Chapter 95
“Viper’s Kiss. It’s difficult to find. I happen to know who would’ve had access to it p>
Serena’s breath slowed.
“It’s a lead,” Nightspire added. “But I’d imagine you’d want to get to the bottom of it. Or he would p>
“How did you Serena began to ask, then switched her question. “Who p>
“The source is in a district in Orosia,” he answered. “But poison doesn’t walk through castle walls on its own. There would have had to be people on the inside of Drakenfell p>
That sat heavy. Traitors. Plural.
“When you’re ready,” he continued, “have Hyran contact my Master Mage, Maelor Vantheos. You can bring one or two with you,” he added, like an afterthought. “No more. And I wouldn’t recommend Dexmon. There are people in that district who would kill him on sight. No questions asked p>
“Consider it a courtesy.” He leaned back slightly. “From family p>
Serena nodded, then swallowed, brows furrowing. “Earlier you mentioned Frostborne was because of me. I didn’t know that,” she admitted. “If I went to the High Emperor of Orosia, do you think we could work out a deal? To stop this war p>
Nightspire stilled. For a moment, something unreadable flickered across his face. Surprise, perhaps. Or calculation recalibrating.
“Possibly. Your blood has an element that is desired by Orosia and Fae kind. I don’t fully understand it. Yours is different than your mother’s.” He paused, choosing his wording carefully.
“I see two outcomes if we tried, depending on their goal. The first would be harvesting your blood either through your death or imprisonment p>
“The second, they’re after an heir with your blood. I highly doubt the High Emperor would marry you to his younger brother p>
His tone flattened. “You’d be a concubine. Kept until you were no longer useful p>
Serena shuddered at the thought. But she kept her composure. “Does their word hold any weight if we did negotiate p>
He again seemed taken aback. “The emperor isn’t full fae blood, so I would take him at his word. His queen is pure fae. Known for tricks. It’d be her that makes me distrust p>
She studied him carefully.
At that moment, Fin entered the tent, looking furious.
“Serena, I need to speak with you,” he said, jaw tight.
To Serena’s surprise, Dexmon entered next.
As soon as the words left Fin’s mouth, Dexmon’s eyes flared molten gold.
“Shadowclaw is your fated mate,” Nightspire remarked mildly, as if Fin wasn’t standing right there. “Isn’t he p>
Serena’s brows furrowed and she didn’t answer. The thought had already crossed her mind earlier in the night when she felt Fin’s emotions. But the fact she didn’t notice until tonight was ridiculous and she knew it. Was she oblivious or just an idiot? Because blaming the concussion only went so far.
“It’s obvious.” Nightspire swirled the scotch in his glass. “A shame, really, that Dexmon chose to get the Viremont princess pregnant p>
The words landed hard.
Dexmon’s entire body went rigid. The gold in his eyes fractured, flickering between rage and something gutted.
“Say that again.” His voice dropped to something feral. “Say it again and see what happens p>
Nightspire only smiled.
Serena blinked, surprised. She’d forgotten that Viremont mentioned that. She swallowed down unwanted confusion. If Dexmon had gotten Agnes pregnant, then that was none of her business. She still had full plans on annulling things. Nothing had changed. And she didn’t know what the hell to believe with the Viper’s Kiss part. It sounded far fetched. Even for Agnes.
Nightspire gave another look of recalculation. “Yes, Viremont’s rage stemmed from his daughter being put on trial in Drakenfell, pregnant. Were you not aware p>
“No. I was not aware of either thing.” Serena swallowed. “I tried to tell him that p>
“I saw,” Nightspire said after a moment. “You were the bait. And you didn’t know p>
Serena swallowed, not looking at anyone, and took another drink of her scotch. She didn’t know what the hell to think.
“Serena,” Dexmon said, voice pained. “I didn’t get her pregnant. She’s not. That was a lie she told her father p>
Serena didn’t answer or look at him. She’d had enough. She was at her limit.
Dexmon began to move towards her.
“Dex She opened her mouth. Shut it.
She wanted to tell him to go away and stay the fuck away from her. But she wasn’t going to disrespect him in front of two other Alpha Kings.
“I understand.” That was all that came out. The words sounded defeated and she didn’t look at him when she said it.
It was a lie. But she didn’t want to hear any more and continue rubbing salt into a wound that she was confused on. She needed time to think this out and talk with Elara.
Dex froze at that, his expression pained. He looked like a wounded animal. His wolf surged, eyes flaring gold.
Before he could respond, rain rushed in as the tent flap tore open. Garrett Darkhowler stormed inside, soaked, eyes sharp.
“There you are.” He marched past Fin and cut in front of Dexmon, straight over to Serena. Not bothering for formality with Nightspire. “We have an issue p>
Nightspire didn’t look surprised. He looked amused. He set his glass down and rose smoothly. “Of course you do, Nephew p>
“Good seeing you, Uncle,” Serena said, dipping respectfully. Her composure held. She wouldn’t look at Dexmon or Fin.
Just as she turned to leave, Nightspire grabbed her arm.
“Think carefully,” Nightspire said, voice even. “About who benefits if you disappear p>
She met his eyes, not flinching. “Understood p>
“That’s the second time you’ve grabbed her arm, Riven.” Fin’s voice came from the entrance. “There won’t be a third p>
He was moving to remove Nightspire’s hand personally, but Garrett beat him to it.
“And we’re done scaring her. Or subtly threatening. Or whatever the hell this is.” Garrett’s tone was flat.
Nightspire released her arm and smirked. “No threats this time. Just the truth p>
Garrett grabbed Serena’s arm where Nightspire’s grip had been and pulled her toward the exit.
Serena’s brows furrowed. This wasn’t the Garrett she knew at all. When he said something was wrong, he must’ve meant it.
“I need her first,” Garrett said mildly, not bothering to look at Fin even as his eyes flared gold. He ignored Dexmon entirely.
He pulled her out so quickly she didn’t have a second to tell Fin she would meet him.
His voice slid into her mind.
Garrett: His men are tailing.
She was surprised he felt the need to mindlink that. Considering it was mindlinked to everyone wearing a golden cuff.
They entered his tent, where a portal waited.
Serena followed him through it, trusting Garrett blindly.