Page 23 of Given

“It’s hard not to in Sithistra.”

It wasn’t quite a lie. More like an omission, which was trickier to unravel. I didn’t care for the evasion, but I let it slide because it told me something honesty wouldn’t have. For all her innocent beauty and ladylike manners, Given of Sithistra knew something of the game of politics. Just how much remained to be seen.

“And what of the Sanctum?” I asked, referring to Lar Katerin’s temple. “What do you know of the gods of Nor Doru?” No vampire would ever put it that way, of course, since the gods were the gods of all of Ter Isir. But Sithistrans preferred their mirrors and towers.

She hesitated. “Queen Amantha, my father’s first wife, was very devout. She didn’t permit any instruction about Nor Doruvian beliefs.”

“Would you like instruction?”

“If it pleases you.”

I smiled. “A diplomatic answer, Princess.” I eased the little mirror back under her dress. My knuckles brushed the tops of her breasts, and her breath caught in a way that went straight to my dick and made me silently curse Varick all over again. She didn’t release her breath until I stood. “If I send you another necklace, will you wear it to the feast tonight?”

She blinked, as if she was startled by the offer. “Of course, Your Grace.”

“Laurent.”

She gave a tiny shake of her head. “I’m sorry. It’s a habit.” Her chest rose and fell, lifting her breasts as her heart rate picked up once more. But it wasn’t from bloodlust this time.

“I’ll break you of it,” I said softly.

Her lips parted.

I inclined my head. “Until the feast, Given.” I left, and because my hearing was sharper than any other vampire’s alive, I heard her shaky “until then, Laurent” as I strode down the hall.

Chapter Seven

GIVEN

Laurent sent me more than a necklace.

I fingered one of the heavy stones around my neck as I watched courtiers file into the palace’s great hall. Several glanced in my direction, which made wings of panic flutter in my stomach. Of course they were curious. It wasn’t every day the King of Sithistra pledged his own sister in service as a blood thrall.

But at least I’d been spared the indignity of sitting with the others. The human thralls gathered at their own table on the far side of the hall. Shame washed over me. By all rights, I should be with them. But the steward, Tibern, had seated me along one flank of the high table, which was really three tables arranged in a U-shape. Each one was draped in crimson cloth studded with diamonds.

I was draped in crimson and diamonds, too. For what felt like the hundredth time, I hunched my shoulders and tugged at my gown’s neckline. Servants had brought the gown along with the necklace, explaining the king would be “pleased” to see me wear it. That was palace speak for “ordered.” I didn’t need to ask if there was another outfit available to me. Every servant who attended me wore the colors of Nor Doru. It was clear that appearing at the feast in Sithistran green was unacceptable.

The crimson gown was lovely, but it was easily the most scandalous garment I’d ever worn. The material clung to my body, and the neckline plunged so low it exposed the sides of my breasts and the top of my stomach. The design made undergarments impossible, so my nipples poked against the fabric.

At first, I’d been angry, thinking Laurent sought to embarrass me before his court. But now that I saw the other ladies, my dress was almost tame by comparison. The females of Nor Doru flaunted their charms. More than one neckline revealed the crests of rouged nipples. Several women wore backless gowns that dipped all the way down to the curves of their asses. Some skirts were flowing, but others hugged the hips and thighs before flaring out.

“It’s different than Sithistra, isn’t it?”

A young woman pulled out the chair next to mine. She was vivaciously pretty, with chestnut hair and a heart-shaped face. She was also human. Her gown was the same creamy color as her skin and cut to show off impressive cleavage. She settled in her seat and smiled at me, revealing a deep dimple in her cheek. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. I’m Rowena of Lar Kessa.”

A human wed to a vampire. It wasn’t unheard of, but it was rare. My surprise must have shown on my face because her dimple deepened. “Believe me, my marriage was the scandal of Vollefort for close to a year.”

That explained why I hadn’t heard of her. Vollefort was a remote town located in the middle of the Blacktop Mountains in the far south of Sithistra.

“You must miss home,” I said. The journey between Lar Katerin and Vollefort took weeks.

She waved a hand. “My father died years ago, and my uncle inherited. He’s a beastly man, so it’s no hardship to skip family gatherings. But Sir Harald—that’s my husband—sends me to Sithistra once a year. I stay in Beldurn and soak up the sun. Humans get sickly when they spend too much time in Nor Doru.” She put slim fingers on my arm. “Full-blooded humans. I doubt you’ll have that problem.”

“I—”

“To be honest, it’s Harald I miss when I go to Sithistra.” She leaned in. “Vampire males are incredible lovers. There’s a vein that runs down the inner thigh…” She shivered. “Well, let’s just say my lord husband knows how to please a woman. I practically run across the Bleak Pass when it’s time to return to him.”

My cheeks heated. “Is…he here now?”

---