Page 26 of Ruby Red Sky

My friend glanced down at his clothing. “Perhaps I should have changed.”

Yes, perhaps. “I’m sure Queen Annalise will appreciate your transparency.”

“Remind me to go shopping.”

Kalix watched our exchange with interest. “You are our guest and Lukas’s companion. Have clothing brought in for you,” Kalix suggested.

The man was being generous titling Kiam as a “guest.”

Kalix was wearing his ever-present hooded cloak, but I knew he’d be wearing formal attire underneath, probably similar to my own. My silk slacks were perfectly pressed and close-fitting, and my embroidered jacket was without a shred of lint or debris.

My makeup was applied with care and without creasing and not a strand of my hair in rebellion. My black painted nails bore no chips or scratches, and the rings on my fingers gleamed brighter than the sun.

I was ready to bring Cassia and Kiam to meet our Queen.

“I will order clothing for Kiam,” I announced.

He turned to Kalix. “I’ve seen you in the city⁠—”

“We’re leaving now,” I interrupted what I was sure was Kiam trying to arrange a shopping date. “I’ll get Cassia. Wait for me silently in the hall.”

It was up to Kalix whether he complied, but he would get the hint.

They stepped out of the room when I held the door open, and I left them there, intent on getting Cassia. Annalise wasn’t fond of waiting and the sooner I presented my bride, the better it was for all involved.

She was standing in the center of the room when I entered, looking slightly lost, but also determined. “It’s time?” She asked.

“It is.” The gown fit beautifully, as I knew it would. She hadn’t applied any cosmetics to her face other than some lip gloss, and her hair was held back on the side with a couple of pins, enhancing her hair’s natural wave. She was gorgeous although our court demanded more artifice.

“Why didn’t you ask Katarina for assistance?”

Cassia patted her hair. “I know I look nice. Did I miss something?”

“You do.” Gently, I lowered her hand. “You look beautiful. Our court expects... well, you will see. Take notes for next time.”

She snatched her hand back. “I know nothing about your courts or what I’m supposed to do other than the small bit you’ve told me. I don’t want to insult your Queen. What else should I have done?”

“Take my hand,” I said, leaving no room for questions. “We’re leaving.”

With her firmly clasped, I led her out to the hallway. Holding her would send a preliminary message. This woman is mine. I was setting the stage for what would happen next with her formal introduction.

We turned the corner, entering the main hallway. Kalix and Kiam stood outside the doors, palace guards at their backs.

Cassia’s steps slowed down while she took everything in. “This is a very long hallway. Gives you plenty of time to consider your fate.”

“It was constructed to inspire reverence and respect. Many a man’s fate has changed while they’ve had ample time to consider their motivations and words.”

She fell back into step directly beside me. “Yeah, I can see how it would do that.”

Her gaze fell on others as we passed. Human slaves, vampires of various stations. “Who are they?” She asked when we passed a couple of Kakian demons.

I eyed the men in simple suits with white button up shirts and shorter hair. They did appear drastically out of place to someone like Cassia, I had to imagine. “You know what they are. Are you asking me what they are doing?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. I guess.”

Their activities were likely in the stack of papers sitting in my office. For the two men to be in this area of the palace, I would assume they were working on the recent absence of Kakian diamonds from a human family’s safeguard.

The case hadn’t interested me much as it fell primarily under the category of a Fae problem. The rubies from the Second Realm, the Realm of other vampires and demons, were another matter.