From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

We stop abruptly, causing me to lose my balance on the seat slightly. Cassian remains silent and doesn’t seem inclined to break it. The coachman opens the carriage door and he steps out first, without even bothering to help me or accompany me. He walks several steps ahead, and I’m forced to quicken my pace on these torture devices called heels. Still, I stay a couple of steps behind until we reach a beautiful building with white walls climbed by vines. The doors open for us and the interior follows the same white pattern, with marble walls. My eyes dart in every direction, unsure where to look first. There are many bodies scattered throughout the room, in various levels of undress and debauchery. On some walls hang tapestries depicting scenes I don’t recognize but that definitely strike me as obscene. On others, there are only heavy red velvet curtains giving way to small nooks where those who prefer to hide their actions from the lustful eyes of the room disappear.

“You can do whatever you want, as long as you respect our rule,” Cassian says before walking

ay fr

e and disappearing into the crowd.

I don’t really know what I’m supposed to do here, so I stick close to one of the marble columns surrounding the hall, crossing my arms to cover as much of my body as possible. I observe my surroundings, noting the diversity of clothing styles people wear. It’s not hard to distinguish vampires and their feeders. Most are young girls, though there are also a few older men. Their outfits are nowhere near as comfortable as mine. I see girls wearing enormous skirts that nearly swallow them, with corsets squeezing them and lifting their breasts until they look ready to burst. Not to mention the appearance of the fabrics–undoubtedly of incalculable value–and even heavier still.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Is it your first time?”

I spin around and find a young man with brown skin, caramel eyes, and wavy hair. He has and suspicious.

smile

on his

lips; however, I remain guarded

“You’ve got your nose wrinkled like you’re disgusted, and unless your face is always the color

“Well then yes, it’s my first time,” I mutter.

of

death, I’d

you’ve

gone

pale.”

and some

We remain in silence, close to each other, our eyes fixed straight ahead. Soft music plays from a small orchestra tucked in a corner, women dance to its rhythm with disheveled hair and carefree smiles on their faces. Others have a paleness and beauty that clearly mark them as vampires, but it’s obvious many of them are making a strong effort to attract attention. The blush on their cheeks makes it clear there’s a heart inside their chests pumping blood.

“Now that Cassian has arrived, things are going to start getting worse,” the boy comments.

I’m about to ask him what exactly that means. There’s no need, because as if speaking the words out loud were a starting signal, the people around us begin to search for him as if he were a beacon of light. I see him seated with his legs slightly apart, in a relaxed pose that still exudes power. He receives attention from both men and women, which makes me blush, and for a brief moment, I look away.

That moment is enough for me to see people sprawled on the floor, completely naked, doing things they most definitely shouldn’t be doing in a place like this and that I shouldn’t be witnessing. A woman opens her mouth in a sound of clear pleasure while her lover takes her from behind. Another brings her breast to his mouth. Everywhere I look bodies are writhing and pleasuring each other.

I shift uncomfortably, not knowing where to flee. My gaze returns to Cassian and finds him with a red–haired woman nestled between his legs. His eyes lock with mine and the gentle up–and–down movement of the woman’s head makes it perfectly clear what’s happening. I feel the blush heating my cheeks; however, I force myself not to look away from his. I can almost perceive that sinister glint in his eyes as he watches me, and I know he’s daring me. His leather–gloved fingers stroke the woman’s head, sliding through her reddish waves. He urges her to continue, biting his lip until a droplet of blood emerges.

I feel overheated and completely out of place.

“Look, that over there is Aeron De’ath.”

“De’ath?”

“You know him?” the boy frowns. “He’s my master.”

“Aren’t the Death one of the first bloodlines?”

“They are, just like the Draven,” he points at me accusingly. “So don’t even try to act surprised. You’ve also been bought by one of the important ones. In fact, I’d dare say the most important.”

“Why?”

A brown curl falls over his forehead as he glances over his shoulder, and when he thinks no one is watching us, as if that had ever happened since we got here, he leans in conspiratorially.

“I don’t know how much you know about all this,” he whispers. “Cassian’s parents were the ones who arranged the Treaties with humans. They were very well–known politicians among their kind and ours. Before them, our situation was much worse–chaos reigned and blood flowed. Vampires and other species carried out true massacres against humans, and it wasn’t until they decided to reach some kind of peace that things calmed down a bit. He glances around again. “After that, it was the vampires who kept the other species in check.”

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12:20 PM

Chapter 25

I manage a sound resembling a nod as I look back at Cassian, whose Adam’s apple rises and falls as he swallows. One of his hands grips the armrest of his seat, and the other buries itself deeper into the woman’s hair at the exact moment she

es absolute,

ecstasy.

When the woman rises again, wiping the corner of her mouth with a finger to clean the saliva, I’m left stunned. It’s Narkissa. I knew that shade of hair was familiar, and yet I hadn’t imagined it could be her. I didn’t think she was into public acts like these. I scold myself instantly, reminding myself that she’s a vampire. They don’t think or feel like we do. It’s not as if this kind of spectacle would shame either of them.

“I find it surprising that people like them could produce someone like Cassian,” I say, trying to seen. “He doesn’t seem the least bit interested in peace.”

“He’s not interested in peace or politics,” he leans beside me against the marble column. “That who handles all that.”

“Does he treat you well?”

“He doesn’t have much time, so he doesn’t bother us, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“And how many are there besides you?”

“Two more.”

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