Page 149 of Crimson Oath
Between the flower garlands draped everywhere, the stage in the middle of the meadow, and the general aura of revelry, Tatyana felt like she’d accidentally walked onto a movie set.
“What’s wrong with you?” Rumi walked up to her, waving a hand in front of her face. “You look like someone walked on your grave.”
The vampire lord of the Kievan Rus asked me to marry him and be his queen.
“I had a strange night last night.” It was all Tatyana could manage. “And tonight feels…”
“Even stranger?” Rumi grimaced. “The tension is high. Everyone is putting on a good front for the children because they’re so excited, but Vano had another altercation with some of the darigan last night.”
“Oh?”
“I don’t even know what it was about this time, but he was accusing them of insubordination and implying that he was going to get revenge on their families.” Rumi sighed. “It’s such a mess. He needs to go, but then there’s just going to be another power-hungry old man taking his place, so I don’t even know what’s best anymore.”
Ben’s warning about events turning violent popped into her mind, and she kicked herself for forgetting to bring some of her essentials and her gold.
Damn Oleg. He’d completely distracted her.
“What are you doing down here?” Rumi asked. “You need to be up with the guests.”
Tatyana crossed her arms over her chest. “I wanted to sit with you and Desiree.”
Rumi smiled. “I know you forget sometimes, but you do have fangs.” She cocked her head to the side and looked at Tatyana. “There’s something different about you tonight. Did something happen?”
I exchanged blood with a very powerful vampire, and I feel like I could throw a vardo across the lake.
Tatyana shook her head. “Not really.”
“Is it Oleg?”
She blinked. “What? No!”
“Is he bothering you?”
You have no idea.
“No, it’s not that. I just…” Tatyana sighed and stood up from where she leaned against the wagon. “I don’t have any formal clothes. I didn’t bring any and there aren’t any to buy.”
“You look perfect,” Rumi said. “You lookPoshani.” She lifted a finger. “Wait a moment.” She waved a woman over who had a rack of flower crowns. “Here.” She grabbed a flower crown with ribbons woven through the branches and placed it on top of Tatyana’s head. “There you go. You’re as fancy as any of them now.”
Tatyana wanted to hug her, but that would be awkward. She wanted to thank Rumi for accepting her. Thank her for the simple and profound gift of calling her a friend.
“I’ll go with the other vampires,” she said, “but find me later? I have a feeling that I’m going to miss the good parties if I stay with the old people.”
Rumi laughed. “You’re not wrong.”
Tatyana made her way through the crowd, and as she approached the platform, she hesitated for a moment when she saw the finery of the vampires in the stands. But remembering Rumi’s words, she lifted her chin and walked up the steps.
“Surati, welcome to the Vashana Zata.” A Hazar guard steppedaside and allowed her up the steps into the dignitaries’ section. “You are most welcome.”
“Thank you.”
“Tatyana!” René DuPont waved her over. “Come and sit with me unless you’re royalty and I don’t know about it.”
Tatyana cast a quick peek at Oleg, who glanced at the seat next to him.
She froze, her eyes sweeping over the gathered group of vampires who were all staring at her. Oleg must have seen the panic in her eyes because he shook his head slightly and flicked his cape out so that the seat next to him was partially covered.
Okay, so no public statements if she wasn’t sure yet.
