Chapter 25
Ambrose
After questioning Ivara about Sybil’s whereabouts, I immediately returned to Bramwell’s room to check up on Daelan’s investigation.
So far, we have learned nothing regarding what happened.
Not a word on who—or what—could have done this.
Crouching down, I hovered over what was left of Bramwell’s body.
Nausea gripped my stomach tight, but I swallowed it down, my face twisting in a grimace.
Bramwell wasn’t just murdered; he was ripped to shreds.
His body lay torn in two, leaving his guts spread out in between, and his face set in an endless scream.
Nothing was missing; however, nothing was taken from his person.
Whatever did this wanted nothing from him, nothing but his death.
Picking up a shard of glass from beside his body, I lifted the torn flesh.
The way the skin was jagged told me that whatever weapon was used, it wasn’t sharp, nor was it a quick death.
My thoughts returned to that night in Thanlyl, to the dark intrigue that lingered like a predator stalking its prey.
From what we knew so far, Bramwell’s death held an air of similarity to Lowell’s, one that made me wonder if we had brought back something we shouldn’t have.
The two events felt too similar to be a coincidence.
Dropping the glass to the floor, I stood, turning to where Daelan was talking to the female who witnessed the massacre.
Well, saying that she witnessed what happened was a stretch.
She heard Bramwell’s flesh ripping, heard his screams and pleas for mercy, but she saw nothing—only a wall of shadow that blocked her view.
A maniacal laugh rang in my head, the sound burning through my thoughts. Did she do it? Will you be next? She will be your downfall. Your control is slipping—down, down, down it goes—washing away, turning into nothing. Nothing. Nothing.
I forced back my growl, my head pounding from the lack of sleep and use of my magic.
Pushing out my power, I breathed in the fear and turmoil thickening the air, feeding off it.
The pain in my head eased, though lately I could never completely rid myself of the ache, which was becoming more of an inconvenience.
It continued to stay as a nuisance, along with that fucking voice haunting my every moment.
A flash of gold caught my eye, and my gaze went to the door where Arianna stood, her eyes wide and face blanched. Groaning, I strode toward her, pushing her back into the hallway.
“Didn’t I tell you to stay away from here?” I reprimanded, my tone hard.
Arianna swallowed thickly, her eyes still glued to the gore covering the floor. Releasing a sigh, I caught her chin between my fingers, forcing her to look at me. “I asked you a question, Arianna. I told you to stay away. Why are you here?”
Arianna shuddered a breath, unease and agitation wafted off her in waves. I breathed it all in, letting it fuel my magic. Her eyes drifted back to the scene behind me, but I jerked her chin toward me—a silent order to keep her eyes only on me.
“There’s an emergency that needs your attention,” Arianna whispered. Her chin trembled under my thumb, and there was a wild look in her gaze.
“Show me,” I frowned, releasing her chin.
Arianna blinked rapidly, her throat bobbing as if she was bracing herself for what was to come before turning to walk down the hall.
Her movements were stiff and jerky, while she flinched at every sound.
My frown deepened as I followed behind her, keeping an eye on our surroundings.
With each step, her unease grew, morphing into undiluted terror.
We rounded the corner and made our way to my office.
Hale stood by the door, his face drained of color.
Sweat beaded along his brow, his body shaking.
When our eyes met, he straightened to hide the same terror that filled Arianna.
He sucked in a breath, giving me a small bow.
“Y-you have a guest waiting for you in your office.”
My brows furrowed together, my glance bouncing between the two, finally landing on the door.
There wasn’t just a guest waiting in the room; it was someone whose power was far greater than my own.
My hands curled at my side, my nails digging into my skin.
There were few who could outmatch my power, and those who could didn’t belong to this court.
Arianna stopped following me, moving to stand beside Hale as I stepped toward the door. I threw it open, letting it swing wide as I lifted my nose and stared down the fool who thought they could intimidate me.
A female with pale skin and even paler hair stood before my desk, reading over the documents thrown about.
She slowly turned to face me, her pupils turning into thin slits, making her eyes look like a nebula of blue and amber.
White horns rose above her head, adorned with jewels and charms. She wore a dark blue robe that was tied at the waist. Splits on each side of the robe showed the tightly fitted pants she wore beneath.
