Uncomfortability, that's what the long table in the parlor feels like. Uncomfortability and vicious masculinity. Kaz stares emptily at Val, who only glares back. After releasing Kaz in the Throne Room, I had him sent to one of the many spare rooms in the palace to freshen up.
Upon which Val then demanded why he was here so I told him. "He seems to think there is some ancient artifact that can remove the Blood Crown from my body."
"Is there?"
"Of course not." I snorted before tapping him on the shoulder and leaving the room. It's been nearly two hours since I returned and none of us have spoken to each other. I observe them, trying to see who will crack first. The doors opening capture all of our attention. A row of thin, cloaked covered Wraiths float into the room. Their shredded cloaks whisper over the stone floor, long spindly fingers placing platters upon platters on the table. Their faces are hidden in shadows, nothing but two pale blue glowing circles for eyes.
They do not say a word, they simply leave the food before slipping from the room like a collective exhale of breath. Val and Kaz stare at the food, then back at each other.
"Boys, it's rude not to eat. Fill your plates." I reach for my own, filling it with thick slabs of pork, green beans, peas, and a thick bun. I also drizzle the smoothest gravy over the pork letting the aromas of garlic and cumin fill the space. I've just placed the fork to my lips when the doors open once more. A short but lithe figured woman enters the room. Her silken walnut skin glows in the lantern light. She has shoulder length straight hair, the colour of the darkest depths of the ocean and eyes that are colder than ice that they look nearly clear. She takes a seat at the end of the table, opposing me.
"Who, pray tell, are you? This is a private dinner."
"I'm Rozan, my Queen. I was invited here."
"By whom?" I pur, placing my fork down and curling my fingers between one another until I've tipped my chin on top of them. She smiles, flashing muted white teeth at me. A flaw. Excellent.
"By me, my Queen. I hope that's alright." Val's eyes dig into the side of my face. I do not bother to look at him. "Have we met before?" I whisper.
Rozan shakes her head, "No, my Queen." I blink before turning to Kaz and frown, "You haven't filled your plate. You know it's rude not to eat." He blinks slowly, his fingers curling over the arms of the chair.
"How do I know you haven't poisoned it?" He whispers. I smile, remembering when I said something similar to him a year ago. I take a bite and smile when I do not immediately start convulsing. "Is that to your satisfactory?" I mumble. He snorts, before carefully filling his plate. I turn my attention back to Rozan.
"Why are you here again?" She only grins at me, leaning back in her chair before turning her attention to Kaz. He's calmly taking a bite of his food. I cannot stop myself from watching the movement of his throat as he swallows.
Val clears his throat, "So Kaz, Thea has told me that you're here seeking some ancient item?" Rozan keeps staring at Kaz, her tongue gliding over her lower lip.
Interesting that she is so bold. Should we teach her a lesson?
Whispers that kiss my cheeks and pitter over my ribs, like tiny little footsteps. When Kaz turns his sight back to Val a shiver ripples along my spine but I do not get a chance to reply when the doors are once more crashing open.
⤗
"Quickly my Queen, we are under attack." I blink at the tall demon standing in the doorway. Snorting, I push back into my seat and stare at the male.
"Nonsense. If we were under attack I would have known." The demon swallows, "Please your majesty, we need to get you to safety. They're here."
"Who's here?" I ask, staring at the green eyed demon. He swallows, his grey skin wrinkling with worry and agitation.
"The Crimson Defiants."
Everyone in the room stills. Val pushes to his feet and turns to the demon, "Fendir, are you certain?" Fendir nods quickly, "Yes." Slowly uncertainty begins to weed its way into my system. As one, the rest of us stand, our food is quickly forgotten. Kaz reaches for my hand and whispers, "Who are the Crimson Defiants?"
I frown, but before I get a chance to reply a boom shakes the ground and the lanterns on the walls begin to rattle.
"We need to leave, now!" Val reaches for Rozan and yanks her from the room, leaving myself and Kaz to trail after them. Fendir leads us down the dark hallways, I can hear roars piercing through the walls and the sound of wind howling through the palace.
"What's the damage report?" Val asks, slipping into his role as Captain right away. Fendir blinks at Valerian, "They've blown a hole into the Throne Room, sir. We are managing to keep a few of them contained there but they could have more rebels on the way."
A thrill passes through me.
This is our chance, Thea. We could show them who you are. We could put an end to this rebellion.
Aching desire curls around my arms. It coils against my throat until it bobs against my collarbone. Fendir, Val and Rozan are striding down the hall, aiming for a door that leads to an underground shelter. I grip Kaz's wrists and pull him against me, the shadows in the hall covers us.
"What are you doing?"
"You wanted to know who they were?" I whisper. His lips are close to mine. His breath warms my cheeks. I cannot stop my fingers from trailing along his jaw and tugging at the ends of his hair. Kaz growls softly.
"Yes. Who are they?" He rasps, his fingers gripping my hips tightly. I smile at him in the dark, "They're a rebel group. They do not like that I'm in control and they've been trying to find ways into this palace for over a year. I've been slowly killing them off one by one."
Kaz shivers but I continue, "The Crimson Defiants are a group of outcasts. Fairies, Goblins, Pixies, demons, everything. They are the outcasts the High Lords send this way for an eternal punishment and they are angry."
Kaz's fingers brush my skin and stars spiral across my vision, a huff escapes my lips and I cannot stop the temptation. I fall against his mouth and in the dark our souls start to sing.
For a moment she lifts her head and begins to cry. But only for a moment. The magic is lost when the ground shakes violently once more. Pulling from him, I take the High Lord's hand and whisper, "Ready to show them what real power looks like?" Before he can reply, I'm racing down the halls and aiming head-first for the chaos at the other end.
⤗
Wind whips me in the face as I approach the Throne Room doors. They've been blown open, their tall and imposing height has fallen to the smooth stone, leaving behind spiderweb cracks. Kaz comes to a halt next to me. I don't recognize the room. The wall at the far end has been blown apart, large crumbling stones now litter the floor. The foul air from outside rips through the room.
I see Fendir and Val standing by the far wall, the rest of the demon army has filed into single lines behind them. Kaz grips my wrist, "What is the next step?"
