King of Gods (Vampire Crown Book 2)

by Scarlett Dawn

  “It was.” Lord Belshazzar turned his attention to the back of the druid’s head in front of him. “I always wanted to ask you, Ysander. When you awoke from your Rest, what did your mouth taste like?”

  “Like dirt,” Ysander hissed grudgingly. “And roses and shit.”

  My chin trembled. But I controlled myself.

  Lord Xenon murmured, “I forgot about the rose bushes. Thorns all around. And the most beautiful blooms. It must have been a real bitch getting yourself out of there.”

  “You have no idea.” Ysander tossed a glance behind him and stared directly at my father. “I still owe you one. I haven’t forgotten.”

  Lord Cato chuckled softly. “You made it so easy to find your Resting place. I’m not that easy to find during mine. But you’re more than welcome to try.” He cocked his head of black hair, snow whipping his face. Little white flakes stuck to his curling eyelashes. “Wait. That’s right. You have been trying and have failed every time. Better luck next time.”

  A root snagged my foot, wiping the smirk off my face. I stumbled over it but kept my footing. I looked back as I walked, studying the root’s placement. It looked natural enough and didn’t move or disappear. My previous thoughts weren’t coming to fruition. I’d merely been lax in my vigilance.

  Time to pay better attention.

  I huffed and looked forward again.

  Lord Belshazzar scowled down at me.

  I bared my fangs back. Then closed my mouth.

  It was enough of a warning tossed at him.

  I’d already figured it out. He didn’t need to remind me. I would be attentive from now on.

  Our march turned uphill. A steep hill.

  I used my bags—which were starting to get too heavy—as walking sticks. I shoved them down into the snow and then operated them as leverage to keep me on my feet. My fingers were practically frozen, but I didn’t stop until we crested the hill, not losing my visual on the Original druid.

  Our group of powerful figures halted.

  The three druids turned around to face us, but our eyes were stuck on the enormous brick castle standing tall in the distance. No lights were on inside, leaving the broken windows dark, and the structure itself leaned to the left as if it might tumble over at any moment. Vampires knew these castles existed and what towns they were in, but no one had ever viewed them before. We saw this one because the Original druid allowed it.

  Master Niallan chuckled at our expressions. “It’s more than it looks like. Don’t let that worry your opulent asses.” He tilted his head toward the decrepit castle. “See that mound of rocks there?”

  My attention zeroed in on the stones in front of the building where large rocks formed into an archway. “Let me guess. That’s how you really enter your stronghold?”

  His blond head nodded, and his lips lifted into an amused grin. “The Arch of Sight is how you enter.”

  Lord Otto asked, “What does that mean? Arch of Sight?”

  Vicious flakes of snow battered our bodies while the Original druid stood silent, debating his answer.

  We didn’t move. The druid could stand there all night long, and we wouldn’t move until he gave us an answer.

  Master Niallan eventually explained, “The Arch of Sight will not physically harm you, though you may not enjoy it. It shows truth about yourself. Your free will is not affected.”

  Lord Pippin questioned, “Nothing more than that? It’s just a mind-trip?”

  “It shows truth. There is no mind-trip about it.”

  My brows furrowed. “Do all druids go through the Arch of Sight to enter your stronghold?”

  He nodded, unrepentant. “Yes.”

  Lord Belshazzar grunted. His tone was furious. “No wonder your people are so fucked in the head. They go to a place of sanctuary, where they should be protected, but are met with cruelty before they’re allowed to enter?” His blue eyes lashed the druid. He spoke with vehemence shaking his tone—the first time I’d truly ever seen him livid. “That shit won’t fly if you’re crowned king of my people. Don’t even think of trying your tactics with them. I will fucking crush you.”

  Master Niallan’s green eyes twinkled. “Promises. Promises. I think I heard that one a long time ago, and, yet, here I still stand.” His blond brows lifted at the lord’s narrowed gaze. “Are you coming with me or not?”

