Page 65 of Kingly Bitten

“Lajos will expect a show,” I said, thinking through our strategy out loud. “We’ll need to give him one.”

Darius’s green eyes narrowed. “What are you proposing?”

“That we give him what he wants,” I replied as the back cabin door opened.

Whatever Darius would have said to my comment died upon seeing Juliet dressed in a black lace dress that revealed all her finest assets. The sight of her often distracted his thoughts, something I’d always understood as I also found Juliet alluring.

But seeing Calina dressed similarly beside her captured my entire focus.

Calina’s translucent gown wasn’t black but a dark blue, bringing out the highlights of her multicolored irises. Her dress stopped at her thighs, while Juliet’s flowed to the floor. And unlike Juliet, Calina’s bold gaze met mine.

“Did Lilith allow you to address her directly?” I wondered out loud. “Or is it your former profession that grants you this confidence?”

I supposed experimenting on vampires and lycans all day would belittle their superiority. But I highly doubted Lilith had accepted this behavior from Calina.

She cleared her throat, then glanced at Juliet’s pose. Her pretty brown eyes were on the ground as she held her shoulders and back straight—a submissive pose meant to display her stunning attributes. It was perfectly executed, as always.

“Lilith required certain formalities,” Calina said, still studying Juliet. “But she also left me in charge of my post, which required certain leadership qualities to be maintained in her absence.”

“What about when she visited?” I pressed. “Did you bow? Submit? Offer your neck?”

“I delivered my reports in a timely fashion, then—”

“With direct eye contact?” Darius interjected, causing her gaze to go to his.

“Presenting reports is hard to do while staring at the floor.” Her tone rang as confused more than insubordinate, like she was struggling to understand why this mattered.

I shared a look with him, telling him without words what needed to happen next. The slight dip of his chin told me that he agreed.

“Your position in life has officially changed, Doctor,” I informed her. “Humans are property. Toys.Food. And the superior beings of this world require obedience and exquisite submission. One misstep will cost you your life.”

“She would already be dead right now if she acted this way in front of Lajos,” Darius muttered.

Technically, my age and bloodline superseded Lajos’s authority. But using that power over him could damage my political sway in the vampire arena. Therefore, I’d be forced to let him correct Calina’s disobedient behavior. Thereby making Darius’s statement correct.

“He’d fuck her first,” I replied, my eyes on Calina. “And he’d bleed her.”

Which was the larger issue here because the moment someone else tasted her, they’d realize the uniqueness of her essence and turn her into a proper blood slave.

She’d crave death by the end.

It was my job to ensure that didn’t happen.

“Juliet,” I said, her name a caress from my lips. “I need your help in properly introducing Calina to her new role. As such, let’s pretend we’re at an event with others present. All rules apply.”

Considering I’d sent them into the cabin to dress for the part, my order shouldn’t surprise her.

“As you wish, My Prince.” She executed a perfect curtsy in her three-inch stiletto heels—a feat, given that we were on a moving plane—and remained in that position as she awaited further instructions.

“Do you see how she addresses me and waits for her orders?” I asked, speaking to Calina. “That’s what is expected of a female in her position. It would be expected of a favored consort as well.”

Calina studied the other woman, her brow furrowing. “But she’s not yourErosita.”

“No, she’s theErositaof my sovereign. And his position is beneath mine in this world. Therefore, anything and everything he owns, I own. Including Juliet.” Harsh words, but accurate ones. “If I want to fuck her, Darius has no choice in the matter. I can choose to break their bond at any moment. And there’s nothing he can do about it.”

Except challenge me.

Which he wouldn’t.