Hupotasso (Vampire Bachelor Games #2)

76

76

The queen frowns and waves her hand at me to begone from her presence as she embraces my mother.

I turn and leave as instructed.

She’d demanded our attendance at court the moment Mother had advised her of her ‘adventure with death,’ and it was naturally in our best interest to attend quickly. Word would definitely have reached her by now that I’d tricked Spider by using her name. I’d planned to explain personally, but Mother said it might be best coming from her, and I’d agreed promptly. I can’t stand the baby-eating monarch cunt.

Meanwhile, free to roam the court, I’m looking for my half-sister. When Mother told me she’d received her intelligence about Sophie’s pregnancy from Attracta, I knew she wielded far more power than I’d previously imagined. I know Attracta had done all she could to facilitate Angie being selected for The Games by pulling strings with powerful people, but I don’t know just how far her web extends.

I need to know now. Moreover, I need to know if she’s aware the baby Sophie is carrying is likely mine.

Mother’s right. It’s time I take my place in court and play the games of the powerful. And my half-sister might be the key to defeating my enemy, stranger though she is. Although it occurs to me, as I stride the halls of power, that we’re strangers because I chose us to be. I’d distanced her and her sister and kept them at arms-length my whole life. I’d avoided the kitchens because I knew they were there, and like my father, I’d refused to acknowledge them in any way, feeling both ashamed and disgusted that they were under our roof. Only my mother had retained a relationship with them. One that, thankfully, had resulted in her life being saved when Tatyana had attacked.

If Asumpta had not stepped in things would be very different now.

Attracta’s previous comment to me that I would suffer due to pushing anyone away who was on ‘my side’ comes back to haunt me.

‘Perhaps if I’d acknowledged her and Asumpta after father’s passing, I wouldn’t be in the dark about my family history. Perhaps she’s right, given that I’m still searching for my wife, that I push anyone away who might be on my side.’

My introspection comes to a close as I knock on her door and she opens as though she’d been expecting me. Given what I know about her now, she very well could have been.

“Attracta.”

“Lord Dragonspur.”

“May I come in?”

She steps back, and I walk into her chambers, struck instantly by the familiar feel. I could easily be in my own library at home; the decor is strikingly similar.

“Yes,” she laughs at my expression, “it was always my favourite haunt in your castle, and it was my heart’s desire to have it for my own.”

“I had no idea,” I shake my head.

“Of course not. We guttersnipe bastards were relegated to the kitchens when you and your brother were in the castle. But elsewhile we roamed and lived as we liked. Asumpta preferred the kitchens, so it was no mind to her. But for me it was always the library.”

“You’d get on well with Angie,” I murmur as I peruse some of the titles, thinking how to mend yet another broken fence, another shattered relationship. It seems like I’m surrounded by a wasteland of women I’ve hurt one way or the other.

“If that’s why you’re here,” she shrugs as I turn back to her, “you’ve wasted your time. I don’t know where she is.”

“That’s not why I’m here,” I frown. “I realise I should have extended an olive branch to you and your sister years ago. It was remiss of me, and arrogant. I know you have every right to refuse to have anything to do with me, but I hope I can at least begin to mend our relationship or start to forge one at this late stage.”

“I see,” she frowns. “And what exactly brought this epiphany on?”

“Mother,” I shrug. “Or losing Mother, as it were. Perhaps also losing my wife. I’ve begun to see things differently. It started in The Games, if I’m honest, and I tried to fight it, but I see now the worth of having a family, people who love me…”

“A word I never thought to hear you utter,” she murmurs. “What is it you specifically want to know, Falcon?”

I smile at her. In some ways she and I think alike. I never would have imagined it. She likes to get straight to the point, as do I.

“I told you the truth. I want to get to know you and Asumpta. I want to know more about my family. Our family.”

She pins me with her direct stare.

“What exactly do you want to know.”

“Everything you know about Spider, and then some.”

“That could take some time,” she raises an eyebrow. “Let’s narrow it down, shall we?”

“Very well. How it is that my father killed Spider’s mother.”

“Ahh,” she smiles, beckoning me to sit and leaning forward, her elbows on her knees. “Your mother unforthcoming?”

“Truly,” I sigh. “She won’t discuss the matter.”

“Too painful, most probably,” she nods, leaning back in her chair.

“Painful? Why?”

“Your father loved Spider’s mother. She married his enemy, but he never got over her. She was the one great love of his life, even though she was human. The day he killed her, he died.”

I stare at her as though she’s gone mad and gratefully answer my phone as I try to wrap my head around what she’s just told me.

“Jag?”

I close my eyes momentarily at his news. The relief flooding through my body is palpable.

“Where?”