The Law of Beasts Book 1 Act 2 VULTORIAN

Memories of Alicia's Coronation. 3 B.C. Looks can be deceiving little liars. There was applause for the dark-skinned supernatural and powerful Greek czar and my procession of guests. My regal attire was sophisticated, but my skin beneath was ridden with smallpox and I hadn't a bath because my masters won't let me. In the middle of a procession of a thousand able-bodied slaves carrying my wheel-less chariot, we marched toward Armona, the Queen Mother and Alicia. They were adorned in silk and jewelry.

As Alicia was led behind the concrete platform of a wrought coliseum, I approached Armona, kissing her hand, her cheek, and then her tempting lips. Why not kiss both sets to seal the deal, but with smallpox maybe not.

She purred with emotion. Her face flushed with delight.

"I see you made it, Suh'Kyng Drykaten."

I gave her a knowing look. My thick eyebrows were lined with hieroglyphics pouring into the bone structure of a broad nose. Two piercings on each side sent lightning into my mesmerizing grayish eyes. She found me intriguing.

"When the Supreme Queen of the Dershakney calls, surely I could make a grand entrance. It's not every day I get to...see you in any capacity.

"I appreciate the words, but today is not about me. It's about a special moment in supernatural history. Surely you know the heads of hundreds of countries are in attendance."

I lowered my eyes, keeping a smile. I had to save face to keep the peace between the supernatural kingdoms and The Dragonhead Ancients. I give any inkling that I was cursed I would be burned at the stake. "In that case, I'll leave you..."

Alicia strolled along in an elegant dress of silk and diamonds that trailed behind her by one hundred feet as she dismissed herself. Alicia took my breath away. What man wouldn't kill just to have her on his arm, but that life was not to be.

When she reached the main balcony, she took in the damp air as dark clouds loomed above, blocking the sunlight. A loud trumpet sounded, startling me, followed by melodic harps and soft violins that relaxed her.

"Members of my Council at the round table, please stand. The peasants in the upper balconies, those in my Cabinet of the order, please stand," said Armona.

Twenty elite vampires with unspeakable power stood at attention.

"Today is a remarkable day. A day I never dreamed would come, but it's here. Up until this very moment, Khovahsh was my Enforcer and Executioner. But his role in my government far exceeds what I have set forth. He was only a temporary solution, a stand-in."

Thunder boomed, and lightning flashed through the rolling black clouds.

Alicia held her throat, keeping her bearings. Something troubled her. I invaded her thoughts hoping she didn't remember my smile from so long ago. My eyes I wasn't worried about giving anything away. If you didn't know what to look for, your eyes will never betray your thoughts.

"I know you're nervous, Alicia." Came a voice in her subconscious.

"You can't begin to imagine." Her voice was sweet honey in my mind. I savored the taste.

"Just go with it. I'm sorry we weren't formally introduced to each other." Even though we were introduced before, under undue circumstances, I couldn't blow my cover since we met way before she was even the Queen of the Hounds or the Queen Mother's trophy.