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Sophia smoothed her skirt after she returned to her dais dressed in the own that flowed to the floor and billowed around her ankles when she walked Rubies lined her pale throat, strung tightly together on cords of gold A golden crown sat above her broith the ht hand After all the years she reigned as Queen, sorasped the scepter harder thinking about it For decades she&039;d felt alone, abandoned Being the Queen meant that she was above everyone else in every way possible While she enjoyed the power, she did not enjoy the loneliness When those feelings were stirred up in the past, she would laugh at herself and banish them to whatever corner of herdeeply, Sophia glanced around the throne room It was her favorite place in the palace It was the place her usurper - her darling husband - would co alone all these years er relied on anyone for anything
Let hiuards were loyal to her Everyone was, and there was a siht with blood TheAny promise of blood was h the lands surrounding the palace and bribed every Tracker and stray va vials of blood was not enough, not by far Sophia knew that she had to offer the for, and she did
Each region that supplied the Queen with vaiven one of the Queen&039;s huulated blood that were difficult to digest The bottled blood was thick, and the potency diminished by the tireat to refuse The vaned to their posts
Sophia didn&039;t like being forced to forfeit her own stock, but it was necessary She wasn&039;t sure how , or when they were co If they found Kahli before she did Sophia&039;s slender shoulders cringed at the thought That wild girl was more trouble than she orth No, that wasn&039;t true That wild girl was power beyond conty, and protect her power She just had to find the girl first
Irritated, Sophia straightened her shoulders, which extended her neck, and twisting her head to the side The Queen&039;s dark hair shifted against her pale skin The style was elegant enough She had acurls on the top of her head A few stray curls cascaded down her back The effect was striking, powerful Everything about Sophia screamed of power and she intended to keep it that way
A servant, a lowly vampire with onion-sheer skin, entered the doorway and bowed low to the floor Sophia let her re, "Rise Enter" The servant walked quickly toward the Queen She earing a white ht outside if needed Sophia found the girl&039;s stride annoying The va like these were happy times If Sophia didn&039;t need every vaed the scepter into the perky girl&039;s heart "Report," Sophia snapped
The servant bowed low again and rose, avoiding the Queen&039;s eyes, she said, "The Pairings have been announced and the humans have not protested in any way They talk and chatter, but nothingRooms? Have they been properly supplied? We only have one opportunity to do this If they&039;re , on&039;t have another chance" Sophia&039;s voice trailed off as she glanced past the ether she said, "The siege will begin by aze drifted back to the woman The er surged through Sophia Her eyes were fixated on the side of the vairl&039;s face Sophia&039;s nails clutched the ar down the stairs and strangling the girl
The maid nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty The rooms have ample supplies Instructions have been left with the males about how to proceed if the females protest It wasfe her Penalties for bruises, abrasions, and other wounds were also posted" As the vahtly in front of her Her slender body was stiff, rigid with fear The smile finally fell off her face
"And the feiven instructions as well?"
"Yes, Your Majesty They were told to co Woet out of the Pairing will not be sent to the infirmary They will be denied medical attention until they cooperate The women were all informed"
Sophia&039;s lips pulled back into a snake-like s pearly white eye-teeth They ached for blood This s worked properly Since she began drinking Kahli&039;s blood, Sophia could feel the back to life It was like part of Sophia awakened and she didn&039;t intend on losing it "News of the wild girl or Williaaze and shook her head "Nothing yet, but they are hurrying, Queen Sophia" Glancing up, she added quickly, "The new Trackers vowed to find her before nightfall She will be safely in your court by twilight They assured me of this and made it clear that I was to tell you, they will not return until the girl is in hand"
Sophia breathed in deeply, letting the words rang in her ears The ainst the low neckline of her gown The jewels at her throat rose slightly until she exhaled Sophia stared straight ahead, her spine perfectly straight The Trackers would find Kahli and then she&039;d never let the girl out of her sight As for Williaood," Sophia finally said The servant looked up when silence filled the rooirl&039;s face "After the Pairing, ill keep the fertile females The rest will be handed over to the Trackers on my word Separate the Do you understand?" The girl nodded "Good We will keep the strongest here to sustain the palace staff and the Regent The rest are to be given to each Section that pledged loyalty when I deeether into a thin line before she spoke again, "And, Chastity"
The servant looked shocked that the Queen knew her name "Yes, your Majesty?"
"If we do not survive the night, if I am assassinated by my foolish husband," Sophia spoke calmly as her lips twisted into a thin shter every last human in the palace All of them, do you understand? No one survives"
Chastity nodded, "It will be done as you wish, my Queen"
Sophia smiled