The cohort of aristocratic vampire ladies reminded Rey remarkably of his mother’s cribbage club.

It went beyond the obvious fact that they were both sizable groups of assertive women. 

For instance, they had an obvious hierarchy, atop which — apparently — stood Lady Sophia. How Rey had the good fortune to charm her from their first meeting, he’d never know. But she lorded over the group with a easily afforded mandate, the others watching her with rapt attention.

“Ladies,” she began, a lilt in her pleasant voice. “May I introduce you to the King’s esteemed blood concubine, Lord Rey?”

One of the taller ladies, she’d been introduced by Sophia as Lady Elaine, offered a gloved hand. Rey pressed a kiss to her fingers. “Forgive my poor etiquette,” he said, with a suaveness he did not feel. “I’m not familiar with your customs here in the North. In my culture, we offer a kiss as a sign of respect.”

“Of course,” she said, her pale cheeks dusting pink. She withdrew her hand and pressed it to her emerald corset. “My Lord, if I may be so forward…” she covered her mouth in the same pantomime as Sophia earlier. “You smell so very divine, and his Highness is truly renewed. I am so grateful to you.”

One of the petite ladies beside her, a wispy woman with wide brown eyes, covered her mouth. “Lady Elaine! Do not speak so casually of his Highness. Especially in front of his guest.”

“Don’t censor yourself for me,” Rey said, a tentative smile tugging on his lips. These ladies would be a great resource for the finer parts of the tundra’s history. The scandalous things he couldn’t find in the King’s library. They’d be interesting — something he was desperately in need of. He was starting to run out of trinkets to buy in town. “Truly. I’ll learn so much more from you if we’re honest.”

The guest with brown eyes — Lady Valerie? — blinked at him. Like this, it was hard to believe she was a predator. She seemed so…meek. “Of course, my Lord!” She squeaked with a practiced curtsy. Her daffodil yellow gown made her seem even less imposing. “I have spoken out of turn. I only meant to show you the respect you deserve.”

“I’ve never…”

Rey gave a start, a sturdy hand closing over his shoulder. “Lady Valerie, Lady Eleanor, Lady Cassidy.” The voice in his ear made something inside of Rey crawl. “And Lady Sophia. I suspect you’ve already had the opportunity to greet your brother if you’ve availed yourself of my concubine?”

“As always, I paid my respects to my brother as soon as he arrived, your Highness.” Sophia gave a wan smile. Her perfect white teeth seemed intimidating, even with her fangs…retracted? Was that how that worked? “It is wonderful to see you. And your concubine is remarkably charming and quite…distinctive.”

“You know of course, my Lady, that I do not share.”

Lady Sophia recoiled with faux surprise. “Of course, your Majesty. I would never have dared to think otherwise.”

“They’ve been perfectly polite, your Highness,” Rey said, swallowing the saliva pooling in his cheeks. What was happening to his body? Was this that engorging that Aden had spoken so much about on the carriage ride to the Dondes’? “I’m glad I had an opportunity to get to know other nobles. It gets lonely, you know.”

Rey slanted a look up at the King. His impassive face bore none of the plying desperation that Rey had spotted in his eyes before he’d fed. Instead, he wore a smooth mask of inscrutability. His dark hair looked less stark now that his skin had stopped appearing so waxy. Their eyes met. “You have been lonely?”

“You, understandably, have quite a lot to do as the King.”

The King hummed. “I suppose you have not had a chance to interact with others of your station since you were named to the position.” Rey and Lady Sophia shared a look. The others fretted with their gowns, clearly trying hard not to get involved. “Lady Sophia, if you would be so kind, perhaps you could escort Rey to your naming day ceremony next month? He could use a more formal introduction to society.”

Sophia trilled a noise that sounded pleased. “I would be honored, your Highness, if Lord Rey is so inclined.”

An introduction to society? That could be fun, especially if it would help Rey pass his hours of luxury and tedium. Being rich and healthy was less…eventful than Rey may have hoped. At least, it was here. 

“I’d love to, my Lady,” he told her earnestly. The King’s hand tightened on his shoulder. “Let’s begin preparing right away.”