“That’s enough,” Ruarc’s voice thundered from where he was seated.
The man between my thighs froze, turning to look at Ruarc. “It’s not time yet, my prince.”
“If you don’t get your hands off her, I will tear you apart and auction your body parts,” Ruarc threatened, his voice seething with anger.
The men who had been inspecting me visibly gulped, hurriedly retreating to their seats, their sly smirks replaced with expressions of fear. I couldn’t quite comprehend Ruarc’s sudden change in attitude. Just hours ago, he had been antagonistic, and now, he was coming to my rescue. Maybe it was the bond, I thought as I adjusted my dress.
Cocci returned to the podium, taking the microphone from its stand. He shouted, “So, August, how was your inspection?”
Suppressing the urge to vomit, I watched as August stood, a grotesque smile on his face, his foul teeth on display. “Fair enough, but I wish I was given more time to examine properly.”
Cocci rolled his eyes. “You had more than enough time, August. If you want more time, then win the auction. Please, continue.”
“Bidding for two hundred!” a voice rang out.
“Two twenty!”
“Four fifty!”
The bidding continued, and I started to panic when I didn’t hear Massa’s voice among the bidders. Had he suddenly backed out of the plan? Why was he keeping silent?
“Eight hundred!” a cool voice declared.
That voice sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it since the owner had never disclosed their name. I lifted my eyes from the ground, scanning the crowd for a face to match the voice. I couldn’t spot them, but I sensed their presence lurking in the shadows.
The bidding went on, and my anxiety grew. I exchanged worried glances between Massa and Sia. Massa remained motionless, his face devoid of any expression. Sia’s jaw was clenched, his fingers gripping the arm of his chair. He was holding back, I could feel it.
“Going…going…”
“One million,” the same cool voice declared, cutting through the tension.
My heart sank. I still couldn’t see the bidder’s face, but I knew they were there somewhere, concealed.
“Going…”
I exhaled softly, the uncertainty weighing heavily on me. It was a moment of suspense, and I waited for the bidder to stand up so I could finally identify him. After a moment, he rose.
He walked toward the stage, hands deep in his pockets, dressed informally in faded blue jeans and a white hoodie, with the hood pulled up to obscure his face. He didn’t look as fashionable as the other bidders, and I wondered why he was hiding his identity.
He stood beside me, his hood still up, radiating an undeniable power. Perhaps he wasn’t lying about being a vampire lord. Hanos furrowed his brow in his seat, as did Thjis and Avetha.
“Vampires are not permitted to participate in this auction, Zikur. What are you doing here?” Hanos asked calmly.
Zikur’s hood remained up as he replied, “I could ask you the same, my king.”
“Still the same, I see. I should have known your little escapade wouldn’t have done you any good,” Thjis retorted.
“It did. I learned how to use contacts. Want to see?” Zikur asked, a hint of defiance in his tone.
“Hanos, please keep this conversation with your… acquaintance aside. Let the auction continue,” Avetha interjected, seemingly uninterested as she examined her nails.
“The auction is already over, Fae. I won. I am the highest bidder, so when does the ceremony start?” Zikur inquired.
“You’re delusional if you think a ceremony would be held between a werewolf and a vampire lord,” Avetha replied dismissively without even glancing in his direction.
“But it’s alright for it to be held between a wolf and an Icelander? What happened to the code of conduct you created years ago, Fae?” Zikur challenged.
“Silence!” Thjis yelled. “Zikur, as long as you remain on my lands, you will watch your tongue. You’ve disobeyed my laws by participating in this event when your kind was forbidden. You keep breaking laws…”
“With all due respect, I am only doing what I have witnessed my king do,” Zikur retorted.
Thjis clenched his jaw. “Hanos, get this leech out of my sight now, before I do something I would regret.”
Hanos glared at Zikur and ordered, “Zikur, leave now.”
“I do not mean to be rude, my king, but I am not leaving until I…”
“Zikur! Leave now!” Hanos interrupted firmly.
“I would leave after I sell my prize.”
“I will buy her,” Massa spoke up, rising. “Now leave before we turn on you.”
“I’m going. I’m going.”
Zikur turned to leave, or so I thought, until he suddenly pulled me into his arms, a cool blade pressed against my throat. Fear surged through me, and I swallowed hard. What on earth was happening?
Sia and Ruarc jerked to their feet, their expressions filled with alarm.
“Zikur…” Hanos warned. “Stop with your games now.”
“I haven’t played games in a hundred years. Spare me some patience now, will you?” Zikur replied, his blade pressing a bit harder, drawing a thin line of blood. He pushed me back toward Sia, rubbing my blood on his fingertips and inhaling deeply before sneezing gently. Sia held me tightly in his arms, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Zikur.
“Hmm, doesn’t taste very nice, stinks of burnt wood and rain, an interesting scent if you ask me,” Zikur remarked casually. “In essence, they are coming, Crinka, so be ready. My advice? Make more enemies. You’re going to need them more than your friends.”
Before I could inquire further, Zikur vanished into thin air, leaving behind a trail of black smoke.
Dogara turned to Hanos, her complexion slightly pale. “Why didn’t you tell me Zikur is back?”
“We’ll discuss this later, in private,” Hanos replied.
“Okay, everyone. The auction is over. Please leave quietly,” Cocci announced.
One by one, the attendees filed out of the room, murmuring among themselves. Now, it was just me and the royal family.
Thjis rose, his hooded eyes sweeping over me. “I knew I should have gotten rid of you a long time ago.”
With that, he exited the room, followed by his wife and sons, except for Sia. Avetha shot me a snide glance before turning to Hanos.
“It’s late, Hanos. We should leave now. Don’t let Zikur’s appearance spoil your night. Come on, let’s go have a drink.”
Hanos reluctantly agreed and left me alone with Sia. He gently turned me around in his arms so I could face him.
“Are you okay?” he asked, concern filling his voice as his eyes roamed my body, inspecting it for any scratches, he finds none.
“I’m fine,” I assure him.
“And your neck? Does it hurt?”
“It has healed, Sia. Stop asking. I just want to escape from all this drama,” I replied, exasperated.
He sighs and retrieves a bronze key from his pocket, handing it to me. I take it, enclosing it in my palm.
“This is the key to my room. Lock it once you’re inside and don’t open the door for anyone but me.”
As I make my way toward the south wing, I unexpectedly encounter the royal concubines, even though they have their own palace. I move to the side to allow their chattering group to pass, but they don’t budge. One of them, a brunette with large, doe-like eyes, dares to approach me.
“Hello, Crinka. I was thinking, how about joining us for a drink? You’ve just become a part of the royal baby-making circle, and I believe we should celebrate it. What do you say?”
I glance past her to her followers, who wear convincing smiles. However, I’m not in the mood for festivities.
“Sorry, but I’m really tired. Maybe some other time.”
“We have bourbon!” one of them yells from the crowd.
Bourbon. That’s precisely what I need right now.
“One drink, and then I’m out,” I concede.
The brunette’s smile widens. “This way, then.”