Page 25 of Royal Bite
“But of course, my lady.” Desmond had relaxed slightly and even offered her a genuine smile.
“The answer to the question earlier is yes. If Miss Jaymes would like to meet the human employees, she can. This is her home, and she has full rein to go where she would like.” Bijou stood from her seat.
“Thank you, General,” Stormey said. It pleased her to hear that she would not be treated like a guest or an object owned by Hegna. There were so many rumors going around amongst the humans on how the vampires treat their human mates, and Stormey wasn’t seeing any proof since she’d come to Black Hollows castle.
“No need to thank me. And please, call me Bijou.”
“Tell me, Cici. Do you enjoy working here?” Stormey asked.
They had begun the next tour of the castle. It would take Stormey a while before she was comfortable moving around herself. Certain areas such as the kitchen and dining room were somewhere she would definitely need to know where to go if she wanted to eat. There was an offer for her to eat in her room, but she’d turned that down.
“I do. Before I was promoted to your servant, I worked in the castle’s concierge department.” Cici strolled along beside Stormey.
They were on the second level of the castle, and Cici had been pointing out artwork and priceless items. Stormey enjoyed these walks around the building. There were so many beautiful rooms throughout the place that she was making a list of her favorites so she could go back to them.
“Really?” Stormey was surprised. A concierge department?
“Yes, we cater to any and all of the guests. We assist with events that are held here on the property when the princess entertains.”
“And this was a promotion? Attending to me?” Stormey asked. She jumped at the sound of the window coverings moving. It was a whirring sound that echoed throughout the castle. She hadn’t realized the night had passed by so quickly.
Daylight was coming.
“Oh, yes. It’s a great honor to be chosen to care for the mate of our princess. One day the two of you will rule. My family is very excited for me and have been bragging to everyone they know that I am your servant.”
“Well, it is I who am thankful that you are assigned to me. I appreciate how kind you are and open to sharing things with me when I have questions.”
They stopped outside a closed room. The doors were massively tall and looked to be made of heavy wood. It was so dark, it appeared black. The Riskel family crest was carved into each door. The artwork engraved along the doorframe in gold captured her attention. Stormey stepped forward and ran her hand along the grooves, entranced by its beauty.
“What room is this?”
“This, my lady, is the princess’s office.”
Stormey stepped back, curious as to what was behind the doors. She wasn’t going to ask if they could go in there. She was pretty sure the answer would be no.
“What is she like?” Stormey asked.
“She’s a fair employer. We all are loyal to her. She’s a good warden and will make a great queen. Vampires follow her because she is passionate about our kind,” Cici said.
That wasn’t much to go on, but again, Cici may not know the princess personally to be able to actually answer the question. There was something about her. Cici appeared nervous, her fingers fiddling with each other. She had a hard time meeting Stormey’s gaze.
“What are you not telling me?” Stormey stiffened.
“I’m sure you have heard that the queen entered her three daughters into the draft without their knowing or consent,” Cici began.
Something passed in her eyes that Stormey couldn’t read. “Hegna has probably been the most vocal of the three about the queen submitting her to the draft.”
Stormey took a step back. She hadn’t thought that her vampire would be one that wouldn’t want a mate. She had been so excited that she had been matched that she hadn’t taken the time to think how Hegna would take this.
“So what you are saying—”
“I think you are a very nice woman and I think you will be a good fit for our princess, but there is a chance that she won’t want you.”
The words echoed in Stormey’s head.
She won’t want you.
Well, Stormey was used to not being wanted. She would do what she had to do to win over the princess. She had studied the royal family and knew everything that was made public. She would find a way to get the princess to like her. She may not ever love her but at least she would like her.
