SHE WAS SHOCKED.
Xara had frozen the moment she heard his voice, her exposed neck prickled with goosebumps. His gaze followed the trail down her gracefully curved neck to her spine. With mahogany hair pulled up in a bun, her large eyes were pinned to him, her pink lower lip trembling.
“You look surprised to see me.” Delton’s lips curved into a self-satisfied smile upon witnessing her reaction.
Her spine immediately grew stiff.
“What are you doing here?” Xara’s deep, smoky voice enveloped him. He’d forgotten how potent that voice could be with its dark quality that led you into depths that didn’t exist. Like a siren song that could destroy the most determined sailor. Strange how he’d thought her innocent before.
She wore a blue gown that clung to her every curve. His gaze slid down the square neck, the tops of her breasts visible above the satin trimmings. She had gained weight since he last saw her, and she carried it well. Her dark brown hair escaped her bun, falling over her the shell of her ear. The innocence that had defined her had gone up in smoke. She was a woman now, in every sense of the word.
“I visit you after a century, and that is how you greet me?” He took a step toward her, poised to intimidate. He had let her live wherever she wanted for the last eighty years, allowing her free rein to use the crown’s resources. That had been a bad idea.
“Y-you didn’t give me a warning. If I’d known in advance—.”
“No preparations are necessary.” He surveyed her carefully. Was she afraid? Guilty? Uneasy? “This is my palace, isn’t it? I’ve decided to spend some time here.”
He wanted to question her about Walric, to push her to reveal the truth, but he wasn’t one to go for instant gratification. He’d carry out his plan step-by-step. Starting today, he’d keep an eye on her, inspecting every letter that went out of the palace. If everything went well, Xara would lead him to her cousin, and he’d have Ifer soon.
She glared at him, oblivious to his thoughts.
“Why now?” The fear in her eyes vanished, turning to hostility as the scent of roses enveloped him. “I thought you didn’t want to see me after… after what happened on our wedding night.”
Their wedding night, yes.
The fateful memory was etched in his brain. He could picture her body, covered in a translucent night rail, framed by the moonlight. Her brown eyes were open wide, beseeching him to come to her, so desperate to be desired. Delton’s breath hitched when he pictured the slow slide of her nightgown. She had been naked underneath. He forgot to breathe as he watched the candlelight play on the soft curves of her body, skimming over the full swell of her breasts, illuminating her rosy nipples that were brushed to hard peaks by the night breeze. Tiny hips gave way to generous hips, completing the picture of a goddess-like beauty. She was five feet six inches of soft flesh and wide hips, like a fantasy that had flickered to life.
“I want you….” Her words echoed in his mind, triggering a flicker of guilt somewhere deep in his blackened heart.
“Put that thing back on.” His tone was curt, making Xara reel back. “I wanted to spare you the truth until tomorrow, but it looks like that won’t be happening.” He took a step away from her. “Our marriage is in name only, princess. Now that we’re bonded for life, my purpose is fulfilled. It is your land I require, not you. Tomorrow morning, you leave for Snakefront.”
“Snakefront?” She vaguely remembered a city in Inferno by that name. “Will you be joining me there?”
“No. You’re being exiled, Xara. I want you out of my sight and out of my life. I do not require your company. You are free to do whatever you want, use as many of my resources as you like, but I do not wish to see you again.”
The bitterness in his voice must’ve scared her for her jaw dropped open.
“Why are you doing this?” she begged. “You said you wanted to marry me. I thought—“
“I never said I desired you. I don’t remember promising to make you happy either,” he said. “You are nothing but a pawn. I have never loved you and never will. I will never touch you as long as I live. That will be my retribution.”
Back then, it had been part of his plan to get back at Elian for his cruelty. His plan had worked for Elian had passed away just two years after their marriage. Delton had ended Xara’s exile early, believing her to be blameless in the situation but it looked like he had been wrong about her. She was no innocent girl who had been cast aside by his villainous self. She was a traitor who had chosen to ally with her husband’s enemy. For that, she deserved no sympathy.
