Chapter 12 #3
“My people will fight you when they discover that you have captured their King,” Lanlin finally says. “You are the liar. You didn’t simply break the peace treaty. It wasn’t real.”
I laugh, sharply. “You truly believe that your kingdom will go to war over you? The Void Vampire? The monster with The Power, the exile, who only inherited the throne because everyone else in the House of Sin was dead?” He flinches as I throw everything that I can to hurt him in his face.
It’s only everything that I have thought about myself.
“Your mother, Isis, has been trying to gain my blessing to kill you for years. She suggested her son could do it, did you know that? I saved your life.”
“Thank you, Relius,” Lanlin says with an earnestness that shocks me.
I don’t know how to respond.
I cough to cover my confusion. I clasp my hands smartly behind my back.
“Well,” I wet my dry lips, “Isis won’t go to war with me. She’ll serve as the puppet leader of my vassal kingdom, while rejoicing that you’re gone and that House of Crocodile can finally reign.”
Daire’s eyes sparkle. “That will be difficult since the bitch is dead.”
“Then her sons…” I scrabble to remain in control.
“Also, dead.” Daire points his wing at me. “What do they say about the best laid plans biting a dragon in the arse?”
Maximinus claps his hands loudly, and the sound echoes around the hall.
“Enough. What does it matter who takes over that savage land? Someone will eagerly step in and seize the throne, and they won’t go to war over a blood-soaked assassin.
Lanlin Sin admits his guilt, and it began when he was a bestial, treacherous child.
” Maximinus strolls behind Lanlin, assessing him with a predatory look that makes my blood chill.
“He shall make a beautiful pet, once he’s tamed. ”
I note who amongst the Council laugh, especially Liviana.
“Have you forgotten who I am?” Despite the cursed silver, shadows curl around Lanlin.
His eyes swirl red. “I am still a king, and I shall rip out your bones and those of everyone in your bloodline to build my new throne. I am no one’s pet.
And if you believe that I can be tamed, then it’ll be your last belief, before you feel my fangs sinking into your perverted throat. ”
Maximinus’ eyes light with amusement. “You shall be even more fun to play with than the fallen fae is. Do you truly believe that you have the power in this room? Let me show you just how much power you have.”
He raises his hand, and instantly, Lanlin’s beautiful crown, which is composed of two batwings around a diamond moon, along with Daire’s bat circlet, are wrenched off their heads.
“Don’t,” Daire howls.
Lanlin snarls, twisting around. “Return them. Immediately. How dare you steal my wedding gift to my king?”
Maximinus makes a fist, however, and the metal of both crowns crumple in on themselves, until they are warped out of shape.
Then they clank to the floor.
I wince.
Daire throws himself to his knees next to the crowns, which are melted together in a misshapen lump.
He traces over their outline with his elegant fingers, as if in a mourning ritual, muttering words in his ancient fae tongue.
Then he hugs the warped crowns to his chest, glaring up at Maximinus. “You bloody bastard.”
Maximinus shakes his head, hovering his hand over Lanlin’s hair. “As you can see, my methods didn’t entirely work with the fae. But I intend to use harsher ones to train and break the vampire.”
“You won’t touch him.” My mouth feels like it is filled with sand.
I am numb. But this is the final sentence that Lucius drilled into me; I must get it out.
“I have already made a deal with Wraith and the Guild of Assassins that they shall have Lanlin Sin for one month. It is restitution for Vicious’ death.
Justice. After that, he will have paid for his actions. ”
By the Shadow Gods, let Freya understand that I am saving Lanlin’s life.
Lanlin’s piercing gaze flays me down to my soul.
“I will never accept that,” Maximinus growls. “The Council won’t. He is our prisoner, and after his crimes, he should—"
“Suffer?” I arch my brow. “What do you think happens to a bonded Blood who is kept apart from their Omega? How skilled do you think the Guild of Assassins are in their games?”
Behind me, Lucius shivers in horror.
“Still can’t bear to be cruel yourself, Relius?” Lanlin’s gaze is too knowing. “You surround yourself with monsters who stain their hands in blood, so that you can pretend your own are clean.”
I swagger forward, grabbing Lanlin harshly by the chin.
I lean down to murmur, “It is better than being the monster.”
Then I backhand him, and his lip splits. I wipe my thumb through his blood, holding it up between us.
“Are you happier now to see me with my hands stained in your blood?” I grimace, wiping the blood off on Lanlin’s cheek.
“How kind will you think me, when you’re trapped in the Guild of Assassins?
When you are locked in the darkness, knowing that I will never let you see the light of your Omega or Blood Lover again? ”