Page 31 of Crimson Oath
“Perception of reality,” she murmured.
“Exactly.” Kato glanced at her from the corner of his eye, all the while facing Arosh’s seat of power with his arm stretched across the back of the settee, framing Tatyana with visible protection. “You know what you are doing. I know what you are doing. But Arosh does not see you spending time in court, making alliances, or learning about the immortal world.”
The vampires from Alina’s court slunk away. Wasslunka word? They seemed to ooze away from Arosh until they were standing straight again, bowing toward him before they turned, both of them looking at Tatyana with pointed glares.
“Kato’s favorite,” Arosh called, “come to speak with me.”
“He’s going to try to interview you in front of the court, but don’t let him,” Kato said. “Request a private audience. Call on his mercy. He’ll give it to you if you say it’s for a matter of the heart.”
“A matter of the…” Tatyana stood and stepped quickly toward the center of the room.
The Fire King did not like to be kept waiting.
Before Arosh could speak, Kato’s words were tumbling out of her mouth. “Merciful Lord Arosh, if I could speak with you privately about a matter of the heart.”
For fuck’s sake, that couldnotwork. She sounded like a fawning, sentimental fool who had a crush on her schoolmaster.
But while a “matter of the heart” might have made her blush as a human, Arosh seemed to consider it thoughtfully.
“Of course, my dear.” His voice instantly softened. “Please followme.” He motioned her to the private chamber behind his throne, and Tatyana followed him in a slight daze.
It had worked?
Well, shit. What was her matter of the heart?
She had to think up a sad story and quickly.
Arosh sat on a low couch near a brass brazier with glowing coals and patted the seat next to him. “Come and sit with me.”
Tatyana sat in a slight panic.
“I can see that you are nervous to speak with me,” Arosh said. “But you may speak freely and depend on my confidence.”
“Thank you, Lord Arosh.” She stumbled, biding for time. “I’m sure this matter is… Well, I know how busy you are. How important the company gathered tonight must be.”
Arosh loved flattery. It was as good as food to him.
“You are a guest of my house.” The fire vampire put a hand on her back, his touch warm and comforting. “You must depend on my graces as your host. I can see you are conflicted, but why?”
“Because my… feelings.” Oh, she was terrible at this. He was going to know she was lying the minute she opened her mouth. “I know you want me to return to Oleg, but I’m afraid of him!”
Okay, that was the truth.
Arosh’s hand on her back paused. “Is this because Oleg was your lover and now you have feelings for my son Samson?”
Tatyana blinked. “I do have feelings for Samson.” Her voice was quiet. “But… my heart isn’t free from Oleg’s influence.”
It was the truth. The absolute truth.
Damn.
“Your mind is still very human,” Arosh said. “I have seen this before with newborn vampires. And though you are over a year immortal now, you are an infant in immortal life.”
“Yes, Lord Arosh.” He was right. She was still stumbling and bumbling most of the time.
“When it comes to matters of the heart, you still think like a human. Perhaps you believe you will have a singular, great love inthis life.” He smiled indulgently. “But that is rare for our kind. You will love many through the centuries, with many types of love. Leave room in your heart for many loves.”
“Thank you.” She turned to him, surprised by the understanding in his voice. “That is very wise.”
