We came to the gate where Nicolae was on duty with another guard I did not recognize. I started to smile at him as I passed, because that was what Nicolae usually did when he spotted me. This time, he frowned and cast a dark look at both Daroc and Adrian, then me. His expression hit me in the chest, and I quickly looked away, knowing that he did not understand. He, like my people, did not know why Adrian still lived when I had gotten so close.
As I passed, I heard Nicolae say something under his breath, and I pulled on my reins, halting Midnight.
“Do you have something to share, Nicolae?”
The guard stared at me, and then his gaze flickered to his left, where Daroc and Adrian lingered.
“No, Your Majesty,” he said and bowed his head.
“I would hate to think that you would disrespect me,” I said. “Because that would mean I would have to dismiss you.”
His eyes connected with mine, his jaw clenched.
“With all due respect, Princess, I am beholden to the king of Lara.”
I went rigid, and after a brief pause, I slid off my horse to stand face-to-face with Nicolae.
“It’s Queen to you,” I said, and then I smiled. “Enjoy your last night on guard, solider. I will be sure to send Commander Killian notice of your immediate dismissal.”
I turned from him then, mounted my horse, and guided him past Daroc and Adrian. The two looked at me but said nothing as they followed me into the tree line. Once we were in the woods, I slowed my pace, unsure of where we were going. Adrian had brought a whole army to our border. Where were they?
“Part of the army has continued on to occupy other territories,” Adrian responded, and I wondered what he meant by other territories. Would he continue to Thea next? “A small party waits for us just outside the capitol to accompany us home.”
“Revekka will never be my home,” I said.
Adrian remained quiet.
We continued to where the vampires waited, in a small clearing not far from High City. Only a few remained of Adrian’s army, all mounted upon horses, covered in armor. I recognized only Sorin, Isac, and Miha.
I watched Sorin elbow Isac.
“Look, it’s our queen—the one who stabbed you!”
Miha grinned and Isac glared. “You say that as if I’ve forgotten.”
“I think you do not appreciate the gesture. Who else can say they were stabbed by their queen?”
“Your king,” I said, and the trio exchanged both surprised and amused looks.
Beside me, I felt Adrian’s eyes on me. “I have met my match,” he said.
His comment made me shiver, and I met his gaze, which seemed far too serious. I wasn’t sure Adrian and I were a match for anything but hatred, though I also wasn’t sure he hated me at all.
“We travel until dawn,” Adrian instructed, and as Daroc rode forward, Adrian and I followed while Sorin, Isac, and Miha fell in line behind us. After, the rest of the group joined, which included several vampires dressed in the same feathered, gold armor and mortals, both men and women, who were dressed in regal silk and fur, as if they were not part of an army.
We would travel north through Lara to the border of Revekka. I had not ventured north since I was a little girl. Those territories were beyond the mountain pass, too close to Revekka, and as Adrian’s power had grown and new monsters were born, the visits stopped. Now, only Killian and his soldiers made rounds close to the border near the Blood King’s kingdom.
Despite being with monsters, I was excited to see the villages in the north. They were so far from the castle, they had their own traditions and cultures, but I wondered…would they welcome me?
The wood was dark, but the naked limbs of the trees allowed for a view of the stars, and I found myself watching them, seeking light, mourning that I would not see the sun for a few days.
“Do you miss the sun?” I asked Adrian.
“That is a curious question.” He glanced at me.
“And why is that?”
He was quiet for a moment, and when he spoke, he answered my first question, “I do not miss the sun, not anymore.”
“And what if I miss the sun?”
How bright was the sky in Revekka—what would the sun look like beaming from behind red clouds? Would I even be able to see it?
“Then I will find it for you,” he replied.
Our eyes locked, and I saw a human sincerity in his expression that made my chest and cheeks feel warm. I quickly looked away.
Silence stretched until I noticed a few of Adrian’s soldiers breaking ranks, disappearing into the darkness. My heart picked up pace, wondering what they were doing.