Alba hung a final decadent garment and turned to me. “Vampires typically prefer privacy with their partners when they’re on their cycle.” She paused and chuckled nervously. “It can be a very intimate time.”
My cheeks flushed at her insinuation.
“Should I…tell Rhazien?” I echoed my earlier question. Alba had served members of the Southern Hive for seven years. I trusted her counsel.
She nodded. Embarrassment for not having thought to ask these questions sooner slid up my spine. “When you’re able. As discreetly as possible.”
An hour later, Alba had helped me dress for the reception ball in a gown she described as the Northern fashion. Strapless and backless with two dramatic slits exposing my thighs from the front. I ran my hands down the silky fabric, admiring the way it hugged my frame. My hair flowed over my shoulders like unbothered deep-sea waves. My skin, as well as all of Rhazien’s traces claiming me, would be visible to all tonight. I might belong to him, but I looked like vampire bait.
Another hour passed in the subterranean chamber and Alba had just bested me in our fourth game of cards when a brash knock rapped against the wooden door.
“Commander Thorne,” Alba chirped. I’d gone to my vanity to apply a fresh coat of rouge. I didn’t turn around but could see the beautiful nightmarein his dress clothes through the mirror. Black linen perfectly fitted to his soldier’s frame. No leather or metal armor tonight.
“To what do we owe the pleasure, Commander Thorne?” I asked like this was a social visit and he hadn’t been assigned to be my personal guard for weeks now.
His eyes feasted on my reflection, working their way up from my navel, my bare collarbone, my blood red lips. Dommik really needed lessons from Alba on how to mask his thoughts, his attraction worn bare and obvious in his hungry stare. Unless…he wanted me to see. Cova always said my vanity would be the death of me.
Dommik cleared his throat and rolled his shoulders back. “I’m here to escort you.”
“Oh?” I cocked a brow, resting my chin on my knuckles. “And where is His Majesty?”
A muscle feathered in his jaw. “He and Eryx went straight from their negotiations to the reception. He sent me in his stead.”
Again.
“I see.” Disappointment dripped from my words.
Rhazien had been so insistent on showing up with me on his arm to Hive events. To present a united front. To show I was his. There had to be a logical reason for his actions and I assured myself that he would reveal his plans to me when he was able. Just like I would tell him about my impending cycle when I was able.
Rhazien was very important—a direct fledgling from Lorana and a regent of a vampire Hive, and I was famously not. Not yet, anyway. I was still just the human prospect sitting, waiting, twiddling my thumbs, and wrestling with my doubt, while he did whatever was deemed necessary to complete business. My ears went hot and I suddenly wanted to be alone.
“Did His Majesty send any other words?” At the very least, I expected an apology.
“No.” The truth rode the exhale through Dommik’s flared nostrils.
I scoffed, laying my hands flat on the vanity table. Rhazien’s absence and tendency to use Dommik as a substitute was becoming a habit.
The commander tugged at the hem of his sleeves. “My lady, did he speak to you—educate you about this place?”
“He said,” I exhaled to the stone ceiling, “things are different here.”
“That’s right.” Dommik stepped closer, his silhouette blocking the fireplace behind him. “Different. More dangerous. Vampires here don’t showrestraint for the sake of human comfort like in Rhazien’s Hive. They don’t hide their true nature.”
An icy claw of fear traced down my spine and I fought to steady my breath. I had an important role here. A job to do. I just thought I’d have Rhazien by my side to do it. Instead, I would walk the halls of this nest of nightmarish monsters without him while he did…whatever vampiric regents do.
I’d been staring, diverted and distant. I blinked his reflection back into focus when he suggested, “We should pick a signal or safe word. Something easy to remember that would cue we need to speak or leave or both.”
“A safe word?” I repeated in a dim whisper.
His dark hair bobbed with a prompting nod. I had to admit, it was a good idea.
“A safe word.” My teeth pinched the flesh of my cheek and my eyes darted as I searched for the perfect word.
“How about—” Dommik stepped toward me again, close enough now to touch “—prayer.”
Heat seared the base of my neck and my eyes flew to his.
His palms lifted in surrender. “It’s a non-threatening, common word. And see, look how quickly you reacted.”
