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Frustration blooms in my gut, but I give him the space he’s demanding. I’ll allow him to stew, for now, but when we get to the hotel we’re staying in, I’m not shutting up.
I refuse to stay silent ever again.
CHAPTER 6
TARIAN
The church we’ve come to is ancient with crumbling walls. It looks as if the interior of the building hasn’t been cleaned since the eighteen hundreds. There’s a musty smell that makes me think about all the dead bodies buried here, and as we’re led down some concrete steps, the churning of anxiety in my gut intensifies.
We’re escorted into an underground crypt where we find Heinrich talking to two men. I don’t recognize either of them, so I take up a position a few feet away from where they’re standing. I’m wearing my Sovereign black cloak with the hood pulled over my head, partially covering my face, and Grecia, who’s dressed in a similar way, is next to me.
I can tell by her rigid stance that she’s nervous, and I don’t blame her. This place is like a fucking prison. There are cells surrounding us on all sides, and in the center of the room, there’s a large ceramic bowl of water perched on top of a pillar that puts it at chest height. It reminds me of the fonts used for baptisms.
I count at least twelve men already seated around the room. They’re all draped in black. Grecia has never been directly involved in the Gilded Sovereign before, so it has to be difficult for her to be in the middle of this group of men who believe they own the world. And when I think about how many countries the Sovereign control, I’m fairly sure we do rule the world.
A low hum catches my attention, and I realize the men are chanting. I can’t tell what they’re saying, their voices are far too quiet, but the sound echoes, bouncing off the walls and offering up an eerie atmosphere to the whole proceeding.
“This is freaking me out,” Grecia whispers in my ear.
Dressed in the hooded cloak with her face partly covered, it’s impossible to tell at a quick glance she’s a woman, but the moment she removes the head covering, I’m concerned the men will believe she’s easy game.
That’s not happening.
Not on my watch.
“Tarian,” Heinrich calls, and I turn my attention to him. “These are my two most trusted advisors. They’ve found Thane. I’ll give you the information after the evening’s entertainment is at an end.”
“That’s fine,” I tell him. “But then we’ll have to leave.” I keep my voice conciliatory, hoping he doesn’t lose his shit at my eagerness to escape.
Even though I know he won’t hurt me, because I’m a Crown, it’s the girl beside me I’m worried about. Every time he looks at Grecia, I feel the heat of rage bubbling beneath the surface.
I notice his gaze land on her now as he asks, “Would the young lady like to perform for us?”
It’s a question, but it’s also an order. The tone of his voice implies, if she refuses, he’ll make her do as he requests anyway.
I turn to Grecia, meeting her gaze. I’ve asked her to come here to do this, even though she’s not mine to command. She could easily say no, but she shocks the shit out of me when she smiles at Heinrich and nods her agreement.
“Of course,” she tells him with a smile that lights up her face, but her expression is fake. I’ve seen Grecia smile, and this is nothing like the genuine one.
She follows him through a darkened doorway. I’m about to follow, but I notice two goons standing guard at the entrance, barring my way. I know I can’t start a fight here. I’m outnumbered, and I doubt Grecia’s going to be able to help me fend off these assholes. There’s nothing I can do but wait and hope Heinrich can be trusted.
With every second that inches past, I become more frustrated and concerned. My focus is solely on the doorway Grecia walked through, so I don’t notice the blonde who sidles up to me.
“It’s a shame you’re not with my daughter,” Rukaiya’s mother tells me.
She looks just like her daughter. Or is it the other way around? I’m not sure, but they’re the spitting image of each other.
“And why is that? You want me to fuck my cousin?” My tone is incredulous.
I’m frustrated, and I’m angry. My blood is boiling, and I need a fucking smoke.
“I didn’t think about it like that,” she says before lowering her head and allowing her long blonde hair to fall across her face.
She seems concerned about her daughter, but I’m not fucking buying it. This could all be an act.
Just then, the chant gets louder, and I turn to find Grecia walking back into the room, dressed in a short black dress that hugs every fucking curve of her body. Her hips are wider than her waist, which gives her a cock-hardening hourglass figure. Her ass and legs have my dick jolting in response as I take her in.
She’s wearing a pair of black flats, but even so, her legs look endless. Her long brown hair hangs loose down her back, and her tits are pretty much spilling out of the dress. I have to bite my tongue to remind myself she’s off limits. I’m meant to keep her safe, not ogle her like a fucking horny teenager.
