20. Morel

TWENTY

MOREL

Orion watched as Hesper stood behind my chair, her hands on my shoulders. We had to force ourselves to return to the palace and resume our duties. It was in rare moments like this that I wished not to be king, so that I may spend my days tangled with my love.

"And we know he received my letter?" I asked, my hand touching Hesper's.

"Yes. Apparently, he did not take the declaration of war well." Orion chuckled to himself, rotating his weight between his feet. "But forgive me for asking, my king: why give him a warning? Would it not be better to attack him by surprise?"

I smiled, pulling Hesper from behind the chair and planting her in my lap. Her silver eyes sparkled, tiny constellations shooting across the metallic color. I tucked her inky hair behind her ear, my hand purposely stroking the scars along her face. "Agaric damn near killed my queen. He poisoned her, made her into a puppet and a pawn, all while thinking he destroyed me. I want him to see us coming and fear what we will do to him." I looked past Hesper to Orion. "I want Agaric to sit and stir in his fear, festering in the dark unknown."

Orion nodded, approving of my choice.

"We shall make him watch as his kingdom falls. He shall remain alive and helpless as the night kingdom suffocates Dryade, snuffing out its light. Only then, will he feel the mercy of death." Hesper's words excited me, her fierce persona fully returned as we smiled at one another.

"There is my queen of darkness." I squeezed her face as she giggled. "Tell me, what do you crave?"

Her eyes widened with desire. "Blood."