Shadows Of Desire

Lady Caroline burst through the doors to the Kings private solar, her face a mask of anger and humiliation. The king looked up at her, cocking an eyebrow, then calmly took a sip of the blood wine he held in his hand.

“And, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company, My Lady?” He asked. His tone clear that he did not appreciate the intrusion. He sat his glass down and waited for the Lady to compose herself and speak.

“Your bastard of a son.” She growled, narrowing her eyes as she stood before the King. “I’ve taken his insults long enough.” She told him. “You must do something about him. If you will not, rest assured, I will deal with him myself.”

The King motioned for her to sit in the empty chair beside him. “And, what has my idiot son done this time, I wonder?”

“Only humiliated my poor Emilia and then assaulted me when I confronted him about it. He...” She feigned anguish as fake tears filled her cold eyes and she dabbed at them with a handkerchief. “He struck me, your Majesty. Can you imagine. He actually struck me.” She sobbed into her kerchief miserably, one eye watching the King, gauging his reaction to her agony.

“I see.” The King placed a hand on her knee and squeezed gently. “I agree that his behavior had gotten out of control but you may rest easy, my love. He shan’t be a bother to us for much longer. I’ve already made arrangements for having him removed from the castle. In three nights from now, he will gone and out of our lives for good.”

Lady Caroline smiled at her intended. This was music to her ears. Finally the King’s wretched child would be out of her way. She couldn’t have asked for a better wedding present. “Tis marvelous news, my King. May I inquire, what is it you plan to do with the boy?”

The King sighed, picking up his wine glass, bringing it to his lips and emptying the glass in one gulp. “I thought I had already made my plans known to you. Lord Killian has asked for the boys hand and I’ve agreed. Why he would be so eager to marry the welp is beyond my understanding but who am I to question it when it means getting the child out of my hair?”

Lady Caroline stared at the King, the shock evident on her face. She let loose a small, nervous laugh. “Sire, I’m afraid I don’t understand. Lord Killian. But, he has already asked for my Emilia. Surely there has been some mistake.”

The King narrowed his eyes. “There has been no mistake, madam. Lord Killian has asked to wed and mate Rowan. There was never any mention of him asking for Emilia. He wanted a bride of royal blood.”

Lady Caroline shook her head. “No, this can not be. Lord Killian is to marry Emilia. My Emilia will become the duchess of Grayholm, not that sniveling, coward, of a vampire you call your son!”

“Calm yourself, my dear.” The King gave Lady Caroline a stern look. “Plans have already been set in motion. It is done.”

“This isn’t right.” She continued to protest. “When you told me of Lord Killian’s proposal you said it was Emilia that he had chosen.”

“I said nothing of the sort!” The King glared at her and Lady Caroline withdrew into her chair, knowing all too well what happened to those who brought down the King’s anger onto themselves. She had to control her emotions before she found herself as well as her daughter tied to a stake in the center of town.

“My King.” She said in soft, calming tones. “Forgive my outburst but you must understand. I was under the impression that it was Emilia whom Lord Killian wished to take as a bride.”

“Then your impression was wrong.” The King growled.

“But, your Majesty, you had told me that Lord Killian had asked for the hand of your youngest child. Since the Princess Leora was already married to the Duke of Eallesborough, I naturally assumed that meant Emilia.”

King Desmond laughed at the Lady’s statement. “My youngest Child, yes. That would be Rowan. Lady Emilia, as alluring as she is, is not my child, my Lady, nor is she royalty. Lord Killian made it clear that he wished to marry royalty, not the child of a Baroness. Remember, Lord Killian is a Duke. And, unless you provide me with a son after we wed, Lord Killian will become my heir.”

“But, Emilia will become a Princess, and, I had hoped, one day Queen. You can not take this away from her.”

“Lady Emilia was never going to become Queen.” King Desmond scoffed. “Thank your lucky stars that Killian has asked for Rowan and pray that this marriage goes off without a hitch or your only salvation is to produce an heir once we wed. If you fail to do so, I’ll have you beheaded and take a new wife.”

Lady Caroline stared at him in disbelief. “Oh, did you think I loved you?” The King laughed. “Do not think so highly of yourself, my Lady. You are simply a means to an end. I want a son. A real son. Not the omega trash I’ve been cursed with. Provide me with what I want and you shall live a lavish life for the rest of your days. Fail to do so and you will find yourself on the chopping block. I’m too old and have waited too long for the sons I so crave. I will no longer tolerate failure.”

The King rang for a servant to bring him more wine. He ordered a glass to be poured for the Lady as well. “Rowan will wed Lord Killian. There is to be no more discussion about it. Once the marriage has been finalized, Killian will take his bride to Grayholm where they will live until I am no longer able to continue as King in which case Killian will rule as regent in my place, or until my rightful heir is old enough to take his place as King. This is the only way I know to ensure that my throne does not fall into enemy hands.”

“But Sire...”

“My decision has been made!” The King slammed his fist on the table, startling Lady Caroline. “Now, drink your wine and be gone. I’m sure you have weaving or embroidery waiting for you.”

“Yes, my King.” Lady Caroline drank her wine as instructed then the King gave her leave. Once she had left the King’s solar, Lady Caroline walked the somber halls of the palace, lost in thought. Soon, she found herself in the corridor leading to Emilia’s rooms. She had to break the troubling news to her daughter but that wasn’t the only reason for her visit. There were plans to be made. Emilia would be marrying Lord Killian. Of that Lady Caroline was certain. They just had to get rid of Rowan first.

Once the Prince was out of the picture, Killian would have no choice but to marry Emilia. The only question was, what to do about Rowan. It had to look like an accident. One that could not in any way lead back to Caroline or Emilia. Perhaps she could make it appear as though the distraught young Prince had committed suicide. That wouldn’t be so hard for the King to believe. Rowan had attempted it once before. When he was younger and first brought to the palace after his mother had died. Whose to say he wouldn’t try it again?

As Lady Caroline neared her daughters apartments a plan began to form and she smiled wickedly at her own scheming. There was no way that she would allow Rowan to one day rule as Queen. That position would be held by Emilia. It was, after all, her plan all along. First she had to deal with the King’s omega son, which she had planned to do once she was crowned Queen. No matter. She’d just have to eliminate him sooner. Once Lady Caroline was Queen and Emilia married to Lord Killian, they could carry out the second part of her plan, murdering the King. She just had to bide her time, just a while longer, then everything would slowly fall into place and Basmorte would have a new ruling family.