Taking a deep breath, I looked at the ceiling. “And there’s no way to get me out of this?”
“Savion is still king,” Odom said.
It felt like that was an excuse, not a reason.
THEBLOODRITE DIDN’TSEEMOVERWHELMING.
At first.
I chose a black dress with a high collar and long sleeves. If Odom, Aiko, and Kane were truthful, this was not the time to show an iota of flesh.
I even found black lace gloves.
Aiko appeared at the door, wearing a black satin collarless shirt and black satin pants. They were both decorated with red and yellow embroidery on one side, highlighting massive flowers all the way down. His hair pulled back revealed well-defined cheeks and a strong jaw. His black eyes gleamed in the light of my room.
Aiko was gorgeous.
I shook myself out of staring. I had three men at home. I didn’t need to be looking for another for my harem.
Lords and stars, I had a harem. How did that happen?
“Good evening, Mistress Breaker. Are you ready?”
I smiled. “As I am ever going to be.”
Holding out an arm, he led me down the hall.
“Do you think there’s any chance I might be able to get some privileges outside the my room and the library?”
“You would have to take that up with the king, and I seriously doubt it. Not after you ‘made’ him kill one of his guards. One week. Just hang on one more week.” Aiko drew in a nervous breath. “Let’s just get through this rite.”
What kind of mess was I being dragged into? Why were Odom and Aiko so apprehensive about me going to this rite? Our duranki dance was sometimes unbridled, with couples disappearing just out of the light of the fires to find pleasure in the shadows, but somehow, I didn’t think this was anything like our dance of gratitude.
The huge dining room was emptied of chairs, and there were a few vampires idling there, but Aiko led us into the ballroom where the glittering masses were waiting.
The women were dressed in fine silks and sequins, none terribly confining or leaving much to the imagination. The men were all dressed in loose-fitting clothes similar to Aiko’s.
Odom was standing near the door, closest to the front entrance. He was sipping a red liquid I was sure wasn’t the wine everyone else had.
“Good evening, General,” Aiko said, pulling me by him. Odom inclined his head as we moved on.
There was a small line on the left of the room where we queued up. Aiko inclined his head to the front of the line, and I could see each of the people there moving forward and paying obeisance to King Savion.
My lips twisted. “Really?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so.”
I had never bowed to anyone. I didn’t want to start now. I also didn’t want him to lose his shit and slice my head off.
“What’s the minimum amount of respect I can give King Asswipe?” I hoped my voice was low enough.
Aiko choked on the drink he had. “I would at least nod your head. If you see he’s irate, maybe a shallow curtsey.”
I weighed the option as we got closer, and once it was our turn, I went with his suggestion.
While Aiko gave him the full, deep bow, I merely inclined my head a bit to acknowledge him. He narrowed his eyes, but I didn’t see anything that indicated real anger this time.
I’d witnessed his real fury again the night before, and that was a thing to behold. The poor servant didn’t have a chance to even try to save himself. The sword was out, and his head was gone in a flash.
