Then my skin prickles.
I glance quickly back at Lanlin, catching the heat of his gaze on me.
I startle. My cheeks pink.
I hurriedly duck my head.
After a moment, I sneak a look at Lanlin again, and he’s back to staring at the entrance.
“I will not be forced to wait on the Beta Consort and her sons.” Ruin’s mouth twists with disdain. “Chaos is what arises without order. I warned you of this, Void Vampire, when we first met, but you didn’t believe me. After what you witnessed last night, do you believe me now?”
Is this asshole blaming Lanlin for what happened at White Lotus?
Daire sucks in a shocked breath.
Lanlin sprawls further in his seat, as if he is unaffected by the scolding, but I don’t miss the way that his jaw clenches. “Your mind is still as empty as a tomb, Ruin. It wasn’t chaos, but rather, a well-organized military ambush.”
“And you’re still as feisty as ever.” Ruin’s smile doesn’t meet his eyes. “But can you deny that under your leadership…” He spins into the center of the room like a charismatic showman guiding his audience along a path that he wants them to dance with him, “…the ancestral heart of your kingdom has been destroyed? The innocent Turned have been massacred? The spirits of your Royal House of Sin and ancestors will never rest easy again?”
“What good hasdenyingever done me?” Lanlin taps his iron-tipped gloves on the armrest. “Can we just hurry it up and get to the punishment? I am rather tired from singlehandedlydestroying the army who carried out those actions andavengingour people.”
The court hiss and whisper to each other furiously.
“He’s losing them,” Daire mutters. “He’s worse than I am at pissing people off.”
I glance nervously at the Scarlet Temple and Void Cult members. They’re not looking at Lanlin reverently like the villagers were, I realize.
They appear to be standing in judgment of him.
Aren’t they more concerned that their King could have been assassinated? Don’t they care whether his injuries are healed?
But then, my mind wanders to those carved words…
“Disrespect.” Ruin wags his finger at Lanlin, although it’s clear that he’s putting on a performance for the court. “Unfilial.”
Lanlin’s unwavering gaze meets his. “Likely.”
Ruin’s face reddens. “You put your own needs for your Omega before those of your people. You have brought down the wrath of the Void on your worshipers.”
Lanlin’s cheek twitches. “Have I?”
Ruin turns to the High Priestess. “What do you say?”
As Nebet takes a step forward, the ribbons on her dress quiver like snakes sensing blood. “This is a sign that the Shadow Devils reject your promised bond.”
“Fuck off,” I growl, before I can stop myself.
When my gaze shoots to Lanlin, his eyes glitter with amusement for a moment, before he turns away.
“Maybe leave the diplomacy to me…?” Daire whispers.
“No chance,” I reply. “You’re even more likely to say something that’ll make them tear out your throat than I am.”
“Fair point.”
“Will you allow a wolf to talk to me like that?” Nebet hisses.
Nebet is an Omega. Lanlin could command or control her with his pheromones…control all the priestesses.
