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"Oh, but that is precisely what I find so breathtaking. Simple symmetry and color alone are dull," Zurie explained, closing in on Malekai until she stood only inches in front of him, "Irae Kalini… General Theikos is a rather beautiful male, yes?"
As she spoke, she drew a delicately clawed finger across one side of his jaw, making it flex, along with my own. Both mine and Malekai's hackles raised in response to her unwanted touch.
At my hesitation, her gaze snapped to mine, gripping Malekai's jaw in her hand.
"Speak, Irae. Surely, you have an opinion."
"… Yes, his beauty is… remarkable, your majesty."
Her sharp grin broadened, a malevolent glint in her eyes. The telltale signs ofaetrastaining her gums added to her menace.
Zurie's grip further tightened on Malekai's jaw with each passing word, her nails sinking into his flesh, causing blood to blossom and spill down his neck. That pressure in my shoulders burned so fiercely that my hands shook with the need to gut her where she stood.
"But don't you find his beauty so much more captivating…," she continued. Malekai's brow hardened as the tips of his unusually long fangs elongated further, pressing into his bottom lip, "When he has fangs?"
I silently debated whether or not I could summon my sword and close the distance between us fast enough to survive killing her. Malekai would be furious if I didn't.
"With or without fangs, what I find most captivating about General Theikos is his valor and loyalty. His soul."
And yours is fucking hideous.
Zurie's only response was the pursing of her lips as she finally released him, patting his chest like agood boybefore wiping her bloody hand on his shirt. She held his gaze, looking up at him seductively from beneath her long eyelashes as she licked the residue of his blood from her fingers with heraetra-stained tongue. Her brow pinching suddenly.
"Your blood is rather peculiar, General… Where did you say your family is from?" She asked, studying him with far too much interest.
"Hades, Your Highness."
Humming thoughtfully, she grinned as though having reached a conclusion.
"Perhaps you would like to join me in my chambers this evening, General?"
Jealousy heaped coals onto the fire of my rage.
Malekai somehow managed to not miss a beat and gave her a seductive smile despite the gouged wounds still actively healing on his face.
"I am truly honored that you would extend such a prized invitation to me, your highness."
Her grin broadened for a few moments before falling as she began to pace in front of us.
"In the meantime, I have some rather upsetting news."
Zurie lifted a palm, and a letter appeared.
"General, I need you to select a small company of your men to ride for Vyssini. I've received word that a few of the villages just south of Vyssini have begun rioting against the lords in the region. One of the mobs even managed to burn down one of their estates. I want the head of every rioter put on a stake in the town square as a warning. Prepare your men. You leave first thing in the morning."
Malekai's jaw feathered, hesitating only briefly before nodding his acquiescence. My stomach churned for him.
"Additionally, I've received word that yet another estate has been sacked and that Hallofrin no longer has a Lord to govern it. I'll need you to send a separate company of your soldiers to prevent any additional turmoil in the region."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"And General, I hold you accountable that theseAkash-forsaken outlaws arestillwreaking havoc in our lands and slaughtering my Lords and Ladies. The lootings have become more and more frequentdespiteyour efforts. Illumine me as tohowexactly that's possible."
"Your majesty, I have sent my best males and females to investigate - they leave nothing behind but spilled blood and…"
"And what, General?"
"They share the spoils with the servants."
