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

voice breathy with regret. “I dread to think of what measures the Council has approved.”

I grabbed his arm. “We’ve got to do something.”

Valentine’s gaze swept down my body, reaching my bare feet. “Ask someone to direct you to the queen’s dressing room, where you’ll find a few changes of fireproof armor. The green set has been enchanted to retract when you shift into avian form.”

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“If we can stop Kresnik before he gives the order to attack Logris, perhaps we can prevent a widespread slaughter.” Valentine swept his arm toward the door.

He didn’t need to tell me another time. I raced out into the hallway, passing servants who murmured greetings to me as the Lady Phoenix, and out into the palace’s grand reception area of marble floors, matching columns, and crystal chandeliers. I turned toward the grand staircase, readying myself to charge up the steps.

“My Lady,” a voice shouted. “Behind—”

Before I could so much as blink an eye, a strong hand wrapped around my neck, raising me off the ground.

I stared into the crimson eyes of a man in fireproof armor. Even though I could barely see his features through the transparent strip in his helmet’s visor, there was no mistaking the leering features of Prince Draconius.

“At long last.” He elongated his syllables as though savoring the sweet taste of victory. “I have you in my grasp.”

My heart leapfrogged into the back of my throat, making me jerk into action. I flared out my flames across my skin, hoping the armor would warp or buckle under my touch.

Digging the fingers of one hand beneath his large hand, I fumbled around his wrist with the other, trying to find a seam. If I could get my flames to touch him, even for a second, he would cower with terror.

“What are you doing?” I said from between clenched teeth. “If Valentine—”

“My beloved nephew died,” drawled the vampire. “An unfortunate business, but you’ll find that—”

Prince Draconius’s helmet flew off, revealing his shocked eyes.

“What is the meaning of this?”

I spat a fiery glob of phlegm into his face, filling the air with a cloud of steam and the scent of burning flesh.

“Bullseye!” Kain appeared on my left, punching his fist into his palm. “I knew you could spit fire.”

I snorted a laugh. This was the same young man who had suggested I defecate on my enemies from the sky.

Prince Draconius dropped to his knees, clutching his face in his hands. “Filthy little wretch! You’ll pay for this on your hands and knees. I’ll train you to swallow swords before you beg to take mine.”

“Is he talking about deepthroating?” asked Kain.

“How would you—” I shook my head. Kain grew up in the Human World, where anyone with access to the internet could discover anything.

The footmen sprang into action, surrounding Prince Draconius with their swords pointed at his back.

“My apologies, My Lady.” Caiman appeared at my side. “Unfortunately, the wards have malfunctioned somewhat since the Supernatural Council registered His Majesty’s death.”

I glanced around for signs of Valentine, but he remained hidden, even though I was pretty sure it had been him who had torn off his uncle’s helmet. Perhaps he wanted me to take the lead and show everyone a display of my power.

“Look at me,” I said in my coldest voice.

Prince Draconius snarled. “When I have you under my control—”

“The Lady Phoenix gave you an order.” Maitland from the legal department stepped through the crowd, grabbed Prince Draconius by the back of the neck, and forced his head up.

Valentine’s uncle glowered into my eyes with a hatred that burned hot enough to evaporate every drop of moisture from my throat. By now, the burn marks made by my flaming spittle no longer sizzled and had turned a livid red.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet the vampire’s eyes. He was the worst kind of snob, who believed that belonging to a royal family made him better than everyone. He also acted as though living for longer than everyone around gave him the right to treat people as property.

“You sent the assassin after Valentine,” I said.

The ancient vampire bared his fangs. “As the troubleshooter of the Royal House of Sargon, it is my duty—”

“You’re still struck off the family tree.”

His nostrils flared. “How dare you speak of my ancient heritage.”

“A coward like you wouldn’t storm a palace without an army of minions.” I swept my arm across the courtyard, gesturing at the lack of hooded vampire warriors. “You hired a low-grade assassin with a forensic device to hold Valentine still and handed him a dagger of solid flame.”

He shook his head. “Lies.”

“You wanted to mimic what happened in Koffiek when your warrior decapitated Valentine.”

“No,” he snarled.

“The Demon King told me you confessed to sending the assassin,” I said. “When I spoke to Lieutenant Cien, he told me you’d sent him.”

“Impossible,” he snarled. “The man probably died in the fire. Besides, why would an assassin announce his employer when he was ordered to ensure that Valentine was alone before attacking?”

My eyes narrowed. “Is that what you told him to do?”

“This is preposterous,” he said with a huff.

I reached down with a flaming hand outstretched and was about to wrap my fingers around Prince Draconius’s neck, when he screamed, “No.”

The noise made my stomach lurch, and I paused before my fingers touched his flesh. “Are you ready to confess?”

“It doesn’t matter if I killed Valentine myself or hired an assassin to do the work.” Prince Draconius’s eyes flashed. “He’s dead, Kain is too young to take the throne, and each of his brothers already signed declarations to say they would waive their right to rule.”

“So, you’re the de facto regent of the Lamia throne?”

“Exactly.” The prince puffed out his chest. “And as soon as the Council approves my regency, every last one of you in this room will beg for your jobs. Including Valentine’s blood whore.”

I slapped him hard across the face, leaving a blackened handprint.

Prince Draconius screeched. “I will tame you, even if