Page 4 of Queen of the Crimson Throne (Queen of Blood and Stardust #2)

4

LENNOX

“How is Kara?” Declan guided me through the palace to the king’s study.

“She’s—fine.” I hesitated.

“She’s fine?” Declan glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “And how would you know that? From what I hear you two haven’t been speaking much.”

“How would you know?” Was it possible Declan had spies in the Star Court? Keeping an eye on me and Kara?

“She told me.”

My head snapped toward him. “She told you? Kara told you we haven’t been speaking?”

Declan nodded, unfazed as he continued to lead me through the dark marbled hallway.

“She started sending me letters shortly after we left the Star Court.”

“And you’ve been sending her letters back?” He dipped his chin in confirmation. “What do you talk about?”

“That is between me and your sister.”

“You told me she said we weren’t speaking much!” I argued.

“I only told you because she asked me to look out for you while you’re here.” Declan stopped, turning to face me. “She’s worried about you, Lennox.”

I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest. “Well, you can write back and tell her I’m fine, and she needs to worry about herself.” My chest tightened. Had I cut my sister off so much she was seeking guidance about me elsewhere? She was sending letters to Declan instead of talking to her sister who lived under the same roof…

“Lennox—” I cut him off, raising a hand to stop him.

“No, I don’t want to talk about this anymore. If you want to talk with my sister fine, but leave me out of it.”

Declan let out a deep sigh. “Fine, we’re here anyways.” I turned toward the black metal doors looming in front of us. I set my shoulders as he reached for the door handle. It was time to meet the Blood King.

“King Arlo, I present to you, High Queen, Lennox Adair.” The king stood from behind his dark obsidian desk as Declan introduced me, but my gaze went to the male standing next to him.

I bit back a snarl at the sight of Lorenzo next to the king.

The Blood Court was full of all kinds of surprises today.

“Lennox Adair, it is a pleasure to finally meet our esteemed High Queen.” He gestured to his son at his side. “You’ve met Lorenzo.”

I smiled tightly at Luka’s uncle. “Of course, good to see you again, Lorenzo,” I lied.

Please have a seat.” Arlo gestured to one of the large chairs in front of his desk. “Thank you for escorting her, Captain Hale, you are excused.” He looked at his son, “As are you, Lorenzo.” The male tensed.

“You said I was allowed to be present while you met the Queen,” Lorenzo protested .

Arlo’s jaw clenched, “You were. Now, I would like a moment alone with the High Queen.”

“But–”

“Captian Hale, escort Lorenzo out.” Declan grabbed Lorenzo’s arm and led him toward the door.

“I can let myself out,” Lorenzo grumbled as he tugged out of Declan’s hold. The harpy bowed and looked at me once more. I gave him a slight nod before he turned toward the door.

The door clicked shut behind him as I turned my attention back to the Blood King.

“I apologize for my son’s behavior.” He let out a long breath through his nose. “I’m assuming your travels went well?”

“Yes, we didn’t encounter any roadblocks, which made for quick travel.”

I could tell King Arlo was edging close to his first century of life, his chin length hair was still the dark rich color of Luka’s, but wrinkles were forming around his eyes—the first sign of aging for most Fae. “Good, good, we wouldn’t want anything to happen to our revered queen.”

His words were light, but there was a vicious undercurrent to them. Along with the gleam in his dark eyes, even I had the nerve to be cautious sitting across from him. “Would you like a drink to relax after your journey?” He motioned toward the drink car in the corner.

“Sure.”

He poured several knuckles worth of amber liquid into two black crystal glasses. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I asked you to meet with me without my grandson present.”

I remained quiet, taking the drink as he handed it to me across the desk.

“I’m sure you’re tired after your travel so I will make this quick and get right to the point.” I dipped my chin as I brought my glass to my lips.

“I wanted you alone so I could ask you how you truly felt about this arranged marriage.” I jolted back slightly, taken aback by his bluntness, but it reminded me of Luka, the way he spoke his mind without caring if they might make someone uncomfortable. “I’m well aware of Luka’s feelings, but I wanted to know how you feel, Your Majesty.”

“And how does Luka feel about our arrangement?” I took a sip of my drink, focusing on the burn as it slid down instead of what Luka might have said about me.

Arlo assessed me for a moment, his dark eyes narrowing. “You tell me your thoughts first, then I’ll tell you what my grandson said. I don’t want his words to sway what you might say.”

He leaned back, his chair groaning. He was a smart male, I’d give him that. I appreciated him being upfront, but I didn’t have any reason to trust his intentions. Any information I gave him could be used against me.

“I don’t know how much Luka has told you, but I am not thrilled at the arrangement. As everyone knows, my parents were mated, I hoped I would find my mate someday. I’m not daft, I know an arranged marriage would be best for my political standing, but it’s not what I imagined for my future. It’s taking some time to get used to the idea.”

Arlo sipped his drink. “And you were not your family's heir, none of this was a future you saw for yourself. I’m sure it has all come as a shock.”

“It has.”

