His tone was flat and disengaged. His face was heavy and cold.
“And why do you think that?” I sought refuge beneath the warm bubbles of the large tub.
“Because your family will be joining us.”
It was the second night of Solstice and every citizen of the Hive, from the markets below to the open-air gardens of the mountainous structure, was dressed in their finest garments. Guests from the North would arrive the following evening, but tonight was just for them. For Rhazien’s people.
Hallways and corridors were decorated with dramatic draping cloths and fresh cut bouquets Gorvin and I had selected. A sense of pride swept over me seeing the vision come to life. From time to time, I would catch Gorvin fussing over a detail no one else would notice.
I stood atop my perch next to Rhazien. He’d never looked more royal. Not a hair out of place underneath his jewel-encrusted crown. He’d opted for a piece more appropriate to his station than the simple golden band I’d become accustomed to seeing. This one featured large black diamonds that matched the stones decorating my throat. The gems spilled and flowed from beneath my chin into a garment that only covered what was necessary. Sparkling floral designs were held together by glittering mesh, presenting me in what looked like more lingerie rather than a gown.
Revealing as it was, the garment was sound. Meanwhile, I was coming apart at the seams. Rhazien had threatened my family, just as Dommik had, and from the ferocious look in his emerald eyes, I believed he would follow through. I came to the Hive to protect them; I had committed to becoming shadowbound to prevent a war to protect them. I wasn’t going to abandon my purpose now. And besides, I wasn’t just protecting them, I was protecting Dommik too. If I went along with Rhazien’s plan and helped him ascend, maybe I could convince him to only banish Dommik rather than kill him.
So, I cooperated, behaving in a way one might expect of a prospect. I was more dressed than the night before but now absent of all traces, except the new ones Rhazien would add as he touched and claimed me throughout the night. Still, the ensemble was far from modest and given the circumstances, I’d chosen to partake in a bit of wine prior to tonight’s performance of false affections.
“His Majesty, the Regent Rhazien Kyrell and his prospect, Lady Reyva the Unbitten.”
Rhazien held my hand, our fingers meeting between our separated bodies. I flinched at my title, wondering if it was something to behold or an oddity about my place beside him. He placed a kiss atop my knuckles—a gesture I used to enjoy—and then we descended the stairs to join the applauding guests below.
A melody carried by stringed instruments swirled and swam through the crowds as we performed our choreography perfectly. Step after calculated step, the precious jewels of my dress winked hello to guests as we passed by.
The room was filled with mostly strangers, except for two guests who I knew all too well.
Air rushed from my body. He hadn’t been bluffing.
There, in the Southern Hive ballroom, framed by a half circle of vampiric guards, stood my older sister Cova and my daughter. Lydia.
Dressed in Hive-fashioned finery, my sister and daughter were twin jewels. And dangling just beneath Cova’s slender neck was a gold chain. Fastened within its brackets was the stone from my vision.
The shard of Lorana’s stone.
I wanted to stop, greet them, and apologize. But just as he had at my introductory welcome ball, the crowds parted and he pulled me into a dance.
To any onlooker, the way he held me fully against his body and whispered into my hair would have been the picture of romance, one of two suitors sharing a flirtatious moment. But what I experienced was far from an amorous connection. It was a threat.
“Stay focused,” Rhazien growled. “They’re safe. As long as you do your part.”
I tried to swallow and found the act difficult.
Later. I would try to speak to them later.
Unlike the welcome ball, the music was not an elegant, sweeping waltz. Tonight, we were guided by a slow, sensual melody. Our bodies pressed together, leaving no room for air. It was a declaration. It was claiming.
Before, I had been his only verbally. But if all went to plan, and I agreed to the offer to be bound, I would be his, body and soul. This dance encompassed that impending fate.
Our chests were pressed so tightly together, we could have shared a heartbeat. Our hips swayed to the unhurried rhythm as if the music wanted us to make love right there on the dance floor.
He spun me and lifted my arms above my head before tracing the length of them back down my torso.
“You are such a divine dancer.” His nose traced the cuff of my ear.
My body hummed at the attention—at the energy.
I’d missed him too. Before everything. And even now, something within me craved to be nearer to him.
I wrestled the thought away. He was forcing me into a life I wasn’t choosing for myself, and he was dragging my family into this mess. It was unforgivable.
Right?