“You haven’t visited Escayton in almost a century.” Her words were accusing. Uncomfortable. He must’ve gotten under her skin. “Have you come because there’s talk of revolution in Skera?” She was trying to decipher his motives, her eyes uncannily watching his movements.
“Partly.” He replied casually. “My life could be in danger. Considering my age and the threats ahead, I’ve decided to do my duty.”
Xara raised an eyebrow. “Duty?”
“Yes.” Delton closed the distance between them, planting his hands on her shoulders. His fingers touched her smooth, cool skin and he felt heat rise in his body. She gave a start under his fingers but didn’t move. He wanted to intimidate her as much as he wanted to touch her. His fingers glided lightly over her skin, making sure not to trigger his magic. “It is time for us to produce an heir.”
“What?” Her eyes widened instantly. Goosebumps needled his fingers.
“I need an heir, Xara. Did you forget that you’re the Queen of Inferno? When I married you, your father assured me that you were capable of doing the deed.”
“Why now? This is rather sudden.” His gaze fell to her shaky lower lip.
Swallowing, he cleared his throat and looked her in the eye. “Because it’s time. My life might be in danger and Inferno needs an heir.”
She surveyed him intensely. He waited for her to make an excuse, but she didn’t. The discomfort vanished, and something hard and cold took its place—something like hate.
“I thought you never wanted to touch me,” she said, her voice hard as steel. “What did you say when we last met? Oh, I remember, You are nothing but a pawn. I have never loved you and never will. I will never touch you as long as I live. Are you going back on your word, Your Majesty?”
Defiance. He sensed the tension in her shoulders, the abhorrence in her gaze, and the way her breasts heaved when she breathed unevenly. She detested him with every cell in her body and she was showing it like only she could—silently. Her mask had fallen away and now, he glimpsed her true feelings. Good, he knew where she stood.
He should pull his hand away, knowing it was unwelcome, but she’d latch onto any sign of weakness that he showed. So, he dug his fingers deeper into her flesh, bringing his mouth close to her ear.
“I’ve changed my mind.” His voice came out diffused. “I need an heir and you’re going to give me one. That’s all there is to it.”
He waited for her reaction. There was no way she was going to agree to this. Not after what he’d put her through.
“No.” Anger rose. She tried to pull away from her grasp but he held her tight. “You’ve neglected me for years and now you come demanding an heir?” A disbelieving laugh shook her body. “I’m not your toy. You can’t use me as you want.”
“On the contrary,” His lips almost touched the shell of her ear as he spoke. “You are mine to do with as I please. The law says so.”
“I don’t care for the law. As the queen, am I not above the law?”
“Don’t forget that you live in this palace and enjoy this life because of my grace. If I find that you’re no longer deserving of such consideration, I will retract my support.”
“Retract your support? What does that mean?” Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“We’re going to renew our acquaintance starting tomorrow,” he went on, ignoring her words.” I’m willing to give you time to get used to the idea of bedding me. Take all the time you want. But in the end, you’ll come to me.” She snorted. “It’s more generosity than you deserve.”
He let her go without resistance. They glared at each other.
“Is that all for tonight or do you have more demands to make of me?” she bit out. “If you think I’m going to perform my duty after the way you’ve treated me for the last ninety-nine years, you’re delusional. I’m not the young girl I once was.”
“Clearly not.” He gave her a cold appraisal, making her turn her heated face away. “However, our marriage is immortal, just like us. So, unless you plan to give up every material comfort you’ve ever known, I will be waiting for you at breakfast.”
He was giving her a command and she knew it. Felix would tell him to be gentle but Delton wasn’t known for his subtlety. He was used to getting his way. Xara glowered and he knew that she wasn’t going to warm up to him so easily.
“No response, wife?”
