Page 140 of Dhampira

The courtiers roared. Rasimir smiled over his glass of blood-wine. Mirador yanked his fangs from his companion’s breast, flipped her around, and shoved her over the table. She squealed, her fangs stained with red paint from her lips, and then moaned as he tossed up her skirts. Blood seeped from the punctures on her breast as Mirador fumbled with the laces of his trousers.

The first courtier pulled a jeweled ring off his finger and sent it skidding across the table. “I say she comes in under a minute.”

“Please,” the second man scoffed. He twisted a ring from his pinky and flipped it onto the table. “Three minutes, at least.”

The woman reached out and snagged both rings. “You forfeit your gold, gentlemen,” she said breathlessly. “I’ll come much faster than that.” Lifting onto an elbow, she plunged a hand between her legs.

The courtiers roared. Rasimir joined them, his fangs glinting as he raised his glass toward the woman. Mirador won his struggle with his trousers and freed his cock. The table rocked as he entered the woman and began to thrust.

Lorcan pushed back his chair and extended a hand to me. “Princess.”

I let him help me to my feet, and I held my breath as we made our way to the door, the courtiers’ cheers and laughter echoing off the walls. We were almost through the doorway when Rasimir’s voice cut through the noise.

“You leave without acknowledging your king, Daughter?”

I froze. Lorcan froze with me, and his voice was low in my head.

He’ll try to embarrass you. Meet it with laughter.

Slowly I faced Rasimir and then sank into a deep curtsy. “Apologies, Father. I didn’t want to disturb your meal.”

Rasimir gestured to the thrusting Mirador. “Or perhaps you were inspired, and now you’re eager to get to your own feast?”

Humiliation seared my face as the whole table laughed. Several courtiers perked up, eagerness in their eyes as they looked from Rasimir to me. They wanted me to react with anger, I realized. They spoiled for Rasimir’s retaliation. More entertainment. More revelry at my expense.

Mindful of Lorcan’s warning, I let a smile curve my lips as I straightened. “I can’t deny it, Majesty.” I curled my arm around Lorcan’s and inclined my head. “You’ve been generous in choosing my groom. I look forward to enjoying him.”

The dining room quieted, the only sound the rhythmic squeak of the table as Mirador remained oblivious to the tense exchange happening around him.

For a second, malice glittered in Rasimir’s eyes. Then he raised his glass. “Go to it then, Daughter, and may your union be fruitful. We’re impatient for another heir.”

Smile fixed in place, I bobbed a deeper curtsy. Then I turned with Lorcan and left the dining room—and my father’s unmistakable threat—behind.

When we entered Lorcan’s chamber, the bed glowed a soft, pale blue.

He pulled me to it at once, and a smile touched his lips as we stepped into the ward. “A gift from Vander.”

My heart flipped over. “It’s perfect.” The blue glow spread over the spacious chamber, which was as austere as Lorcan. Dark curtains framed large windows. Matching panels descended from the four corners of the bed’s canopy. Simple but elegant furniture in rich, dark wood spread throughout the room. Plush sofas and tall bookcases were visible through an open doorway on the other side of the chamber.

Lorcan touched my chin. “Rasimir dishonored you downstairs. When this is over, and he’s dead, you’ll never suffer such dishonor again.”

I pushed the scenes from the dining room out of my mind. “He dishonored himself.”

Approval moved through Lorcan’s eyes. At the same moment, a flash of red drew my gaze down. The dragonstones around my waist pulsed like a slow heartbeat. When I looked up, Lorcan watched me.

“Will you tell me about Nymruk?” I whispered.

His lips parted, a shaky breath easing between them. “It’s a long story. We’ll be more comfortable on the bed.” His swallow was audible in the hushed room. “If that’s all right with you.”

We lay facing each other on the pillows, both of us fully clothed except for our shoes, which we kicked off before climbing on top of the blankets. Lorcan’s boots thumped to the floor, and he grinned at me when they landed inside the ward instead of bouncing over it.

“Got lucky,” he said.

“You’re sure no one will hear us?” I asked, glancing at the door.

He tucked his arm under his head. “Vander’s wards are solid.”

I settled more deeply into the pillow that smelled like soap and spice. “Tell me what it was like to fly, Your Grace.”