Chapter 58 Adreona
ADREONA
“How’s it going?” I peered over Keziq’s shoulder as she scored over the journal taken from the original vampire family.
A smile curved over her lips as she looked over her shoulder at me. “I think I’ve about gotten it.”
“There’s no if in this. We only have one chance.”
She clicked her tongue. “Don’t underestimate me. You don’t know the bounds of my magic.”
“But what about the cousin?” I waved my hand as I tried to recall her name. “The witch heir—even I’ve heard whispers about her magic. Between her use of Ichor magic and Lennox and her four elements, they’re a force to be reckoned with.”
“I said, don’t underestimate me,” she snapped.
“Don’t you talk to me with such a tone, I‘m your leader.”
She rolled her eyes. “Like I was saying,” she continued, “Luciana Ambrose isn’t the only one who can study Ichor magic. When we meet in battle, I’ll be ready. And like you, they too will underestimate me. And I will prove you all wrong.”
She rose from the chair, looking down at me. “When we win this war, it will be because of me.”
“Mistress, a package arrived for you this morning.”
The tiny woman set the package on the dresser by my door before moving back into the doorway, clasping her hands in front of her.
“Who’s it from?”
“There was no name on the card, only it was addressed to you.”
“You’re excused.” The female scurried away, the door closing quietly behind her.
I finished pinning back my hair, eyeing the package in the mirror. I let my curiosity get the best of me, I rose and approached the gift. Perhaps it was from Lorenzo. He had yet to return from his scouting mission. He was so insistent to go out and do something.
It was driving me mad.
So I allowed him to take a small legion out scouting to see what he could find out about Lennox and her army. Lucky for me, I hadn’t heard a peep from him since he left.
I slid my fingers along the box. It was wrapped elegantly in a shiny black wrapping with a glistening red bow. Perhaps the Blood Court citizens were finally taking a liking to me as their queen.
Lorenzo had been gone a week now and I’d been flourishing in his absence.
And on top of that—my formal coronation was scheduled for two weeks time. I’d officially be Queen of the Blood Court.
I tried to have it occur sooner, but apparently there were laws that said we had to be married for so long before I could be crowned queen.
One of the many things I’d change once given the opportunity.
If Lorenzo happened to die in battle after my coronation—my body tingled with anticipation. What a glorious day that would be.
I ripped the bow off the package, my nails slicing through the black wrapping with ease. The box underneath was simple, I threw off the top and reached inside.
I jumped back, a sticky substance dripping from my hand as I drew it back from the box. “What—”
The red liquid was congealed on my skin.
I took a step forward, peaking into the box. A scream lodged in my throat as two lifeless black eyes stared back at me.
Lorenzo’s eyes.
Blood was dotted across his ivory skin, his mouth fixed permanently in a scream. Lorenzo’s head had been severed from his body—just as his fathers had been.
I wiped his blood from my hand with a towel, the red staining the fabric, but I didn’t fucking care.
Lorenzo was dead. Dead.
And I didn’t even have to lift a finger.
I reached for the white card resting on the top of the severed head, careful not to touch any part of Lorenzo.
My name was written in an elegant sloping font on the front.
I opened the card and read.
Adreona, a special gift for you, in thanks for the gift you sent us.
With Lorenzo’s unexpected death, we have arranged for the Rossi cousin next in line, Isolde, to arrive later this week.
It is a Blood Court rule, after all, that the next blood relative must take the crown in the unfortunate case the current line dies without an heir.
We have already sent word to Isolde, alerting her of her new title.
We have scheduled her coronation for next week.
Included are the official ruling and the notice sent out to the courts.
Please welcome the new Blood Queen warmly for us. We are sorry we can’t be there, but we’ve got more important duties to attend to.
Sincerely, High Queen and King, Lennox Adair and Luka Rossi
The joy I had felt over Lorenzo’s death quickly dissipated.
The paper fluttered to the ground. I reached for it, quickly scanning over the document pinned behind the note.
The official Blood Court document ruling a consort cannot take the throne in the event of the king or queen’s death.
I quickly flitted to the next page.
Lennox Adair and Luka Rossi are saddened to announce the death of the Blood King, Lorenzo Rossi. Although he was only king for a short time, his loss is still mourned. Isolde Rossi has been appointed next in line for the Blood Crown in the wake of his loss.
We are devastated by another loss in the Rossi family.
I didn’t bother to read the rest, I crumpled the paper in my hand, letting the ball fall to the ground at my feet.
How quickly everything could change.
A scream tore from my throat.
My body trembled as emotions rushed through me.
I threw the box with Lorenzo’s head to the ground. It flew from the box, landing with a squelch on the wood floor before it rolled, leaving a trail of blood in its wake.
The contents of my dresser went next, the glasses and mirrors shattering around me.
I destroyed the entire room.
Only when I heard the sound of footsteps tramping on the stairs did I stop.
“Miss Adreona, what has happened?”
I looked up to meet the watchful eyes of the staff as they pressed against the wall by the door, their eyes scanning the mess I had made.
I clutched Lorenzo’s severed head in my arms, pressing it against my chest as I cradled it, his blood staining my dress.
Tears streamed down my cheeks from my angry rant, but they wouldn’t know the difference.
“They’ve killed the king.” I sniffled.
“Who?” someone whispered.
“The High King and Queen, they killed him.”
I quickly dismissed the staff, claiming I needed time to grieve alone. I’d send word when I was ready for visitors.
Lennox and Luka might have gotten a step ahead of me, but just this once. It wouldn’t happen again.
I brought the severed head cradled in my arms to the crackling hearth.
Ever so carefully I set Lorenzo’s head in the fire, arranging him so I could watch as he burned.
They might think they had gotten the best of me, but they had no idea what I had coming for them.