I lifted my nose to the air and scented blood.
Human blood.
With a snarl, I shifted into my half-Dragon form and sprinted through the trees, my Immortal legs carrying me there in mere seconds.
But it was too late.
I was too late.
The humans surrounded Adriel with a knife to his throat. A slash of blood married the otherwise wholesome skin. The man at his side wielding the knife jerked his chin in my direction. Without a word, he slit Adriel’s throat and a blood red smile bloomed in its wake.
An inhuman roar ripped from my throat, and wings erupted from the skin at my back. A blood-red haze covered my vision and blotted out everything but my foe.
When I was done, it was as though I’d bathed in their blood. The carnage I’d wrought surrounded me and those of my men who survived the attack watched with cautious eyes.
“Do a headcount,” I ordered, my breath coming in rapid puffs as I shifted back to my human form. I didn’t bother to fix my clothes or change. “Gather the dead. We bury the humans and I’ll build a pyre for the others.”
Without a word, they did as I bade and I carried Adriel’s body myself to the pyre like we’d done with all the shifters’ remains from Braedon. I shouldn’t have let my thoughts consume me. I could have prevented this.
We made quick work of burying the attackers and assembling Adriel and two others onto a pyre of young pines I’d broken into tinder. With a belch of flame, the pyre caught fire. We watched until there was nothing left but ash.
The scent of charred flesh lingeredon the air once more.
* * *
The momentwe crossed into capital land two days later, I began counting down the seconds until we could leave again. I preferred the solace of my mountain to the hustle of the village. There were too many people. It was winter, but temperatures were sweltering compared to the Northlands.
As my irritation rose, I noticed the pointed looks the capital dwellers were sending my way. Smoke had curled from my nostrils, signaling my growing temper. The villagers gave our procession a wide berth. Either from my seething expression or the blood that still stained my clothes. I hadn’t given us time to stop. We’d ridden without a break until we’d reached Aurelia.
Normally, I’d curtail my anger, but I wanted them to scurry away from me. The more they feared me, the less trouble we should have while we were in the capital. I only used violence as a last resort, but I wouldn’t hesitate if threatened. I’d guarded their bordersfor twenty years, and I knew tales of my prowess had spread far and wide. Their fear pleased me and made it easier for me to keep my distance.
A gathering of courtiers, servants, and guardsmen clustered around the entrance to the castle. I studied their faces with disguised interest, but only recognized the Queen, Seleste. I didn’t spend much time in court if I could help it, and couldn’t care less about royal happenings.
I came to a stop beside the crown and dismounted. Seleste rushed to my side and offered her hand. “Lord Blaque,” she greeted in a simpering voice. “So delighted to have you here at last. I hope your journey was pleasant.”
She either ignored or didn’t care why I was covered in blood. Perhaps she thought I ate humans for breakfast only a regular basis. “I trust my future mate made it as well.”
Her eyes dimmed. “She arrived just this morning.”
“I’d like to see her.”
“She’s busy at the moment,” interjected another shifter. He stepped forward to Seleste’s side and met my gaze.
“I would have thought the first item on the agenda would have been to introduce me to my mate,” I told a stony-faced Gideon Darkmoore, Prince of Acasia. I recognized him after a moment from his resemblance to his father, King Baron.
“Of course, Lord Blaque,” he demurred. “We’ll summon her at once.”
That was another reason why I hated being in the capital. The shifters in this region treated males like they were chattel to be crushed under the delicate female boot. I’d been mated to a woman like that once, and I’d be damned if I’d let anyone treat me like that again.
I’d burn in Slaine first.
My words were bitten out between gritted teeth when I spoke, “Don’t bother yourself. Tell me where she is, and I’ll find her.”
Gideon’s eyes widened a fraction in surprise. “That’s unnecessary.”
“I’ll decide what’s necessary,” I replied without hesitation.
Prince Gideon’s jaw tightened and for a moment I thought he would argue, but he said, “She’s with our father. He’s been ill since our mother passed.”
