Page 29 of Clash of Kingdoms

He took the seat at the head of the table, having similar features to Aurelias, midnight-dark hair and eyes the color of espresso. But their facial structures were a little different. Aurelias had a harder jawline and a naturally displeased-looking expression. Kingsnake seemed a little kinder.

“It’s not like I have anything else to do.” Aurelias and my father had left days ago. My mother woke up every day and worked to protect our kingdom in her queen’s armor, but she was dead behind the eyes, strained with worry.

Atticus hadn’t arrived with the people from the Kingdoms yet, and that had started to worry us as well. I told myself it was a heavy expedition and to prepare all the Kingdoms for evacuation would take a very long time. Just because Atticus hadn’t been sighted in the distance didn’t mean he wasn’t coming.

“Do you ever play him for money?” I asked, trying to think about something other than my missing family members…and the love of my life.

Kingsnake shook his head. “Not anymore,” he said with a chuckle. “Learned that lesson the hard way.”

“Hiiissssssss.”

Kingsnake ignored him. “He’s taken a liking to you.”

“Because I’m an easy opponent.”

He gave another subtle chuckle. “I think it’s because my brother had a lot of nice things to say about you.”

I looked down at the stack of cards that Fang had just shuffled. He started to deal, dealing Kingsnake into the game as well. My heart ached when I pictured Aurelias’s face, when I considered the possibility he wouldn’t return.

“Which is saying something,” Kingsnake said. “He rarely has nice things to say about anyone, including me.”

“He seems close to your wife.”

“Well, she’s the only person in the family he actually does like.”

“You talk like you guys aren’t close, but if you weren’t close, you wouldn’t be here right now.” I looked at Kingsnake as Fang continued to deal the cards.

Kingsnake grabbed his hand and sorted through the cards. “It’s complicated. Aurelias and I are closer now, but we didn’t talk much the last couple centuries.”

“Why?”

“He’s close with my father, and I’m not his biggest fan.”

“That’s right… He’s the favorite.” I remembered that being mentioned before.

“We had different politics, which is clearly over now. But my father…” He shook his head. “He’ll never change.”

“Why do you think that is?”

He shrugged. “He thinks he’s entitled to do whatever the fuck he wants because he lost my mother. That her death somehow justifies his cruelty and malice. He craves power the way he craves blood, and every time he gets it, he needs more. The satisfaction is only temporary, but he keeps going anyway.”

“I’m sorry about your mother.” Aurelias had never told me what happened.

Kingsnake turned quiet.

We started to play the game, Fang setting up his traps for us to walk right into.

“How long have you been married?” I asked.

“A couple months.”

“Was she always a vampire?”

“She was human.” His eyes remained on the cards.

“So, she chose to be with you?” She chose to give up her soul, the possibility of children.

“Not quite,” he said with a sigh. “She nearly died in battle, so I turned her to save her.”