  Lord Belshazzar took a large step forward and placed his face right in front of that of the druid. His lips curved up at the edges when the Original druid flinched. The lord stated quietly, “The promise I gave you long ago, and the promise I gave you just now are two separate promises. I am nothing but a patient man. You will pay for your crimes, all in due time.”

  The Original druid smiled. It was malicious and harsh. “Perhaps. Perhaps not. And in the meantime, you will continue to grieve for your former life. I do enjoy watching you suffer, Lord Belshazzar.”

  I held my breath. If a fight were ever to start…

  We all held our collective breath.

  Unexpectedly, Lord Belshazzar barked out a laugh. Right in the Original druid’s face. Rich and deep, full-bodied. He simply kept laughing like the druid’s words were the funniest thing he’d ever heard in his life.

  He laughed. And laughed. And laughed.

  I stared and wondered if he’d lost it. Truly. My brows puckered in worry. It wouldn’t do to have the most powerful vampire in the world lose his shit right now. I placed my luggage down, and stated quietly, “Lord Belshazzar, maybe we should take a break before we go in. The last few days have been exhausting—”

  The lord lifted one of his bags in my direction, cutting me off, even while he continued to snicker in the druid’s face, his blue eyes never leaving a scowling green gaze. In his deep voice, he sputtered, “Master Niallan, do you really think I’ve been suffering all this time? If you do, you haven’t been paying attention. I mean, goddamn, your ego still astounds me. I fucking love my life.”

  All right. He wasn’t losing his shit.

  With relief, I lifted my heavy bags back up.

  The Original druid took a step aside and clenched his jaw. “Unless you like standing out in this snow, then I suggest you continue to follow me.” He turned on his heel and marched down the other side of the hill.

  Ysander and Devin tossed Lord Belshazzar a vile glance, and then both men followed after their ruler, their feet moving carefully through the snow.

  “Well, that was fun.” Lord Otto snorted. His shoulder brushed mine as he passed, walking in the druids’ footprints for an easier trek. He called over his shoulder, “I’m sure he’d love to leave us behind now, so we should probably hurry.”

  I put my feet into motion—because that was true.

  We had to walk faster now. The Original druid wasn’t wasting any time heading for the Arch of Sight. His long legs walked at a fast clip, seemingly unbothered by the snow. The man didn’t even look back once to see if any of us had lost view of him. He probably hoped we would so we’d concede to his great power—all to make himself feel better after that verbal smack-down.

  The Arch of Sight rose higher into the air the closer we traveled. It was much taller than it had appeared from the hill. The top reaches of the arch were at least four stories high.

  I dropped my bags when we halted in front of it.

  Those fuckers were heavy now.

  “Bring too many shoes, your majesty?” Ysander chirped. “I’ll carry one for you. If you ask nicely.”

  “Fuck you.” He wasn’t touching my bags.

  “That’s a no,” Devin said. “Hey, maybe she wants to go through the Arch of Sight first? How about that, instead, your majesty?”

  I eyed the archway. There was nothing else around it or behind it except for the snow. It looked very innocent.

  “That’s a fuck you, too.” I waved a frozen finger at the asshole duo. “You go first. We’ll follow after you.”

  “No, Lord Belshazzar goes first.” Master Niallan turned his impressive green ey
es on the lord. “There’s nothing to it, and no physical harm will befall you. Just walk right under the arch.”

  Lord Belshazzar grunted. “No physical harm?”

  “None. I give you my word.”

  “Like your word means shit to me.”

  Master Niallan shrugged his shoulders. “It’s the only way in.”

  Lord Belshazzar raised his blue eyes to the top of the arch, and then back down to the snow behind it. He cracked his neck and moved forward, his gait determined as he stalked through the shooting snowflakes. One by one, his steps took him closer. The Overlord passed underneath it, stopped and looked around, and then turned to wait for us.

  Completely unaware he had changed.

