Valta
The woman before me could never have been a human. And even if she was, she wasn’t born for humanity. She was born to be this. The aura of immortal confidence and seduction almost made me apologetic for being in her presence.
Despite my sudden insecurity, Gorvin ushered me into the extravagant dining hall. My ebony evening dress might as well have been slave rags next to her intricate and glamorous gown, which perfectly complimented her bright green wig. Some women dressed to be seen, but she was the entire scene.
“Gorvin, my love. When will you let me steal you away from His Majesty? We could have so many fun adventures together.” She placed a kiss on the air next to each of his cheeks.
As if he’d made the excuse hundreds of times, he replied flatly, “My lady, you flatter me, but my place is here with His Majesty.”
“Well, as always, my offer stands.” She flipped her long hair, sending flawless, green waves to her opposite shoulder before turning her sights on me. “And this…human…is too well dressed to be part of tonight’s meal.”
“Observant as always, my lady,” he barely agreed. “But no. I proudly present Lady Reyva Bergmont. She is here as the regent’s special guest.”
“Special guest, you say?” she quipped, chewing on her fan.
Gorvin continued playing the role of my shield as he explained, “Lady Valta is from the Northern Hive. Visiting to attend your welcome ball as a proxy for her regent, isn’t that right?”
Valta’s gaze narrowed. “Mmm.” Her indifferent hum rode atop a strained smile.
“Pleasure to meet you.” My instincts from Illica court kicked in and I dropped into a practiced curtsey.
“Pleasure? Maybe. Time will tell.” She tapped the fan in her hand and looked at me like I was a bug she wanted to squish. “Humans are normally messy little things, but here you are, a pristine specimen. Untouched even. Curious.”
The oil Dommik had delivered worked. I was a blank canvas again and my muscles melted in relief that I’d used it thoroughly and correctly.
“Quit torturing everyone, Valta.” A vision in all black, Dommik entered the room and met our small circle in a few effortless strides.
“Dommik Thorne.” Valta postured herself, shoulders back, encouraging her nearly bare breasts further upward. “It’s been far too long.”
Valta didn’t greet Dommik with the distant air kisses she’d given Gorvin. She lingered, letting her lips land on one of his cheeks, then the other. She hovered there, hands wrapped around his biceps, a wicked side-eye fixed on me as she whispered, “I’ve missed you, Dommik.”
His name on her painted lips inspired a jealousy I wasn’t entitled to. I needed to become indifferent when it came to Dommik, and quickly. A passing servant offered me a glass of wine from a golden tray, which was the exact distraction I needed.
“Ladies, Commander Thorne, please take your seats. His Majesty will be with you shortly and sends apologies for his tardiness.” Gorvin’s oversized sleeves flew like playhouse curtains as he ushered us to assigned chairs.
Ornate plates and decanters descended upon the decadent table. Each savory delicacy was illuminated by dozens of twisted, tapered candles. It was an excessive feast.
“So, what makes this human guest special enough to sup with us?” Valta’s disdain for me was as concealed as her breasts in her plunging neckline.
“Does she need any other reason than being a guest of the regent?” Dommik cautioned the female as he placed a napkin in his lap.
I took refuge in my goblet, sipping often but in small amounts to avoid making a fool out of myself at an official dinner.
Valta’s piercing eyes flashed to me before turning to Dommik and softening. “I just don’t see the point in entertaining some random fleshy— ”
Clang.
Eyes bolted to the sound.
“I’m going to ask you to refrain from that kind of inferior language at this table,” Gorvin interjected. His hands were neatly folded together next to his jostled cutlery, but I was close enough to notice a vein flicker across his hairless temple.
“I’m sorry, I temporarily forgot myself.
” Valta laid her manicured hands flat on the table.
She tempered her features for all of a moment before she sent her brows to her green hairline.
“But I simply mean, I don’t see what all the fuss is about.
She’s a human. A plain one at that. Not pretty enough to fuck—apparently—so what’s the point of all of these additional privileges?
His Majesty has never taken on a pet before. ”
A pet?
“Valta!” Dommik barked through gritted teeth.
“Enough!” The room stood as Rhazien made an abrupt and sweeping entrance.
“Lady Reyva is my prospect and should be treated as an extension of myself.” He waved absently at his guests and strode to my side.
He captured my hands in his as he placed an apologetic kiss on my knuckles.
“I swore to myself I wouldn’t be tardy, but urgent matters required my attention. ”
Rhazien’s attention was consuming. His eyes bored into mine, begging me to believe him. And I did.
“Think nothing of it,” I murmured through a timid smile but the words weren’t enough for him.
“No. Please. Accept my apology.”
Valta’s fan appeared but did little to conceal her rolling eyes. I was hyper-aware of the room around us. Of the soft clang of silverware Gorvin was putting back into place after his outburst. Of the crinkle of fabric from Valta’s waving fan. Of the knuckles cracking beneath Dommik’s grip.
This is what I was brought here to do. To be Rhazien’s prospect. To belong completely to him.
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.
“A prospect, Majesty?”
Rhazien didn’t look away. “Yes. It’s very new. 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. “Thank all of 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 his warmest regards.” She squinted as the sarcasm dripped from her mouth.
“How is Eryx?” Rhazien asked with measured interest.
Eryx. Eryx Morvain. While the pages of Nobles and Notables had 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 him and his 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 facade fell away 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.