Page 99 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood
I look away, and my eyes catch sight of Karius, who, for a second, drops the emotionless look, and in its stead is one of venom as his eyes dip to the scar on my wrist and then raise back to Vincent. I curl my fingers into fists at my side as I try to stop the shaking, but a shiver runs up my skin all the same. My heart beats incessantly inside my chest, and sweat coats my skin in a light sheen. My pulse hammers against my neck as if it’s going to explode at any moment. I blow out a breath, desperate to gain some control as I try to remember where I am and who surrounds me, but the pounding in my ears grows and grows to an unbearable degree, as the room begins to fall out of focu—
“Pet.” The word is loud and demanding, and for a moment, everything inside me stills. I look up and find Karius’s eyes on me, his expression impatient. I look back at him, taking in the word he just used, and the growing panic in my chest morphs into a mixture of anger and embarrassment as Marielle’s sister smirks at me.
“Come,” he says lazily, beckoning me over with his hand. My back stiffens, and everything in me wants to rebel, but instead, I move toward him, my eyes on him as he watches me with little interest. I feel every eye in the room on me as I make my wayover to where he sits. He wraps his fingers around my wrist. The warmth of his touch both soothes and angers me at the same time. A light tug and I am sitting on his lap. He snakes an arm around my waist and flattens a hand against my stomach before pressing me into him until my back is flush with his chest. He uses his other hand to slide my hair from my shoulder before he dips his nose to the crook of my neck and inhales deeply. “This is apparently going to be a long night, and I might get thirsty.”
His words are emotionless, as though they mean nothing, and I want to stab him in the heart. He clears his throat before returning his attention to the Vancovas. “As you were.”
Vincent is still watching, anger flickering in his eyes as he takes in the sight of me on Karius’s lap. And pissed as I am that he made me look pathetic, I can’t help but feel a flicker of glee at the sight.
“Your majesty,” Vaughn says as though greeting an old friend. “What an honor it is to be in your company so soon again. You remember my nephew, Vincent, do you not?”
Vincent puffs out his chest, his eyes on Karius as though awaiting his approval. My back stiffens as our eyes meet again, and I feel the soft brush of Karius’s thumb against the scar on my wrist. Part of me wants to recoil and stop him from touching it, but a stronger part of me wants more, needs the touch in this moment.
“I do not,” Karius answers without a care in the world, and I see the slight dip in Vincent’s stance. Good, he deserves no approval. He is one of the cruelest of his kind, a true monster. To think that he is an heir who will one day hold the power to rule a house and own purebloods is horrifying. I have already witnessed what he does with the little power he already has.
The Vancovas take the seats nearest to the door, and I instantly feel Vincent’s gaze on me. I hate him. And just whenI think things can’t get any worse, the man makes his next announcement.
“The house of Kayn welcomes Lord Lissian, head of House Blackwood, wielder of shadow mass, and his heir, Lady Celeste.”
The two walk in with the same entitled energy that they always carry, though something about Lissian’s stance betrays his discomfort. He bows low to the prince, and I feel him scoff from behind me.
“Your Majesty, it is an honor to be reunited with you again so soon. May I present to you my daughter, Lady Celeste?”
Karius tenses up at the mention of her name, and I can’t help but wonder why. My eyes lift to hers to find that her black eyes are already piercing into mine. I know her, of course, and due to her father’s annoying favoritism back at the bloodhouse, she has never liked the fact that she cannot toy with me like all the other purebloods, but this is different. She’s staring at the way I’m perched on Karius’s lap, how his hand presses against my stomach, the soft, feathery touch of his finger as it brushes against my wrist. I straighten my back, remembering all the purebloods she tormented back at the bloodhouse, including Willow and Tori. Something she knew would get to me. I let a wide smile fill my face, and a jealous rage makes her pale skin turn red. I try to refrain from laughing as she tugs at the end of her long blond hair discreetly as her eyes narrow on me.
Aren’t you a wicked little human today?
Always.
Athriel’s laughter echoes inside my mind, and I join him, thankful that I’m able to glean some joy from this wretched moment.
Lissian directs a stern-faced Celeste to her seat, but she can barely take her eyes off us.
“Is it me, little witch, or are you trying to stake your claim on me?” he whispers so quietly I almost miss it.
“You wish,” I say, and I feel the vibration of his laugh through my back and right down to my core.
Thankfully, the next introduction creates a much-needed distraction.
“The house of Kayn welcomes Lady Bernice, head of House Faramond, wielder of shadow healing, and her heir, Lady Kayla.”
A tall female with almost translucent skin and a kind face stands at the door, her brown hair swept up into a loose bun atop her head, and beside her, buried into the skirt of her cream dress is a small child, no more than six years old, with dark brown skin and tightly coiled hair.
I can’t hide my gasp. I’ve never seen a vampire child before; they’re usually kept hidden. I’m not entirely sure what I expected to find, but she is the most beautiful and sweet thing I have ever laid eyes on. She peeks out from the folds of the lady’s dress, and her eyes find mine. A smile forms on my face and, to my utter surprise, she returns it. She’s beautiful. Innocent. My eyes trail back up to the woman holding her hand protectively, and I see her watching me with a genuine smile on her lips. I return the gesture before my attention falls back to the girl as they exchange greetings with the prince and take their seats.
The man at the door continues the introductions as the other heads and their heirs continue to arrive: Lord Alexander and Lord Draken of House Durmeer, wielders of shadow shifting, Lord Daymon and Lord Maximus of House Delaney, wielders of shadow beasts, Lady Cassandra and Lady Dehlia of House Lemont, wielders of shadow bending, Lady Aysha and Lord Jeremiah of House Reagon, wielders of shadow portals, and lastly Lady Lena and Lady Flora of House Carmella, wielders of shadow puppets.
It doesn’t escape me that Iza was not announced like the others, and I can’t help but wonder whether that was her choice or the prince’s. Either way, it still doesn’t sit right with me.
The guard at the door looks at the servers, and they jump into action without hesitation, filling plates and glasses with meat, potatoes, vegetables, and wine. The scent of food makes my stomach tighten, and I long to eat and be out of these clothes.
The meal stretches on with the heads and their heirs making small talk, asking about family members, estates, and discussing their latest business ventures. Most include the trade of humans, of course, and I grit my teeth as I’m forced to endure their arrogance on display.
Halfway through the meal, Karius finally lets me slip from his lap and return to where I had been standing before. I’m grateful for the space, yet I can’t ignore the sudden hollowness where his hand had been holding me only moments ago.
Karius and the royal guard members do not participate in the small talk, and instead they take to watching and listening. I almost scream in delight when the food is finished and the servers clear the table, hoping that the night is almost over.
“And what is the use of you being here?” Hira asks, slicing through the noise and causing the room to fall silent. My eyes follow her gaze straight to where Iza is sitting uncomfortably.
