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“They can eat the infected without consequence,” Kingsnake said. “So there’s nothing stopping them from growing stronger, while everyone else grows weaker. If we don’t cure the humans, we’ll run out of food. This is what takes precedence, not this ridiculous vendetta. We need allies if we’re to defeat the werewolves. We just conquered a small army of a hundred of them—and they’re strong. Stronger than orcs. We need every soldier available if we’re to eradicate these monsters from the throne. The Ethereal will fight beside us, not against us, and I need you to do the same.”
The air seemed to change all around us, the hostility drifting away on the moving breeze. The werewolf occupation of the kingdoms was disturbing news, but it was probably the only thing compelling enough to get the attention off the Ethereal.
He stared at his sons, but his mind seemed to be elsewhere. He maintained control of the horse absent-mindedly, his thoughts focused on a land far from where we stood.
“The Ethereal will help you restore the kingdoms to what they were,” I said. “In exchange, we want peace with the Originals.”
“You aren’t entitled to requests,” King Serpentine said coldly. “Your participation is the least you could do—and you’ll do it.” He looked at Cobra again. “When we defeat the werewolves, I want sovereignty over the kingdoms.”
“You’re already a king, Father,” Cobra said.
“If you want me to pardon the Ethereal and grant them everlasting peace, that’s my price.”
“So the only thing that will replace the void of Mother’s death is power?” Kingsnake asked incredulously. “That’s an equal trade to you?”
King Serpentine gave his son a cold stare. “Nothing will ever be comparable, Kingsnake. But that is my price. We liberate the humans from the werewolf rule and then—”
“You subject them,” Cobra said. “That’s not a liberation.”
“The humans will live their normal lives as they did before,” King Serpentine said. “But when I need something, they deliver. I’m much more preferable to the barbaric dog who must have cast a rain cloud over the kingdoms.”
“Why can’t we live the way we did before?” Kingsnake said. “Without the Ethereal, we’ll be at peace—”
“Because the humans can rise up at any time and march on our borders,” King Serpentine said. “They’re weaker than us, but they also outnumber us. This is my price. Take it, or fight the werewolves on your own.”
The Originals were the strongest vampires. A fight would be much more difficult without them, especially when we needed every soldier we could find.
The brothers didn’t speak aloud, but they exchanged expressions like they had a conversation in silence. A few nods were exchanged before Kingsnake spoke. “Fine.”
“Then our armies will meet in Grayson before we march forward,” King Serpentine said. “I’ll call the Diamondbacks to our aid from the mountains. I’ll see you there.” He tugged on the reins and aimed his horse back to his army. “Head out!”
They directed their horses in the opposite direction and took off at a run, their dark colors becoming less distinct as they rode away over the valleys. The sound of a thousand hooves slowly became quieter the farther they traveled.
I took my first full breath since this had begun, relieved that my people wouldn’t have to fight on a battlefield today. We’d already suffered so much grief. We didn’t need more, especially when we no longer felt like Ethereal at all.
“I’m sorry my father is such an asshole,” Cobra said to me.
“It’s fine,” I said. “I know how that goes.”
“Where’s Larisa?” Cobra asked next.
“Raventower,” Kingsnake answered. “She wanted to stay behind and tend to the injured and find the other residents who have fled into the wilderness. Fang is with her.”
“I’m sorry,” Cobra said.
“It’s okay,” Kingsnake said. “We’ll be fine.”
“Let’s rest here for the day,” Viper said. “Then we’ll return to Grayson at sunset. Kingsnake, you can grab Larisa and meet us there. Queen Clara, your army can join us, and we’ll move together.”
“Clara is fine.”
We directed our horses back to the line, and my people were already relaxed and off their horses, relieved that the attack had been averted. Everyone disbanded and returned to the forest, leading their horses behind them.
I got to the ground, and someone took my horse. I’d barely had my feet on the ground when Cobra was on me, his arm circling my waist as his lips scooped mine into a kiss.
He squeezed me to him, his hands moving into my hair to push it from my face. “I missed you.”
Words left me because that kiss was so profound. No one had ever kissed me that way, not even Cobra. My hand went to his wrist, and I looked into those earthy eyes. “I love you too.”
