishments, demanding synth. Chaos was spilling out onto the streets.
I had to stop this before people died. Their blood would be on my hands.
“But, Your Highness, I really must protest.” Maxum stuck close as we pushed our way through the tension-filled crowd. His light blue eyes darted over everyone, ready to protect me if necessary.
“Give it a rest. I’m not going back,” I called over my shoulder.
A scream tore through the mob. I bolted in that direction, my pulse thundering in my ears. The crowd shifted to reveal a fight between a royal guard and a young taranoi boy who couldn’t have been more than fourteen.
Hot anger seared through my bloodstream. This was why I couldn’t leave it up to the royal guards. Some of them didn’t care much for the taranoi and acted without mercy.
That was going to stop under my rule.
When the guard reared back to punch the boy, I zipped forward and snatched his fist a millisecond before it slammed into his fragile nose.
The guard’s head snapped in my direction, a growl slithering between his teeth.
My lips curled as I recognized those hard, silvery eyes and blonde hair. Hazon.
He yanked his hand back, a scowl morphing his features. “Why are you stopping me? This boy is a thief. He deserves to be punished.”
My fangs descended. “You dare question me? Did you forget I was your king?”
He scoffed. “A good king realizes when violence is necessary.”
A deep growl clawed up my throat. Anticipation danced through the crowd. A few of the bigger taranoi males had been seconds away from going after Hazon, but they weren’t so brave or stupid to attack me. They remained on the edges, watching. Waiting.
My gaze settled back on Hazon, his chin tilted up. “You’re right. Sometimes violence is necessary.” My fist slammed into his face, cracking his nose. Blood spurted down his chin.
Hazon’s hand flew to his face, muffling his curses. “How dare you? Xander will—”
I grabbed the collar of his uniform and lifted him until the tips of his shoes barely scraped the cobblestone. “Xander can’t do a thing to help you. He’s in enough trouble as it is.” I leaned in and whispered in his ear. “How would you like a stay in the dungeons? I’m sure there are plenty of thieving taranoi to keep you company.”
Color drained from the royal guard’s face. “You wouldn’t.”
I shoved him at Maxum. “Get him back to Castle De La Divin and find him a nice spot in the dungeons.”
“Gladly.” Maxum curled his fingers at a group of steadily approaching guards. “Take him.”
I spun around to help the boy up, ignoring Hazon’s angry shouts of protests. The young taranoi hesitated before grabbing onto my extended hand and allowing me to assist him. “Are you all right?”
He gave a quick nod, his eyes cast down. “I-I didn’t mean any trouble, sir.” He wiped his trembling, sweaty hands on his dirty pants. “I was just so hungry.”
A pang sliced open my chest. We couldn’t continue living like this, and if the alchemists didn’t find a cure, it was only going to get worse. “I know.” My gaze searched the crowd, and I noticed more taranoi crowding in front of a tavern in the corner. The tavern was owned by Merrick Radka, one of the nobles from the council. A guard was busy separating two thin, haggard women fighting over a bottle of synth.
I jerked my chin toward Maxum. “Come with me and bring the boy. Keep him safe.”
His lips thinned, but he followed me regardless.
I shoved my way into the crowded tavern. Noble patrons were huddle
d in corners and along the walls, keeping away from the action. The employed taranoi were trying to keep the rioting ones away from the store of synth in the back, all the while being called traitors and other despicable names. A few children were hidden amongst the mob, their parents probably trying to get synth for them.
My nostrils flared. If I didn’t stop this, those innocent ones would be the first hurt.
I jumped up on the bar. “Everyone stop!” No one noticed me. They were too busy fighting.
My eyes landed on the large bell hanging high in the rafters, a relic of ancient times. I picked up a metal jigger and hurled it with all my strength at the dangling hunk of steel.
A piercing clang rang through the tavern. Gasps and groans erupted from the crowd, and everyone stopped what they were doing to cover their ears. I winced through the pain, standing tall and waiting for them to take notice of their king.