  Lord Belshazzar’s exposed skin was dark red, the color of pooled blood. Two black curling horns the size of my forearm protruded from the top of his forehead, curling around the hood of his coat to point behind him. The ends of his horns looked sharper than any sword. His fangs were bared when he opened his mouth, stating in a bored tone, “Other than I’m no longer being snowed on and I’m in a cave now, nothing happened. You’re safe to come through.”

  I shut my mouth. I wasn’t surprised by this.

  Lord Cato choked. “Fuck, he looks like the devil.”

  The Overlord’s black brows puckered. “What?”

  I pointed at my forehead. “You’ve got a little something right there, my lord.” Understatement. “And your skin may have seen a little too much sun.”

  Master Niallan snickered under his breath.

  Lord Belshazzar’s eyes snapped down to his fisted hands holding the handles of his luggage. His horns were on full display with his head lowered, a sight to behold.

  Those horns were magnificent.

  Long moments passed.

  All while he stared at his hands.

  His head eventually lifted. The lord stared right into my eyes. That intense blue gaze scoured my neutral expression. His brows puckered, but he quickly turned his regard to the shocked lords.

  He stated calmly, “Whatever this is, it doesn’t hurt. Master Niallan’s telling the truth. Get your asses moving. It’s warm over here.”

  Chapter Twelve

  ~ Kimber ~

  “Is she coming around?”

  “I think so.”

  “About time, too.”

  The last voice convinced me to open my eyes. I knew it was Master Dorian, being an ass as usual.

  “There you are.” Lunella let out a breath of relief. “You scared us.”

  My hand shook as I lifted it to my forehead. “Scared you?”

  Jallina appeared in my field of view. “You smacked your forehead on the ground when you pitched forward.”

  Master Dorian folded his arms over his massive chest. “Idiot.”

  “That doesn’t help anyone, Dorian,” Tymon said.

  He swept a large hand at me. “She’s fine. I’m—”

  Master Dorian didn’t finish his thought. Instead, he looked fuzzy, distant. He tipped his head up and stared at the ceiling for a moment.

  A slow, strange smile slid over his face, the kind brought on by a memory. Something pleasant. His face turned wistful and a little sad.

  I looked at Tymon, who shrugged.

  “Master Dorian?” Tymon asked.

  He snapped back to the present, but a touch of the memory stayed with him and softened his features. “I’m going.” Spinning on his heel, he marched out.

  I was confused until I turned my head to watch him leave.

  Magnificent view of his ass…

  I groaned.

  “Would you like something for the pain?” Jallina asked, reaching for her purse.

  If only that were the reason that I was groaning. Waving her off, I looked back up the ceiling. “What happened after I passed out?”

  Jallina put her bag down. “I made… the others leave, and sent my sister to find help at the temple.”

  “I answered the door.” Tymon sat down, “luckily. We were able to contain this to just Lunella, Jallina and Jennila. Dorian doesn’t know the full story, but we had to tell him something when he found us pulling into the stable with the horse and carriage.”

  Jallina took my hand. “I am sorry, Kimber. I didn’t want to tell them about this. But I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t leave a temple master passed out in a horse—”

  I groaned. “Did I really fall into horseshit?”

  “You missed by a hair’s breadth,” she admitted, biting her lips.

  I giggled. My head hurt when I did, but I giggled anyway. My first semi-public preview as Breaker of the Spine, and I almost landed in a pile of horseshit.

  “Please, tell me Master Dorian didn’t hear that part?”

  “NO!” Lunella gasped, her own laugh cutting through her word. “No, no. Lord, no. He thinks you tripped while you were out having an ill-advised drink with the sisters.”

  I let out a breath. “Thank gods.” I glanced around. “Where’s Elex?”

  “He went to bed after seeing you were safe.” Jallina smiled and patted my hand. “He said he’s been working entirely too long and needed sleep.”

  Lunella placed a hand on Jallina’s shoulder. “Thank you, my dear. Please, it’s time for you to go home. Your mate is waiting for you, and you need sleep.”

  Jallina nodded. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  Before she could pull her hand away, I squeezed it. “Wait. You and…”

  Her eyes lit up, and soul-deep happiness leapt to light there. “We were inspired by you and Elex breaking down the wall. It’s been amazing.”

