A Few Drops #2
He blinked away a look resembling disappointment before answering simply, “They’ll know you’re his. But if you find you’re missing me, I’m just a prayer away.”
The look I shot him could have melted icecaps off of the Irriset Mountains.
“Is he bothering you, Lady Reyva?” Gorvin inquired, loud enough for the entire company to take notice.
“No, Commander Thorne was just reminding me that I won’t have to end my religious practices in my new residence.”
“Oh.” Gorvin’s tone turned inquisitive. “Are you deeply religious, Lady Bergmont?”
Dommik stifled a snicker.
“Mhm. Very.” I squinted at the stormy-eyed trouble maker and earned a devilish smile in response.
“Are the Illica mortals still praising the God of the Dawn? Or have they constructed a new deity yet?”
I nodded as I pondered his implication. Humans had only ever held worship for the God of the Dawn. His light was a blessing to all except, well…
“We’ll make sure to arrange accommodations in your schedule and quarters for your practices.”
“See, the Hive can be quite comfortable, Lady Reyva.” I wanted to slap him across that perfect jawline.
“Deviant,” I hissed back at him.
The Hive guards, all in cloaks and leathers similar to Dommik's, had secured their own mounts and our riding party was at least fifteen strong.
“Did Vaspar return?” Dommik asked as final preparations were made.
The steward pulled up the hood of his cloak. “Yes, just before dawn.”
“And you let him live?” Dommik’s stallion circled impatiently.
Gorvin nodded.
“Good.” The memory of Vaspar licking blood out of my wound made my airways restrict.
“Are you two quite done? I’m meant to be delivered,” I interjected. Dommik let out his signature scoff and I saw the slightest smirk from Gorvin before we urged our steeds toward the looming peaks.
It was less than an hour later when we arrived at an abandoned tavern. I wondered if all structures between Illica and the Hive were like this until Dommik said, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Last Light this quiet before.”
“The Day Guard were told it would be closed for upkeep and renovations,” Gorvin informed through pursed lips.
“And what will they say when no such repairs or improvements have been made?” Dommik countered.
“Oh, His Majesty didn’t lie. He merely timed these two events to coincide with each other.”
We rounded the building and came upon a group of guards. They stood tall and still, creating a physical barricade around a large, expensive carriage. Four steeds, as black as the carriage they were harnessed to, stamped impatiently.
Asher stomped and retreated slightly from them. I clicked my tongue and whispered soothing assurances despite not knowing myself.
“Oh, Asher. You nervous beast. We’re not going to hook you up with them.”
I searched the collection of strangers for the unfamiliar voice.
The guards parted for a man who had an unmistakable royal air about him.
My escorts had dismounted. Dommik appeared beside Asher with an offered hand.
I reached to take it as Gorvin announced, “Your Royal Highness, may I present Lady Reyva Bergmont. Lady Reyva, it is my distinct pleasure to introduce you to his Royal Vampiric Highness, Regent of Darkness and Immortals of the Southern Hive, Rhazien Kyrell.”
“Stand down, Commander Thorne. I can help the Lady.” Torchlight danced in the vampire regent’s piercing gaze. I conjured a false confidence as he approached in confident strides, sitting up as straight and tall as possible. I could hear my mother’s voice, “Presentation is everything.”
Dommik yielded his position, averting his gaze from mine. Rhazien offered his hand and sported a gentle smile underneath a full, manicured beard.
“Lady Reyva.” He tilted his head, tousling his brown and gray speckled hair, as I took his hand. His simple grin spread into a full smile.
He was handsome. Not devastatingly so, but still undeniably handsome.
“I could not be more pleased to see you safely delivered to us.” His silky dialect flowed over me like water. My breath hitched with his effortless strength as he saw me safely off Asher’s back. A hum of energy coursed through my veins at his touch.
Welcoming, but direct. Strong, but gentle. Royal, but approachable. Not at all what I had expected, given his reputation.
Instincts from deep within offered a snap judgement that I would be safe with this man, but lived experience screamed to keep my wits about me. Time would tell. Until then, I would keep my guard up.
“The journey was eventful and tiring, but yes, nearly in one piece,” I said, tipping my chin significantly to meet his striking, emerald eyes.
“I was sorry to hear about your slight…detour…but you’re here now.” His hand found the small of my back and he motioned to the carriage. I tensed at his touch and searched the crowd for the devil I knew…for Dommik.
I found him assessing us. And it wasn’t just him.
