Bonds of the Vampire King (Blood Fire Saga Book 7) by Bella Klaus (romantic books to read TXT) 📗

given Valentine the opportunity to get revenge on the Mage King. “Alright then. I’ll go in and see Hades, ask him what happened, and work out if he was involved with organizing the assassination.”

Valentine inclined his head.

“I’ll provide backup.” Beowulf rose from his seat and folded his arms across his broad chest.

Valentine frowned. “What I’m about to do is tantamount to treason. I would rather not get you involved in the murder of the Demon King.”

Beowulf’s features hardened, and he looked like he was about to protest. A heartbeat later, his shoulders sagged a few inches, and he grunted an agreement. “I will leave, then. What do you want me to do about your ward?”

“Bring him to the palace, please,” said Valentine.

The Shifter King inclined his head and walked to the door. “Good luck.”

While Valentine disappeared to put on some armor, Caiman walked me around the other side of the palace to the dueling room, which looked the same as any other parlor except for the paintings on the wall. Instead of Valentine’s ancestors clad in velvets and silks, they each wore leather armor and scowls.

I lowered myself into a wooden-framed sofa that felt like it had been upholstered with straw and winced.

A decanter of red wine sat on the table with two crystal glasses, although I wasn’t quite sure what kind of alcoholic beverage was the exact color and consistency of blood. I let my gaze drift away from the sight. It was probably something symbolic and related to making enemies bleed.

The door swung open, and Caiman stepped inside. “His Majesty, the Demon King, My Lady.”

My pulse quickened to the beat of my fury, and I rose off the uncomfortable sofa with my teeth clenched. It was going to be near impossible to act normal with Hades, but if Valentine wanted to know the extent of his guilt before attacking, I would have to remain calm.

Hades stepped through the door, carrying a bouquet of white orchids. “Mera,” he said with his eyebrows drawn together. “I heard the news, and I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“May I take the flowers, Your Majesty?” asked Caiman.

The Demon King’s gaze didn’t waver from mine. “Leave us.”

Caiman inclined his head and stepped out of the room.

My throat dried. I straightened, inhaled a deep breath, and pulled back my shoulders. This wasn’t the first time I’d been alone with Hades, but it was the first time with Valentine within earshot. He still didn’t know the full amount of Hades’ desperate attempts at seduction, and I hoped the Demon King wouldn’t try anything stupid.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“I came to offer my condolences,” he said.

“Because Nut and Geb haven’t eaten me yet?” I snapped.

Hades paused for a moment, his brows furrowing as though he wasn’t sure what I was talking about. “I beg your pardon?”

“Do you have amnesia?” I said. “The two demon bodyguards who wanted to eat my organs. You laughed and said you’d strip out my phoenix when I reached Hell.”

He placed a hand on his cheek and frowned. “I do recall saying those words. However, I also recall a certain young woman comparing me unfavorably to an eviscerated corpse.”

“So that makes us even?”

Hades lowered his lashes. “I am truly sorry for not intervening. My heart was broken at your rejection, and my spirit wallowed in the pits of despair. A mere hour before you rejected me, Coral told me for the seventh time to leave her alone.”

I rolled my eyes. “Because you lied about your identity and abducted an entire generation of escaped fire users to Hell?”

Hades sniffed. “I only meant to keep them out of Kresnik’s hands.”

Smoky magic curled around my wrist. It was just the gentlest touch, but enough to remind me of Valentine’s presence. He was probably sick of listening to Hades’ pathetic excuses and wanted me to get to the point.

I folded my arms across my chest. “Wipe away the crocodile tears and tell me why you’re here.”

His eyes widened. “Have you heard?”

“You could be talking about any number of things,” I said, feigning boredom. “Why did you bring those flowers?”

“King Valentine perished in a fire earlier today. I tried searching for you, but some force of magic blocked me from tracking your location.”

I swallowed hard and placed a hand over my heart chakra. Perhaps there was more to Sybil’s shack than its surprisingly pristine interior. If the woman could block the efforts of the Demon King, then maybe the treatment she had performed on me to weaken my bond with Kresnik might work.

Hades stepped closer. Sympathy shone in his eyes, and one of his arms drifted out.

I walked to the other side of the sofa, even though the effort of putting a large piece of furniture between myself and a being who could teleport would be futile. “Why are you still here?”

“To offer you a shoulder to cry on.” He placed the flowers on the coffee table and walked toward me with both arms outstretched.

“Wait.” I raised a palm.

“Aren’t you grieving?” He stared down at me with a frown. “King Valentine is dead.”

I raised another palm.

“Miss Griffin—”

“That’s it?” I asked. “How do you know he’s dead?”

Hades stepped back and frowned. “Denial is the first stage of grief, but you have to know that one of the prison guards murdered a colleague to carry out the assassination.”

“Who sent him?” I asked. “You?”

He shook his head. “Prince Draconius is a desperate vampire, bent on taking King Valentine’s throne.”

“How do you know it was him?” I reached into my pocket and wrapped my fingers around the hilt of the dagger.

“When forensic wizards found the remains of flesh burned beyond recognition, Prince Draconius approached me and boasted about clearing the throne for himself.”

“Did you report him?”

“I came straight here because you would need protection from his attempts to bring you to heel.” Hades placed a hand on his chest. “Tell me what you want, Miss Griffin. If you wish to cleave Prince Draconius in half, I will make that happen.