  My eyes narrowed, considering her. “Mates…or…”

  “Soul mates.”

  I squealed and yanked her into an awkward hug. “Oh, yay! Yay! Will you have a Sealing Ceremony?”

  “Yes, and I expect you to stand with me.”

  “Of course!”

  Tymon took Jallina’s elbow and led her to the door. “I’ll take you home. We’ll tie my horse to the back of the carriage, and I’ll ride back.”

  The two of them chatted as they headed out the door, leaving Lunella and me alone.

  The temple master inclined her head. “Are you truly all right?”

  “I am. I would not have been able to stop that tremor if Jallina and Drez hadn’t been there.” I gasped and slapped a hand on my mouth. I hadn’t meant to say his name. I didn’t want to give him away.

  A small laugh escaped Lunella. “Don’t worry, Kimber. No one is going to find out who they are from me. They are good people, and you are smart for asking them to report to you. Most of us here have long lost contact with loved ones and friends. We shouldn’t have, but—”

  “Drez and Jallina are two of my and Elex’s oldest friends. I don’t feel right asking them for this, but at the same time, I don’t know how else to remain a part of the city.”

  “You’re a smart woman, Kimber.” Lunella sat at the end of the infirmary bed. “Now. What in the name of the God’s green garden happened? Jallina kept saying you didn’t have enough power to use your magic.”

  “I didn’t…” My forehead wrinkled. “It was the strangest thing. I could feel the magic, and I could feel what I needed to do, but the strength just wasn’t there. As soon as both Drez and Jallina connected with me, it was all there. I mean, do I need a booster or something? But how would I have been able to stop the other one early this week without help?”

  Lunella cocked her head. “Jallina said you felt like you didn’t have power when she touched you.”

  After I tossed the covers back, I swung my feet over the side of the bed. “I know that power and magic are different, but why wouldn’t I have enough power to use the magic? That doesn’t make sense—”

  “After a massive expenditure of power, you have to restore your strength.” She handed me a robe and pair of slippers.

  I put the slippers on the floor and slid my feet in. “No, I get that. And I’ve been taking care of myself. Healthy meals, plenty o
f rest, lots of fresh air—”

  She twisted her head to look at me. “Sex.”

  “What? Jallina said something about that too…”

  “You can be starving and exhausted and suffocating, but if you’ve had sex recently, your power is strong.” Lunella’s eyes went wide. “Wait. You mean you don’t know your power in magic is fueled by sex?”

  I stared at her, blank but confused. “What do you mean?”

  Lunella scrubbed a hand down her face. “Your parents did you no favors by having you signed out of your defensive magic classes. You really don’t know the power and sex connection?”

  “Apparently not…”

  Looking around, Lunella shook her head. “Not here. Oh, gods, not here. We don’t need anyone to know you don’t know this. Let’s… let’s talk on the roof garden.”

  She offered her hand, and I took it, pulling myself off the bed. I tugged the robe around me, and Lunella led me out of the infirmary through the dorms to a stairwell in the backmost corner of the building.

  The roof garden still had morning dew on the plants. It was a glistening sight in the newly risen sun.

  But Lunella led me away from the door. She aimed for a bench as far away from the entrance as we could get and finally sat down with me.

  A quiet moment passed before she started to speak.

  “Our ability to see magic is independent of our strength to use it. How much of the magic’s intrusion into our world you can see determines how strong you can be with the magic. From what Vitas has told me, you see everything painted with it, dripping and contoured with the colors. That you had to work to keep it away.”

  I simply nodded.

  With a pinch of the bridge of her nose, Lunella let out a sigh. “Your parents should never have pulled you from classes. There were things in there you needed to know. It’s the first place we gauge power and ability. Everyone in S’Kir has magic. It’s only to what degree that we need to know. Once you advance out of the placement classes, you are taught according to your potential ability. Your strength.

  “Kimber, do you know why the advanced defense class is taught the last half of the last year of your secondary schooling?”