Throne of Secrets (Prince of Sin #2)

Seventeen Prince Gluttony

I SWEPT INTO THE dungeon, settling my gaze on Silvanus’s slumped form as the team of healers and Val made room for me, their hushed whispers ceasing upon my arrival.

The mood was as ominous as the dragon’s current condition. Aside from me, everyone was in heavy winter cloaks, their hoods pulled low like assassins to withstand the brutal temperature.

I took the vial of royal vampire venom from my suit jacket and crouched down to get a better look at Sil. He’d barely been breathing when I visited him at dawn. Instead of risking hurting him with the unknown effects of the venom, I’d called in the healers to stabilize him.

The ice dragon looked only marginally better now.

His normally luminescent flank remained duller than normal, more unpolished silver than sparkling iridescence. A twinge of worry slipped between my ribs like a blade. It had been several hours since the healers first began tending to him. I’d expected a bit more positive progress.

“Has he woken up at all?” I asked.

“Not yet.” Val stepped away from the healer she’d been speaking with, eyeing the venom in my fist like it was cursed. “You trust the leech?”

“I don’t have to trust him to use the venom.” I motioned to the door. “Everyone aside from Val, exit the chamber. I don’t want to take any chances if he jolts awake.”

What I didn’t have to say was if he jolted away and wanted a snack.

The healers left the chamber in a swish of cloaks, looking relieved to be sent away.

“Do you think it’s wise to test the venom when he’s so… still?” Val’s question was the same one I kept asking myself.

I paced. The name drawing was in an hour. Blade had said the best time was dusk or dawn, but not the only time. If I gave Sil the venom now, I’d have a limited amount of time to interrogate him if it did work. And if it didn’t work, then I’d have to leave him and pretend all was wonderful in front of my entire circle.

A feat I could normally accomplish, but this time I feared the strain would begin to show.

Val drew me to the side of the dungeon, her voice dropping low even with no one else near. “There’s something else you need to know. Dragons were spotted flying over Merciless Reach. They fired trackers at them, but none pierced their hides.”

“Gods’ blood. Will nothing go right?”

I rubbed my temples. I didn’t like the fact that the dragons had flown near the outpost.

Especially today. The sixty or so miles by land weren’t far by sky to my House of Sin.

The crowd already gathered outside my castle was immense; it would be the perfect target for bloodthirsty dragons. The crowd wouldn’t be able to escape quickly, making them even more appealing.

If they struck today… it would be unimaginable. There was no way I could cancel the drawing without causing a bigger scandal; I had to move forward with our plan.

I glanced down at Silvanus. Tonight, no matter his condition, I’d attempt the venom. For now, I needed to focus on making it through the next several hours.

I faced Val.

“I want extra hunters stationed between here and Merciless Reach. Keep them hidden to avoid any rumors or creating unrest,” I said. “Send word to House Wrath. I’ll need him to reinforce the perimeter today. But I don’t want any of his court spotted here. I’ll fly up as soon as I can after the drawing.”

Val nodded. “How did your meeting go with the reporter?”

“She’ll be there.”

“You’re sure?” Val’s tone was filled with skepticism.

I thought back to our encounter this morning. “It’s the one thing I’d bet on today.”

Adriana had been full of surprises, but one truth remained—she’d ended our little meeting feeling a renewed sense of hatred.

Which meant she wouldn’t miss the name drawing for all the money in the realm. At least I wouldn’t have to divide any of my forces to have someone watch her. From here on out, the closer she remained, the easier it would be for me to monitor her movements.

“Has the modiste sent an update yet?”

“The items will be delivered by morning, Your Highness.”

I exhaled. Finally, something was going according to plan.

“When Adriana arrives,” I said, walking toward the cell door, adding a bit of swagger to my stride in preparation for the grand event, “I want eyes on her at all times.”