A few eyes caught sight of me and whispers of my presence spread quickly through the group. A mixture of shock and fear flashed across their expressions. They didn’t expect me to show up in the middle of their riot.
“What is the meaning of this?” My voice boomed across the tavern with almost as much power as my father’s.
Several tense beats stretched before someone answered. “We’re hungry!” a man in the back shouted followed by murmurs of agreement.
“So you decided to storm this establishment and steal synth?” I asked. “You think that was smart?”
A man stepped forward, his clothes soiled and red hair disheveled. “I was going to pay, but he demanded twice as much as normal.”
I shifted and found a beady-eyed man cowering behind the bar. “Why did you overcharge him?”
He shook his head. “I didn’t. That’s the price now. Nobleman Radka raised it a few days ago.”
My jaw clenched. It was just like that greedy noble to raise prices during a crisis. “Well, the prices have changed again. It’s free.”
Commotion flared through the crowd, and the taranoi traded glances with each other, wondering if they’d heard me wrong.
The barkeeper stood. “Oh, but, Your Highness.” His hands nervously twisted together. “You can’t just give away synth, especially now.”
My eyes narrowed. “I’m the king, and I will do as I see fit.” I turned to the crowd. “Everyone in need here will get one free bottle. And don’t even think about coming back for more. We have plenty of space in the dungeons for those stupid enough to try.”
A group of rough looking taranoi males stepped forward, but my hand lifted to halt their approach.
“Children first.” I motioned toward the boy I stopped Hazon from attacking.
Soon more children began to step forward, forming a line. Maxum directed some of the guards to stand near to keep order, and he sent others to venture into the back storeroom for synth.
“Now wait a minute.” A taranoi with dirty blonde hair sent a scowl to the tiny girl who received her bottle of synth. “If the small children get a whole bottle to themselves, us larger adults should have at least two.”
My eyes seared him, staring until his gaze drifted toward his dirty shoes. “Would you like none?”
He shook his head.
“Good. Then we shouldn’t have any problems.” I hopped down from the bar, a frail woman grabbing my hand. Maxum surged forward, but I stopped him with a shake of my head.
“Thank you so much, King Kaige.” Her lips trembled.
I gave a quick nod, afraid my voice would falter. This wasn’t nearly enough to feed them or keep them from rebelling again. We had to get more blood or Draconis was going to fall apart even before we had a chance to starve to death.
Chapter 18
Kaige
I rubbed my face, a five o’clock shadow rough against my palms. I couldn’t remember the last time I had had a good night’s rest. Part of me thought I didn’t deserve it. Solaris wasn’t sleeping well. Why should I?
And to make matters worse, the shipment of blood Turstan promised hadn’t arrived. The bastard lied, and now the lines of communication had grown cold. Did he assume I’d take his silence and not fly to Imera to confront him or at least send royal guards?
Maybe things in the human world were so bad he simply didn’t fear my wrath. Isla hadn’t contacted Solaris again, and I hoped it wasn’t because she’d fallen ill. Solaris had already lost her father. If she lost her friends, I feared nothing would be able to lift the guilt from her.
I sighed and leaned my elbows on the large mahogany desk in my study. I was supposed to take my father’s office, but that room held too much of him to ever feel like mine. It was too large and imposing. This study was smaller but just as beautiful, with a massive marble fireplace and lavish décor.
There was one major difference between this room and his. Not one single plaque of the prophecy hung on the walls.
I downed another gulp of water, my stomach clenching with hunger. I hadn’t had synth since yesterday morning.
Solaris wasn’t the only one feeling guilty.
Stopping the rioting taranoi the other night had only postponed more danger. It was only a matter of time before they grew restless and hungry again. Merrick had been furious I’d given away his tavern’s synth. He stormed into my father’s study, demanding payment.
