Page 40 of The War Queen's Daughter

“You, too,” I whisper into the dark.

Chapter 21

I emerge from the small room, the scent of Zenthris and sex still clinging to me. My body hums with spent energy, that raw, almost painful longing satiated. I really should go and clean up, return to my quarters, wash the rogue from me.

But I don’t want to just yet. The wicked memory of the pounding I’ve taken still aches inside me, and I’m not ready to let it go.

The distant, elegant music from the ball is a mockery, a hollow rhythm against the delight I’ve just experienced. Well, they are in for some mocking of their own. I strut back into the ballroom, helping myself to a glass of wine, feeling reckless for the first time in a very long time.

So much so that I down the drink in two long gulps before taking another. I’ll pay for it, the heady wine going to my head within moments as I circle the dancefloor, in predator mode for some reason. Sex sometimes triggers that in me, the languidity of it, especially satisfying release that hits just right, can bring out other instincts rather than soften them.

I’m looking for Vae, I admit it. Or one of the other princesses. It’s a terrible idea, and I’m grinning tightly at the thought of pinning one of them down, lifting their skirt and making them come just to humiliate them.

The truth of my wicked plan makes me pause. That’s my mother in me, the vengeful queen, not the woman I choose to be. Still, the idea of it, of seeing one of those uppity and pristinedaughters of kingdom writhe beneath me and beg me to bring her to orgasm as I draw out her screams and moans has me laughing out loud.

I startle a couple who stand next to me, enough that they move away. I need to rein in my reactions, clearly, and take another sip, though now my head is light, and I really should stop.

It’s time to go back to my quarters after all before I do something I’ll regret.

I spot Altar, though he doesn’t see me, and consider approaching him, and decide against it. This is the worst possible time to do so. Let him retain some innocence for now. I wave off Amber who spots me, heading for me, and evade her, making my escape.

The halls are empty, everyone gone to the party, a few servants scurrying. I’m passing a doorway, hear moans escaping, and grin again. I’m far from the only one to take advantage of this night of masks, though when I catch a glimpse through the crack in the door, I stop in my tracks.

Back up a half stride. And contemplate the sight of the towering lord Chancellor Hallick, who has a tiny blonde in blue bent over the back of a chair, thrusting under her skirt as she pants and moans from the attention.

Why Vae, you hot little hussy.

She doesn’t look up or see me, but he does. We lock gazes as he drives himself into her harder, jerking back on her hair. She squeals, vibrating with orgasm as he pushes her down again, his own release taking him while he stares into my eyes.

I stare back because that stare isn’t lust.

It’s a challenge.

I carry on, though I’m unsurprised when, barely a moment later, as I turn the corner for the princess’s wing, I hear heavy footfalls coming up from behind me.

“Remalla.”

I really shouldn’t talk to him right now. I’m still vibrating with that predator energy that wants to say and do things that could lead to regret. But he won’t let me escape him, Hallick circling me and cutting me off from entering the doors to the wing.

He’s still red-faced, his robe pulled around him, the mask he wears slipped slightly. He’s as ripe with the scent of intimacy as I am, though I find the combination with that fruitiness he favors turns my stomach.

“Hallick.” First name basis goes both ways and carries its own message. Not intimacy for me, and nor for him. We’re both on the cusp of understanding, after all.

This dance can only end one way, and I plan to still be standing when it does.

“Highness,” he purrs, taking a step closer, his presence suffocating. His gaze sweeps over my disheveled appearance, lingering on my lips beneath my mask. They feel swollen and are surely red from Zenthris’s kisses. He sees. He suspects. He’s been watching, a vulture in the gilded cage. Is far from innocent himself. “Are you quite well? You seem… flushed. Perhaps the revelry was too much for you.”

“What do you need from me, Hallick?” The predator pushes. She wants his blood, to taste his throat in her teeth. She’s hungry for victory now that she’s satisfied her other need.

My hands instinctively clench into fists against her.

Hallick’s smile thins, a subtle shift that speaks volumes. Does he sense the threat? He has to. “Merely expressing my concern,” he says.

“Thank you for it,” I say. “Anything else?”

“Only to assure you that what you just witnessed was meaningless.” He smiles at me.

“I’m sure Princess Vae would be delighted to know it.” He’s revolting suddenly, and I can’t stand him any longer.

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