Chapter 60

"What the FUCK?"

I said after my head jolted towards the window.

Samuel was sitting in a chair next to the window. It was cracked open, allowing a cold breeze to enter.

Samuel sat in the chair, one leg over another. He held a glass half filled with a drink. He appeared more tired than the last time I saw him. Bags underlined his eyes, and a new line appeared on his forehead. He was dressed well, his small, braided crown rested on his already golden curls.

"Don't scream. Don't call for help. If you do, I will torch the palace." Samuel said without a worry in his voice. He set his drink down on a painted wooden table next to him. He had the fireplace lit. I had been too distracted by the vanilla debate in my head to notice the crackling of it.

I had hoped I was just imagining him. I hoped that Samuel hadn't really infiltrated the home of my family.

"Belmonte is beautiful in the winter, is it not?" He turned his gaze to the window.

"What the fuck do you want? Why are you here?" I reached for my dagger. His attention snapped back to me.

"Enough with the dramatics, Princey." He rolled his eyes.

I extended my arm and pointed it in his direction.

"Get the fuck out of here." I commanded.

"Put that down. Have a drink with me." He had a bottle and two glasses set up, one with his drink already in it.

"I'm not drinking anything you give me. I don't want your poison."

"It's ale, actually."

"Why are you here? Are you just here to fuck with my head? You told me the next time you saw me, you'd kill me!"

"Princey, you love to make me sound so evil."

"You ARE evil! You killed my parents!"

"Oh, yes. I forget about that. Pity." He tsked.

His words only fueled me with anger. My blood boiled.

"I will kill you. Without hesitation."

"Nothing but hostility. Why can't we just talk?"

"Why do I have to remind you of the ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE YOU HAVE PUT ME THROUGH? After all the humiliation and pain, you're really going to sit in my home and tell me you are here to exchange pleasantries?"

"Perhaps I am." He sipped his drink, I stepped closer to him with the dagger.

"Alright, fine. I am here to talk about a deal as well."

"Not interested." I said sharply.

"Hear me out, Princey. Or are you no longer capable of a civilized conversation?"

My stomach was so twisted I thought it was going to fall apart. My blood boiled in remembrance of all the terrible things he has done. Most recently, trying to torture Orion. I was the one who was tortured by him once again. Not to mention the attack on my family, and my kingdom.

"I have no desire to talk to you." I said firmly.

"Would you prefer to do other things?" He raised an eyebrow and flashed a crooked smile.

His boldness caught me off guard, leaving me silent for a moment. I had to remind myself how witty and charismatic he was. I had to be mentally sharp, I could not fall for any more of his tricks. I could not let myself be weak minded around him like I once was.

Samuel was evil, but he certainly was not dumb. I had to find out what game he was playing. Perhaps it was best to cautiously play along.

I lowered my dagger and put it in its case. I stuck it onto my belt, keeping it close to me.

"Perhaps I do." I pulled a chair next to the fireplace closer to him.

"Tell me about this deal." I said.

"You don't want a drink first?"

I did not. I knew I couldn't drink whatever mysterious poison he would have for me there.

"I'd rather not."

"Come on, it won't kill you. Promise."

"You've promised a lot of things."

He poured me a glass. The color, consistency, and smell indicated it was ale. That did not mean it was safe. He handed me the glass.

He peered down at me, waiting for me to take a swig.

I slowly raised the glass to my lips and took the smallest sip that I could. I pulled the glass down.

"See? Told you it wouldn't kill you."

"Great, glad I haven't died before hearing this deal of yours."

He finished his glass and returned it to the table for another pour.

"I want to talk to you about what you are. Whether, what you've done to yourself."

"I don't know what you are talking about."

He picked up his glass.

"There have been two incidents where I have seen you this year. One in Belmonte, and one in Naporia."

"Yeah, you tried to kill me and my friends both of those times."

"Something has happened to you. Something has made you stronger. Something has made you not human. In both attacks, I witnessed you change into a beast."

"I have no idea what you are talking about. I am ordinary, as you can see."

I knew what Samuel was digging for. He wanted to confirm ny dragon state was real. Perhaps to ensure the king of Vendov, or perhaps to ensure his own sanity.

