Hupotasso (Vampire Bachelor Games #2)

62

62

All around me the court is bustling with pomp and bullshit, just as it has for centuries.

I’ve attended, as ordered, but not when ordered.

Several months have passed since the written edict was passed on by Spider. Several months in which I’ve been busy officially mourning, secretly looking for my wife, and covertly leading a team to hunt The Free Men responsible for my mother’s death.

When Jag suggested there might be a link between her demise and The Free Men who’d helped Angie escape I’d refused to believe it at first. But when Mother’s body disappeared from the morgue the same day as one of her specialists it was clear they were trying to cover their tracks. It didn’t take much to uncover the fact they’d deliberately switched her drugs. A cold, determined rage had settled over me from the moment the truth was outed. Not only that they’d killed her, but that they would dare take her body. And once again, I suspected Spider was also involved. It was too much of a coincidence that he should send Tatyana to kill Mother and that The Free Men would finish the job.

Whether Angie knew of The Free Men’s plan to murder my mother is something Jag and I are following up, but neither of us believes this to be the case. I hope to fuck it isn’t so, but I’ll find out soon enough. If she’s being sheltered by them then my search for them will lead me to her.

So far, we’ve kept it out of the media that there was anything untoward about Mother’s death, although The Families are aware of the circumstances. As to the fact her body doesn’t lie in its coffin, only Jag and I are privy to that information. The fewer people who know the details the easier it will be for us to track the culprits. Neither of us trusts that The Families wouldn’t go into overdrive hunting The Free Men if they learned of this and beat us to the punch, which would be a problem because we also need to question them about the whereabouts of my wife. And no one but us two, Viper, and Wolf, who has for all intents and purposes returned to his own estate, knows she’s on the run.

Jag believes we may never recover my mother’s body, but it’s only a matter of time until we find Angie. We don’t think she’s aware of just how dangerous The Free Men are or what they’d done to my mother. I don’t believe she knows our vampire baby is in danger if she stays with them. The Angie I know would never put anyone’s life at risk, let alone her infant’s. But if she doesn’t fully know what they’re capable of, it’s imperative I find her, and fast. Jag also thinks that when the baby’s born the hupotasso from my bite will kick in and I’ll know where to locate her. We’re not sure if this is the case, though. We haven’t found any literature to support the idea that the bite would work if the human was pregnant when bitten.

I still feel sick to the stomach when I think how I’ve treated her. I’d do anything to take it back. All I know now is that my stupidity drove her away and that she’s alone out there somewhere carrying my child, my heir.

“No, Your Majesty,” I answer the queen’s question quietly where we stand surrounded by her companions, “Angie was very keen to come and is terribly disappointed she can’t attend court, but she’s unwell. This is her first pregnancy and I believe that’s always the hardest.”

The queen laughs.

“Young women these days. When I was pregnant I undertook all my royal duties and oversaw a kingdom. Today a little morning sickness sends them to their beds.”

“Yes,” I smile, looking her in the eyes with, I hope, what passes for sincerity.

“Still, it’s apparent you’re caring for her well if you’ve risked my wrath to allow her to stay home.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

“Just make sure,” she narrows her eyes at me. “that she’s here next month. I was disappointed she wasn’t at your mother’s funeral, but I understood that you were concerned for her safety after learning of the involvement of The Free Men in the death of your mother. But pregnant or no, she needs to be visible now. Am I making myself clear?”

“Crystal, Your Majesty,” I reply blandly, keeping my face neutral, “although Spider is the one who really killed my mother. After all, it was his minion who stabbed her in the heart, as I know you’re aware. Otherwise, why would you issue a royal edict to prevent me from killing him?”

“Why?” she snorts. “Because as far as I’m concerned, Spider’s actions just make you even.”

“Even?” I frown, “how so?”

“Your father killed his mother. He was simply returning the favour.”

I stare at her, the hairs on the back of my neck rising, fangs descending.

“Unless you want to lose your head, I’d put those away,” she hisses, before leaning back and laughing at my expression.

“You Dragonspurs have more skeletons in your closet than the catacombs. It’s a pity your mother didn’t share more with you before she died. Now, remember what I said about your wife. The public wants to see her and a bouncing baby. Humans need to see a happy-ever-after if they’re to continue to make us happy ever after. Do you understand me, Lord Dragonspur?”

I’m so stunned by her revelation I barely comprehend the question.

“Falcon!” She snaps.

“Yes,” I murmur, adding when I see her raised eyebrow, “Your Majesty.”

“Good.”

She turns to leave, her retinue closing in on her as usual, but as she steps close by me I stiffen as she whispers in my ear.

“Find her.”