Page 31 of Queen of the Crimson Throne (Queen of Blood and Stardust #2)

31

LUKA

Tonight was the ball formally announcing my and Lennox’s engagement to the Blood Court.

The news was not a secret, many already knew of our pending marriage, but after tonight, it would be official in the eyes of the people of my court.

Lennox Adair was to be my bride.

As if I wasn’t already painfully aware of the marriage I had trapped her in.

Lennox was warming up to me, surprisingly enough. She was willing to talk to me again. But we continued to get ourselves into situations where I made my feelings toward her abundantly clear, which left me feeling like a fool afterward.

I was trying to be her friend. A supportive person in her life, because that’s what I know she needs right now. But at the catacombs, during Caspian’s party, and in the garden in Arcadia—my actions had been more than that of a concerned friend.

After the events of the past week, I expected Lennox to run in the opposite direction. I expected my actions to cause her to pull away, but it felt like they were having the opposite effect. I could tell Lennox was inching toward friendship territory with me again. I should be ecstatic. That was what I had been hoping for while we had been apart, that despite everything we might be able to be friends again. This should feel like a step in the right direction.

But everything changed when I laid eyes on her again. And it got worse with every moment we spent together since we reunited.

Friends were the last fucking thing I wanted to be when it came to Lennox Adair.

I would get there. If that was all she was willing to give me I would gladly take it—it’s more than I had hoped when I left her in Alethens.

But I didn’t want to be her fucking friend.

I wanted to fuck the word friend out of her mouth.

I wanted to be her everything.

Her friend, her confidant, her partner, her lover. I wanted it all.

But I doubted she’d ever give me that.

I don’t think she‘d ever give that to anyone—not after how she blamed our relationship for distracting her leading up to the attack on Alethens.

She said she had forgiven me, but I knew she didn’t forgive herself for letting her guard down.

It would take time, but I would wrap my head around being friends with Lennox. I had to.

But not tonight.

Tonight we were to be a happily engaged couple in front of my court and I was going to milk it for every second it was worth.

I shouldn’t have been surprised by Lennox’s appearance as she opened the door— Goddess above she was breathtaking.

She stole the breath from my lungs in her gown, the color the deep red associated with the Blood Court. The top was fitted like a corset, the thin fabric covering her breasts strained against the fabric, but the rest of the bodice was sheer. The bottom half of the gown fitted to her body, different from the flowing skirts she typically chose. But as always, there was a slit up the side that traveled so high I wondered what it might expose if she moved just right. On her exposed thigh sat a dagger, both the pommel and blade a glimmering black.

“You look stunning.” I murmured.

“You don’t look too bad yourself.” My own attire matched her gown, the red accents of my black suit making us appear as the engaged couple we were. Her eyes roamed up and down my body, as I stood in the doorway. Fuck, I loved having her gaze on me. It sent fire straight to my veins and blood rushing to my cock.

“Are you ready, my queen ?” I offered her my arm. If we were left alone much longer with her looking like that I wasn’t sure what I might do.

“As ready as I can be.” She laced her arm through mine and followed as I led her through the palace towards the ballroom.

“Now, this ball, is it an actual ball? Or is it a ball like the one at the duke’s manor?” A smirk formed on her lips.

“I hate to disappoint you, but this is a more typical ball. Any acts of lust will occur out of the sight of others.”

A slight blush rushed to her cheeks. I hoped it was the thought of what had occurred between us at the last ball that caused it. “What a shame,” she admitted.

I stumbled slightly, as the memory of her on my lap made its way to the forefront of my mind. Of how smooth her skin felt under my fingertips. Of how sweet those little breathy sounds were that slipped from her lips.

I cleared my throat. Now was not the time for such thoughts.

“Here we are,” I announced as we approached the doors leading to the ballroom. “Are you ready for your official welcome to the Blood Court? You’re about to be the envy of many.” I said, trying to direct the conversation in a direction that wouldn’t make my cock strain against my pants any more than it already was.

“You think that highly of yourself?” Lennox asked.

“No, it’s—be careful. The engagement will be a surprise to many.”

She pressed a finger to my chest. “They will be upset their prized stallion has been taken off the market?”

“You could say that,” I mused. I had never been one to keep to myself—especially after my parents died. I hated being alone. I sought company wherever I could find it and oftentimes it was found in the warm body of another.

“The people of my court like to fight over my attention. I assume the same will still occur tonight, particularly to see your reaction.”

“My reaction?” Her brows furrowed and I stifled a laugh.

“They will expect you to be jealous of their vying for my attention. Or maybe not even jealous, they’ll want to see what kind of reaction they can get out of you.”

Her eyes stayed focused on the door, but her grip on my arm tightened. “What kind of reaction should be expected of me?”

“It’s up to you.” I took a deep breath. “It’s not a secret our marriage is due to a political alliance. The court will be trying to see if you and I are—” I didn’t get time to finish before the doors opened and we were blinded by the bright lights of the ballroom. Our voices muffled by the sound of chattering voices.

Lennox’s hand on my bicep squeezed harder as I led her into the room.

