And would it be so bad if I let him have me?
I rolled my shoulders back and swooned, “There’s nothing to apologize for. But if you insist, I accept it.”
Rhazien’s smile was a devastating display of perfect teeth and genuine happiness. Meanwhile, Valta’s smile was so forced, it looked like it pained her.
“Aprospect, Majesty?”
Rhazien didn’t look away. “Yes. It’sverynew. We’re still getting to know one another.” The regent graced my hand with another swift kiss before releasing me and moving to the chair at the head of the table. “Thankallof you for your patience. Please, sit.”
Servants filled goblets while we settled back into our seats. The unmistakable iron tang of fresh blood wafted between taper candles. From his seat, Rhazien studied me. I couldn’t tell if he was appreciating the view or examining me for traces. Either way, his search was thorough and borderline invasive. I blushed and smiled at him, earning me a subtle wink. My blush intensified.
Valta cleared her throat, ending what had become a prolonged silence and Rhazien finally peeled his gaze away from me to acknowledge her. “Lady Tenebris, welcome. How were your travels?”
A servant maneuvered around the broad structure of Valta’s green wig as she sighed, “Fine. Boring. My regent sends hiswarmestregards.” She squinted as the sarcasm dripped from her mouth.
“How is Eryx?” Rhazien asked with measured interest.
Eryx. Eryx Morvain. While the pages ofNobles and Notableshad melted together, his striking portrait had stood out. A familiar chill ran up my arm as I remembered his piercing gaze.
“Well enough. You know him. He’s very much looking forward to visiting for the Winter Solstice. He’ll be especially interested in your latest…passion project.” A barely-hidden glare found me from under Valta’s dark, heavy lashes.
“Very good. The gathering will be a historic event and wouldn’t be the same without himandhis court.” Rhazien searched the vast spread of food and his eyes lit up when they landed on the opposite side of the table. He waved over a servant and whispered to them.
There was a familiarity in the unsaid rituals of a formal dinner. Like slipping on a well-worn shoe, I fell into the choreography of what it meant to be a woman on the arm of an important man.
Then, I saw what the servant had handed Rhazien and my jaw nearly fell open.
In front of his court members, Rhazien held a basket with an assortment of bread out to me. “For eating, not throwing.”
I tucked my lips under my teeth to keep from laughing as I plucked a brown roll from the top of the pile. Fragments of my practiced façade fellaway as I let a genuinely happy smile spread across my lips before buttering the hearty bun.
I stole a glance at Dommik as he finished chugging his goblet. A servant appeared to offer a refill but the Commander snatched the decanter from their hand and grumbled, “Best to just leave this here.”
“Speaking of members of the court,” Valta laughed nervously as she attempted to regain the table’s attention, “where in the world is Vaspar? I know he’s not of your rank, Dommik, but doesn’t a gathering such as this typically require his presence?”
I clenched my jaw at the mention of his name.
Eyes flicked in my direction, perhaps at my change in heartbeat, but no one mentioned it. Rhazien swirled his glass. “Vaspar is currently imprisoned for defying royal orders.”
Valta shot the regent a sneer too bold for her station. Rhazien slowly lifted his gaze and mirrored her icy glare. While they stared, Dommik’s eyes were on me. His nostrils flared and his brow hung low with worry. I avoided his gaze and decided it was the perfect time to rearrange the vegetables on my plate.
Gorvin dabbed at the corners of his thin lips with a napkin as he explained, “It was a grave offense, Lady Valta. One so unfortunate, even his status couldn’t save him from punishment.”
“And what is his punishment?” Valta inquired, her painted brow arched in entitled curiosity.
Rhazien took on the form of a bear. His chin set high, his shoulders rolled back, and prominent fangs unleashed. “Yet to be determined. He’s still being questioned.”
Valta sucked her teeth and slumped in retreat. The vampiress looked as though she was told she couldn’t play with her favorite toy. Well, second favorite to Dommik. A flare ricocheted in my gut.
“Poor Vaspy. He’s a venomous little thing but he’s so loyal. I have a soft spot for him.” She pushed out her bottom lip in a performative pout.
Rhazien raised his brows and tipped his glass in her direction. “My lady, in the kindest way possible, I doubt anything about you is soft.” I abstained from joining the chuckles sprinkled around our dining table for fear that if I partook in any merriment at Valta’s expense, I would end up drained of blood and with my head on a spike in her bedroom.
“True.Hardlives forgehardpeople.” She exhaled into her goblet before taking a conservative drink.
Dommik scoffed, “Yes, your posh life has beenquitehard on you.”
Without looking in my direction, Rhazien offered his upturned hand to me and I took it willingly. The touch was like a lifeline in this foreign and unforgiving sea of social circumstance. I knew how to attend formal dinner parties with humans, even royals, who oftentimes seemed like a separate species entirely. But not vampires. This was new, frightening territory.
