Chapter 49
“You look beautiful.” Raine smiled.
She watched her friend place the last pin into the braid she had finished a few moments ago and felt it drop against her back.
One large braid went down the center of her hair, the slides left out to fall around her face with a few small braids mixed in. Her white hair was bright against the red dress hugging her body and her Mjolnir necklace rested between her breasts.
The dress was made out of thicker material than the other ones she had worn, more like the traditional clothing but she altered it to be more like her Valkyrie style.
Wide straps held the dress on her shoulders and there was a deep V that went between her breasts. Leather wrapped around her waist, a few straps hanging down one side of her leg along a long slit she had cut in it.
She made sure to have a dagger strapped to her inner thigh, not able to be seen and Kaden would appreciate it too.
Her back was covered this time, and she had a long fur scarf draped around her arms that helped keep the cold air away along her elbows.
“Thank you for doing my hair again.” she smiled and took one last look in the mirror.
“Of course my lady.”
Raine had been delivered the same skimpy dress and had also decided to wear something of her own. The black dress was simple on her friend's body and she looked more comfortable than anything else.
They walked out of the bathroom, Kaden and Finnley waiting by the bed.
Both men had on basic black tunics, leather laces loose in the front, and a leather belt holding their swords by their side. White cotton pants adorned their legs and she smiled when Kaden looked back at her.
He had his hair in the typical neat bun, a few strands hanging loose and his eyes glowed bright when they met hers.
“You ladies look stunning.” Finnley smiled and stepped forward to meet Raine.
Kaden did the same, his calloused hand reaching for hers and she felt the pulse in their bond as they intertwined their hands. It would only be this way for a short moment, once they left the room it would be back to the trainer and trainee for everyone else to see.
“I agree.” Kaden purred and used his free hand to lift her chin to him, his lips pressing against hers gently.
A knock sounded on the door and the rest of the men entered, all dressed in the same clothing.
“Are we ready?” Xander mumbled.
“Last day here and we can finally go home for a short time.” Boone smiled.
She looked around at their packed clothes and ready for leaving in the morning and she wished they could just grab them and go now.
A minute later another knock sounded and two guards waited for them in the hall.
She took in a deep breath and squeezed Kaden’s hand one last time before releasing it, squaring her shoulders. It was time for the show, and she would be the main attraction whether she liked it or not.
They were again escorted through the mansion, this time seeming to take a more direct path then when they had to meet Oak for breakfast.
Loud music could be heard and chatter from people drifted down the hall as they got closer.
Raine was next to her, all the men circled around them and she could tell her friend was nervous at what might happen. So far they knew no plans of ill will toward them, but then again this was Bromel and Oak was a creep.
“Please, enjoy.” The guard said and gestured to the big closed door in front of them.
She took in a deep breath and stepped forward, Kaden and Xander flanking her on both sides. She was a queen and was going to enter the ballroom just like one.
She gave Kaden a hesitant smile, his eyes wary but comforting and tugged at their bond for reassurance. He glanced her way, but kept his face completely stoic, all the men looking like stone status.
They all had to play the part.
Nodding to the guard, she watched the man push the door open and the sound of the room slammed into her, but she didn’t falter.
Summoning what power she had chipped away at, she let her flame burn around her and started to enter the vast room with her men behind her.
Straight ahead was the governor’s chair on a small dais, his body lazily sitting in it with one leg curled over the arm of it. She was surprised he was able to maneuver in that kind of position with his large belly, but she didn’t focus on that.
Keeping her chin up, she glanced around seeing a variety of people staring at her with wide eyes. Most of these people would not have been in Elnora at Emris’s ball, so seeing her was still shocking to them.
Oak shifted in his seat as she approached and held his arms out to her in welcome.
“I see you decided on different attire than I had sent you,” he said through a clenched smile.
“I prefer not to dress like a slut,” she spat back, keeping the smile on her face.
“If you look around, that is the attire I require my female subjects to wear at my events.”
“I am not your subject,” she growled, her smile fading and her fire burning a little brighter.
He narrowed his eyes on her but sat back in his chair more, obviously realizing he would lose that argument.
She glanced around for a moment, confirming what he had said and realized almost every female here was in the same skimpy outfit they had delivered to her and Raine. Only really regal females looked to be in their own clothes, arms looped around nobleman’s arms.
“I want you to sit with me for a while, show your commitment to this kingdom you claim to want to protect.” Oak demanded.
“There is only one chair.” She glared.
“It’s custom for the female guest to sit on the governor’s lap for at least one song.”
Kaden let out a low growl of disapproval, but she soothed their bond between them in hopes he would understand she would be ok. She glanced at him, his eyes letting her know that he got the message and she took a deep breath.
“One song Oak.” She snarled, “If you want to keep any of your appendages from being seared off, I suggest you keep your hands on the arm rests.”
Oak glanced around, seeing her group of men standing around her and he gave her an annoyed glare,
Letting her fire die, she started towards the man she had come to loath and heard the crowd start to buzz again. She could see out of the corner of her eye people dancing again and whispering to one another.
Kaden and Xander stayed at the edge of the dais while the rest moved out towards the dancefloor, mingling in with the others but staying nearby.
Oak kept his hands on the arm rest like she had instructed, though the look on his face it clear he was not happy about it. Keeping her face from showing utter disgust, she lowered herself onto his lap and could already feel his hardness under her.
Sudden movement caught her off guard and his hand was on her throat, a small blade between his skin and hers. He pulled her back against him, his second hand going to her exposed leg as the slit in her dress fell around it.
Kaden went to move but she glared at him to stop knowing it would break their entire act. To everyone else it just looked like a normal, intimate stance and she knew he had planned this.
“I will get what I was promised.” Oak growled. “And I was promised you.”