AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Emperor.” A voice tore me from my thoughts, and the ghostly image of one of the Mages appeared off to my left. Rares was forgotten as his protege shifted from foot to foot.
“What is it, Katrina?” I asked, my tone bland and bored. I’d sent Mages to Vlisa, the capital of the Crystal Realm, and Zheka, the capital of the Day Realm, because their spells allowed them to communicate across great distances quickly.
“Queen Viktoria has just given birth to a healthy babe. The little princess is resting peacefully and will make an appearance before the Day Realm in two months.”
“Send my well wishes to the royal family and inform them we’ll be in attendance for her introduction to the empire.” Rares shot me a sidelong glance, but I ignored it.
“Yes, My Emperor. Shall I inform Desmond?” Her translucent form waved slightly before she muttered a spell under her breath, re-forming her image.
“Yes, King Airre and Queen Immonen will want to hear the news as soon as possible. That will be all, unless you have other information to relay?” I glanced at Rares, and he subtly shook his head.
“That is all, sir. I will check in with you later this week at our usual time,” Katrina said before her shimmering form disappeared from my office.
“That is excellent news regarding the queen of the Day Realm,” the old Mage commented.
“Indeed it is. You were speaking of–” My words were drowned out by the slam of wood on wood, and I jerked out of my seat, ready to fight the intruder.
Liliana stood in the doorway, seafoam green eyes alight, chocolate brown hair sticking in every direction with black feathered wings still protruding from her back like she had flown as fast as she could to my office. When she opened her mouth to speak, those three words I’d been dying to hear for six months spilled from her lips.
“Izidora is awake.”
2
Wanton sounds slipped beneath the heavy wood door, and I sighed, bracing my forearm against it before letting my head rest there.
“Do you want me to tell him?” Viktor asked from behind me.
“No, I can manage. I just don’t want to walk in and see him fucking them again. He barely attends council meetings anymore, and more often than not, my father sends me to drag him to them,” I replied, pushing off the wood and facing Viktor.
“After everything that happened, he’s just a bit obsessed with his legacy. It will pass,” Viktor defended him, and I nodded, too tired to argue.
More than anything, my soul ached for Liliana. It had been six months since I kissed her goodbye, and that kiss still burned my lips, calling me from sleep night after night as I thought about her, wondering if she was safe and wondering if I’d ever see her again. The ravens I’d surreptitiously sent to Radence had gone unanswered.
A cry of pleasure tore me from thoughts of her, and sucking down a steadying breath, I counted to ten and then opened the door.
Kazimir was balls deep in Taya, not slowing his furious pace as Viktor and I entered the room that smelled of sex and smoke. The haze that hung in the room gave it an atmosphere of sultriness, but my stomach only turned at the sight of Kazimir’s harem splayed out over chaises and beds. The circular room was hidden away at the top of one of Este Castle’s spires, leaving them undisturbed unless someone dared brave Kazimir’s ire to interrupt them.
A few days into our retreat from the Iron Realm, a large Wolf had charged us, and in our fear of the massive beast, we’d nearly killed Taya before she shifted back into her Fae form. She was as obsessed with Kazimir as Kazimir had been with Izidora, which I figured worked out for him in the end.
“Kazimir,” I called out, hoping to draw his attention.
He didn’t even look at me as he growled, “What?”
“Queen Viktoria has had her babe. It’s a female.”
His movements slowed, and he pushed Taya away, facing us with his dick still hard. “And when will she be presented?”
“I don’t think we’re going to be welcome for that,” Viktor said, saving me from having to admit the truth.
“I am a king on this continent. Of course I will be welcome,” he scoffed, sliding off the bed and throwing on a robe to cover himself. He ran a hand through his dark hair, smoothing the sex-tousled strands.
Viktor and I shared a look, having learned not to argue over how he was viewed outside of the Night Realm in the past six months. “We should probably start preparing to leave, then. She’ll be presented in two months’ time.”
“Don’t tell them we’re coming. I want it to be a surprise. I have a gift for the child and I wouldn’t want anyone to spoil it.” Awicked grin broke out across his face, and his dark emerald eyes gleamed with something sinister.
“Of course, My King.” I sketched a bow, then hurried from the room before he moved on to one of the other females he’d hunted the Night Realm for. All the females in his harem had hair with a reddish tint, and the symbolism was not lost on me.
“We are going to send word, yeah?” I said to Viktor as we wound down the spiral staircase.
