“Really, Kaiden? I didn’t know covering oneself in blood was a way to veil your presence. I’m sure none of the vampires in the castle will notice me now!” Adrian growled in frustration as he flicked blood off his hand, unsuccessfully trying to wipe some of it away.
The figured laughed before removing his hood, revealing a handsome man with long white-pink hair and sapphire-blue eyes. “He was threatening you. I thought it best to act before he tried anything.”
Adrian grunted in response as he watched the carnage around him. “I need to go. I will return when the deed is done. If I don’t return…run,” he commanded as he turned to leave.
Kaiden grabbed his arm and yanked him back. There were blue flames burning in his eyes. “You will return! And you will become the king that our people need!”
He smiled and nodded before turning and walking away.
As Xavier pulled free of the memories, he was only able to register his own shock at the faces under the hoods before what he felt might be the final memory dragged him back down.
Adrian took a deep breath as he stood staring at the doors of the throne room. All the planning, all the secret meetings, they all came down to this moment. He had faith that his father’s council was no more. All that remained was his father—it was almost over. He could not fail the task before him, as all would be for naught if he did.
Sword in hand, he turned to Baylin. “It is time, my friend.”
“Let me fight with you. There’s no reason for you to do so alone.” Baylin’s words were ones he had heard many times.
Adrian smiled sadly and gave Baylin a quick hug. “You can’t. If the knowledge of what I have done becomes known, you will hang with me.”
Baylin looked conflicted. “If you fail, know this: I will finish what you started. I will not allow our people to continue to suffer, even if it leads to my death.”
“That gives me one more reason to succeed, my friend. Now, it is time.” Taking another deep breath, he turned to the doors. Adrian pushed them open and walked in.
His father sat on his throne, one of the women from his harem completely nude in his lap. The bastard looked rather irritated at being interrupted. “Get out!”
King Kade Silver Bloodhart was a hulking man, at least six foot four with an abundance of muscles. Adrian looked nothing like his father, which was something he was grateful for, as he hated the man. He could only assume he had taken after his mother, as there were no pictures. She had died only a few weeks after giving birth to him—just an accident he was sure, he thought bitterly.
His eyes were the exception—those he had inherited from his father. At times he found it hard to look into the mirror. He couldn’t stop his hatred of the eyes staring back at him.
“I have something important to discuss with you…alone.” His face filled with disgust as he peered at the woman in his father’s arms.
She was someone he planned to get rid of if he succeeded in his task. The bitch had murdered plenty to get where she was at, and he would make sure she got what she deserved.
His father’s eyebrows rose as he eyed Adrian’s sword. “Do you now? I somehow doubt you have any interest in talking.” Kade pushed the woman off his lap and waved for her to leave. Once gone, he stood and asked, “You think you can defeat me, boy?”
The man thought him weak. But then King Kade didn’t know of the hours he had trained, nor the secret he had kept—no, the man knew nothing about him, nor had he ever cared to find out. Adrian, however, had watched his father lay about—the man hadn’t trained in years. His hubris would be his downfall.
He grinned at his father’s confidence and decided to taunt the man. Kade had always been terrible at controlling his temper. “I do. The pathetic men you foolishly put on your council are already dead. The Zaytari have turned against you. And all those loyal to you are either dead or imprisoned.”
With each word, the rage in his father’s eyes grew. “You traitor!” His father roared. It was an ignorant mistake on his part—any true warrior knew never to allow emotions to control them in battle.
At the verbal attack, Adrian let energy surge through him and slammed his father against the wall.
He smirked when his father stood and looked at him with envy. Kade had always been bitter that he hadn’t inherited telekinesis from his father. The fact that someone he saw as lesser than him had would infuriate him.
However, for the first time, it seemed his father finally understood what his arrogance had caused him to miss. No longer did his father see a useless child, a weakling not worthy of his time. What he saw was a stranger who he knew nothing about, a stranger who may be able to take him down. There was fear in his eyes. “You…”
Adrian sneered. “Didn’t you know? I inherited quite a gift from Grandfather. Well, I suppose you wouldn’t, would you? Too focused on your own sexual pleasures, your greed and homicidal endeavors, I suppose.”
The fear seeped quickly from his father’s face and was replaced by a haughty grin. Glaring, Adrian slammed the man into the wall again. The marble cracked on impact. However, the grin remained even as Kade spat out blood.
Unfortunately, Adrian knew what was coming. He wasn’t surprised when his father threw up a spell that rendered his telekinesis useless. Kade had hated his own father—from what he had seen growing up, the feeling was mutual. Knowing that, it was easy to deduce that he would have most likely found a way to block the man’s main offense.
After the spell had been cast, his father pulled out his sword and advanced, eyes full of rage. “You are nothing!” His father roared as he moved forward and attacked.
Adrian parried, deflecting his father’s sword, then drove his own through the man’s shoulder when an opening appeared.
