Chapter 4
“General, congratulations.” A firm hand came to rest on Dru’s shoulder.
She turned, met by the council member, Caedmon Wells.
“Thank you, Councilman Wells.” Dru nodded.
In royal fashion, Lethia had garnered a celebration in secrecy. There wasn’t much that went undetected under Dru’s nose at the castle, but somehow Lethia had planned to promote her and then throw a party in her honor.
“I’ve always known you were special. I remember the day you made captain.” Wells chuckled.
Dru’s name was called out again. She bowed to him and made excuses. She didn’t have the energy to fall into a long discussion with the elder vampire. She remembered that day completely differently. There had been objections to her being made a captain.
Dressed in her formal uniform, she made her way through the throng of vampires.
Her people loved a good party. The entire coven had to be here tonight.
The ballroom had been transformed. The high vaulted ceilings reflected the flickering of candlelight in black iron chandeliers.
Each flicker gave a soft appearance to the room where the shadows hid secret feedings from human donors.
Musicians played from a raised alcove, their stringed instruments weaving a magical sense of danger and elegance. Cerulean banners decorated the walls with the royal crest threaded in gold.
Dru continued on taking in the room decked out in her honor. She’d never had such an event thrown for her. Lethia had certainly outdone herself tonight.
Her gaze landed on the dais at the far end. Twin throne chairs draped in gold velvet sat empty. The music ceased, and the crowd fell quiet, the focus on the double doors opening. A royal guard stepped forward with a gold sash resting across his chest. He clicked his heels together.
“You have been graced with the presence of the royal couple. It is my great honor to introduce His Royal Majesty, ruler of North America, King Niall Riskel and her radiant Majesty, Queen Mira Riskel. All hail the royal house.” His voice carried through the air. He stepped to the side and bowed low.
The royal couple appeared in the doorway.
King Niall, with his dark hair, was a dashing older vampire who was fit and still wielded his sword.
Queen Mira was a beauty with long blonde hair styled into a high bun.
Both had dressed in lavish luxury, as expected of a royal couple.
The two made a beautiful couple, and both were deadly vampires.
Dru joined everyone in the customary bow to the royal couple. They made their way to the dais where they were seated on their thrones. Conversations resumed as well as the music.
“Why is the honorary guest hiding off in the corner?” Lethia appeared at Dru’s side.
Dru held back an eye roll and turned to her. Alima was at her side, their arms entwined.
“Your Highnesses.” Dru nodded to both of them.
Alima smiled at her and leaned into Lethia.
Dru blew out a deep breath. “I’m not hiding. I’m just taking it all in.”
“Whatever. You’re hiding, and don’t think you’re going to disappear from your party to go plotting on the enemy.” Lethia’s blue eyes twinkled with laughter. The commander apparently knew Dru only too well.
“You know, for a princess, you sure can be an ass,” Dru muttered. She shook her head. What else was she supposed to be doing? As the general of the eastern armies, it was her job now more than ever to ensure their warriors were ready.
“You may want to watch what you say to your commander.” Lethia tossed her a wink. “I’ve cut out tongues for lesser offenses.”
“Aye, that I know. I was right there beside you.” Dru folded her hands behind her back and turned to Lethia. “You just couldn’t give me a warning that you were going to promote me?”
Lethia threw back her head and laughed. “Why? So I can miss the look on your face? You didn’t have a clue what you were in for. I could see the gears in your brain turning.” She snickered.
“A heads-up would have been nice,” Dru muttered.
“Would it have made a difference? Would you have thought about it? Would you have declined the position? Which, I might add, you were not going to get the choice to do anyway.” Lethia eyed Dru and shrugged. “As I said, I should have done it long ago.”
A few attendees walked past them and offered their congratulations to Dru. She gave a curt nod to them and focused back on Lethia.
“I have been in the midst of—”
“I don’t want to hear anything about the lycans, plans, attack battles, or anything that has to do with war at the moment.
Save that for the morning.” Lethia rested a hand on Dru’s shoulder.
“You’re to mingle. Take the night off. Find a donor to drink from, or better yet, go find a donor to fuck.
It looks like it’s been a while since you’ve experienced the pleasure of a donor’s company. ” She grinned.
