Vampyre: Desire Immortal

Chapter 26

The Forbidden Kingdom

Does not your protest fall upon deaf ears?

*****

He led the woman to her bed. Opening the top of a metal ring he wore on his index finger, Perdix blew an umber-colored crystalline powder in her face. The Queen fell into the alchemist's arms.

"Forgive me, please, Your Majesty," he muttered.

He placed her gently down on the bed. He planted his seed inside her as quickly as possible. It would mean his head if anyone burst into the chamber and discovered him. He rearranged the lavish garments and covered the still-sleeping monarch. He left the room, careful to look up and down the halls to be sure that no one saw his exit.

Halfway down the hall, Dyryke leaned inside the recess of a closed wooden doorway.

"You think they would have set a guard outside her door," Dyryke said, "but I guess everyone's attention is on finding the missing prince."

"Why aren't you out with them, Dyryke?"

"I might ask you the same question, Perdix?"

"I took a candle and let the drops of wax fall on an unused piece of calfskin atop the unbroken yolk of a sparrow's egg. The wax flew to the ceiling, refusing to bind in any way to the yolk. Before my eyes, the yolk broke of its own accord, oozing a black and bitter-smelling scum."

"I see," said Dyryke.

"I ran to the chambers where the young prince slept, but it was too late."

"We all were," said Dyryke .

"Where are you going?" Perdix asked.

"To hunt for the youngling."

"But it is hopeless."

"Better to make an appearance than be held suspect later on. Come on. We need to make a good show. Then, when the King looks for a scapegoat to hang this horrible thing on, we will above suspicion. Were we not out with the others scrambling over the countryside? When the King realizes the boy is lost, we all will need strong pleas of innocence."

"Then, let us go at once," said Perdix.