I reminded him who was king and informed him this was his punishment for price gouging. I offered him a stay in the dungeons. They were overflowing with taranoi who would love to take their anger out on a high ranking noble.
He quickly apologized and left with his tail between his legs.
If these nobles thought I’d be a pushover simply because I was young, they were sadly mistaken.
I sighed and touched the screen on my phone, finding the picture of Solaris I took the other night when she wasn’t paying attention. Yes, it was a bit creepy, but I needed something to get me through the day. She wasn’t ignoring me, but there was still this distance between us. She was grieving, and she wanted to be alone.
I wasn’t sure how much more of it I could take before I went crazy, though. The loss of her touch was beginning to unravel me.
The door opened, and Garridan walked in with a tray of synth. I instantly bristled in the large, overstuffed leather chair.
“I said I wasn’t hungry,” I grumbled.
Garridan rolled his eyes and placed the bottle in front of me. “Nonsense. You haven’t had any all day.”
My lips thinned, and I pushed it away with the tip of my finger. “You drink it.”
“You need this, Kaige. It’s a very bad idea to go without.” The old taranoi folded into the seat across from me, pushing the bottle back toward my side of the desk. “You don’t want to hurt Solaris, do you?”
My head snapped up. “Of course not. Why would you even ask that?”
His knowing hazel eyes burned into me. “You don’t want to be around her when you’re starving. Your thirst could get the better of you, and you might do something you regret.”
My blood turned cold, and I swallowed hard as his words sank in. I might bite Solaris without her permission and steal her blood.
You can’t steal what’s already yours.
The voice in my head instantly made me reach for the bottle. I would never hurt her.
The edges of his lips twitched. “Good choice.”
I gulped down half the bottle before taking a breath. I licked my lips as I thought of a conversation I had with Solaris a while ago. She told me Garridan had revealed he’d once been bonded with a human. It didn’t surprise me. It explained why he knew so much and had the Evanescium. “Did you ever have an accident with your human?”
He shook his head. “Never.”
My fingers absentmindedly twisted the container of synth around. “Did you love her?”
“Yes.”
There was no doubt, no hesitation from him.
“Would you have loved her even if it could cause the end of the world?” The words were bitter on my tongu
e.
“Kaige.” When I didn’t look up, Garridan’s weathered hand landed on mine, stopping me from spinning the half-empty bottle of synth.
“Prophecies are tricky. They can be interpreted a hundred different ways.” He released my hand and sighed, leaning back in the chair. “And when a prophecy is told, it isn’t typically a question of if it will come to pass. It’s more of a when.” A sad smile curled his lips. “No matter what you do.”
My brow furrowed. “What are you saying?”
Garridan shrugged. “I’m saying this was bound to happen one way or another and if our worlds drastically change, maybe it will be for the better.”
Strands of golden blonde locks spilled across my onyx pillows. The contrast of colors was as startling as finding her asleep on my bed. The ache in my chest was bittersweet. I should be angry Solaris snuck out of her room and traveled through this part of the castle. She could have been caught by someone other than my family. But her presence was a soothing balm to the unease that had been choking me these past few days.
I grabbed the blanket off the end of the bed and gently laid it over her. Unable to resist, my fingers reached out and stroked her soft cheek.
Solaris’s lids fluttered open, those vivid green eyes landing on me.
My insides clenched under her stare. I swallowed hard. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
She brushed the hair from her face. “That’s unusual.”
I blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I thought you’d give me one of those stern looks and tell me how dangerous it was to sneak into your room.”
A grumble vibrated in my chest. “I was getting there.” At least she was back to teasing me. “What are you doing here?”
She shrugged. “I was bored.”
I sat on the edge of the bed and crossed my arms against my chest. “So you decided to take a dangerous walk through Castle De La Divin and miraculously found my room?”
“No, your mother brought me here.”
My head snapped back. “My mother smuggled you to my room?” She knew Solaris was here, but I didn’t expect her to go out of her way to put us together.