Starting on January twenty-seventh.
Oleg and Tatyana’s wedding anniversary.
Oh, you absolutely brilliant bastard.
Her mate had cracked open a door, but it was narrow. She would have to step carefully.
So, so carefully.
“We can find new territory!” Kezia blurted. “We have before.”
Tatyana took a deep breath. “I also want to note?—”
“Didn’t you used to fuck him?” Kezia shouted. “Why would he do this tome?”
Because her husband was brilliant. And more than a little reckless. But it wasn’t lost on Tatyana that Oleg had sent this message to Radu and not Kezia.
“He is proposing toyouout of respect for our clan,” Radu said. “So it doesnotappear personal.”
Kezia would have probably burned Oleg’s letter, to hell with the consequences. Radu, who had known Oleg the longest, would take it seriously.
“You’re probably too young to remember when this was the custom,” Radu continued, “but this was not uncommon, sister. We have no permanent territory of our own, so many terrins inthe past…” Radu grimaced. “You may not see it, but this is a very generous offer.”
Tatyana heard her mother’s voice in her mind.
“That man knows exactly what he wants, and it is you. Do you think he is going to settle for anything other than exactly what he wants?”
This was what he wanted.
Oleg would flex his power as king.
Tatyana would be his queen for all the world to see.
She would secure the trust and respect of the Poshani people for securingtheirinterests.
And give Oleg exactly what he wanted.
“When we were at the Báthory Summit” —Tatyana kept her voice low and even— “I heard of at least two arranged marriages between vampire leaders. According to Samson, it’s trending back. He was even a bit concerned that Arosh would try to marry him off.”
“I would marry Samson,” Kezia blurted. “But Oleg?”
“Kezia, this would be declaring a treaty and a long-term cooperation agreement between our people,” Radu said. “Oleg is our host. I would never pressure you to accept anything you do not want?—”
“Good,” Kezia said bluntly. “Because I do not want this. Not even on paper. Oleg Sokolov is a domineering bully with questionable judgment.”
Tatyana resisted the urge to speak too quickly. It was as if she could hear Oleg’s voice in her mind, coaching her through his arrogant bluff.
Not yet, volchitsa. Not yet.
Tatyana shook her head and let out a deep, audible sigh.
“Oleg is ourhost,” Radu repeated.
“He’s a fire vampire!” Kezia leaned across the table. “I am a wind vampire. What an excellent combination. What if he killed me, Radu? Even by accident? What would you do?”
“He is not some young, immature?—”
“Hey.” Kezia lifted her chin and snapped her fingers three times in her brother’s face. “Oh hey, Radu.” She put on a comical Russian accent. “I accidentally incinerated your sister because she pissed me off. Send me another to take her place, will you?”
