Page 61 of Queen of the Crimson Throne (Queen of Blood and Stardust #2)

61

LENNOX

“Congratulations my boy!” Arlos’s voice boomed from behind us. Luka’s shoulders caved inwards as Arlo’s hand clamped on his shoulder.

“Thank you, grandfather.” Luka let go of me to hug his grandfather.

“Yes, congratulations indeed.” Lorenzo appeared from behind Arlo. I tensed at the sight of both of them.

“Thank you,” Luka said.

“Yes, thank you both.” Luka’s arm snaked around me, his hand firm on my hip as he pulled me against him.

“What is this?” Arlo grabbed Luka’s hand and inspected it—turning it over and back. “A marriage mark?”

“It is,” I answered. “It appears the Goddess blesses our union.”

“Blessed indeed,” Arlo murmured as he continued to examine Luka’s hand.

“And you have one as well?”

“I do, an identical match.”

Arlo’s eyes glimmered. “May I see it?” He dropped Luka’s hand and extended his own towards me.

I shifted, but Luka stopped my hand. “You don’t have to show him if you don’t want to.”

“It’s okay.” He dropped my hand, allowing me the space to extend it towards his grandfather.

Arlo’s finger brushed across the marks. “Remarkable.” He reached for Luka’s hand again, examining our hands side by side.

Finally, he looked back up at us, his eyes wide and glimmering as he released our hands. “I’ve never seen anything like it. You two are both truly blessed. Be thankful for the blessing the Goddess has given you.”

“We are,” we said in unison.

Arlo elbowed Lorenzo, who had been standing strangely quiet. “Looks like we might have a love match on our hands after all.”

Lorenzo’s frown deepened. “From the kiss at the end of the ceremony, it sure looked that way. Unless she’s another one of Luka’s conquests.”

Luka’s hand tightened on my hip. “That is my wife, and your High Queen, you’re talking about,” Luka growled.

“Lorenzo,” Arlo said sharply. Lorenzo’s smirk only deepened.

I took that as my window of opportunity. I despised the man. I didn’t care if he was Luka’s uncle—and I didn’t think Luka cared much either. “Just because we are now connected by marriage, do not think I will hesitate to end your life.”

Luka’s hand relaxed slightly on my hip as Lorenzo opened his mouth, but I continued before he could get in a word. “Not only are you speaking ill towards your High Queen but your High King as well, my husband . I know he would not hesitate to see you bleed either. You don’t want to cross us, Lorenzo.”

“She speaks true,” Luka added. “I’ve been on the wrong side of Lennox’s sword, it’s a place I never want to be again. She never misses. ”

“Apologize to your queen, Lorenzo. Or have you gone stupid?” Arlo snapped.

The three of us stared at him, waiting for his next word. Lorenzo squirmed under our cumulative gazes. “I apologize, Your Majesty,” he finally managed.

“You owe Luka an apology too,” I added.

Lorenzo’s gaze was filled with disdain as he looked from me to Luka.

“I’m sorry Luka.”

“I believe his title is Your Majesty,” I added. Lorenzo grumbled as he looked at his feet.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty ,” he grit out.

“Now go,” I demanded. “We no longer require your presence.”

Lorenzo stormed off, stomping like a child as he mumbled under his breath.

“I’m sorry about his behavior, I don’t know what has got into him tonight,” Arlo apologized.

“He will learn quickly Lennox will not tolerate disrespect.” Luka straightened his shoulders.

“As she should not.” Alro dipped his head. “I’ll leave you two to continue to mingle, congratulations again.”

Luka pressed his lips to mine. “Have I told you recently that I love you?”

“Not in the last few minutes.”

“I love you.” His words sent warmth coursing through my body as he kissed me again.

“I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough mingling for now.”

“I agree.” I finished off my glass of sparkling wine.

“Should we get the meal started?” I followed as he led me towards the head of the table.

The crowd grew quiet as we moved towards our spots, everyone shifting around us as they too found their seats. It took only a minute for silence to fall over the dining room. Luka and I traded our empty glasses for the ones set at our place settings before Luka spoke.

“Lennox and I would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate our marriage today. We are excited about our future together as a married couple and what we can do together to unify our courts and all of Lethenia. As I see it, the future ahead of us is bright.”

Luce smirked from the spot beside me. “Such a softie,” she murmured. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to Luka.

“Thank you all for coming,” I added.

“To Lennox and Luka!” Arlo boomed as he raised his glass.

“To Lennox and Luka!” The crowd cheered.

Luka beamed at me as he lifted his glass towards mine.

