Claimed by the vampire prince

Chapter 159: Chapter 159

"Her Majesty wishes to have a word with you. We were ordered to bring you to her as soon as possible."

Jayran, who had just been about to climb onto his horse, turned to look at the palace guard who had spoken.

He lifted a brow in question. "What is this about, and is there any reason why this can’t wait?"

There were three guards in front of him, but it was the one who had spoken earlier that stepped forward. "Our only orders are to bring you to Her Majesty at once. She has asked that we use force if you prove too difficult, but none of us wish to cause you harm. Please make this easier by complying and coming with us willingly."

One by one, Jayran glanced at all three guards, refusing to let his worry show.

"So, in other words, I’m being apprehended." Jayran gave a forced chuckle. "That’s a new low, even for me."

"Nothing that extreme, Your Highness. The queen just wants to have a word with you," another of the guards chimed in.

Did they even hear themselves? They said it wasn’t that extreme, but in what other situation did a mother send armed guards to fetch her son? What could be so important that she was willing to threaten violence if he didn’t comply?

Jayran wasn’t a fool, he knew there was more to this than the guards were letting on.

"Fine. Take me to her," Jayran said. It was foolish to refuse a direct order from the queen. Only Laheir and the king had the power to do so and get away with it, and Jayran wasn’t too keen on seeing what his mother would do if he didn’t comply.

Dread pooled in his gut as he quietly followed after the guards, but the feeling worsened when they reached the hall that led straight to the queen’s quarters and he spotted Azul walking out of their mother’s chambers.

They didn’t exchange a single word as they passed each other, and Azul didn’t even spare him a glance. That alone was enough to make Jayran hesitate.

They reached the doors to his mother’s chambers, and Jayran didn’t want to step inside, especially given all that he knew. His feet refused to move.

But the choice was taken from him when the guards knocked to alert the queen of their presence.

After permitting them to enter, the guards pushed the doors open.

Jayran’s trepidation only heightened when he saw his mother perched on the settee, no doubt waiting for his arrival. Still, he refused to let it show.

He wasn’t exactly afraid of the queen but he was all too aware of what she did to people she considered her enemies, and how she punished those who crossed her.

He had been only a child when he first witnessed her cruelty in action, and no matter how hard he tried, he had never been able to erase that image from his mind.

Nheera had never turned that side of herself against her children, but given how volatile she was, such a thing could easily change.

The queen glanced in their direction, eyes narrowing. "Leave us."

The dismissal was clear. The guards bowed low and left, shutting the door behind them.

With the guards gone, a stifling sort of silence descended upon the room. It was one of the ways his mother intimidated people, by letting them squirm in the tense quiet of her own making.

Nervous and frightened people tended to blurt out hasty confessions.

"You called for me," Jayran said, breaking the silence.

"Yes. I wanted you to clarify something for me," Nheera said, and the look in her eyes made Jayran go on high alert. Her gaze was cold and devoid of emotion.

Yet despite his unease, he remained exactly where he stood.

"And what would that be?" Jayran asked.

"I hear that you have chosen to support Ragnar’s claim to the throne," Nheera said almost conversationally, but Jayran could feel something brewing. "Did you think I wouldn’t find out?"

Jayran had never deluded himself into thinking he could keep this from her. He had always known she would find out and the time had apparently come.

When Jayran didn’t speak, Nheera went on.

"Explain to me how you freely giving your support to that bastard helps Hairan."

The answer was simple; it didn’t.

"If you know about that, then you know about the wager I struck with Azul." frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Nheera rose smoothly to her feet. She was like a predator the way she slowly approached him.

"I don’t care about whatever stupid wager you have with Azul. I care about the fact that you have willingly turned yourself into an obstacle for Hairan. You wish to see the crown go to someone else."

Jayran wanted to speak, but Nheera was faster. Her hand struck out quickly, fingers wrapping around his throat just as his lips parted.

"Do you know what I do with obstacles, son?" Nheera asked as she dug her sharp nails into his skin. They held each other’s gaze, her eyes still emotionless, while Jayran’s were filled with shock that quickly melted into disdain.

"I destroy them. Like I always have. Like I will continue to do. And don’t think being my son makes you an exception. I have sacrificed too much to have you ruin it all over an insignificant wager." She had not raised her voice once since this conversation started and that in itself was terrifying.

He didn’t move, he didn’t even try to fight back. It would do nothing in his favor and would only make the situation worse. She had all the power here, and his best option was to stay still and take whatever she dished out.

But as his mother’s fingers tightened around his neck, cutting off his airway, Jayran caught a flash of emerald. It came from the ring that sat on top of the vanity, the ring his mother always wore. She was never without it.

As though checking to make sure, his gaze dipped down to her bare fingers and his heart raced.