Chapter 17 #2
He offers me his hand and I take it without saying anything. Bart loops my hand over his bicep and guides me to the end of the dining table that’s been set with so much food and drink I’m surprised it’s not caving in from all the weight.
Bart lets go of my hand to offer me the chair. Once I sit, the rest of the nobles follow. Noire settles on my right, and my Ezkai stand guard right behind me. Across the table, I meet Nobleman Juti’s eyes, which have been on me since I entered, and smile.
“Nobleman Juti,” I say, voice light. “Why don’t you join me on this side of the table for tonight?”
The room stills for a heartbeat. Nobleman Juti blinks, as if he doesn’t expect the invitation. But he recovers quickly.
With a dip of his chin, he says, “It would be my utmost honor and pleasure, General.”
My gaze flicks from him to the empty seat on my left. That’s the only response he gets from me.
When I reach for a crystal glass that’s been filled with plum blossom wine, I meet Noire’s eyes. The corners of his lips curl up and he dips his chin slightly. An encouragement I desperately need.
Nobleman Juti is excited. I can tell from his gaze and the satisfied smile he’s trying to stifle as he wades his way through other nobles to take the seat next to me.
I’m bestowing the biggest privilege to Nobleman Juti tonight. I can only hope it’ll work in my favor.
It has to work.
Jax’s life depends on me managing to sway this spoiled fae to my side.
Would Daegel have turned Jax in if he wasn’t helping me win the trials? If Daegel wasn’t consumed with monstrous jealousy?
I keep running our conversations in my head, the look of rage that flashed in Daegel’s eyes whenever he mentioned Jax and me. Maybe if Jax would have stayed away, he wouldn’t be in prison right now.
The guilt that weights on my chest is heavy, like a ton of bricks.
Or maybe it was the plan all along, Lorca suggests, startling me.
My hand holding the wineglass trembles, but I catch myself before any wine spills.
Lorca is right.
It might have been Daegel’s plan all along, to throw Jax to the sharks when the moment was right. Someone had to be held accountable for the assassination of the Ezkai General, after all.
I take a generous sip of the delicious plum blossom wine and refocus on the dinner.
Bart really spared no expenses tonight. All the nobles sit around the table, their plates full with an assortment of delicious food.
Caetras hover around us with large copper jugs full of the wine, refilling the crystal glasses before they even empty.
Wine and conversations flow freely, cheerful laughs and shouts filling the studio space to the brim. Soon, my cheeks are heated, not from emotions but rather the warmth the environment and wine offer.
“I must say, you look stunning tonight, General,” Nobleman Juti tells me.
“Ah, you flatter me, Nobleman,” I say lightly.
“Just speaking the truth,” he says with a charming smile.
I bring the glass to my lips without an answer. My reactions must be controlled, any and all approval for him scarce. He must feel as if he has earned it.
I can’t help myself. Slowly, I open my senses and reach for the handsome fae.
Just like all fae, he feels chaotic and lively. All bright colors and intense sounds. He’s aroused, by the wine, the decadence, being near me, and by the power I hold.
I’m relieved to find no malice, no anger, no repressed rage towards me. Just as Hel said, Nobleman Juti cares for nothing else but the pleasures and luxuries his noble lineage can offer him.
Quickly, I snap my senses shut and reinforce my shields. There are so many people here tonight, so many strong emotions. I don’t want any leaking through and distracting me from the mission.
From the way the nobleman’s eyes sparkle and how flushed his cheeks are, I know he’s desperate for attention from me. Still, he’s careful.
“You command the room,” he says, then hesitates. I arch an eyebrow. “I meant to ask—have you found that the role suits you, General?”
A ghost of a smile dances on my lips. “I think the answer is obvious.”
His nostrils flare as he inhales, and he leans forward in his seat. I don’t think he realizes he does it himself, how easily swayed he is.
I turn towards Noire and join a conversation he’s having with Nobleman Genji, who sits at his side for the rest of the dinner. Though I don’t spare a glance at Nobleman Juti, his gaze lingers on me.
Once everyone’s bellies are full, and most of the guests are visibly intoxicated, Bart approaches the table. He claps his hands twice and the room falls to silence.
A charming smile grows on his face and he says, “Now that your basic appetite has been satiated, it’s time for dessert, gentlefolk.”
A wave of cheers rouses the table. Nobles are ready for the next part of the evening, whatever that may be. All of a sudden, I’m anxious again.
I should have asked Noire or Bart to brief me about the agenda for the evening.
None of the nobles rise from their seat until Bart approaches me and offers me his hand again. I take it and stand, the rest of the nobles then following suit.
“Allow me to keep you company, General,” Bart says sweetly, loud enough that Noire and the nobles closest to me hear it.
I nod, keeping my face neutral. Bart loops my arm through his and leads me to mingle. Once we leave the dinner table, Vera’s servants make a quick work of clearing it. I frown a little when they lift the dining table and quietly carry it out of the room.
That must be heavy.
“What’s going on?” I whisper to Bart.
“You’ll see, General,” he whispers back, leaning dangerously close to my ear. He’s creating the illusion of us exchanging intimate words. “This is the part where we win Nobleman Juti over.”
Soon enough, servants come back with more cushioned seating and place it around the studio. Then, they carry in a low, wide stool with a carved back and place it right where the dining table sat before. Hel brings a couple of silk cushions and turns to Bart.
A slight nod of her head, and we’re on the move. Bart leads me to the makeshift throne and I sit. My Ezkai stand on each side of the throne, behind me. Other nobles are lounging on the cushions scattered around, or sitting in the conversation pit.
All eyes are on me.
I swallow the ball of anxiety lodged in my throat. To my surprise, Bart rests his butt on the wide arm of my chair and gets comfortable.
A couple of noblewomen are disappointed to see it, I can tell from the greedy looks they shoot Bart’s way.
I lean in towards Bart. “What are you doing?”
Bart bends down a little so our faces are on the same level. When he whispers into my ear, his warm breath tickles my neck. “Playing the part as your escort for the night. It’s a custom for the Ezkai General to choose a Caetra to entertain them. It would be odd otherwise.”
A chill goes down my spine. That I haven’t thought about. Am I expected to choose a Caetra as my personal entertainer? Or am I expected to have a different one at my side every time I attend a party?
Gods damn it. These stupid Ekiosh social customs.
Bart must notice the way my body goes rigid, because he chuckles and pulls back a little. Amusement dances in his gaze. “It’s only for show, General. Unless you desire otherwise.”
Gently, Bart takes my hand into his, presses his lips to the back of my palm, and winks at me.
I’m too stunned to speak, so I only nod and refocus my attention back to the room where some of the naked Caetras have started to dance in the very middle of the space.
The music has shifted from cheery and light to something a little darker, heavier.
The notes are sultry, like the smooth velvet of the cushions the nobles occupy.