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“If you do not control them, someone else will.”
Great. One more group of monsters to make happy.“I’ll have to deal with that when I get back. Right now, my priority is the address.” And finding Bard. “How do I call the No One king?”
“You don’t.”
I groan with frustration. “Then call me a War man and tell my husband I’m going on a walk to see the Scholar People.”
“I’m not your servant, Lake,” Gabrio says.
“Then get out of my bedroom.”
“I’m here to protect you.”
“I don’t need—fuck, forget it. You stay here. I can’t deal with this right now.” I step out into the torchlit hallway and find a Blood woman passing by. She’s carrying several pitchers of, yep, you guessed it, blood. I can tell from the sour smell it’s Skinblood. Skins are shifters that take the hide of their last meal and masquerade as that creature to lure in larger prey. I’m told vampires enjoy eating Skins because of their rich diet.
“You!” I say to the Blood woman. “Have someone go to the War People’s camp and bring me a male, a strong one. And send word to my husband that I’m leaving the palace.”
“Do you want me to tell the general? He will not want you going out alone, my queen.”
The War People and Blood People are sworn enemies. I can’t imagine it’s a good idea to have them both venture out with me. One will have to stay. “Never mind, I’ll go to the camp and talk to Alwar.”
“You arenottraveling alone with the Blood Army, Lake. I forbid it.” Sitting on the ground, Alwar sets down the sword he was just sharpening and folds his enormous arms over his broad, battle-scarred chest. The pronounced pectorals look delicious and juicy. I wonder if he’ll let me bite one later. His abs look pretty good, too.
I wince at my savage thoughts. Men aren’t snacks. I hate what I’ve become.
I look away at the dwindling light in the red and orange sky. The neon trees around us are fading to a dull brown or gray. The War People, who’ve spread out all around the perimeter of the palace for my protection, are starting up their campfires for the night. I already see flickers of flames sparking off at a distance in the forest. Soon the air will fill with the sounds of laughter and the scent of charred meats, which they roast on sticks. Giants will eat just about anything they can catch.
“Last time I checked,” I push back, “I am the ruler of Monsterland, so you don’t get a say.”
“I am still your husband, and those vile bloodsucking fiends cannot be trusted.”
I glance over my shoulder toward the tree line. General Rool and fifty vampire soldiers insisted on walking me to Alwar’s camp. They stayed back a few yards but are watching from the shadows. I’m pretty sure I can’t trust them either, but I have to wonder if the real reason Alwar doesn’t want me going without him is that he thinks I’ll bolt for the wall, for freedom. But I won’t. I have work to do here before I get to go home.
“I’ll remind you that I am also a vile bloodsucking fiend now.”
“Yes, but you are mine to protect,” Alwar says firmly.
I’m not going to win this battle, am I?
“Regardless, the journey is a waste of time,” he adds. “You cannot simply knock on the Scholar People’s door and enter their temple. They are very private, very busy creatures who spend their days documenting events.”
“You’re saying if Benicio were alive and asked to go inside, they’d turn him away?” Doubtful.
“No. They are not fools.”
I guess the problem is that I don’t have a reputation as a ruthless ruler. “Well, I guess they’ll have to make an exception for me, then.”
“I cannot stop you from going, but you cannot stop me from accompanying you. What is it you wish to ask them about, anyway? Perhaps I can save you the trip.”
“Research. I’m planning my address, as you requested.”
“I can tell you everything you need to know.”
“I would welcome your input,” I lie. “But I prefer to see things from a historical perspective. I’m sure every leader has attempted to set a tone, including you.”
Alwar raises his scruffy chin. “My address was very fierce, very powerful. Half the kingdoms soiled themselves.”
I resist rolling my eyes. “And I’m sure that tactic worked well for you. Except that you were overthrown.” I know it’s cruel and impolite to point that out, but that’s the culture here. It’s what they respect.
