Public humiliation.
Pain.
Thrall.
My muscles coil with tension, ready to intervene on Cinder’s behalf.
Frustration at my attempts to get out from under his tyranny for the last three years grates against my nerves and makes it hard to compose myself. Cinder may be vulnerable here in the viper’s den, but the King doesn’t know he has a fox in his own hen house.
It would be a mistake to show my hand, or fang as it were. To keep him from hurting Cinder, I’d be throwing away any chance of burning this court to the ground. And yet, I am on the edge of action.
Thankfully, my father releases her hand. I relax ever so slightly.
“My dear friend’s daughter. As you can see, this year’s social season will be set to the backdrop of his masterpieces, in commemoration of his talent.” He holds an arm out to the paintings along the wall.
The show is for the ambassadors from the Common World. My father is putting on a fantastic performance of how open-minded and hospitable he is to beaters.
Cinder bows her head. “He would be honored by the gesture.”
My father smiles, but his eyes are sharp. “May I ask how you came to be here tonight?”
Akahow the fuck did you get in here, little human girl?
The portals to our realm are heavily monitored by our guards, and the outskirts of our land are plagued by feral rogue vampires.
To her credit, Cinder keeps her face neutral as she simply says, “I am from this land.”
“Ah yes, of course,” he says as if he sees.
He doesn’t know shit. Not even I know how she got here, which leaves me deeply impressed.
The King’s eyes narrow slightly. “The borders are not as treacherous as they once were. There used to be so many. . . incidents back then. I heard a particularly disturbing rumor about your own journey out of our lands, my dear. That the rogues had gotten you. But I am pleased to find you made it out and back, alive.”
“Sounds like an important lesson in listening to gossip because I'm here now.” The words are even, and her expression gives nothing away.
Shock electrocutes me in an almost titillating way.
Holy witchtits, she must be fearless. Or stupid. Maybe both?
The King smiles, but there's no warmth in it. “Indeed, you are,” he murmurs thoughtfully as if to himself. “Indeed,” he repeats, this time loud enough to be heard by all. “We are honored to have the daughter of my esteemed friend and artist Byung-He and she is most welcome.”
My fuck face of a father is using Cinder’s presence as a way to pander to the crowd. Though he and most of those here don’t believe humans to be much better than livestock, Cinder’s father notwithstanding.
An old-fashioned mentality of an antiquated, savage society. One I loathe but cannot change nor escape, not withhimunder the crown. A snarl of hot hatred runs through me but I push it deep down with all the other dark feelings I have caged over the years.
The ambassadors are here because the Common World has begun to question his methods. Cinder is a perfectly wrapped political moment to show my father extends consideration. He isusing her to prove to them he is not bigoted, that he is fair and gracious.
The only reason he can tolerate putting on this little show is because she is the daughter of his old friend. I doubt he could manage it with any of the familiars working here.
It takes work to unclench my jaw even as I continue to smile.
Maybe he’s not wrong. Maybe Cinder has presented a perfect moment, a rare opportunity for political. . .
No, I couldn’t.
I’m not likehim.
She’s different too.
