AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Of course, Mariana,” he replied through clenched teeth. “Besides, I’ve detained the witch in the dungeons until she agrees to unleash the corruption barring the magick within the Staff of Borislav from me. We should focus on the Wild Hunt and the announcement we will make as a family at the ball before we deal with the talisman.”
I felt crimson pool in my hard glare as I stared down at the designs on the rug. Focusing on each individual stitch in the expensive material helped to soothe the tension in my shoulders until I could bear to look at my father without broadcasting the truth across my face.
“We wouldn’t want to forget the announcement,” I sighed.
Alistair pushed away from me and perched on the edge of his desk. Leaning back, he crossed his broad arms disdainfully.
“You’ve failed me so many times in your young life, Alexei, I should be used to it by now. You have duties, boy. Duties that are fast approaching. And what about the death of your cousin under your watch?” He lifted a dark brow. “Do you think Casimir and Vesna have not suffered after Rosalind’s brutal murder and lack of true justice? You have much to pay for, Alexei, and you will start by accepting your responsibilities to this family.”
Swallowing, I nodded. “Consider it done,oce.”
“You’re weak. Emotional,” he spit out, not ready to let his tirade end. “You haven’t been drinking from warmbloods. I will not have my son starving himself, leaving you open to vulnerability before the hunt tonight.”
“Tonight?” I balked.
He sneered. “Did I not tell you we moved up the date?”
Despite the panic surging through me, I remained aloof.
“We will start discussions later about your tutelage to become the next king, but first, youwillfeed. Choose one of our warmbloods or better yet,” he paused, an evil glee replacing his earlier anger. “Why don’t you pay your little witch a visit in the dungeons? Perhaps you’ll have better luck convincing her to obey my commands if her sister’s lives weren’t enough of a warning. Drink from her, but don’t kill her, Alexei. I still need her yet. Silas will ensure your success.”
Alistair walked to the office door, holding it open in a less than subtle dismissal.
“Oh, and Alexei,” his voice rang out as he lit his pipe, blowing out pungent fumes leisurely, “I spoke with Julius this evening and finalized the arrangements. The wedding will be in the spring, and I expect heirs from the two of you brewing in her womb by next Yule.”
Shaking with repressed rage, I stalked away from his office, fighting to keep my face smooth.
Not until I destroyed any doubt of my indifference to Jade and agreed to become the heir my father desired would I ever prove myself. But I didn’t have time for that…
Before I reached the entrance to the staircase that led to the subterranean prison beneath the castle, pounding footsteps alerted me to the fact that I wasn’t alone.
“Alexei!” Mira’s joyous shout was the only warning before her tangle of limbs wrapped around me, knocking me into the wall. Her dark hair spilled in ebony waves over her pale, lithe body, entombed in a garish blood-red dress that reached her bare toes. “I can’t believe you’re finally here.”
My throat caught at my sister’s embrace. She was no longer the young girl with wide eyes and a penchant for trouble I remembered, but a woman.
I continued to stare, and she rolled her violet eyes at me.
“Cease looking at me like I'm fragile and tell me how you are doing, brother. I wouldn’t have to ask if you ever responded to my letters.”
Beneath her smile, I could hear the wounded hurt my selfish actions caused her and felt another stab of guilt.
“I’m sorry,” I replied, shamefaced. “There is nothing I can say to atone, Mira. But I am glad to see you. You’re a female grown now. So beautiful. I couldn’t be prouder.”
She glowed with happiness, and it eased some of the tension in her shoulders. “Much is the same and yet everything has changed. I’m finding it lonely without you to take the attention away from me and my naughty endeavors. And our most recent guests have added some flavor to my otherwise dull life.”
I froze at her carefully crafted words.
It seemed my sister had grown up, learning to play the game…and understanding that my father had eyes and ears everywhere.
She pursed her lips tartly. “I’ve become much like you, brother, though you were more fun the last time I saw you.”
Flitting past me to the bar cart, she grasped onto my arm in a vise grip, whispering low. “He harmed her pretty badly earlier this evening. I tried to sneak down to give her my blood to heal, but I dared not risk it with Silas hovering. Please tell me you have a plan.”
My breath caught in my throat as my blood-rage fought to lash out with violence at any who dared hurt my mate. Only the sharp indentations of Mira’s nails on my forearm kept me grounded to the present.
I said nothing, not trusting even Mira with Jade’s life.
Curiosity simmered in her eyes, but she dropped my arm like it burned her. “Hm, maybe you’ve changed more than I expected.” Glass in hand, Mira danced towards the staircase leading to her bedroom. “Find me before the guests arrive, won’t you? You can tell me all about the adventures you got up to in Louisiana.”
