The Darkest Crown (The Eternal Darkness Duet #2)

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

I dressed for the ball with care, donning a lavish gown made of red silk so dark it almost looked black. I wore my hair down, and chose no jewelry other than the crown on my head. In typical vampire fashion, it was a gothic looking thing, encrusted with rubies and black diamonds. It was a bit much for my usual tastes, but tonight I was making a statement. I was queen, and I would make sure they all knew it.

The ball was in full swing by the time I left my room. I remained absent for half the night, giving them a false sense of security. The two assassins had returned to their masters and reported my demise, because that’s what I planted in their minds. A false memory of them killing me.

Cateline and Roland could barely suppress their glee as they danced and drank, and pretended to be just as confused as everyone else by their queen’s absence.

I’d been connected to Julian’s mind since the ball started, letting his thoughts keep me apprised of the situation. As I walked towards the open ballroom doors, I severed the connection, smiling at what was to come.

The musicians stopped playing when I swept into the room, and all heads turned towards me. Cateline's eyes widened with fear before frantically searching the crowd for Roland.

I sailed into the room, the crowd parting before me, vampires on both sides bowing low. It reminded me of the first time Marius walked me through this crowded room, and I pushed the memory aside as I climbed the stairs to the dais.

With a dramatic swirl of my skirts, I turned to face the crowd. They were all bent low, and out of pettiness, I let them remain that way a moment longer. I looked past them, meeting the eyes of each of my guards. They all stood armed and ready, but their weapons wouldn’t be necessary. I knew my power. I was enough.

I let my gaze linger on Julian for a moment, and the corner of his mouth curled. Like what you see?

My lips twitched, as I fought a smile. “You may rise,” I finally said, and the crowd straightened. “I apologize for my late arrival.” I let my eyes move slowly over them. “I had… matters to attend to. Some of you seem especially surprised to see me.” My eyes stopped on Cateline, and she visibly swallowed. “I wonder why that is.” I let my eyes move on, searching for Roland in the crowd. “Ahh.” I smiled, revealing my fangs. “There you are.”

Roland tried to run, but found himself blocked in, surrounded by William’s men, dressed in servants' uniforms. They surrounded Cateline as well, causing her to gasp with feigned indignation. The rest of the guests looked around, obviously confused.

I spoke loudly, my voice carrying to the back of the enormous room. “Today, while you all slept in your beds, there was an attempt on my life.” The crowd gasped and murmured in disbelief, and I held up a hand to silence them. “Two assassins, sent by Cateline and Roland, came to my bedroom to kill me.” All eyes went to the accused, and the vampires closest to them quickly stepped away.

“You are mistaken, My Queen,” Cateline insisted, even as Roland shouted, “This is absurd!”

“Blood, thirst, bite, drink.” I repeated their phrase out loud, and their eyes widened. “You must’ve assumed I could read minds, or you wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to hide your true thoughts. In case you’re wondering what other powers I inherited, let me assure you, it was all of them.” The crowd continued to edge back, their fearful thoughts nearly drowning out the sound of my own voice.

I smiled sweetly at Roland. “If you don’t believe me, I’d be happy to demonstrate.”

“I don’t know what you’ve been told,” Roland blustered, “but I am innocent.”

“Stop,” I snapped, and his body jerked as I took hold. I lifted him slowly until his feet hovered above the floor. “Why bother lying, when you know I can read your mind?”

I squeezed his heart until he screamed, and the crowd surged backwards towards the walls. I released him, and he dropped to the floor, then I turned to Cateline, who looked like she was going to pass out.

“Marius was never going to marry you,” I told her, and I watched as rage overpowered her fear.

“He chose me!” she snarled. “He was alone in this world, and he chose me! You are nothing!”

I slowly shook my head. “You have no idea how wrong you are. I’d feel sorry for you, if you hadn't tried to kill me.”

“You bitch!” Cateline hissed, lunging forward. She only gained an inch before I froze her in place. I lifted my skirts and stepped down from the dais, crossing the room towards her. Her face was frozen in a snarl that would have terrified me a few weeks ago, but now all I felt was contempt.

“What is the punishment for treason?” I asked loudly, as I walked in a slow circle around Cateline. No one spoke up. I stopped and looked across the sea of terrified faces. “What would Marius have done, if someone was actually stupid enough to try this on him? I suppose I could dust them?” I shrugged, ignoring the sound of Cateline and Roland’s screams in my mind. “But that’s not the kind of queen I want to be.” I looked at William’s men that still surrounded them. “Put them in the dungeon for now. Their fate will be decided when a new counsel is formed.”

Hugh pushed his way through the crowd, carrying heavy chains, and Michael followed, carrying an electric baton in each hand. I continued to hold Roland and Cateline immobile while they were cuffed and chained, and when I released their bodies, I kept them silent when they were forcibly dragged from the room. Even after they were gone, no one moved. The crowd remained silent, each one of them too afraid to attract my attention.

I smoothed my hands over my skirts and lifted my chin. “Now. Who’s going to ask me to dance?”

From across the room I saw the corner of Julian’s lips curl, and then he started towards me.