Hupotasso (Vampire Bachelor Games #2)

46

46

I shake my head at Attracta and keep walking. I don’t know how she learned I was here, but I don’t have time to deal with her questions right now. I’ll see her later and confirm my suspicions about her recent actions. But right now, I have a meeting with the Queen.

“She’s always late,” she murmurs as she keeps up with me, “she’ll keep you waiting just to keep you in your place. Slow down and talk to me, Falcon.”

I stop and spin to face her.

“What do you wish to know?”

She rolls her eyes.

“Obviously I want to know how Eleanor is. Asumpta filled me in on what happened, but I can’t get any word out of the hospital.”

“I don’t know what to tell you. We don’t know if she’s going to pull through. She’s still in intensive care.”

She groans and shakes her head.

“And the security?”

“Second to one,” I growl. “Do you think I’d leave her unguarded after Spider’s assassination attempt?”

“I know you come seeking some retribution from the queen,” she whispers urgently as I begin to walk again, “but you won’t find a friendly ear in the court at this time.”

“Why is that?” I stop and scowl at her. “Why would she support Spider? A noble who tries to murder another noble?”

“Since you kidnapped his pregnant wife ,” she hisses. “Don’t be stupid, Falcon. He’s been weaving his webs in the halls of power for centuries, while you, Wolf, and Jag were on the ground fighting.”

“Fighting the queen’s fucking wars!” I snarl.

“It doesn’t matter,” she frowns, “he was here while you were there. You should have taken more time to immerse yourself in the politics of running a royal household. Instead you always considered that beneath you. You acted as though nothing you did could have any consequence. Now you’re paying the price.”

“What price?” I hiss. “Is my mother’s life the price for me not attending court and playing the dandy? For not flattering the queen and bolstering the egos of cunts?”

“Your mother tried to tell you,” she snaps. “She tried to tell you to attend court, to find a bride, to take your place amongst your peers. You wouldn’t listen.”

“But you did, didn’t you?” I snarl. “My bastard half-sister. You made your way here, ingratiated yourself and became the chief procurer for the queen herself. And how’s that going for you, Attracta? Is your life all you’d hoped it would be?”

“Your arrogance will be the end of you, Falcon,” she murmurs. “You drive away anyone who might be on your side.”

“My side?” I grip her arm before she can walk away. “Mother said she had help from within the royal house to put Angelina in The Games. Is buying off the selectors being on my side , Attracta? Because last time I looked my mother was on a life support system as a result of this so-called help.”

She raises her chin and pulls her arm out of my grip.

“And what would have been the result had she not interfered?” She hisses. “Have you thought of that Lord Dragonspur? Did it occur to you that your mother and I might have been privy to machinations that were at play and worked to try and mitigate that? Has it occurred to you, at all, that perhaps while you took your eye off the ball and wallowed in self-pity she, one who loves you above everyone else, was busy behind the scenes trying to save your life and your title?”

“I need no help in that regard,” I snarl.

“Indeed?” She snorts. “Yet here you are snivelling outside the Queen’s chambers while those who would aid you are reviled. You don’t deserve your mother’s love.”

As she storms off I find a seat and wait for my audience with the queen.

And wait.

Feeling like a naughty schoolboy or a peasant seeking a meeting with his master, I mull over Attracta’s words. Few would dare speak to me as she had. Angelina does, but otherwise I’ve rarely been so chastised, and it gives me pause.

She’s right. I don’t deserve my mother’s love.

I don’t deserve any woman’s love.

When the Queen’s man informs me the monarch has decided she won’t meet with me after all, I’m not even surprised.