Everyone was noting our every move. Being watched like this wasn’t new to me.
First, as the new wife of the Lord of Merchants, then the infertile pariah at court, then the suspected sorceress and whore, and finally, a calculated murderer. No, staring crowds weren’t new.
“As I said, Your Majesty…” I turned to face him as we reached the steps of the carriage, “…eventful.”
The royal transport mirrored the style of the cloak Rhazien gifted me. Rich walnut trim framed the tufted, deep purple fabric with black velvet roses embroidered onto the plush seats.
My heart thundered and my mind buzzed, alert with worry about what may happen within the confines of this dark box.
Dommik said I belonged to Rhazien and I didn’t know what exactly that meant or entailed.
I steadied my features into that of a calm, confident lady of high-breeding as Rhazien settled himself across from me.
Gorvin floated to the doorway. “Everything will be as you asked upon your arrival, Your Majesty.”
“Very good. Thank you, Gorvin.” The regent poured a dark liquid into a crystal goblet as his glabrous steward shut us in the carriage.
A stifling silence hung between us. Four oil lamps cast long shadows from each corner of the carriage beneath their limited, golden hues.
Rhazien took a large sip of the crimson liquid, sizing me up from over the rim of the chalice.
“It’s hard to put into words how excited I am to finally meet you, Lady Reyva.” His velvet voice wrapped itself around me.
I smiled only because it was required of me. I was stuck on the concept of belonging to this stranger.
“I’m flattered, Your Majesty.” I smoothed the fabric of my dress and laid my hands in my lap. The driver cracked their whip and set the carriage into motion.
“Can I offer you a drink?” He tipped his head to another empty crystal goblet secured on a small shelf.
“I don’t…drink…blood.”
He chuckled. “Of course not, this decanter is wine. Specifically chosen for you.”
I raised a brow. “Are all of your human guests recipients of such favorable treatment?”
His lips curled. No fangs in sight, yet. “Absolutely not.”
“Well, lucky me.”
“Yes. Indeed. Lucky you.” His warm gaze raked over me from my ankles delicately crossed on the carriage floor to my hidden form under his gifted cloak and finally, to my eyes.
He blinked away whatever thought occupied his mind.
“We’ve done a bit of reconnaissance on you.
You prefer wine from Bromport, do you not? ”
I did, in fact, prefer the rich tannins of the Bromport wineries and salivated at the thought of the expensive libation. I feigned disinterest, like I was offered my preferred wine every day. Playing coy, I slowly said, “Oh, well, in that case.”
Pleased at my acceptance, he poured a generous amount into the chalice.
As he set to task, I stole a moment to really look at him.
His face was sunkissed, like someone who had worked outdoors in their human life.
His thick build made me wonder if he had been a laborer, maybe a blacksmith, before he was turned.
His brows were thick and his nose was prominent. He had the kind of face you could imagine at all ages. As a younger man, as a village elder. But here he was, frozen in time. His features worked in harmony to create the warm, disarming smile given to me over the newly filled glass.
“What should we toast to?”
“Whatever Your Majesty deems fit,” I quipped. I could feel my mother nodding her approval in the afterlife.
“To a successful courtship.”
Courtship.
Dommik never said anything about a courtship. I fought to keep my shoulders from sinking along with my stomach.
Our glasses clinked and I paused, just as I had when Dommik visited me in the keep, taking in the scent of the wine before bringing the cup fully to my lips.
“Poison may be a common tactic for humans, but isn’t exactly necessary for vampires, Lady Reyva.
” Rhazien studied me and I wondered, with his heightened senses, what he could see that would remain unseen to my human eyes.
He took another deep drink from his chalice and I mimicked the behavior in response.
The smoky notes of the full-bodied wine lingered on my tongue as my next question left it. “You said the word ‘courtship’ just moments ago.” We both sat straight and still. The gentle rocking of the carriage swirled the cabernet.
He exhaled slowly. “Didn’t Commander Thorne inform you of your role here?”
“Domm—Commander Thorne didn’t divulge too many details.”
“That surprises me. He usually loves to ramble, especially for beautiful women.” His layered green irises surveyed my reaction to the compliment.
A maid set on a marriage match might have giggled and swooned, but I just looked down at my glass and tried to hide a small smirk.
The carriage groaned, filling our short stint of tense silence.
“I was informed your journey was interrupted.” The regent lured me back into conversation.
I nodded. “More than once.” Rhazien folded his hands in his lap, assessing my words.