Hell's Consort

The banquet was held on the top floor of the castle.

Instead of being confined to tables and chairs, the vampires and a dozen special guests, most of them men, reclined on the plush nests of tasseled pillows and satin-covered shades of emerald, sapphire, and rubies.

Low-slung benches were filled with food that had been arranged in front of them, leaving more space for dancing girls to use the open area in the middle of the rectangle as an impromptu stage.

Broad windows flanked each wall of the spacious chamber.

Their wooden shutters had been thrown open to welcome in a balmy breeze along with the scent of night-blooming jasmine.

It mingled with the enticing aromas wafting from the platters and bowls delivered by a steady pair of servants.

The benches were crowded with bunches of plump grapes and platters of fresh figs and dried fruits glazed with sugar.

As Luna waited for this entire celebration to end without so much of a problem by staying silent and eating heartily throughout the banquet, she took a carefully measured sip of the spiced wine that almost made her cough.

But it's better than blood, isn't it?

Luna had no intention of letting the liquor dull her senses.

If she had to avoid being taken advantage of by one of these vampires or the guests mistaking her as a High Consort or Escort, she would have to keep all of her wits about her.

The werewolf alpha that invaded the Amazon's territory and chased Luna all the way here, however, appeared to have surrendered his wits without so much effort.

"Come on, wench." He sang out, already looking flushed and glassy-eyed as he snared one of the Escorts and tugged her into his lap.

The Escort giggled as he sloshed wine into the valley between her ample breasts, then tried to steal a peek under the gauzy veil she wore over her nose and lips.

As the female ducked her head and nuzzled the alpha's neck, Luna stole a look at the jealous Astarte seated near him and caught the furious Amazon's eyes.

Luna raised an eyebrow and smirked at Astarte as if saying, "You betrayed the whole Amazons for this one pathetic werewolf?"

That earned a scowl from her.

Was Astarte blind?

It's obvious the alpha was despicable, and he wasn't even worth the trouble.

But if the sex was good, then who is she to judge?

Luna knew it might not be a diplomatic move.

She could not resist lifting her jeweled goblet in a mocking toast that sent Astarte's scowl deepening into an outraged glower.

He had this sort of manic expression on his face, his eyes lingering on her body, making her nervous in anticipation and scaring her.

"I see the Vampire Council has already provided me the Concubines I need." The vampire king chuckled; the sound was warm liquid, like melted caramel over her skin.

He was a precarious blood-drunk soul stealer.

"You with the silver hair. Come forward and dance for me."

Luna flinched, snapping out of her shock.

"M-me?" She jerked and pointed the finger at herself, wondering how the hell she had ended up in this situation.

"Do you see other silver-haired females in this room?" The vampire king said and stared at her hungrily. She saw his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. "Come forward, concubine."

Oh, goddess, the Vampire King mistook her for one of his concubines, given that she's seated next to them.

Fei stood up. "Your highness, this female is the n—"

"I did not ask your opinion, warlock. Let the wench come forward to sit on my lap."

Luna studied the vampire king's eyes behind the mask, which momentarily has paralyzed her.

Those irises were a work of art.

Come to think of it.

Those were not cobalt eyes.

'They were mismatched.' She thought as she came forward, walking in his direction.

Dark blue branched from one pupil and blended with the lighter blue and the other pupil--

She sucked in a breath.

The other eye was the color of honey- gold or bright amber, borderline yellowish.

Like those of a dragon.

Or a snake.

'Remember not to look into the eyes of the vampire king. Tilt your head a little bit to the left.' Cederic's child-like voice rang in her head. 'Talk softly but clearly, bow when you say 'Please,' 'Sorry,' 'Thank you' and 'Excuse me,' finish your sentences with 'Your Highness' and always curtsy whenever you see him or leave.'

Holy goddess.

First meeting with the vampire king, and she broke the first rule.

Luna dropped her gaze to the floor and curtsied.

"Your Highness, it is an honor to be graced in your presence," Luna said mechanically, copying what Cederic had suggested to her.

She almost forgot her greeting.

She was pathetic at being respectful and submissive.

Nonetheless, she internalized Cederic's advice, or else she would kiss her life goodbye.