Crimson Warrior (Onyx Assassins 3)

Father smiled at mother, sliding his hand lovingly along the backside of her chair, the motion almost automatic. They’d been mated for five centuries, and the love between them had never dulled. They were strong on their own, but somehow, together, they were an impenetrable force. I glanced at Ransom, leaning into his side a bit more, wondering if we were fooling anyone or if my family would see through the charade and sequester me to the island for lying. I knew they couldn’t truly hold me here, not when I had the backing of the king behind me and the princess, but…they could exile me from the family. And that would be a blow I didn’t think I’d survive.

“Wonderful little play,” a familiar male voice said as he reached my father’s side. Lord Zorin stood on slightly wobbly feet as he looked down at where my father sat.

“Ballet,” my father corrected him, shaking his free hand before quickly dropping it. “I didn’t realize you’d be in attendance this time, Lord Zorin,” he continued. “We’re honored to have you here.”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” he said.

I tried my best to disappear into the chair. He hadn’t looked our way yet, but Lord Zorin and his family were frequenters at the estate back home. Would he notice us? Surely he’d know we weren’t truly mated. One of his daughters had made a play for Alek for god’s sake.

I clamped my hand over Ransom’s on my thigh, squeezing it in a silent effort to convey my building panic. He smoothed his thumb over the back of my hand as if to say relax, we’ve got this.

“This is the most anticipated festival of the decade,” Lord Zorin continued, his words slightly slurred. I eyed the coupe in his hand, not filled with processed blood but with an amber liquid.

“Did you bring any of your sons along?” Mother asked before flashing Zasha a pointed look. Zasha scowled at her, but mother ignored it, returning her attention to Lord Zorin.

“Not this time,” he said, his eyes casting to the right. “Only myself and some of my trusted guards were able to get away to celebrate.

“Shame,” my mother said. “I hope to see your sons next decade when we celebrate.”

“Quite,” Zorin said, but he was no longer paying attention to her, his eyes firmly planted on a young female swishing her way to the now opened dancefloor. “If you’ll excuse me,” he said, hurrying off after the female.

Mother pursed her lips, the only sign of disapproval she would allow. Lord Zorin wasn’t mated, but he was married and had been for the last two centuries. His family had been blessed with one daughter and two sons, all of whom were available. An alliance with the house of Zorin was always sought after since they were one of the wealthiest vampire families outside of Alek’s, mine, and a few others. But, Zorin’s bloodline constantly shifted from regal and peace-bringing to entitled and power-hungry. It just depended on the century and the climate.

I eased my grip on Ransom’s hand the second Zorin was out of sight.

Too close. That was too damn close.

But maybe I was overreacting. Maybe Zorin had no interest in either my or Ransom’s relationship status back at the estate, especially since he’d been so supportive of Cassandra pursuing Alek. I’d never been happier that Lyric had come crashing into Alek’s life. A throne with Cassandra on it? Gods, we’d be in war for centuries, her thirst for power and vengeance ran deep. So deep, that Alek had appointed Ransom to watch over Lyric when at the estate in case Cassandra made a move of retaliation against the queen. But even I didn’t think she was that stupid.

“Would you care to dance?” A young male bowed at the waist, extending his hand toward Zasha. She flashed me a panicked look before eying his hand and shaking her head.

“Not right now, thank you,” she said in her most polite voice.

“Another time, I hope,” the male said and straightened, tucking his hands behind his back. He gave a small bow to my parents, then disappeared into the growing crowd on the dancefloor.

“Zasha,” my mother chided. “That is the fifth eligible male who has approached you tonight. The fifth one you’ve turned away. Surely you can’t find them all intolerable?”

“They’re not intolerable,” Zasha groaned.

I have no interest in being mated yet.

I read the words clearly in her eyes as if she’d spoken them inside my mind. We’d always been close, closer than our relationships with our elder sisters, and we were of the same mind. There was more to life than finding a mate and having children. To my family and the people of Kranitel, there was no higher honor than contributing to the vampire race, and yes, I supported anyone’s decision to do so, but it wasn’t the path for everyone.