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“A waste. Please, let us hear you.”
Chairs slid out as everyone began taking their place. My pulse was pounding and I wasn’t sure why. The passion I held dear to me was gone—as dead as the human version of me.
Marko paused just outside of one of the chairs at the head of the table. Two were positioned next to each other and I knew the other was Aetas’.
“I’d love to,” I forced out.
As I walked to the far back of the room, I took deep breaths to push away the sudden anxiety. I could do this. I’d done it a million times before. The only thing different was my lack of joy at the thought of using my voice. Had I lost myself so much? The reality left my steps slower.
I had. I wasn’t even sure who I was anymore. Ruler—not the ruler. I was weak now.
The vermin were already waiting as I approached. My hand had a slight tremble to it as I rose, pushing my fingertip into the violinist’s temple. “I want this played slow. Make it beautiful.” I moved to the next, taking my turn as I gave them clips of the song I wished to sing. The lyrics were half French, half English. But the violin was more important than any of the words of love and loyalty. They spoke a language of their own. Played the right way, the tune had the ability to lure and capture all who focused in on the sound. And I wanted that. I wanted the vampires and other rulers to remember this night. To remember a king who was going to be so great that they told the story of this night to anyone who would listen. King Marko Delacroix. The Black Fire King.
Chapter 12
Hunter
The first note of the violin drew in everyone’s attention. Everyone but mine. Although the need to take in the princess was there, the overwhelming hatred I felt for Marko was outweighing it. A king. He wanted something I would never have and he got it. He had everything—the woman I wanted, a higher title, and now a tie with our leader? It wasn’t fair. I may have disliked Aetas, but my vampire knew what Marko’s entitlements meant. He’d be more powerful than I would. I couldn’t stand it.
“Do you know this song?” Aetas was leaned in toward Marko as they both kept their attention on Tessa.
“I don’t believe so. It’s beautiful though.”
“Indeed,” Aetas’ whispered, leaning in closer. His eyes closed and he inhaled Marko deeply.
My fangs thickened in my mouth as they battled with whether to come down or not. My maker was desperate to taste Marko. Why? I didn’t understand it. I didn’t understand anything. It drove me crazy. What was so good about him? His power? His taste? The queen fed from him, too, and she obviously liked it.
“Are you opposed to completely bonding?”
Marko blinked heavily, turning to face Aetas. “You want to bond with me?”
Aetas rotated in his chair, frowning before he leaned back in. “I do.”
“Why would you want to do that?”
The violin continued as our leader went through multiple expressions. “I’m feeling your energy and the power you project even when you’re calm. I think the match would be a good one—you and I. You have some of Black King’s blood in you from Tessa, you have yours. Combine those with mine and that’s one hell of a combination for both of us.”
“You hate me. Why be completely bonded? That puts me in your mind and you in mine. It makes us equal, minus your experience and age. Who’s to say even one tie will work? Your blood is probably so strong that it’ll cancel mine out. Perhaps you weren’t meant to bond to anyone.”
A grin pulled at Aetas’ lips. “Only one way to find out. I happen to think your blood stands a chance. Mine might even welcome it. I’ve never tried to bond before.”
“You know what that’ll mean for me and Tessa if you and I bond.” Marko’s brow furrowed, but I knew nothing else as the queen’s voice broke through the nearly silent room. The power behind the soft tone carried and echoed against the walls, tugging at some internal trigger in my mind. Flashes began to blind me. Ones I’d never seen before. It was of me and Tessa. We were human …and I was sitting in what I knew was a church, listening to her sing. I was in just as much awe as I felt now. I was in love. So deeply in love with her.
From my peripheral, Aetas leaned forward, watching just as Marko was doing now. The violin drew out, matching the pitch of her voice. The two together were one, and yet, two completely different life forces. My heart was increasing in rhythm. Of an anticipation I couldn’t even begin to decipher.
The lyrics switched to French and even though I could only decipher a few of the words the queen was saying, I pieced the meaning together as if I spoke the language fluently. I was being given a promise with her verses. She was singing of something so great that it was undeniable to question whether or not it was going to come true.
Praise was whispered throughout the lands.
The pain of time slipped through his hands.
His blood-stained sword, his name and word.
His tale, his legend, would be heard.
Marko’s hands flattened on the table, drawing my attention as he slowly stood. He was entranced. Hypnotized, just like the rest of us as Tessa let the violin finish.
“Thank you. For our king,” she said, bowing.
