BK 1 - 06: A pathetic bloodline

TRISTAN

My heart was still beating so fast as the music faded completely.

The warmth of Iris’s breath on my neck had sent a jolt straight down my spine, waking my wolf with a violent snap.

I forced my hand to loosen from her waist, stepping back immediately. Every nerve in my body was screaming at me to pull her back, but I clamped down on the urge until my jaw ached.

"Stay near Jonathan," I told her.

She nodded slowly as I turned on my heel and walked straight toward the high table where Lord Abby and Lord Cassian were standing, a cold smirk immediately forming on my lip.

The two men were smiling, watching a young servant girl approach with a tray of wine.

Her hands were trembling so hard the glass pitchers rattled against each other.

"My King," Lord Abby said, bowing his head as I stopped in front of them. "A toast to your new bride. The court is honored by your generosity tonight."

Lord Cassian picked up a freshly poured goblet from the tray and held it out toward me. "To the future of Varkhar, sire."

I looked down at the goblet.

The dark red liquid settled, looking completely normal to anyone else, but my Lycan nose caught the faint, sweet scent of nightshade.

It was a very poisonous flower, grinded into powder and could kill in just a few seconds.

These foolish men really thought they could trick me into drinking it.

A cold smile appeared on my lips.

At least, these dumb men should have thought of another different way to kill, not in the same way it had been done before.

"You pour a generous glass, Cassian," I said quietly, taking the cup from his fingers.

"Only the best for our Alpha," Cassian offered a smooth smile that did not reach his eyes.

"Then you should have the first sip," I said, holding the goblet back out to him.

Cassian froze.

The fake warmth on his face instantly melted, his skin turning a sickly shade of grey. Beside him, Abby took a small step backward, his fingers twitching toward the inner lining of his coat.

"Sire, I... I would not dare drink before my King," Cassian stammered, his eyes darting toward the exit doors.

"Drink it," I commanded, my voice dropping into a low, dangerously cold tone that made the surrounding nobles go silent.

Cassian took another step back, shaking his head frantically. "Your Grace, please…"

Before he could run, I dropped the goblet, grabbed Cassian by the throat, and slammed him hard on the pillar.

The glass shattered on the floor, red wine spilling everywhere.

Women screamed, and several lords scrambled backward in terror.

Abby pulled a short dagger from his coat, lunging at my side, but I caught his wrist mid-air, squeezing until the bone snapped with a loud crack.

Abby shrieked in pain, dropping the blade as he fell to his knees.

"Why is there poison in this wine, Cassian?" I asked calmly, my grip tightening on his wrist until his boots kicked uselessly off the floor. "Who gave it to you?"

"I don't... I don't know what you mean!" Cassian choked out, gasping for air. "It was just wine!"

I shoved him down to the cold floor, placing the heel of my boot directly on his chest and pressing down until I could hear the breaking of some bones. "Give me a name before I crush your chest."

Cassian sobbed, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth as he looked around the room for help that wasn't coming.

"Ashmoor! It was Ashmoor! Ethan Willow sent a messenger yesterday... he paid us to put it in your glass!"

The entire hall went dead silent.

Dozens of heads slowly turned, their cold, hostile eyes locking directly on Iris where she stood.

Whispers broke out among the nobles, full of disgust and anger.

They looked at her like she was a dirty traitor who had helped set up the attack.

I turned my head and looked at Iris, too.

Her face was completely pale, her eyes wide with pure shock as the weight of everyone's glare fell on her.

For a second, anger flared in my gut toward her.

She was a Willow.

Her bloodline was rotten to the core, and her brother was still trying to kill me, despite the good I had rendered to his pathetic self.