“Your Royal Majesty, King Arlo Rossi would like to formally announce his grandson, Prince Luka Rossi’s engagement to our Royal Majesty, High Queen Lennox Adair!”

We stepped into the ballroom as a round of cheers broke out at the announcement.

“They are to be married in the first moon cycle of the new year in Alethens.”

Lennox stiffened at announcement, her steps faltered as her hand squeezed my arm even harder, her nails biting into my skin through my jacket.

I placed my hand on top of hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze before leaning in to whisper in her ear, “We knew this was coming, don’t let them see you falter.”

She dipped her chin and straightened her shoulders. “It’s only me and you, Lennox.” I brushed my lips over her temple, causing her eyes to flutter closed. “Just me and you.”

She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. I expected her to look around the room, but instead, her gaze fixed on me.

Every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on our interaction, but all I could see was her.

“You ready?” I asked.

“Sure.”

I tore my gaze from hers and led her through the throng of people. The crowd was hushed, they murmured to one another as we passed.

When we made it to the throne, I helped Lennox to her seat. Every time I saw Lennox on a throne I got the overwhelming sense she belonged there. Even on the dark obsidian throne of the Blood Court, she looked like she belonged.

A servant came and passed us each a glass of sparkling wine. “You were right about this party being different than the duke’s. Much milder.” She sipped from her glass.

“If you want to sit on my lap, all you have to do is ask, Sweetheart.”

Her cheeks flushed. “That would surely make all your former suitors jealous.”

“Why don’t we try and see.”

A smirk pulled at the corner of her lips. “Nice try. It will take a lot more than that to get me on your lap again.”

“Are you sure about that, Sweetheart? It was pretty easy the other night.”

She shot daggers at me with her eyes, her empty hand fisted on the throne, her nails digging into the stone. I had no doubt if we were alone she would have kicked me for making such a comment.

“That was different.” She gritted her teeth.

I leaned over closer. “Was it though?”

“I’m done with this conversation.” She turned her attention back to the crowd.

“Suit yourself.” My chest felt lighter than it did before. These conversations with Lennox were natural. These conversations I could participate in and not worry about the consequences of my words.

We sat up on our thrones surveying the ball as it continued around us. People came up and congratulated us on our marriage in which we thanked them with tight smiles plastered on our faces.

After a while, we were called to the dance floor.

“Our first dance as an engaged couple.” I held out my hand for Lennox. She placed her hand in mine and let me guide her from the throne to the dance floor. I placed my hands on her hips, a slight gasp leaving her lips as I pulled her towards me.

She looped her arms around my neck and I shivered at the feeling of her fingertips grazing the skin at the base of my neck.

“Do you remember the last time we danced at a ball?”

“I do.” She swallowed. “That was quite a night.”

“That was the night I realized I had feelings for you,” I admitted.

Her gaze jumped to mine, her brows furrowing slightly in an adorable way.

“You took my breath away when you walked down those stairs. And when I had to watch you dance with the other male—” I had never been so jealous. “I vowed that day I’d never see another male’s hands on you.”

“Luka—”

“You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know.”

She opened her mouth but was interrupted as a petite, dark-haired female approached .

“Prince Luka.” She beamed. Lennox and I stepped apart, allowing Dahna room to skate her hands down my arm. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen you. Where have you been hiding?” Lennox stiffened as she raked her eyes over Dahna.

“I haven’t been hiding anywhere. I’ve been previously occupied, that's all.” I snaked my arm around Lennox’s waist, pulling her to my side.

“I’m sure you heard about my engagement. Dahna, this is my soon-to-be wife, High Queen Lennox Adair.”

Dahna looked at Lennox for the first time, who had a tight-lipped smile plastered on her face.

“Yes.” Disdain leached into Dahna’s voice. “We were all surprised to hear about your engagement.”

She moved her gaze back to me, dismissing Lennox entirely, causing rage to simmer inside me. Dahna and I had shared many nights, but that was it. Nights . And here she was trying to dismiss Lennox. To dismiss our High Queen ... My magic pressed against my fingertips.

“That is not the proper way to greet your queen now is it?” I said, my tone sharp.

Dahna stumbled back, her brows pinching together as she looked at me. “I—” She looked back and forth between Lennox and me several times as she struggled for words. “I’m sorry. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lennox,” she finally stammered.

“It’s Your Majesty to you.”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” Dahna stumbled.

“And I believe a proper courtesy is to bow to your queen,” I added.

“Bow?” Dahna paled. “You can’t seriously expect me to bow, Luka.” She reached for my arm, but Lennox stepped in front of me, blocking her.

“Your Prince asked you to bow to your Queen. Now bow .” There was no room for debate in Lennox’s tone.

I stepped around Lennox, placing myself at her side again as Dahna looked nervously between us. “Unless you’d like to be thrown in the dungeon, I suggest you bow.”

Dahna bowed deeply. As she rose, Lennox interrupted her. “I didn’t tell you to rise.”

A vicious smirk graced her face as Dahna fell back into her bow and I pulled Lennox tighter to my side.

“I love seeing your vicious side,” I whispered into her ear causing a smirk to form on her lips.

