To my surprise, Dove’s shoulders slump. “I suppose as both courtesan and Blood Lover, I’m supposed to put on some kind of performance at this thing, aye? It was like that in the Shadow Court. You know, dance, sing, or show off how god-like I am…?”
I wrinkle my nose in distaste. “Why would I expect that? You are wearing the circlet on your head of the House of Sin. You are to beKing. Damn all the way to the Void how those dragons treated you. Here you are the guest of honor. Let me treat you like one.”
Dove opens and shuts his mouth, as if he doesn’t know how to respond.
At last, he gives a slow grin. “Then expect to find me by the food and drink, feasting for most of the night.”
Despite myself, I laugh.
Then I flush.
Dove winks. “Do that more often. It’s not like anyone is going to forget that you can also punch through their guts any time you want to.”
When he starts pulling Freya toward the door, however, I stop them.
“Our entrance is an important statement to the court.” I prowl forward, firmly pulling Dove to one side of me and Freya to the other side. I make sure that my shoulder is still brushing Dove’s to help guide him. “Follow my lead, dearhearts. Do not mistake this for an ordinary ball. Emotions will be running high, and so will people’s grief. It will be dangerous for us tonight. No one who isn’t a Blood has been given access to this event before. I am making clear your legitimacy to this kingdom and its Crown. Do not act shocked by anything you see.”
“Shocked, huh?” Dove replies. “And what will we have to be shocked about? Fae are kinky bastards. I doubt there is anything planned for tonight that I haven’t already seen...or taken part in myself. Once in one of our sacred rituals under the moon, we all danced naked together, before we each chose three partners to?—”
“A blood sacrifice is held at its heart.” I don’t look at either of my nest mates, even when they gasp.
“I will beat the arse of anyone who tries to sacrifice a Shadow Human in front of me.” Dove balls his fists.
“Who?” Freya whispers.
“I don’t know.” I feel Shadow and Devil prowling to walk behind me.
My neck prickles with unexpected shame.
Before my nest mates, I never cared who was chosen. I never found out their names. I didn’t know why or how they were chosen.
Criminals or traitors, I was told.
They elected to have their deaths sanctify the Night of the Shades, which would send their souls to join their ancestors, rather than die as outcasts.
The House of Crocodile chose the sacrifices. They are traditionally in charge of this ball.
Dove grabs me by the arm, wresting me closer. “You are the bloody King.You should know. You’re responsible for everybody within your kingdom. Don’t you understand that? You have a duty to Shadow Humans, Blood Lovers, prisoners, and Turned, as well as the Fang Born here in court. You can’t hide away, even if things were tough when you were younger. You’re a killer. But do you want to be a murderer?”
Dove is breathing too hard.
Shaking.
Why is this important to him?
If only he knew that for three years all I have known is my responsibility to everybody. That I am going to die for every single person within the realms.
“If I stop this tradition, then I risk my position,” I argue. “Is one death more important than establishingyourposition as the future King? You’ll change things as soon as you reign. I know that you’ll be a good king.”
“I’m not good.” Dove wrenches the bat circlet off his head. “I’m a bad bloody fae. It has taken being bonded to this remarkable soulmate here, however, to realize that there are more important things than my schemes. I have learned through loving her that I may have lost so bloody much but I can still fight for what I have left. And I won’t watch another Shadow Human die in front of mefor entertainment.”
To my shock, Freya wrenches off her circlet too. “Fuck it, me too. Blood sacrifices drain all the fun from an evening.”
I snarl in frustration, glancing between my determined mates. “By my fangs, you win.”
They both grin, slipping their circlets back on.
Once, I would have torn out the throats of anyone who challenged me. Yet with my nest mates, losing to them still feels like winning.