“Go to hell!” Her voice was loud and forceful—probably the most intense emotion he’d seen from her. Her large eyes shimmered with suppressed violence. She turned on her heel and muttered something under her breath.
With that, she stormed out.
Delton remained silent as he watched her leave. Xara had made an impression on him.
He stared at the empty stairway, feeling like a tornado had swept through. The faint scent of roses lingered in the air. He had come to Cadia, expecting to find a wilted version of her. She hadn’t withered. She had bloomed.
Too bad he didn’t care about beauty. By now, his spies would be in every corner of the palace, searching for evidence. Felix had even planted a maid to go through her correspondence. He hoped they’d get hold of Walric and Ifer soon and he’d be out of this blasted palace before the week was out.
“Your Majesty.” General Darius appeared from the corner of his eye. A pair of gray wings erupted from his back. With his rich brown hair, a round face, and prominent cheekbones, he was what one would consider classically beautiful. “That was quite a–er stormy reunion. Should I talk to the queen later?”
“You should if we don’t want this mission to fail,” Delton said, pinching his temple. “I am no good at charming people. Is Michael here?”
“Yes. He is in the guest bedroom. I thank you for inviting him, however,” Darius’ green eyes turned hard at the mention of his partner. “If you think he’ll help deceive the queen, you are mistaken. Michael would never betray a friend. He cares for her.”
“Relax, general. I don’t expect Michael to spy for me. I know you’re very protective of him,” Delton remarked, mildly irritated. People in love could be terribly frustrating. Darius’ charms had been the talk of the capital for several years. He had many lovers before he settled down with his old friend Michael. Theirs has been a dramatic love story and he didn’t forget Xara’s pivotal role in restoring Darius’ vision. Maybe he should’ve thanked her before commanding her to comply. “He doesn’t need to know why he’s here. Just his presence will help Xara relax. That’s what Felix thinks.”
“And what do you expect her to do once she’s relaxed?”
“Go about her life the way she does. Contact her cousin. Felix says that Walric has been a regular visitor to this palace for the past few years. Xara is the fastest way to get to Walric and Ifer. I have a few spies at the court keeping an eye on her. Every letter she sends will be intercepted and read. As for you, I want you to continue working on your battle plans. Walric is in Skera for all we know, trying to stir up another revolution. I hope to be done with this nuisance soon and return to fighting a war.”
“But if we find Prince Walric and capture Ifer, there will be no war,” Darius reminded him.
“We will see about that.” Delton clasped his hands behind his back. “All this peace drones on and on, general. Don’t you miss fighting…shedding blood?”
“Not as much as I thought I would,” Darius said, thoughtfully. “There are things that can exist only when there’s peace.”
“Love, you mean.” One of the downsides of Darius’ union with Michael was that he’d become a sappy romantic.
“Among other things,” Darius said. “Peace and stability aren’t as boring as you imagine, your Majesty. We fight for peace, after all. We fight to protect all that we love. You could even say the purpose of all battles, internal and external, is to achieve peace in the end.”
Delton smiled. It was just like Darius to philosophize about war. But his words slowly coiled around his uneasy brain. He had never won the battle raging inside his mind and achieved peace. Quite the contrary. Ever since he had defeated King Elian, his mind had existed in a constant state of chaos. He’d never been able to get over Karina’s betrayal. Even though he had Escayton,
“Some battles end in chaos, general.” When Darius lifted an eyebrow, he explained. “Revenge, for instance. There is rarely any peace after revenge.”
“Revenge isn’t victory, Your Majesty. It is defeat. Only one who has failed to win against his past desires for revenge,” Darius said. “It takes more courage to forgive than seek vengeance. For the one we seek revenge against is often an old version of ourselves that was powerless.”
Delton’s eyebrows meshed together. A growing sense of uneasiness filled his heart. He had avenged his parents’ death and won. He had taken everything King Elian held dear. How could that be called defeat? Yet, Darius’ words resonated somewhere deep in the black heart he didn’t have. Some things you knew to be true, even if the mind couldn’t understand.