“You may rise,” she told Dahna finally. “Now, let me make one thing clear, Dahna .” Lennox’s voice was sweet, but laced with venom.

“Luka is my fiancé. Mine . If I hear you ever lay a finger on him I will personally make sure those fingers are removed from your body.” Dahna paled as I failed to hide my growing smile. “Second, if you ever disrespect me or your prince again, I will ensure you never live another day.” She turned her attention to me. “And I keep my promises, don’t I, Luka.”

“You do, Sweetheart.” I placed a kiss on the skin beneath her ear. “Every violent one.”

All color was now leached from Dahna, her confident facade nowhere to be seen as she clasped her shaking hands in front of her.

Lennox turned, lacing her arms around my neck and winding her hands through the hair at the base of my neck. “You may leave now.” Her eyes didn’t move from mine as she dismissed Dahna.

“Looks like you are a good actress after all.” I pulled her against me, hovering my lips over hers as her body bowed to my touch. “Jealousy suits you.”

“Turns out it’s a lot easier than I thought,” she admitted as her lips dusted over mine for a moment before she pulled back.

“How recently have you been with any of your—” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as she searched for the right word. “ Lovers .”

“I wouldn’t go so far as to call them lovers.” She raised a single brow. When was the last time I had been in bed with another? “I suppose it was sometime the week before I left for Alethens.”

Lennox’s steps faltered, my hand on her back catching her to prevent her fall. “You mean to tell me you haven’t been with anyone since you met me?” Her eyes searched mine for the lie.

“Only you, Sweetheart.” It hadn’t been intentional. There had been nights in Alethens, out with Declan where I had been posed with the opportunity, but turned it down. At the time it had been due to my fascination with Lennox and my determination to keep my eye on the goal.

At some point it shifted, my abstinence became solely about Lennox. I didn’t want anyone else. Even since I had returned to Cel Nox. After we had broken one another’s hearts it would have been so easy to bury my heartache in another, but I couldn’t get myself to even try.

My heart belonged to her even if she didn’t want it.

“Why?” She stammered. “Why haven’t you been with anyone since you’ve been back in Cel Nox? Surely the opportunity has presented itself.”

“It has, but I would never do that to you. We’re engaged.”

“But not really. You’re trying to ensure we don’t remain engaged, so why haven’t you sought out others?” I could hear her emotions rising as she spoke—I could feel them too. Her magic quickly rising to the surface.

“Engaged or not engaged, my soul belongs to you, Lennox. If we get married you can be free to have whatever lovers you want if that’s what you desire.” My stomach recoiled at the idea of her with another while married to me, but if seeking her pleasure elsewhere, if that’s what she wanted, I’d give it to her.

“My heart will always belong to you. Maybe someday I’ll be able to move on, but for now, I am set on you. No one will ever compare to you, Lennox Adair.” I swept a loose hair from her face, letting my finger move down the side of her neck as I fixed my gaze on her full bottom lip .

I should have stopped talking. I had already made myself a fool for Lennox too many times only to be rejected by her each time. But I needed her to know how I felt. If there was even a sliver of a chance she’d ever see me as more than a friend again I needed her to know how I felt.

“You can’t say that,” she stammered, the panic clear in her voice. “I’m no one special. You can’t put your life on hold waiting for me.”

“I already have, Lennox, I did the day you walked down those stairs and hurled insults at me like it was your first nature.”

She opened her mouth only to shut it again.

“I’ve told you countless times and I’ll tell you again. I will wait for you, Lennox. However long it takes. I’ll even be your fucking friend if that’s what you need me to do right now. But there is no one else. There will never be anyone else as long as you are still in this realm.”

I wanted to tell her I loved her. I wanted to tell her I loved her until she believed it. I knew nothing would make her believe it until she wanted to, but I had already scared her too much. Pushed her too far. It was clear by the look on her face.

“Luka—I.” Her hands dropped from where they had rested around my neck.

“I need some air.” She turned to the door.

“Let me escort you.”

“No, I need—” I grabbed her hand in mine and turned her toward me as the crowd looked on and murmured around us. I took another step toward her in an attempt to keep our conversation between the two of us.

“I know you need a moment away from me. I’ll give you that, at least let me escort you.” She nodded in agreement and let me lead her towards the door to the patio.

The patio was mostly empty, as was expected at this time of year, but a few people were littered around the open space. I led Lennox past the patio, intending on leading her to a secluded space in the garden where she could be alone with her thoughts. When we rounded the first hedge we came face to face with a hulking silver-haired wolf.

Nico smiled brightly as he took in the two of us hand in hand. “Well isn’t it the couple of the night. Out for a little alone time?” He waggled his eyebrows.

I looked at Lennox out of the corner of my eye, who was visibly pale under the light of the moon as she stared straight ahead.

“Nico, can you escort Lennox to a private garden spot?” The wolf eyed the two of us curiously. “Lennox needed some air.” Understanding flashed across his features.

“Of course.” He held his arm out to Lennox and she took it without hesitation. I watched as Nico led her deeper into the garden. The knot in my stomach tightening with every step Lennox took away from me.