My lips had only brushed the thin glass when Luce grabbed my arm. “Wait!” She cried. Luka halted, his glass halfway to his mouth, brows furrowed.

“What?”

Her grip on my arm tightened. “I’m not certain, but I think your drink is poisoned.”

Luka’s voice lowered. “What?”

“Your drinks are poisoned,” she repeated.

“I heard that,” Luka hissed. “Why do you think that?”

Murmurs broke out around the table as everyone eyed us cautiously.

“I can smell it in the air,” she hissed. “I could smell something, but I wasn’t sure what it was until it hit me. Lennox, trust me, I know the smell of poison. I’ve been studying poisons for years—maybe it’s not in your drink, but it’s in the room somewhere.”

I set my glass down. “I trust you.”

“Me too,” Luka agreed. “Is there any way you can test it?”

“Let me see your drink.” I passed her my glass as she pricked her finger, letting a drop of blood fall into mine and Luka’s glasses along with her own .

The blood dissipated into Luce’s glass, turning the sparkling wine a light blush color. In mine and Luka’s glass, the drop of blood maintained its shape and floated perfectly in the center of our glasses.

“Holy Shit,” Luka murmured.

“What’s going on?” Declan’s voice came from behind us. We turned to find Nico and Kara following behind him.

“Someone tried to poison Lennox and Luka,” Luce said.

“Not so loud Luce,” I scolded.

“What?” She crossed her arms. “Someone tried to commit treason, everyone should know.”

“What did you say?” Arlo’s voice came from across the table. “What’s this about treason?”

“Someone has tried to poison the High Queen and King.” Declan’s voice was pure steel as he addressed the entire room.

Shock rolled across the room as people looked at one another. “No one leaves this room until they are dismissed,” Declan continued as the murmurs grew.

“Whoever did this will pay.” Luka’s voice rang across the room. “We?—”

I ducked, covering my head as the glass windows shattered. Screams broke out around the room as a roar accompanied the shattering glass. I stood up, brushing the pieces of shattered glass from my hair. In front of the broken window, a creature stood from its crouch. The monster looked around the room, its red eyes aglow. Blood dripped from its fangs and claws.

Of all the times for a Dhampir to appear, in the middle of our wedding celebrations was an awful inconvenient time.

Three more Dhampirs bounded through the broken window into the room.

“Astria’s tits,” Nico swore as he reached for his sword at his side. “Bad day not to bring my ax.” Nico took off towards the monster, sword in hand. Declan was already out ahead of him, his sword swinging towards the creatures. Roars echoed in the background in unison with the screams of our wedding guests as the Dhampirs ripped into partygoers.

“Please tell me this is some kind of surprise wedding activity,” I murmured more to myself than anyone.

“I don’t think so, Sweetheart.” Luka’s hand closed around the sword at his side.

“Someone give me a sword,” my voice rang out over the chaos. The daggers sheathed under my gown were less than ideal for this fight. I thought a sword was a necessary wedding accessory but no —I had to leave Minerva in my chamber. Several people scrambled around me, offering me swords. I took the first one I saw and broke into the fray, Luka at my side. Glass crunched under our feet as we ran towards the window as two more beasts appeared through the hole. Black blood rained across my dress as my borrowed sword pierced the Dhampir’s chest. Its screech pierced my ears as I withdrew my sword. The Dhampir swiped out with its arm, the sound of tearing fabric reached my ears as its claws tore at my dress.

“I liked this dress,” I grit out as I thrust my blade into the Dhampir again. It let out one last gasp before crumpling to a pile on the floor.

I turned, spying Luka as he removed his sword from a Dhampir’s chest, blood sprayed from the wound, but still, the creature stood. Several other guests had jumped into the fray, the sounds of fighting echoed in the room as we all worked to fight off the beasts.

Screams echoed off the walls, I turned finding a Dhampir ripping into a guest, its irregularly long fangs piercing into the guest’s shoulder as it gripped them tightly in its claws. I ran toward the Dhampir; it was oblivious to my arrival as it spat flesh on the marble floor before going back in for a second bite.

The guest’s form was limp in the Dhampir’s grasp as I sent out a wave of magic, freezing the ground beneath the Dhampir. Its feet slipped out from under its mutated form, the now dead body of its victim falling to the ground beside it. Before the Dhampir could attempt to stand I rammed my sword through its chest.

The room around me fell silent as the last beast fell, but screams still echoed in my ears.

