A Blood Heir

Chapter 15- Marek's Plan

He should have known better than to ally himself with Marek. He shouldn’t have trusted he would get the job done. Not when the male had failed several times to accomplish his plans.

He should have done everything himself. In fact, the woman would no longer be a problem if they had stayed at Dallan’s house a little longer. If only Hunter hadn’t interfered…

“What are we going to do about your warrior in the dungeons?” Marco paced the dusty floor. “He’ll be standing before the king and council in an hour. He is bound to speak, expose your location and tell everyone I was the one who helped him sneak into the palace.” And his revenge would be over before it started. And then he would be spending the rest of his life in the dungeon for betraying the crown.

“I have a plan.” Marek stood from where he sat on the bed.

“I hope this one will work. I can’t get caught.”

His mouth curled into a smirk. “It will.” Digging into his pants pocket, he pulled out a carefully folded piece of paper.

“A note?!” Marco frowned. “That is your whole plan? Do you think a message from you will keep the crystal from making him talk?”

Grabbing Marco’s hand, he placed it at the centre of his palm. “Vyce will know what to do. He’ll be expecting you to deliver this to him. Just make sure he gets it before Hunter uses the crystal on him.”

***

A wave of anticipation and excitement stirred inside Hunter. This was it. By the end of today, he would finally have Marek in his hands.

He adjusted the golden crown on his head, still not used to the weight of it after so many years. Straightening his posture on the throne, he gave himself a better view of the audience standing below in two lines facing each other.

Council members wore their long black robes as was custom for an event like this. The colour of their collar bands was an indication of the region they represented. Several warriors were also present to ensure the prisoner didn’t escape, not that he would have a chance to without his crystal. On his left side, on the often empty chair, his mother sat. Ever since his father died, Hunter found that his mother tried to avoid it. The position rightfully belonged to Hunter’s wife, she always said. She’d even succeeded in getting herself out of the politics of the council meetings.

It wasn’t unheard of for a king to rule besides his mother. Hunter suspected her drawing back because she didn’t know how to do it without his father. How could she when he was also struggling to?

It wasn’t often that the king was required to play judge and executioner. Each of the six regions had its own jury, with their respective governors preceding each case. Cases were only brought forward to the king if the jury couldn’t come to a verdict, when the accused wasn’t willing to speak or when it was a special case involving the fate of the entire kingdom, just like this one.

“Everyone is here, my Lord,” the counsellor said. Unlike the council members, Marco’s robe was purple and gold, the colours of the crown.

Hunter gave a nod to Cade, who whispered a command to one of the warriors. A moment after the warrior dematerialized, the doors to the throne room swung open. Keir walked in with the prisoner, shackles on his hands and legs making movement strenuous.

The distant chatters quieted and everyone turned to watch the prisoner walk closer to the throne.

Waiting until he was positioned at the centre of the crowd, Marco began, “You’ve been charged with working for Marek Sandd, an enemy to the throne and murderer of Prince Teague Dragon, Prince Bowen Dragon and our beloved king Rudolf Dragon. How do you plead?”