“I am truly sorry for your loss.” His gaze darted to his desk, avoiding mine. “I met your father—and your brother too, they were both great males. All of Lethenia suffered because of their deaths.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Luka on the other hand, has known he would be king from the age he could understand what his title meant. He’s been training for this his entire life. He’s always known there was a probability he would partake in an arranged marriage if it arose. Never once did he argue against it or speak any displeasure.” Arlo took another sip of his drink. “So imagine my surprise, when he came home, from spending time with you, away from his home, and instead of being happy, he came back in the worst mood I’ve ever seen him in.”

Arlo shook his head, his dark hair swaying. “The boy hardly speaks to me, and when he does, his mood is piss poor. All he ever tries to do is talk me out of you two marrying.” He set his empty glass on the desk with a thud, resting his elbows on the desk and leaning in close.

“So tell me, Lennox Adair, why is it he never had a problem with an arranged marriage except when it came to marrying you?”

My throat tightened. I truly had wrecked him. Broken him as thoroughly as he broke me. “I—I can’t speak for Luka’s actions.”

Arlo let out a puff of air. “I don’t care what happened between the two of you previously, all I care about is the future. A future that is dependent on my grandson marrying you.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. Clearly, Lorenzo hadn’t divulged everything to his father upon his arrival back in the Blood Court, and neither had Luka. The king appeared oblivious to mine and Luka’s relationship. Unless Arlo was as good a liar as me.

“So what I need you to do, Ms. Adair, is to convince my grandson this union is the best thing for him. Maybe hearing it from you will make him see clearly.”

I doubted Luka wanted to hear anything I had to say. I doubted he’d even want to see me.

“What makes you assume I can convince him?” Emotions clogged my throat as I steeled my shoulders.

Arlo poured himself another drink, remaining silent as he filled his glass.

“You’re a pretty, young thing.” He leaned back in his chair. “I don’t imagine it will take much convincing.”

“Why are you so adamant Luka marries me? He was in line for a title here. Do you not suppose he will make an adequate king?”

Arlo’s nostrils flared. “Quite the opposite, Your Majesty, Luka will make a marvelous king. I would not have put him up for the title of High King if I didn’t believe so. Like I said, the boy has been preparing to be king his whole life.”

The words, unlike you, were left unsaid.

Arlo’s voice deepened as he continued, “He was trained by me and his father, who would have made an outstanding king had he not died unexpectedly.” Arlo’s voice wavered slightly.

“When Luka’s parents died, it changed him. There was a while where I thought I wouldn’t get him back. He was so lost in his grief—” He shook his head as he stared at his hands. “I was not a present father to my own children, so trying to be a father to my grieving grandson was something I had no clue how to do, but I tried my best, because despite what you may believe, I love my grandson very much, and I want only the best for him. I believe the future my grandson deserves is not here.”

He leveled his gaze with my own. “I am only telling you this because you are the High Queen, and I believe you will use this information with discretion. Do I have your discretion, Lennox Adair?”

Anxiety coiled in my gut. No . I wanted to tell him. I couldn’t handle anything more right now. But I needed to know what he knew.

“Yes.”

“Dark things are brewing in our court, things I don’t want to leave as a burden on my grandson.”

“What kind of dark things?” I pressed.

“That is a conversation of another time, but I will let you know this Lennox Adair—Luka may believe the Blood Court is his legacy, but it’s not. He needs to get out of here before it is too late. So when I saw the opportunity to get him out I took it. Despite how angry it might have made him. ”

I opened my mouth to press him for more details, but he stopped me.

“Please, not now. Not today. I know you are my High Queen, and you have every right to this knowledge, but not today. I promise you another time.”

“Fine,” I conceded. “But I have one last question. If Luka will not take your crown, who will? Certainly not Lorenzo?”

The king laughed. “So Luka has told you about Lorenzo?”

“He did, and I had the displeasure of spending time with him.” Even if it was cut short.

“No, Lorenzo will not get the crown. Although he might think otherwise. I am ready to give up my crown, but I will hold onto it as long as I need until I find another heir.”

I had no idea how Arlo was going to find another heir, but I was satisfied with knowing Lorenzo wouldn’t be king. And I knew Luka would be too. Not that I had any right to care what Luka might think.

I stood, placing my empty glass on the desk. “It was nice to meet you, King Arlo.”

“You too, Lennox Adair. I look forward to many more conversations.”

I dipped my head before turning towards the door. “As do I.”

“What did he have to say?” Declan asked the moment the door to Arlo’s office clicked shut behind me.

“That is none of your business.” Declan grumbled as he followed behind me. “I don’t need a watch dog, Declan. I can find my way back to my room on my own.”

“It’s my job to escort you–”

“I need time alone,” I snapped. The footsteps behind me stalled, but I didn’t bother to look back. I knew the face Declan would be wearing without having to look. I’d be the same face my sister wore more times than not when around me.

I’d seen enough disappointment as of late. I didn’t need to see Declan’s too.

I continued toward my room alone.