I panted as I turned and surveyed the room. Massive forms, soaked with black blood, lay in a pile at our feet. People were huddled under the tables, some peeking out over the top to see what was going on. Broken glass was scattered across the floor, littered across the limp bodies of several guests. Black and red blood was splattered on the marble floors and across the tables, staining the white tablecloths with death.

This was not at all how I imagined our wedding would go.

Panic seized my chest as memories of last fall flashed to the forefront of my mind.

My city in ruins after the attack.

Bodies crushed under the rubble.

Again. It was happening again.

“It’s not your fault.” I jumped as Luka’s hand brushed against my hip. The words I know got stuck in my throat.

“We need to get everyone somewhere safe.” I turned to Declan. “I don’t think these are the last of them.” I tried to make my voice appear calm as I surveyed the room.

“I agree,” he said as he surveyed the room.

“What can we do to help?” Several people had approached us: Zienna, Caterina, Endora, Caspian, Arlo, the Kings from the Aquatic Court, and several others whose names I didn’t know.

“This is an attack on all of us,” Ceto declared. “Whoever sent those creatures knew we’d all be in attendance here.”

“We’re at your service,” Caspian stepped to his side.

“Thank you.” I looked around at the people gathered around me. “All of you. But first and foremost I need to make sure we get everyone out safely. ”

“I can do that,” Kara interjected.

“We can’t forget someone tried to poison you and Luka,” Declan interjected.

Fuck. He was right.

“We can help with that.” Caterina made her way through the destruction, Endora at her side.

“Endora has a special kind of magic that is helpful in getting information out of people in a timely manner.” Her and Endora shared a look. I had never heard of such magic, but I’d be curious to learn more about it at a much more convenient time.

“Thank you, that will be extremely helpful. Those that are innocent can be given safe lodging if they desire until we have made sure the city is clear. Any found guilty of crimes can be sent to the dungeon.” Cateriana dipped her chin.

I looked at Kara. “You know where to bring them for safe keeping?” She nodded, and I took her hand in mine. “Be safe.” She squeezed my hand before turning towards the room.

“Anyone who doesn’t want to stay and fight, please follow me,” she announced to the crowd.

Murmurs broke out before people hesitantly moved out from underneath the tables and chairs and followed Kara out into the grand entry, Caterina and Endora following behind.

“Your Majesty, shouldn’t you go to safety as well? Let us protect your home and you,” Ceto argued.

“I’m honored by the sentiment, but I would not ask anyone else to fight a battle I would not fight myself.”

Luka stepped up beside me. “Lennox is being too kind, my wife isn’t one to miss out on an opportunity for revenge.” My chest warmed at his words. His wife . And I did love an opportunity for revenge.

The Aquatic Kings nodded. “Noted Your Majesty. We will fight alongside you.”

“Thank you.” I gave them a warm smile. “Declan?” I turned towards him, confident he could direct us in a proper plan of attack .

“We don’t know if any more Dhampirs might arrive, or if anyone will arrive with them. The monsters are vicious, but can easily be disabled by one or two people.” Declan proceeded to fill in the rest of them with everything we knew about the monsters, their weaknesses, and things to look out for.

“Anything else you want to add?” He asked, looking at Luce.

She shook her head. “I think you about covered it.”

We all turned our attention back towards the winged male. “Does everyone have weapons?” Everyone nodded. “Good. Aim for the heart, and don’t let those fuckers get you.”

“Spoken like a true general,” Zienna commented.

“The best,” Luka added.

“Are we waiting here for more to arrive?” Arlo asked.

“Some of us should stay here and the rest should go into the city.”

“Split us up, Captain,” Zienna said.

Declan split us up into two groups, Luka, Declan, Nico, Luciana, Caspian, Zienna, and I along with the Aquatic Kings and a handful of others would take off toward the city. Arlo, along with the rest who had volunteered would remain at the palace, defending against anything else that might breach the walls.

“We will protect your palace, Your Majesty,” Arlo said as Declan finished dividing the group.

“Thank you,” I told him, and I meant it. “Thank all of you for being willing to help protect my people.” Luka took my hand and squeezed it. “I love Lethenia, but as I’m sure you all understand, the people of Alethens, this is my home. These people mean so much to me. Thank you for helping protect them.”

“For Alethens.” Ceto stepped forward, raising his trident.

“For Alethens,” Alon repeated, echoing Ceto’s movement.

All throughout the room people raised their weapons and chanted.

“Lennox, are you ready?” Declan asked as I continued to scan the room, marveling at the support of the people around me.

“Yeah.” I took one last look at the people volunteering to protect my city. “Let’s go.”