As the battle continued, Adrian received wounds along the way, as did his father—blood covered them both. While Adrian was tiring, his father was in worse shape than he. Kade seemed to be struggling to breathe, either from lack of stamina due to inactivity or because Adrian had pierced one of his lungs. Despite the exhaustion, they continued.
Hours passed as their battle raged on. The sound of clashing metal was silenced when a brutal attack shattered their swords. They jumped back—metal shards clattered to the floor between them. Panting heavily, they remained silent as they eyed each other.
Adrian’s left arm hung limply, dripping blood—crushed when he had been cornered and slammed into a wall. Various wounds on his body bled freely. His father was suffering from wounds of his own, some more serious than others. The man had a gaping gash on his side, and his right arm had almost been severed. Time was not on their sides—both had only moments before blood loss would end the fight for them. He had to finish it now, while he still had the strength to do so.
When his father lunged, as he knew he would, Adrian removed the blade he had hidden in his sleeve and plunged it into his father’s heart. Kade shouted in pain, blood dripping from his mouth as he collapsed to the floor. As old as he was, a stab to the heart would only incapacitate the man. No, he had to remove his father’s head.
He fell to his knees and looked down at the man who had infected his soul with hatred—hatred that at times became so tangible that he could taste it.
“H-how…dishonorable…”
Adrian laughed bitterly. He was having trouble gaining a full breath. “I…have no honor…for an…opponent who has none…”
His father coughed up blood. “You…will…hang…for this…”
“Maybe. However, I will finally be free…of the burning hatred I feel for you.”
The man coughed once more and laughed, then whispered, “The hatred…will always be there…for you are my son…”
With those words, Adrian grabbed the piece of broken sword lying beside him and shouted in victory as he severed his father’s head.
He looked down at his father and felt nothing but relief. It was over—it was finally over, he thought.
His mind was hazy as he turned his hea
d to gaze down at the shard of metal that had finally ended it. He barely felt the cuts it had made in his palm. He felt almost numb.
Dropping the shard, he staggered to his feet, his world swaying as he stood. With shaky legs, he stumbled his way to the doors and pushed them open.
“We’re…free…” Adrian whispered as he collapsed into Baylin’s arms, surrendering to the darkness.
Xavier gasped as he broke free of the memories. He had returned to Adrian’s bedroom. He stood still as he struggled to reorient himself to his much larger body—his skin felt cavernous.
Taking a deep breath, he focused on Adrian. The man looked drained. “I didn’t expect it to be like that.”
“There are two ways for a vampire to share a memory. One is like a movie, where you are a mere observer. In the other, which is what you just experienced, you live and experience the memory. How a memory is shared depends on the ability of the vampire doing the sharing. It is unusual for a vampire to have the capacity to do both. However, I will say this: the ability to allow others to live in your memories is rare, so it’s not too surprising that you haven’t experienced it until now.”
“Are you able to do both?” Xavier asked curiously.
Adrian looked at him oddly and replied, “No.”
“Is something wrong?”
“I’m a bit confused with your line of questioning, considering what you have seen,” Adrian admitted.
“I suppose it is insignificant, considering, but I was curious. I will admit I’m also a bit confused. I don’t understand why you killing your father should be a secret. It was a death rightly deserved. My kings, with your assistance, did the same.”
Adrian stared blankly at him for a few seconds before saying, “The reason is simple. ‘Covered in thy father’s blood, no crown will follow. Only death will come.’”
“What?”
“It’s an ancient vampire law. No king will sit on the throne with the blood of his father on his hands. It is one of our most sacred laws. It is also an automatic death sentence to those who break it. I understand in Arcadia princes can, if their reasons are valid, overthrow their father, or fathers if both are still alive.”
“A death sentence? For what, killing a murderous bastard?”
“Yes, well, I find the possible consequences of my actions rather unfair myself. However, from the stories I have read, my ancestors were an unusually murderous bunch. So after many kings lost their heads to their offspring, the law was put in place. To be fair, there is another one about rulers not killing their children, as well.”
“So you kept your deeds a secret,” Xavier murmured. “Surely all of your people don’t believe the man was killed by an assassin. Then there were the mass executions. The world was told that you executed the council and many others because they committed heinous crimes against the people of Vadin. All executions were said to have taken place after the king had died. However, the oddity that none took place in public must have been questioned.”
Adrian laughed. “Of course it was. Mostly by people higher up in society, as they were the ones who benefited most from my father’s rule. The majority of Vadin, I’m sure, believed and still believe I killed him. I doubt many think it all went down like they were told. However, they have no proof nor do any dare utter the words. In the beginning, fear held their voices back. Now I can only hope it’s because they do not wish to see me die. The only ones who could prove that I murdered my father are the current council and the heads of my Zaytari, the very men and women who helped me take the throne.”
“So they wouldn’t need to send assassins after you or poison your food.”
“No, they would just have to tell the world my secret.”
Xavier collapsed in the chair next to the bed. He felt helpless. “Then we have no leads…none…you and Kellin almost died, and we are still no closer to finding out who is responsible. Are there any relatives that may want the throne for themselves?”
