Chapter Thirty-Nine (Lazarus)

After making sure Amaya was ok, I went to track down Hellebore. She had almost cost me my fated mate, and I was furious, not to mention Sin was the one to save her because the damn vow compelled me not too.

If she chose Sin because of this, I would never forgive her. I headed down the hallway, ignoring the members of the court when they asked where my fated mate was, and headed to my mother's quarters.

I knocked before entering, finding her talking to her guards. She dismissed them and turned to me.

“How dare you show your face here!” She yelled at me as she walked closer to me. “You made a vow to me and promised you would make sure Abigail died and yet she still lives and is, in fact, now in hell.”

“I can not help that Sin intervened now, can I?” I spat back at her. “Not to mention Amaya almost died because of you!” 

“I don’t think you perceive the threat those two women have to us.” She sneered. "They could ruin everything.

“I would if you let me in on the bloody plan.”

“She can prevent you from taking the throne.”

“Who?”

“If Amaya chooses Sin, your chances at becoming King are zero.”

“I told you before and I will tell you again. I don’t want to be king. That is what you want.”

She moved closer to me, “Either you find a way to get rid of Abigail or…”

“Or what, you’ll kill Rook or Amaya?” I paused. “If I recall things correctly, you just tried to kill Amaya, so you don’t keep your word. What kind of demon are you, anyway?”

Surprised, she took a step back, “what do you mean?”

“I mean, you compel others around you to do your bidding. You have done it to me and to my father. Did he even choose you as Queen or did you compel him to? What exactly are you?”

Her eyes flickered angrily and for a second looked almost serpentine. “I am a demon and so are you.”

“Ah, but not a full demon, no demon can control another’s mind. So, what exactly are you?”

“You have lost it, son. I am a demon. Always have been, always will be.” She retorted, not meeting my gaze. “Now finish off Abigail so we can proceed with our plan.”

“No, I am done helping you, and I will not hurt Amaya like that.”

She gave me a dangerous look but sighed, “Very well.”

“That’s it?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re not going to try to compel me or threaten anyone?” I asked in disbelief, not trusting her or her reactions.

“I meant very well; I don’t need you to continue with what I have planned. You are dismissed.”

Something in my gut warned me against her, had she already come up with an alternative plan? What was she up to?

“I said leave!” she spat.

I nodded and left. I would have to speak to my guards and see what she had been up to behind my back.

I asked the guard outside her door to find Zagan and Anwir, my guards. I wanted to find out what my mother had been up to; they nodded and left to find them as I headed to my quarters.

I ignored Akuji as she walked past me, but she turned around and followed me.

“Prince Lazarus, can I talk to you for a second?” She asked me.

Sighing, I stopped and turned to face her, “Yes?”

“Members of the court saw the King bring a woman and an old lady into the castle, who are they?”

“Guests of the King.” I answered, a little annoyed that she would pry into the royal family's business.

“But why was the King carrying her?” She asked as she looked down at her hands.

“She’s important to him. Anything else?” I asked as she looked at me with tears streaming down her face.

“He cares about that human?” She cried, her voice shaking. “What’s so special about her?”

“You’ll have to take that up with him.” I retorted before I walked away. Of course, my player of a brother would have girls on the side, I wonder how Amaya would feel about that? Someone ought to tell her. I smiled to myself.

I pulled my key from my pocket and unlocked my door, heading into the sparsely furnished space. I walked over to my dresser and emptied my pockets onto it before heading to the bathroom for a quick shower. Happy to be rid of the puritan clothes, I grabbed a pair of jeans and a button-down white shirt and put them on.

I wanted to check on Amaya but didn’t feel right crowding her, so to distract myself while I waited for my guards, I picked one of my favorite books off the massive bookshelf that lined my wall and settled onto the couch in the corner to read.

Unable to concentrate, I got up and paced the room until I heard a knock at my door.

“Finally!” I muttered as I walked over to answer it, letting Zagan and Anwir into the room.

“Your highness it is good to see you.” Anwir smiled.

“You wanted to speak with us?” Zagan asked as he eyed Hellebore's guard that had followed them into the room.

“You may leave.” I said to the guard, as he nodded and left the room.

Closing the door, both Zagan and Anwir turned to me, “It’s good to see you bud.” Zagan smiled as Anwir walked over to the bar and poured us all a drink, handing us each a glass before sitting down on the couch.

“It has been a while.” I smiled at them as I drank from my cup.

“So, who is your fated mate?” Anwir asked excitedly.

I sighed, “It’s complicated. Turns out she is both mine and Sin’s fated mate.”

“How is that even possible?” Zagan asked in disbelief.

“I have no clue, but it turns out everything is up to her. Whomever she chooses will be King.”

“Bummer. Why don’t you just share?” Anwir suggested with a grin.

I glared at his stupid suggested, “She’s not some toy we can take turns with.” I spat.

“Why not, Kings do it all the time with women.” Anwir laughed.

“Over my dead body.”

“Why did you want to speak to us?” Zagan asked, changing the subject.

“I need to know what Hellebore is planning. Amaya almost died and I have a sick feeling that it is part of her plan to kill her and Abigail, even though she says otherwise.”

“We have done what you asked, and I believe Amaya may be one of her targets, although I don’t have proof yet. As you know, we can’t follow her everywhere, it is strange though…”

“What’s strange?” I asked, interrupting him.

Anwir smiled, “She seems oddly invested in one of the hell gates.”

“Which one?” I asked with a frown.

“The Hellgate of envy. Is there something hidden in there that she is after?”

“Not that I am aware of, I can talk to Rook. He does rounds through the gates all the time, he would know.”

I finished my drink and got up to pour another.

“We also figured out what she is.” Anwir teased.

“You will not believe it.” Zagan shared with a serious tone.