King of Battle and Blood (Adrian X Isolde #1)(55)

And how much of it he had scavenged from conquered villages.

As we ascended the stairs, I could see the entrance to the ballroom—gilded doors opened wide, inviting.

“What is expected of me tonight?” I asked Ana.

“You and Adrian will dance,” she said. “And after, you will stay close to him.”

“Perfect,” I said and took a breath which I held the closer we drew to the hall. I shall do the opposite.

The room was crowded, full of laughter and revelry. Humans feasted on food from a table while vampires pulled those same humans aside to drink from their veins. There was dancing and drinking and music, and above it all, elevated upon a precipice, was Adrian, who lounged upon his throne, looking exceptionally bored until his eyes found me and held, touching every part of me. He straightened, and the movement drew attention—first to him and then to me. Suddenly, the chaotic celebration ended, and as gazes turned to me, the crowd parted and then bowed, creating a path for me straight to Adrian.

But my eyes had shifted to Safira, who lingered near his throne, dressed in powder blue and silver. I had never seen them like this side by side, and it occurred to me how right they looked together. Her expression was tense, her eyes and mouth pinched, and I wondered if Adrian had spoken with her about no longer feeding from her. Still, why did she linger? Why was she in a place that elevated her above the rest? Not even Tanaka, the viceroy, lingered upon the dais with the king.

I did not follow the path made for me. Instead, I turned away, sweeping the crowd, my eyes narrowing upon a waiflike human.

“You,” I said, turning toward him.

His eyes widened. “M-me?”

“Come,” I said.

He hesitated.

“Do not make me ask again,” I said.

His throat bopped, but he obeyed and approached.

The silence in the room pressed against my ears, and I felt Adrian’s gaze growing fiercer as the human approached me.

“Your Majesty,” he said, bowing.

“Dance with me,” I said.

“Your Majesty, I really must de—”

“It was not a question,” I said.

I did not think it was possible for him to grow any paler, but he did. I lifted my hand for him to take.

“You may touch me,” I said and happened to glance at Adrian, who looked murderous. I refrained from smiling, but it was more than a pleasure to stroke his fury.

The man’s hand was cold and clammy as he took my own.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Lothian,” he said.

“Lothian,” I repeated his name. “Do not tremble. It is embarrassing.”

“Apologies, my queen. It’s just that I had not planned on losing my balls tonight.”

I laughed. “Your balls have my protection, Lothian. Now, at least act like you enjoy my presence.”

The music began—a painfully boring song that made my dance with Lothian tedious. It was punishment, I was certain, for disobeying rules, so instead, I tried to focus on the mortal at arm’s length.

“What do you do, Lothian?” I asked, determined to enjoy my time enraging Adrian.

“Your Majesty?” he asked, confused.

“Your trade. What is your job here?”

“I am a librarian,” he said.

“A librarian.” I smiled. I thought he would say he was a vassal. “Will you take me on a tour?”

“Of course,” he said, suddenly sounding much more confident. “Any particular area of interest?”

“Oh, all of it. I am a voracious reader.”

“I will do my very best to please you,” he said, grinning, and I decided that I very much liked excitable Lothian.

“Very good. Let’s start this week,” I said, unsure of what Adrian might have planned for me. “I am eager to learn the history of my new home.”

As our song came to an end, Lothian bowed.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” he said. “You will not be disappointed!”

He spun and practically floated off the dance floor. Now that my dance was complete, I hoped to go in search of wine, or something to further aid in my enjoyment of the evening, but when I turned, my way was blocked by a large man. He had long, dark hair and a pointed beard. There was something about him that made me feel uneasy, and that only worsened when he smiled.

“Your Majesty,” he said as he bowed, extending his hand. “A dance?”

“I would rather have a drink,” I said and walked past him. If Nadia were here, she would lecture me.

A lady never declines a gentleman!

What is the point in being a princess if I cannot shun men?

The point is to set an example!

I had set an example, just not the one she wanted.

A hand landed on my shoulder. It startled me, and I jumped, turning to find that the dark-haired vampire had followed me.

“Do not touch me,” I said. Each word I uttered sounded like a threat.

The vampire chuckled. “Adrian has found himself a lively mortal,” he said, his eyes trailing my body. Again he said, “Dance with me.”

My eyes narrowed upon the man. His were glazed and distant, and I wondered what he had been consuming before arriving at this event.

“So you are one of those,” I said.