“Mmm, a few past kings do still live, along with a few uncles and distant cousins. However, none are young enough to still be interested in power, or the throne for that matter.” He snorted. “None of them would want to deal with all the petty shit that comes with ruling. They just want to be left alone. It’s why most of them are living in the Third Realm now.” Adrian’s eyes became hazy with exhaustion. “I assume it was one of the servers who poisoned the food. Were they not found?”
Xavier ran a hand through his short hair with frustration. “Of course he was, but he was already dead when we got there.”
“Of course…have any of the council members arrived?”
“All of them, and more Zaytari heads than I would have thought could come on such short notice. Not to mention a few others, such as your friend Asa.” He paused and thought about his meeting with the short man and his wife. “By the way, I met Lily. They are quite an odd couple to say the least. Either way, from what I have seen, all are anxious to see you. Most have already visited Kellin, though the healers have kept him asleep to increase his baby’s chance of survival.”
Adrian’s face closed down at the mention of Kellin. “I see. Well, I should schedule a council meeting as soon as possible to assure them.” Adrian stared down at his hands—they were clenched.
“You are not well enough to hold a council meeting. It will have to wait, at least until tomorrow,” he said firmly. “None of this is your fault, Adrian.”
At his soft words, Adrian looked up at him. “What are you talking about?”
“What happened to Kellin is not your fault. There’s also still a chance…” He hesitated when Adrian held up his hand.
His words were cold and hollow when he spoke. “I don’t wish to discuss that or anything else right now.”
“You don’t have to hide what you’re feeling, Adrian. Especially not from me. You don’t have to hide anything from me.”
Adrian’s only response was to glare at him.
Xavier bent down and kissed Adrian’s forehead. “You should rest…just know I’ll be there for you when you’re ready to stop hiding.”
Chapter Eleven
The following day
Dorian took a deep breath, building up the courage to knock on the door in front of him—and knock he did.
The door was answered by a maid. “Yes?”
“I’m…I’m here to see my mother.”
“Follow me,” the woman said. He followed her through the mansion and into his mother’s study. “Stay here while I inform my mistress that you’re here.”
The maid closed the door behind her as she left. Dorian took another deep breath. He could do this, he told himself. He would prove that he was wrong—that none of the thoughts running through his head were true.
Dorian stiffened when the door opened and his mother walked in. His mother was a beautiful woman—willowy with long black hair and large violet eyes. Her beauty looked cold to him now.
“My darling boy, I’m so happy you’ve come to visit.” She drew him into a hug, but pulled back, confused, when he remained stiff in her arms. “Is something wrong?”
“The king was poisoned two days ago.”
His mother gasped. “What? How awful!” The words lacked the sincerity that they should have had.
“Mother…terrible thoughts have been running through my head. There is something I need to ask you.”
“And what would that be?” she asked, her words sharper than before.
“Are you behind the attacks? I don’t want to believe it, but every attack has occurred within days of my visits. There were so many questions about the castle. I thought…I thought you wanted to know about my childhood. But now…I’m not sure anymore. Please tell me it’s not true.” When he finished, she was smiling at him, but there was no warmth. “Mother…”
“Oh, my dear boy, how could you think such a thing?” She wrapped her arms around him. Her voice sounded off—his instincts were telling him to run.
Dorian was just about to do s
o when a sharp pain in his back caused him to shout. His eyes were wide as his mother pulled away. Something warm dripped down his back.
She tsked. “It’s such a shame. I was actually starting to grow fond of you.” There was a bloody dagger in her hand.
“Mother…” he whispered, coughing up blood. He began to slowly back up—at least he had been, until his mother cast a spell. Panic filled him when his legs refused to move. He stood frozen as blood continued to drip down his back. His tears fell at her betrayal.
She scoffed in disgust. “You’re just as weak as your father.”
“Why?” He sobbed.
“Hmm, I suppose you deserve a reason. Know this. You should blame your father for your current predicament. If that bastard hadn’t left me, you would have lived a long life. I had so many plans, but he ruined them all. He had no interest in the power he could gain through his position, the weakling! And then not only did he leave me after I forced myself to have his fucking child, he dared to flaunt his interest in the king! Well, I decided to make him pay by taking his precious king away!” His mother’s voice rose with each word until she was shouting. Dorian shuddered when she caressed his face. Her next words were softer but mocking. “However, maybe I went about it the wrong way. Killing the king may have been a bit extreme. It’s pointless to attack someone so protected. It really was a miscalculation on my part. I mean, why go through all that effort when I can make the man suffer by just killing you?”
He saw his death in her eyes—he should have listened to his father. Kaiden had told him she was manipulative, cold, and calculating—that she was full of hatred…
He had just wanted to know his mother, but it had been a mistake…one he wouldn’t have long to regret.
Adrian's Bodyguard [Vampires of Vadin 1] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) Page 10