“That is enough philosophy for one evening.” Delton held his hand up.
“You’re right. I almost forgot the reason I came here.” Darius produced a piece of paper from his pocket. “Felix gave me this. I think you should have a look.”
Delton unfolded the piece of paper to find a drawing on it. It was a mask, a black sketch in charcoal. Other colors—red, white, green—were painted on it. It had a unique design of pearls and rubies on it, embroidered with golden symbols.
“This is Ifer’s mask. It’s what his men use to identify him. It has a unique custom-made design. Felix couldn’t find the shop that produces it.”
“Maybe Ifer makes them himself,” Delton said. “Or herself. This looks like something a woman would embroider. A fine piece.” He turned to Darius. “Didn’t you say Ifer was a woman? An interesting theory, general. I’ve been thinking more and more about it.”
“Have you?” Darius asked. “Then I must apologize for misleading you. I have changed my mind. The woman Michael saw that night might’ve been a smokescreen… Ifer’s ploy to throw us off his scent. She wasn’t wearing this mask.”
“Is that so?”
“Ifer wears it to all his meetings. The mask was recently spotted in Cadia.”
Energy thrummed through Delton’s veins. “Here? In Cadia?”
“Yes. That is why Felix wanted me to come, because we might catch Ifer, at last.”
The news revived his spirits. “That is good news. If he’s here, I want you to look for him.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I would like to retire now,” Delton said, possibilities churning in his mind. Tomorrow, he’d begin his quest to hunt down Ifer. He’d look through every corner of the palace and find out what Walric was up to. “I haven’t traveled in a while. The strain must be getting to me.”
“I hope you have a restful sleep. Good night, Your Majesty.”
He left General Darius standing, moving up the staircase to find his room. He had never stayed over at the palace in Cadia. It felt so foreign. The last time he’d visited this place was…a century ago when he’d asked for Xara’s hand in marriage. A floral scent wafted through the hallways, suddenly reminding him of Karina. He remembered her smiling face, and her light hair, and immediately felt his heart tighten with hatred. This is where she had lived—the woman he’d loved. Or rather, the woman who had betrayed him. The high, arched ceilings were dyed orange, the color of the setting sun. He’d never seen light and darkness coexist. Yet, the dark sky gave way to the light of the sinking sun, creating a rare sort of beauty.
Delton came to a stop before one of the paintings on the wall. It was King Elian’s.
With his broad shoulders, dark eyes, symmetrical face, and fair hair, he looked nothing like his daughter. Xara favored her mother while Karina favored her father. Elian’s sinister smile remained in place, his long, slimy face gleaming under a chandelier. He should have the painting burned. Tomorrow, perhaps. Tonight, he wanted to think about what he’d do once he had Walric.
He finally reached his room at the end of the hallway, which ironically happened to be next to Xara’s. The door to her bed chamber remained closed but he knew she was inside. Was she writing her cousin a letter? He certainly hoped she was, for it meant he’d be out of this place sooner.
Resting on the edge of the bed, he looked at the queen’s room. He’d taken up the room next to Xara because as they said, keep your friends close and enemies closer. The palace was in a state of neglect. He could see it in the overgrown weeds and the lack of staff. Delton had cut off funds after marriage. Withholding the budget for repairs had been one of his ways of getting back at Elian. He’d hoped the palace would crumble and take with it Elian’s bloodied legacy. However, Xara tried her best to make the palace livable. It was clean, though old.
Cadia felt unfamiliar. Though the cool climate and bright days provided a respite from the heat, Delton preferred Inferno’s boiling weather and darkness. Perhaps that was why he’d never wanted to live here. As he sunk onto the bed and gazed up at the ceiling, his mind was drawn to Ifer. That was the reason he was here. Now that he’d reunited with his wife, it was time to get to work.
The hunt had begun. Now, he just had to wait for Xara to be caught in his trap.
