Chapter Eighteen
Vil
My growl shook the ledge, sending bits of debris tumbling down from the nearby walls of the cavern. “What did you just say?”
“Adamantine crowned himself prince.”
“Who is Adamantine?” Vanessa asked, looking back and forth between us nervously, her blonde hair swaying with the movement.
“The head of the Nine,” I rumbled ominously. “Though for how much longer remains to be seen. The absolute audacity. He can’t think I’ll stand for this. Can he?”
Ferra shrugged. “Not even I thought he would go this far. It’s not exactly open warfare, but only in name.”
“I think it’s time I went and paid my … respects … to this new prince,” I said, sneering at the word “prince.” “Shall we be along?”
“You want me to go?” Vanessa asked, fidgeting with her dress.
“You will be perfectly safe,” I assured her. “There are plenty of loyalists there. Adamantine isn’t stupid enough to try that.”
But I would have to ensure she was safe from him while I dealt with the issue. Perhaps she would get to visit Earth again in the near future after all. It all depended on how the meeting with Adamantine went.
Meeting. Ha. The only thing that would be meeting was my fist with his face.
I extended my arm, and with only a moment’s hesitation, Vanessa took it, linking her hand through my elbow and resting her fingers on my forearm. We headed back through the depths of the fortress toward the ballroom, where the upstart prince awaited.
“How did everyone react to this news?” Vanessa asked.
“Those who support the Nine approved it. Those who have an ounce of logic in their brain do not. But there’s a large swath in the middle,” Ferra warned, speaking to both of us.
“You’re a controversial choice for the princess, and those who would normally side with Vil are split on how they feel about you.
His position is rockier than it might be. ”
“Have many gone outright over to Adamantine’s side?” I asked, curious about her read on the attendants of the Presentation Ball. Not that it would change how I reacted, but it would be good to know about any major losses of support.
“Not many yet, at least outwardly,” she said with a shrug.
“Good.”
We walked in silence the rest of the way.
“How do you want to do this?” Ferra asked as we approached a set of tall swinging doors currently closed.
I dropped Vanessa’s arm mid-stride, walked up to the doors, and slammed my fists into each of them. Metal groaned, and hinges protested under the force as the doors flung open, smashing into the wall with a crescendo of noise.
Every head in the room turned to face me as I stalked toward the elevated dais where the prince and princess would sit.
I didn’t have to force anyone to move aside.
The crowd parted as I stalked through it, like a shard sliding through a school of fish.
Ferra stayed back and out of sight before she slipped off to one side while Cruce appeared out of the crowd to escort Vanessa a few steps behind me.
Silvery steel coated my entire body as I strode toward the thrones, each carved from solid stone, looking down over the open room. My eyes likely matched my skin tone as my powers fully manifested. I didn’t blink, instead staring at the two figures sitting in the chairs.
“Why, Adamantine,” I snarled as dragons parted, clearing my path. “I never thought you had aspirations to become a standup.”
Adamantine frowned at me. In his human form, he had long salt and pepper hair that fell to either side of his forehead, eyes that were a hair too close to each other, and a thick, square jaw covered in a carefully manicured amount of stubble.
“Standup?” he asked warily.
“A comedian,” I snarled. “Because this has to be a joke, doesn’t it? No way would you actually expect a farce such as this to stand up. Is there?”
The leader of the Nine bared his teeth. “The only joke here is your sham of mating with this human. How dare you call my actions a joke, actions designed to save our clan from this insidious union you seek to have us accept. No, the only farce here is you, Anvil. And the Iron Clan is done with you.”
I threw back my head and laughed as I reached the base of the dais without slowing down. Two other members of the Nine moved to put themselves between me, but a harsh glare paused them just long enough for me to pass by and stride up the stairs toward Adamantine.
He was slow-moving, having expected his lackeys to stop me. I reached him, grabbed him up by the scruff of his neck, and without another word, sent him hurtling toward the crowd.
Nobody caught him.
Even as his body flopped across the floor, I turned my attention to his mate. She didn’t hesitate, scurrying down from the seat and disappearing into the crowd. I, and everyone else, noted that she didn’t go to his side.
“Figures,” I muttered to myself before descending the stairs once more and walking over to where Cruce stood next to Vanessa. “Thank you.”
He nodded and backed away as I offered my arm to my mate.
Her normally tanned complexion was several shades lighter, but she eventually brought her arm up in a stately manner.
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, but she followed my lead and ascended the stairs to seat herself on the throne reserved for the princess.
“You’re doing great,” I told her when my back was turned to everyone. “You don’t have to say anything.”
“Mmm hmm,” she said in a strained manner, leaving me to wonder if she even could speak if she’d had to.
I was putting more on her than I’d like, but Adamantine’s brazen grab for power demanded a response from me.
One that showed my people I was still fit to be the prince.
I had no choice but to present her to everyone in a formal manner.
Even if I would have preferred simply to introduce her individually as we wandered the ballroom floor.
I’ll make this up to you. Somehow.
Turning, I faced the crowd and sat. “Let there be no debate. I am your Prince-Assumptive. This is my mate. She may have the blood of a human, but within her resides the soul of a dragon. I have seen it. The God-King has shown me the way. The princes of Storm and Fire have both found their mates among humans. They have all been acclaimed. Vanessa is no different. I say this to you now as a warning to any who would oppose her: Don’t. That is my final word on the matter.”
The Nine, who had clustered themselves in a circle off to my left, sent glares that would have impaled me to the wall a dozen times over if they had any force.
I let one corner of my mouth twitch, the barest hint of a smile to taunt them.
Adamantine’s mouth opened in an inaudible smile, and then he stormed from the room, the others on his heels.
About a quarter of the rest of the room followed him in protest of my decision, while I could see another third to half were unsure what to do.
I knew I had to act again. A statement had been made, but now, the people, all of whom had returned their attention to me, needed normalcy. Things had to be as they were. The distraction had to be ushered out of the present.
“Music!” I called to the twelve-piece band and orchestra that occupied one end of the rectangular hall off to my right. “Let there be dancing!”
A smattering of applause greeted my pronouncement.
“And food!” I roared with a genuine grin.
That time, there were cheers of support as the dragons assigned to work the ball brought forth tables and began to laden them with all manner of roasted and cooked meats, perfectly steamed vegetables, fresh breads still steaming in their baskets, butters and gravies, and still soft cookies.
Caskets of beer streamed in while bottles of wine were cracked and glasses poured.
Platters of vegetables and hot finger foods started to circulate as well, filling the room with their aroma.
Slowly but surely, the din of conversation returned while music soothed the frayed tensions of the ball-goers.
“Well, Vanessa,” I said, turning my eyes on my mate, free to focus on her once more, “can I entice you to a dance before we get some food?”
She did well to conceal a frown. “One dance,” she stated. “And it must be proper. I’m still not sure how I feel about you or any of this.”
“Of course,” I murmured, rising from my throne to take her hand and escort her down the stairs. “I would never dream of being improper … yet.”
Vanessa nearly stumbled on the last stair at my growled addendum, the raw sexuality dripping from the single word, making it quite clear what I thought of her.
Yes, tonight shall be an interesting night, indeed.