“I beg your royal pardon?” Dru sputtered. Her private business need not be the concern of the princess. Lethia may be right that it had been a long while since she’d experienced the company of a lover, but she’d been knee-deep in her work.
“I am ordering you to go feed and fuck, General,” Lethia deadpanned.
“Your Highness. There is much to do—”
“I just gave you an order. If you only want to feed, then so be it, but please…release some of that pent-up tension you carry.” Someone signaled to Lethia, drawing her attention away.
“Don’t listen to her. Do what you want.” Alima chuckled.
“Thank you, my lady.” Dru smirked.
“Don’t listen to my mate. I am the commander.” Lethia flashed a fang. She motioned to her parents. “Come. The honored guest is being summoned to the king and queen.”
Dru followed Lethia and Alima through the thick crowd.
She continued to acknowledge everyone who attempted to gain her attention.
She was thankful she could use the excuse of the king and queen requesting her.
The celebration was ramping up, and she was itching to disappear and leave.
Vampires loved a good party and to enjoy their immortality.
Dru, on the other hand, preferred solace and being left to plan her battle strategies.
Large crowds bothered her. Maybe it was the warrior in her, but her gaze swept the area looking for any signs of danger.
Her hand rested on the small dagger she kept on her waist. She didn’t quite trust everyone in this damn room, but she knew at the moment there couldn’t be a safer place to be with the royal couple being in attendance.
There were plenty of guards and warriors around the castle at a time like this with the addition of the vampire dignitaries present.
She didn’t need to have her full array of weapons on her person, but she did feel vulnerable without them.
The king and queen sat regal in their twin thrones. Two royal guards stood near them. The couple always had a detail assigned to them. Enemies could present themselves any time. They’d be fools to try anything as the royal couple were both fierce warriors.
Lethia and Alima stopped at the base of the stairs that led up to where the Riskels sat.
“Mother. Father.”
Lethia and Alima bowed deeply to her parents.
They moved to the side so Dru could come forward.
She ignored the stares as the room turned its attention to her and the royal couple.
Her new ranking of general put her in a higher status underneath the king and queen in the collective army that served them.
Dru stepped forward and met the steady gaze of the king then the queen.
“Your Majesties.” Dru knelt before them in a show of utmost respect.
She’d grown up listening to stories of the king and his father.
It was the Riskels who’d saved the North American continent vampires.
She didn’t care what stories that lycan alpha had tried to weave on national television.
It had been a string of lies. All vampires knew the truth.
“You may rise, General,” the king’s deep voice boomed.
Dru lifted her gaze and met the king’s cunning stare. She stood. It was always an honor to hold an audience with the royal couple.
“My daughter has made a fine choice in choosing her general,” Queen Mira noted.
Pride filled Dru again. It was one thing to have recognition from Lethia, but to hear it come from the queen’s own lips gave Dru even more confidence of her abilities to lead Lethia’s army.
“Your reputation proceeds you. We need more vampires warriors like you, General Moldark.”
“I will not let the crown down,” Dru announced with a clear, steady voice.
She caught Lethia’s nod at her announcement.
Her hard work and dedication had paid off as she’d always known it would.
Dru was a vampire who was always determined to succeed at whatever she put her mind to.
Had she remained a healer, she was sure she’d have been one of the best. Her sister, Zada, was well known for her healing abilities.
It was in their genes. The Moldark name carried weight.
“I am sure that you will not. You have done much for the vampire nation. I trust that each warrior will continue to follow your lead.” The king leaned forward and rested his elbow on his knee.
“You remind me of myself when I was younger. Hungry. Intelligent. A true warrior who has taken an interest in the next generation of warriors. General, you’ll go far in life. ”
Dru bit back a few tears that threatened to appear. She wasn’t one who got emotional. Even when she’d made the decision to leave the life of a healer and choose the harsh warrior life, she’d been sensible and headstrong.
But there was something about hearing the king acknowledge her that opened up something in her.
“Come, General. Walk with me. I need some fresh air and want to view the gardens.” The queen pushed up from her chair and motioned for Dru to go with her.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Dru flicked her gaze to Lethia who shrugged.