The voice in my head laughed in that same fucking maniacal way, like it knew what she was and why she was here.
“And you are?” I growled at the female, though I kept a distance between us, refusing to move from the doorway. If she were here to attack, I wouldn’t make it easy for her.
“Zarina, Goddess of Water,” she said, her head tilted as she took me in. “And you are Ambrose Farra, Queen Cassia’s…court advisor.”
Her face remained blank, but I heard the insinuation in her tone. I was nothing more than a lowly being, inferior to the dragon before me.
“Why would someone from the Seelie Court come here?” I asked in the same insolent tone. How dare she come here and talk down to me? How dare she soil the air here with her disgusting presence?
“I’ve come to discuss rumors regarding Queen Cassia,” Zarina said calmly, picking up another paper to read. “Someone made it known to us that she is being held here against her will.”
Arianna sucked in a breath, and I fought the temptation to look at her, to bark out a word of warning.
Forcing myself to remain calm, I gave Zarina a small smile.
“Apologies, I’m not sure who would have told you such a thing.
However, that is not true. Cassia is off gallivanting somewhere in the realm, checking in on her kingdom.
The cities and towns have been going through hard times recently. ”
“Queen Cassia, you mean,” Zarina frowned, her nose wrinkling at my lack of decorum and respect.
“Yes,” I smiled, hiding my sneer. “Yes, of course. Queen Cassia and I have the kind of partnership where titles like "queen" are unimportant. We rarely maintain the hierarchy of the palace.”
“I’m sure you don’t,” Zarina smirked, putting the paper she held back on the desk.
“We heard of the hardships your people have been going through recently. Unfortunately, we’ve had enough of your people come to us regarding Queen Cassia’s whereabouts to have a reasonable doubt that she is traveling, as you say.
I have come to check in on what we have heard.
I request to be shown the dungeons before I return to my court. ”
I felt Arianna’s stares digging into my back; her fear was so strong you could taste it in the air. My smile fell away, replaced with a glare. Did this bitch of a dragon truly believe she could come here and order us around? As if we were part of her simpering court?
They know, little manipulator. They know what you have done. They know, and she will be free. The voice laughed, vicious and cruel.
Shut it, I snarled quietly. My mind whirled, my thoughts split between needing to find out who had gone to the Seelie Court and needing to get the goddess out of the palace without seeing Cassia.
It was a dangerous line to walk. Dragons weren’t known for their patience.
To anger one would be a costly mistake, one that I wasn’t prepared to make.
Not until Bramwell and Loic’s soldiers were entirely mine to control.
Taking a deep breath, I replaced my glare with a charming smile.
“Unfortunately, Goddess Zarina, that will not be possible today. There has been a regrettable loss among the palace members. All of our resources have been focused on investigating the death of a lord. However, if you’d like, you may return in a few days, and I will personally give you a tour of the palace and the palace dungeons. ”
Zarina frowned, her eyes sliding to where Arianna hid beside me on the other side of the wall.
Her face soured as if she could see Arianna trembling like a useless chit.
When Zarina’s gaze finally met mine again, she sauntered through my office until she stood before me.
My heart lurched as those slitted pupils and the kaleidoscope of blues and ambers narrowed on me.
“I heard you were planning to throw a ball in honor of your…rise to kingship in Cassia’s absence. I'll provide you with enough time to investigate and mourn, and return in two weeks’ time to attend your ball. Will that suffice?”
I held back my ire, forcing the smile planted on my face to widen. “Of course, Goddess Zarina. You’ll be our guest of honor.” I inclined my head—the most I would do regarding bowing to this beast.
Zarina smirked, a scoff leaving her lips. “You may have others fooled, Ambrose; however, you do not fool me. I look forward to your tour.”
Stepping back, ropes of water circled Zarina, closing in on her until she disappeared into nothing.
I stood still, staring at the space she had recently occupied.
My fists drew tighter, my nails cutting into my skin.
I felt the blood drip from my hand to the floor.
Arianna rushed in behind me, grabbing my hands and pulling them in front of her.
“Ambrose,” she breathed, prying open my hands. Her voice trembled, and I could feel her trepidation. “Ambrose, it’s okay, calm down.”