"Don't play with me, Zander. You were never good at that."

"I truly don't know what you are talking about. I am just a man. A weak, foolish, man."

"You don't seem so weak anymore, Princey. The last year really has changed you. When I met you, you were a scrawny mess, who couldn't lead a horse to water. Now look at you, you are almost worthy enough to be a king."

He leaned forward, getting closer towards me.

"Almost worthy? Thanks, Samuel. " I snapped, straightening myself out in the chair to avoid his closeness. Almost worthy, I thought. That was the nicest thing he has said to me since he pretended to love me. Perhaps it was the only genuine compliment I would ever receive from him, I thought.

"Just tell me, how did you do it? The undead dragon was the only dragon left. Is it a dragon? Or another beast entirely?"

"I don't know what you are talking about. Perhaps you should question your sanity before reporting to the Vendov king." I said.

He gritted his teeth into a forced smile.

"I see Vendov's son has been lurking here. How do you trust him? How are you sure hes not going to betray you too?"

"He's kind and trustworthy. He hates what his father is doing. He's nothing like you!"

"You're right. No one is like me." He smiled at me once again, leaning forward. His hand grazed mine.

My heart fell through a trap door from my chest to my stomach. I hadn't experienced his touch since his betrayal. It was like having your first sip of water after days in a desert. It was an apple after days of hunger. It was a hot bath after weeks of cold.

He leaned closer to me. He pressed his head against mine, whispering in my ear.

"You can try to replace me, but you never will. You never can." I could feel his warm breath send a tickle down my neck. My hair stood up.

His lips approached mine. I told myself to fight it, that I couldn't lose the game he was playing. I remembered where one kiss led me with him before. It was never just one kiss.

He took his fingers and gently stroked my face and hair, looking into my eyes. He closed his eyes and pressed his soft lips into mine.

I didn't stop him. I encouraged it.

His hand stroked my face as his tongue entered my mouth. A taste of ale spread from his mouth to mine. He bit my lower lip, sucking on it for a moment.

With our mouths connected, we stood up together, abandoning our drinks. His hands exploded my chest as we made our way over to the bed.

I felt the presence of the bed with the back pressed against the canopy rail. He kissed my neck as he began to unbutton the top of my shirt.

His fingers grazed over the scale under my shirt. It sent a jolt through my body, a reminder what he was really there for. I pulled away from his dangerous grip and reached for my dagger.

"No! ENOUGH FUCKING AROUND WITH ME! I WILL NOT LET YOU DO THIS AGAIN! TELL ME WHAT YOU ARE REALLY HERE FOR." I demanded.

"I thought we were just having fun."

"Enough of you, Samuel. Tell me what you're here for or I'll cut your head off."

"Princey, always killing the vibe, aren't you?"

"Now, Samuel." I pushed the dagger up to his stomach. The tip pushed onto his skin.

He raised his hands up slightly in defense.

"Alright, fine. The king sent me here to try to make a deal with you. Whatever you've done to yourself, he sees it as a threat. He fears the win won't be as easy."

"What deal?"

"He wants you to join us. He'll return Lafayette to you under his empire. Mavis and your baby are guaranteed protection."

"What about Orion? Charles? All of my allies and troops?"

"The king cannot promise their survival, especially not the rogue prince."

"You really think you could get me to agree to that?"

"Persuaded, perhaps. After a few drinks and... A night with me."

"Have you ever cared about anyone? Have you always been this heartless and cruel?"

He didn't speak. For once, he was quiet. No silver tongue to kiss his way out of his situation.

"Tell the king I'll never betray my people. Unlike you, who crawled so far up the Vendov king's ass that you can't see straight."

"You don't know everything, Zander. Don't try to act like you do."

"I don't know everything, but I know I'm going to make you pay for everything you've done. Get the fuck out of here. I can't wait to see you on the battle field."

"Fine, have it your way. Don't tell anyone I was here. If you do, I'll know. And I'll kill your wife."

"You'll know, huh? Your bluffing."

"Am I?"

I released the dagger from his stomach and let him go. I watched him open the window and jump out of it.

I rushed to the window and examined the outside. He was gone. The monster that called me, the siren that sang to me, was gone.