Page 100 of The King is Dead
Most women, including my mother, had worn soft, sleeveless nightgowns that appeared modest… until the light of the flames behind them showed every dip and valley of their bodies.
“Now… please tell me I won’t be dancing alone?” I made myself ask the question I’d been avoiding until now, afraid I’d lose my nerve.
“No, my Lady, of course not,” Turner piped up from beside Keesa. “The threat of war has motivated several maidens to take part with you, don’t worry.”
Thank God for small mercies. I was about to ask how many women would dance when a deep, rumbling roll began.
My first instinct was that it was thunder, that our night might be rained out. But then the rumbling crescendo peaked and the drums began their steady beat, calling us to the ritual.
Every woman in the room—including me—turned to look out the window in the direction of the sound where darkness was overcoming twilight and the night was beginning.
My heart raced double-time in rhythm with the deepboom, boom, boom, boom...
Tonight I would dance the night ritual. Tomorrow I would declare the male that had won my heart. And then the whole nation would finally know who Melek really was.
Shit was becoming very, very real.
“I believe it’s time,” I said quickly, licking my lips because they suddenly felt very dry.
There was an explosion of feminine excitement at that as my servants and ladies prepared to accompany me out of the Palace and to the bonfire. But it was interrupted by a knock at the door that we barely heard over the booming of the drums.
I frowned when Diadre’s voice rose on the other side of the thick wood and sent one of the maids to let her in.
To my shock, it wasn’t a uniformed and booted soldier who stepped quickly into the room and looked for me, biting her lip. But my friend, with her wavy hair hanging loose past her shoulders and draped in a thin shift.
I blinked and beckoned her closer. The women around me parted to let her pass, and when she reached me, we stared at each other. Her eyes went wide when she finally saw my entire outfit, and a beaming smile tugged at her lips.
“Oh shit, Yilan. He’s going to lose hismind.”
I stared at Diadre. “You’re going to dance the flames?” I asked her, incredulous.
My friend’s smile faltered, but she nodded. “I didn’t want you out there unprotected,” she said quietly. “I have two daggers on a belt under this, and one at my thigh. If they get out of control, I’ll have your back.”
I gaped at her. “But, Diadre,” I hissed. “If you dance, the men can declare for you!”
She shrugged and her eyes drifted down and away. “I doubt any of them will have an eye for me. And besides, I can just… not accept any suitors. I didn’t want you out there on your own.”
Touched—and a little relieved that she’d be close—I pulled her into a quick hug, squeezing her hard and enjoying it when she squeezed me back.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I whispered in her ear.
Shenodded, then hooked her elbow into mine and then we turned for the door, walking out in time with the beating of the drums in the beckoning dark.
“Don’t worry,” Diadre murmured, turning her head so I’d hear her lowered voice. “If anyone loses their shit, just look at me. I’ll toss you a knife.”
“Just make certain you don’t apply blades to anally,”Turner said dryly from my other side. “I know the men can be a little, er, enthusiastic. But let’s not reduce the ancestral bloodlines without good reason. We have only a small number of truly strong stallions, after all.”
Diadre and I both spluttered laughter, which was a great release of tension.
I took a deep breath as we all began the walk through the Palace.
It was finally happening.
Just a few more hours before I could tell the world that Melek wasmine.
37. Already Owned
~ MELEK ~
