28. Soulless Behavior
Soulless Behavior
Lord Gustafson cleared his throat loudly, hoping to add to the sound of clopping hooves to fight the dreadful silence between Luka and Matilda. He’d never been in a more uncomfortable position and would rather see his own head on a pike than suffer in the couple’s loud silence.
“Yuletide shall be upon us soon,” he said, hoping to break the ice.
Matilda’s head rolled to the side, and she met her bodyguard’s hopeful gaze with a sardonic grin. “How right you are, Ezra. I look forward to celebrating Yuletide in my banishment with my bastard child. Nothing would make me happier.”
An unpleasant sound rumbled from Luka’s throat. It was clear to Ezra that Matilda planned to make their king suffer. He regretted speaking.
“It’s not like that, and you know it,” Luka spoke softly.
“Ezra.”
“Yes, my Queen?” he replied out of habit.
“Matilda,” she corrected with a stony glare.
“My apologies.”
“Have my belongings transferred to my former chambers immediately upon our return.”
“Halt the carriage!” Luka shouted. The carriage stopped suddenly, lurching the passengers forward.
“King Alesi, where are you going?”
“Away from her before I lose my mind!” he snapped, exiting the carriage. Matilda followed him, wanting to give him a piece of her mind.
“Matilda, please return to the carriage,” Ezra called after her.
“You are a coward, Luka!”
“I take offense to your words. I am doing what I feel is right to protect you and our child.”
“You are wrong, Luka. When our child grows older and asks who their father is, I will say nothing because you threw us away like nothing!”
“You hold your tongue, you evil, spiteful woman!” King Alesi snarled, whirling around to face her.
“Evil and spiteful? I haven’t shown you evil and spiteful yet!”
“Then let’s see it! Come on! Let’s see it!”
“As you wish, my King. Beta David would never!” Matilda exclaimed without hesitation. That stung more than Luka was prepared for. Partly because he knew she was right.
“Then you may have him. He is in the dungeon… what’s left of him.”
Matilda paused, and a slow smirk made its presence known. “Thank you, my King. Please excuse my appearance from the announcement. You can invent an excuse for my absence. You’re good at that—coming up with excuses,” she accused before curtsying and climbing back into the carriage.
“One child dying wasn’t enough for you?” he shouted.
Luka immediately regretted his words when Matilda popped her head out the carriage window. He could see her holding back sorrowful tears.
“You know… I want to be angry with you,” she spoke softly.
“But I’m angrier at myself for believing I could trust you.
I’ve always been a fool, and I’ll die a fool because of a vampire.
I think you proved it, King Alesi.” He swallowed the lump of misery that lodged in his throat.
“You proved that you truly have no soul. Ezra, let’s go, or you’ll be walking back. ”
“One moment, Matilda. I’d like to have a word with King Alesi.”
She nodded before giving the men their privacy.
Luka sighed as he followed his former advisor a distance away. “I do not require a lecture.”
“Then I shall not lecture but offer some friendly advice.”
“Your friendly advice is lectures.”
“So be it. The two of you are unfit, and perhaps it’s time to conclude that your differences are too stark.”
“I can’t lose her.”
“You are well on your way to doing so. The last backhanded comment might have sealed your fate.”
“I admit that was untoward of me.”
“Untoward?”
Ezra clicked his tongue and continued walking the road with his hands cupped firmly behind his back.
“Always so stubborn. The challenge from House Marquis was surprising yet shouldn’t have been unforeseeable on our end.
I am certain that most vampires of Night Falls feel that having not only a human but a huntress rule by your side is abominable.
We should’ve prepared, or perhaps the two of you should’ve kept your carnality in check. ”
“Impossible,” Luka whispered.
“How so?”
“She is my fated mate.”
Ezra stopped in his tracks and eyed King Alesi warily. “And how have you confirmed this phenomenon?”
“She drank from me, I felt a pull, and then our hearts started beating as one.”
“That changes things. No wonder the two of you have been… untoward.” Luka smiled for the first time since returning from their retreat.
“You both have a strong will to protect your version of love for one another. You love her and your unborn child so greatly that you’re willing to part with them to ensure their safety.
Her version of love is keeping your family intact by any means necessary.
I think the trauma of losing Anastasia and never having the chance to procreate clouds your judgment.
I must confess that my initial reaction was to send Matilda away, but I have an unrelenting feeling that she will not forfeit no matter how many tantrums you throw.
However, her reasoning for fighting may have changed after the dead child comment; whatever that means—don’t tell me.
She will fight for her pride—to prove to you and every being who would dare doubt her. I am troubled.”
“What ails you, Ezra?”
