From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

I shut my mouth and match her stride. We pass more feeders flitting from one room to another. Winter

of my room, and Naida nearly pushes me inside when she opens the door. I turn, irritated.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

turn the

heading into the quiet hallway

The door opens again, and a rushed Clarissa enters with her arms full of dresses and accessories. Naida grabs my shoulders and hurries me to the bathtub, where a bubble bath is already waiting. She undresses me and gets me into the tub. She scrubs my arms with vigor and enthusiasm.

“Naida!” I protest. “What’s going on?”

“Cassian is having a guest tonight. You know about the Southern Territories?”

I nod.

“Good, well, the representative of the Diluted is coming here–Eleazar Labrot.”

“And what about it?”

“He’ll arrive just in time for dinner, and it’s expected that you’ll be there. Orders from Cassian. So you’re going to witness one scenes imaginable. They hate each other like few people do.”

“I don’t think they hate each other more than I hate him,” I mutter.

of

the most hostile

Naida finishes my bath, helps me up, and wraps me in a thin silk robe. They lead me to the vanity, barely giving my hair, detangle it with a brush, and apply sweet–scented oils to my body.

me time

to breathe. They smooth

“Why all the attention? I don’t understand the need for these preparations.”

“Girl,” scolds Clarissa while braiding a crown atop my head, “even a feeder is a sign of Cassian’s power. Your presence, your appearance- everything, absolutely everything, is another show of his dominance.”

“Cassian may have a reputation for cruelty and needing many of you to satisfy himself, but he’s also known for offering the best quality of life. And today, with you at the table, he’s proving it. You look healthy, you’re in perfect condition, and that’s how they must see you.”

“Quality of life you only enjoy if you survive,” I point out.

“If you survive,” Clarissa agrees. “We’ll make sure you survive, we promise. Besides, he hasn’t claimed a single drop of your blood yet. Maybe he just enjoys riling you up.”

“If that’s the case, it’s not much comfort.”

With gentle taps on my arms, Naida makes me stand, and she slips a heavy red velvet dress over my head. I examine it as she cinches it to my body. It’s very elegant–so much so that it feels too grand for someone like me.

“Is there anything I should know?”

“Don’t be afraid.” Naida’s fingers stroke my cheek softly as she prepares my face. “They may be enemies, but neither has anything against you. You just have to sit at that table in silence.”

“Like a decorative ornament,” I scoff.

“Only speak if you’re asked to, and please, don’t contradict Cassian. Not tonight. For your own good.”

“I’ll be a perfect lady.”

“Perfect.” She has me close my eyes to apply kohl on my eyelids. “Eleazar is a charming man, don’t worry. And Cassian, though he’s not, is a master imitator. He can seem charming if that’s what’s needed.”

I nod while they work on me. The sun is setting outside the window, and I use the last remaining moments to tell myself again and again that this dinner is no different than the others. I just have to hold back my rebellious answers and everything will be fine. I already live surrounded by vampires—what’s one more, even if he’s Cassian’s enemy? In any case, all vampires are my enemies. I’ve been living in hostile territory for just over

a week.

I finally slip into the small heeled shoes. Clarissa and Naida make me spin around in place while they offer their approving smiles.

“The prettiest, without a doubt.”

I don’t believe it for a second, but I won’t waste my breath contradicting them because the truth is the work they’ve done on me is excellent. We wait a little longer until night has fully arrived, and then I leave the room, leaving them behind.

The hallways are silent, the guards glance at me sideways as I pass by, and some even show surprise at seeing me dressed like this. I go down the

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12:19 PM C

Chapter 21

stairs feeling the cold on the back of

my neck.

Wait a second–my neck is completely bare.

I panic and consider turning back and begging Clarissa and Naida to undo the entire hairstyle and just let it fall down my back. Two vampires at the same table with my neck completely exposed feels like pure provocation. It’s like I’m begging them to bite me.

Stop it, Elara, stop. You’re stronger than this. Walk–one foot in front of the other–and cut the inter

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