Chapter 17 #3
The way the Caetras’ bodies move is pure art. Smooth as water, the sparkles in golden and silver paint covering their skin catching in the light with each graceful roll of their hips and bend of their backs.
The thing that’s most mesmerizing is how in sync they all are. As if they’re living and breathing as one. The coordination is fascinating. I can’t peel my eyes away from them.
The music shifts again, the vocalist taking a brief pause before she starts on another ballad, a faster yet just as seductive as one before.
Some of the Caetras dancing in the middle, Hel being one of them, start to break off from the circle.
They approach their chosen nobles, offering them a private show.
One of those lucky nobles is Nobleman Juti. Hel’s body looks unnatural from the way it moves, and he’s utterly mesmerized. That’s why when she offers him her hand, he takes it without missing a beat.
Slowly, Nobleman Juti gets on his feet and follows Hel into the middle of the other dancing Caetras. My pulse races with anticipation.
Nobleman Juti is surrounded by the Caetras, Hel dancing closest to him. Her body weaves and snakes around his but he doesn’t lift a hand to reach out and touch her, even though he wants it. His fingers twitch at his sides, but he restrains himself.
It’s considered extremely inappropriate to touch a Caetra without their explicit verbal consent, especially when they’re performing for you.
His silver silk tunic does very little to hide just how much he desires to put his hands and other parts on Hel. When Hel finishes her dance, stands behind him, and places her hands on his shoulders, Juti visibly shudders.
Hel meets my gaze over his shoulder right as she says to him, “Do you wish to show reverence tonight?”
Juti swallows and nods enthusiastically. His eyes land on me, but I don’t look at him. I maintain eye contact with Hel.
She smirks, and a little louder so the whole room can hear, she says, “Show of reverence is due and we have a volunteer.” The nobles cheer him on. Hel leans a little closer to Juti again and asks, “And how do we show respect?”
I have no clue what to expect. But Nobleman Juti needs no instructions; neither does he need any further encouragement.
Just as the song reaches the crescendo, Nobleman Juti approaches my throne and drops to his knees in front of me.
It takes everything in me not to react, not to let the shock and surprise show on my face.
As if that isn’t enough, he slowly bows his head, too. And waits.
The whispers that rise around us are full of excitement and wonder. Curiosity and hunger.
I take my time, eyeing Nobleman Juti with a neutral expression. He needs to feel it, the weight of my power.
When I deem he has had enough, I say, “You may rise.”
He jumps to his feet, face flushed, lips parted in awe. But I give him no more of my attention. I turn to Bart.
Bart smirks. Then, he hooks a finger under my chin and tilts my head slightly. “Well played, General. You have him exactly where you want him.”
I can’t help the satisfied grin.
Now, only the last part is left.
I let Hel lead Juti back to his cushion and watch the Caetras finish their dance performance before I gesture for Ezkai Emil to approach. He does immediately, falling on one knee next to my throne so I can speak to him.
“It’s time,” I say.
He gives me a sharp nod and rises. All the nobles are consumed by lust by now, Caetras occupying their full attention. Except for one.
Nobleman Juti watches me despite the Caetra in his lap, her lips exploring his neck. When Ezkai Emil approaches him and passes along my message, his eyes widen.
Without wasting time, I rise to my feet and head for the door on the left that leads to Vera’s study, Ezkai Bjorn accompanying me. When we enter the dimly lit study and the door closes behind us, leaving the party behind, I can finally breathe.
I put a hand on my stomach and exhale heavily. Unfortunately, I don’t get too much time to recover.
The door swings open and Ezkai Emil appears, Nobleman Juti trailing after him.
Slowly, I circle the desk and sit in the wide leather chair opposite the men waiting by the door. Only then do I look at Nobleman Juti and acknowledge his presence.
“You showed good instincts tonight,” I say.
He looks ready to get on his knees again. Juti opens his mouth to speak, but I lift my hand to silence him.
He obeys instantly.
“I value people who recognize authority without being told twice.” I cock my head to the side. “I protect those who are useful, and I always remember who stands with me. Do you understand, Nobleman?”
Eagerly, he nods. “Absolutely, General. You have my loyalty.”
I manage to hide the satisfaction that floods through me. “That’ll be all.”
Ezkai Emil opens the door for him to leave. Before he does, Nobleman Juti presses his fist above his heart and bows at his waist.
Once he leaves and Ezkai Emil closes the door, I allow myself to sink into the soft leather of the chair and close my eyes.
“Fuck me.” I breathe out the words.
“General?” Ezkai Emil asks, an edge of worry in his voice.
“I just need a moment,” I whisper, without moving. “Just a moment.”
I’m totally wiped out. I hope this is enough to save Jax.