“Her pride may be her downfall. You must fix this, Luka.”
“How do I fix something that may be irrevocably broken?”
“It is a simple solution, really. Believe in her like she believes in herself.”
“And if she falls? What will become of me?”
Ezra looked Luka in the eyes, wanting to leave no room for misinterpretation. “Then I will be merciful and end you myself.”
Luka went still. For a long moment, he could only stare at the man who had stood beside him through a century of triumph and loss. Ezra knew better than anyone what Anastasia’s death had done to him. He knew what another such loss would cost.
Luka swallowed against the sudden tightness in his throat and lowered his gaze.
“Thank you,” he murmured. “I don’t think I could live through another loss.”
“You’re welcome. I must return before Matilda takes off with the carriage. I take it you’ll catch up with the Marquises and return with them after the announcement?”
“Hell will freeze over before I cram myself into a carriage with them. I’ll commandeer a horse from one of the guards. Leave me with two guards and take the rest.”
“Yes, my King. One more thing: Matilda requested her belongings be returned to her personal quarters. Shall I—”
“Do as she requests.”
“Yes, my King. Be safe on your journey,” Ezra answered with a slight bow.
“Be well, Ezra.”
Ezra returned to the carriage, where he found Matilda staring blankly out the window. “Matilda, he—”
“I heard everything,” she whispered, tapping her jeweled ears.
“He is sorrowful and regretful for the words he spoke.”
“So it seems.”
“Are you not afraid of dying?” Ezra pressed.
“No.”
“Why not?”
The carriage finally staggered onward, turning to return to the castle. “Because I suspect our king wouldn’t let me go so easily.”
***
“We shouldn’t be down here,” Ezra hissed, repeatedly glancing over his shoulder, fearful they would be caught.
“Why not? King Alesi himself gave us permission.”
“He was being facetious, and you know it.”
“It is as they always say: say what you mean, mean what you say. Which corridor will lead me to him?”
“The second to the left,” he answered reluctantly.
Matilda took the path with sure and steady feet.
Her nose wrinkled in disgust with every step, and she nearly plugged her fingers into her ears to block out the sound of the squeaking rats milling about looking for food and water.
They finally arrived at a large cell that housed their prisoner.
“Have you finally grown weary of the vamp and have come to see me, huntress?”
“The torture has made you delusional,” she remarked, pressing her face between the bars.
“No more than yourself. We could’ve been good together, you and I,” he said in a raspiness created by mold, dehydration, and weakness.
“And what was that in the woods? Were you just following orders?”
“Something like that,” he commented. “You need something from me, huntress?”
“I do, but do you mind answering a question first?”
“What is there for me to gain in turn?”
“Nothing. I can get what I want from you without your consent. I’m sure Dr. Blackwood wouldn’t mind retrieving it for me.”
David fought weakly against his restraints in protest. Matilda tsked at the number Dr. Blackwood did on the beta, but if she had a gold coin for every enemy she felt sorrow for, she’d have a single coin.
David’s once wavy hair was shaved close to his head.
His mountainous form had withered down to a sinewy version of his former glory, and various unhealed cuts littered his body.
“Why hasn’t Prince Lykaon come for you? They’ve been eerily silent. ”
“If you are killed, you are weak. If you are captured, you might as well be dead,” David recited.
“Hmph. And they say there is no loyalty amongst thieves.”
“I’m certain Delta Loic has been promoted to my position. Is Prince Lykaon planning a hostile takeover? Aye, but it will not be soon. He is waiting for something.”
“What is that something?”
“I am not pressed to say. What is the nature of your visit?”
“Unlock the cage, Ezra.”
“I will not! Are you mad?”
“A little. Now, do as I say, or I’ll force Luka to turn me, and I’ll call you Ezzy for the rest of eternity.” Ezra shoved the key in the lock faster than the speed of light and prayed she’d remain human. “Thank you.”
Matilda’s long robe trailed behind her into the deplorable conditions of the cell. “Misbehave, and I’ll kick a hole in your chest. Do we have an understanding?” she challenged, speaking to the fallen wolf.
“I understand.”
“Wonderful. This is for you,” she said, retrieving a muffin from a pocket.
“Again, with the food in your pockets. You’ll have rats nibbling on you at night,” Ezra admonished.
“Rats? Vampires? What is the difference? Please enjoy this treat. Our cook Armando is the best. He is a tattle, but his baking is extraordinary.” David eagerly snatched the muffin from her hand and gobbled it down. “My word. There could’ve been poison in it.”
“I am ready to die.”
“I am not ready for you to die. I still need you.”
“What could you possibly need from me, huntress?”
“I need your blood.”