“He is dead. I am the Emperor now. You’re no longer the favorite!”
This was such a weak insult, it wouldn’t make the proud Imperial Concubine flinch. Kareen’s glare was much fiercer, and it looked like nothing could make her waiver, not even the news of her past lover’s death. Either she didn’t believe it, she hid her emotions perfectly, or she wasn’t affected, one couldn’t tell. She was just standing there, an empty look in her eyes.
From glaring at the concubine, Vrehan’s eyes went down to the baby she was holding. His black eyes opened wider, in a horrified, disgusted expression as he discovered Kassian. Kairen moved right away to stand between Vrehan’s line of sight and his son, glaring right back at him.
“That little bastard,” hissed Vrehan.
Kian who had followed them jumped on Kairen’s shoulder at that moment, and growled at him, arching its back.
“Where is Cassandra?” asked Kairen, impatient.
This time, the Second Prince’s face broke into a nasty smile, looking quite happy. He chuckled, but it soon turned into a crazy laugh. His voice echoed along the walls, making everyone but him rather uneasy.
“You crazy ass,” hissed Shareen.
“She’s dead!” yelled the Second Prince.
Kairen didn’t move, but his fingers tightened around his weapon.
“Your damn, precious witch is dead! That bitch killed herself to escape me!”
“You’re lying,” muttered Shareen.
She couldn’t help but send worried glances at Kairen. If Cassandra was really dead, her brother was really going to lose it. Facing them, Vrehan kept laughing like crazy, amused by the War God’s furious expression.
“You were a War God, Kairen, but now you’re so affected by that bitch’s death? Well, your woman is dead. She dove into the lake and she never came back.”
“It’s Cassandra, Kairen,” whispered Kareen behind him. “She can stay underwater for a long time.”
“Oh, you think she could still be alive? I will break it to you, she is not coming back, you idiot. Your women dove into that lake hours ago. Even that witch can’t survive hours under the surface! It’s a pity. I would have loved to show you her dead body, just for the pleasure of seeing your face.”
Whatever he had hoped to see, Kairen wasn’t going to give him that pleasure. Whether he believed it or not, and despite his sister’s worried glances, all of his rage was contained inside. However, they did hear the furious growls of a dragon coming from the outside. Unlike Kairen, Krai was going rogue outside the Palace’s walls. Yet here, its Master was only clenching his jaw and his fists and glaring like a tiger at Vrehan.
He slowly raised his sword.
“You’re going to die,” he whispered.
That simple sentence erased all smiles from Vrehan’s lips. The Second Prince stood up, and directed their attention towards Missandra. His blade against her throat was tracing a thin red line on her skin. Shareen clicked her tongue.
“Oh, no, I don’t think so. You are going to throw your weapons, or I’ll slice this woman like a pig in front of you. Both of you,” he added, glaring at Shareen as well.
“You scum. And what happens if we refuse? You only have one hostage, once she’s dead we would have no problem killing you!”
“Oh, I don’t need to kill her straight away,” chuckled Vrehan. “I can slice her pretty skin, little by little, until you obey. Her skin is way too neat, compared to her older sister’s, isn’t it? I could even chop off a few limbs.”
“We have Phetra,” declared Shareen. “How about we do the same thing to your precious younger sister?”
Vrehan laughed loudly again, his horrible laugh making Shareen roll her eyes.
“Do you think I care about my sister? She was only useful for some time! Princesses aren’t as watched as the Princes, you see. She was very helpful in making more allies within the Senate.”
“I knew that bitch opened her legs,” hissed Shareen.
“You two are such idiots,” continued Vrehan. “All you can do is fight, you are not fit to be the Emperor!”
“Oh, right, we are not some vile scheming rat like you!”
Just as she said that Vrehan got even madder, and his dragon growled furiously, too, taking one step forward. They couldn’t have missed his eyes, both completely covered in a dry dark liquid that ought to be blood.
