Page 55 of Ruby Red Sky

Annalise rolled her eyes as I asked, “How can I assist you?”

“First of all, Cassia is a delight. Very smart woman, too,” warmth bloomed in my chest at her words, “she didn’t eat the meat.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. “What did you do?” I asked cautiously.

She let out a girlish giggle. “I had a virgin sacrificed to me the other day. We saved the meat. Here, try some of her blood. This one is especially sweet.”

A glass was handed to both me and Annalise. She was correct; it was very good. “I suspect Cassia would have been very disappointed had she known what was on her plate.”

She swallowed a mouthful and nodded her head. “Typical behavior. It saddens my heart she didn’t revere me as she should, but many humans don’t. Which brings me to my next point.”

Annalise held out her glass, and her slave retrieved it, quickly returning with her refill. “With Kiam gone, I’m very lonely. You’ve never worshipped me the way I desire, my sweet Lukas. I feel it is time you did.”

“Your Majesty, you know I am to be wed and that I’ve publicly committed to my bride.”

She took a lock of my hair between two fingers, rubbing them together over the strands. “I cursed you to look like me and you never changed it. Why? Is it not because you want to worship my body?”

Annalise sat back down and out of respect, I followed the motion. “I kept it because I prefer the appearance of this hair to the black. I also prefer green over blue. You did well.”

“You mock me,” she snarled. Next thing I knew, she was on my lap. I thrust my arms up and held her at bay. Her canines extended, spit dripping from her lethal mouth. “If I demand you worship me in that manner you will.”

That was an impossibility for a multitude of reasons. “Mother,” I insisted, “that will never happen.”

“Ungrateful brat,” she hissed. “I should have left you.”

Maybe, but I was thankful she’d taken me in. Whoever had birthed me, whoever my biological parents had been, I’d never met them or desired to. Annalise had found me as a toddler and for whatever reason, didn’t eat me or consume my blood.

Vampires weren’t known for their empathetic parenting skills, but she’d brought me home and clothed and fed me, taught me nearly everything I know. Due to our relationship, nothing has ever been sexual between us.

The other vampires she kept close had somewhat similar stories, just with minor differences. A rotating shift slumbered, but Annalise had amassed a major kingdom with our assistance.

As far as I knew, Kalix and Ezekiel had never slept with her either. Ezekiel wasn’t around much and today’s tantrum caused me to wonder if there was a very good reason for his distance.

Finishing my wine, I replied, “You may consider my physical appearance a tribute to everything you have done for me.”

Her nipple brushed my wrist, and she sighed before she let a fingernail extend and come dangerously close to my belt. I matched her motion, letting my own grow and crisscrossing them around her neck, drawing blood.

“Do not test me, Annalise,” I growled at her. I tossed her to the floor as a look of shock colored her face.

She sprung up onto all fours, her back arched like a cat before she straightened, and a look of peace transformed her back into the beauty she was known for. “You haven’t yet claimed the girl.” Her nostrils flared. “You are going to be very sorry you ever defied me,” she proclaimed.

“Perhaps. But at least my heart is true.”

As I walked out, her laughter surrounded me, pinging off the walls and snaking its way inside my head. It took nearly all of my focus to push it out and away, freeing myself from her malice.

The meeting with my Queen was taxing, and I lost all interest in continuing my day’s work. I found myself wandering to the other end of the palace, looking for a distraction.

A dining hall that doubled as a bar provided me with brief entertainment.

The bartenders consisted of a mix of human slaves and Kakian demons. Not every demon was cut out for the more adventurous roles we generally assigned them. Some enjoyed inebriating others rather than sucking their soul out of their body, and it was easier to assign them a civilian job rather than turn the species against us.

The bartender handed me a tumbler full of vodka, and I swallowed it, enjoying the light burning sensation sliding down my throat. I set the glass down and turned to the man who’d stepped beside me.

“Simon,” I addressed him. He was one of our men who patrolled the city. It was a coveted position, just below Lord.

He bowed and then turned to order a beverage. When it was brought to him, he asked, “Where is your bride, my Lord? Many are wondering when it will be official.”

“My bride is none of your concern.”