Blood Royals Bonus Book: Adryan & The Throne Book 2

Chapter 7: Betrayal

Adryan's POV
It's been days and the fire still rages on. Within me, an ambivalence of triumph and sorrow. I have gotten the attention of the Chiefs but I still don't have her. My arms remain as empty as they have been since I lost her. This battle is for her. I should have done it sooner, I shouldn't have waited this long. The trail grew cold and scraping this icy ground for clues unseen.

"Where are you Clover?" I whispered, letting out warmth from within me. I hate this place.

It's early in the morning. It's always gloomy. But unlike the rest of the days, this day is different. It feels hopeful.

My army is coming into the Chrystal Isles in bits. I'm certain of a resounding victory. If they do not give me Clover, then I will leave this place sinking to the bottom of the sea.

The once clean air is thick with choking smoke from the burning oil wells. Billions in flames. It's not my fault. I told them to surrender the well but their stubbornness is the reason I set it on fire.

I have hundreds on their knees, their hands in supplication, begging me for mercy. Those who are defiant look on in wishful thoughts of revenge. They never saw us coming. We came in the cover of darkness, while they slumbered comfortably in their little warm houses. The biting cold didn't stop us. Nothing will.

My father told me that I have a steely resolve. He said I don't know when to quit. He said my ambition will be my downfall. Is this an ambition? No. I never even thought of this place until my uncle brought me here.

What I saw was simple folk living simple lives while their leaders, the chiefs pretentiously live like them. It's only when Ember mentioned the six oil wells that I realized that the chiefs are wealthy and the people are poor. They need to be saved.

"Prince Adryan!"

I broke into applause as the old man's voice echoed through the groans of the wounded.

"Finally! I have your attention!" I called out in response.

He is keeping distance from me and I'm not willing to go to him. Gesturing at my men, they subdued his guards and brought him to me, shoving him at my feet.

Milos is the most difficult chief. He seems to be in charge. I have never had a one on one with him. He sends the others but never shows up.

My eyes leveled down with his. The man has murderous intentions written all over his face. "Search him."

They got him on his feet, patting him down for weapons. "He's clean sir."

"Step back, give us room." They obeyed. "For the sake of tired repetition, all I want are the men who burned down Fisherman Cove. That's all. Do that and I'll be on my way."

He looked around.

"What you see here is a small scale of what I'll do to this place. My men are here. They are embedded among your people and at my signal we will take the Chrystal Isles and you old men will be the first to experience the wrath of my sword. Don't test me. Please don't test me."

"I'll give you the men if you leave. First you must leave. You and all your men must leave."

I burst out laughing. "Don't amuse me old man. I'm not going anywhere. Care to revise your terms?"

"We are a sovereign state-"

"Yadiyadiyada blah blah blah enough!" I gripped his neck with intent. "If you won't give me names, you die. Put him with the others." I pushed him back into my men's arms. "Expand to the next town!"

"No!" A woman screamed. She's among the ones stopped by my men. She must have arrived with the Chief. She's much younger, probably my age. "Enough of this Prince Adryan, I'm pleading with you. May I approach?"