I instantly felt disgust, both for this man’s ability to single out the beauty of one of three daughters and because of his probing question to my husband. I looked to Adrian, whose mouth hardened.
“My village relies upon me to sow crops and harvest every year, but I am growing older and in poorer health. As the years pass, it will become more difficult to provide. So I ask you—please, make me an immortal. In exchange, I offer my daughter as a concubine to serve you.”
The shock of his statement reverberated through me, stiffening my spine. I saw Adrian glance at me from my peripheral, and I wondered what my astonishment had looked like to the people crowded in the great hall. Cain did not seem to notice me at all, his gaze lingering upon Adrian. I suspected that was because he was the target of his request—I could not turn this man into a vampire.
My gaze shifted to the young girl, whose head was bowed. Her hair fell straight, and she let it curtain her youthful face. She had yet to raise her eyes to anyone, and I noted how her shoulders hunched as if she wanted to crawl into herself. She did not wish to be here.
“You say you are a farmer and a cornerstone of your village,” Adrian began. “Yet I have heard differently. I have heard that you hold crops hostage in exchange for coin or favors. It does not sound like you are all that necessary to me.”
The man’s eyes widened, and I had to admit, I was impressed by Adrian’s own knowledge of his kingdom.
“Your Majesty,” Cain said and laughed awkwardly. “Why would you listen to these lies?”
“Are you calling your noblesse a liar?” Adrian asked.
“I am merely saying that Noblesse Dracul has been misled.”
Even as they spoke, I could not keep my eyes off the woman lingering in this man’s shadow. Her fingers were turning white and all I could think was that I had to free her from this.
I rose to my feet, and whatever the man had been saying ended abruptly as his eyes found mine. I repressed the urge to scowl, maintaining my placid expression. There was a hunger in his gaze, and I did not know if it was for power or my flesh.
“Cain, is it?” I asked.
“Y-yes,” the man said, and then he bowed, as if seeing me for the first time. “Your Majesty.”
I shifted my gaze to Vesna. “Your daughter, how old is she?”
“She is sixteen, my queen.”
“Sixteen,” I repeated and descended the steps, stopping a few feet in front of them. “Come.”
The girl glanced at her father, and he waved her forward hurriedly. She made a wide arc around him, as if she feared he would reach for her. As she approached, she curtsied but would not meet my gaze. I guided her eyes to mine.
“Vesna, what are your skills?”
“I can cook, clean, sew,” she said, and her voice was soft, almost musical.
“Can you sing?” I asked, my heart hopeful for her answer, and for a brief moment, I imagined teaching her songs from my mother’s home and felt a surge of happiness.
“I can,” she said.
“Then you will stay here in the castle with me. I could use a mortal companion,” I said.
Before she could reply, her father clapped his hands loudly. “That is most generous of you, my queen!”
I stared at him, and despite the look of disgust I cast his way, he maintained his enthusiastic expression. After a moment, I returned my attention to Vesna.
“My queen, that is very generous of you. I fear…I fear to leave my sisters behind.”
“We will do something about those fears,” I replied and then summoned Ana, who had positioned herself near the dais. “Take Vesna to my quarters. I will join her after this is over.”
I watched until they disappeared into the adjoining room, and as I turned, I drew my knife from between my breasts, hiding it in my skirts before turning back to her father. I took two deliberate steps to face him.
“You will not regret your decision, my queen!”
“You are right,” I said. “I won’t.”
The knife slid home between his ribs, and as his eyes widened, I withdrew it with a jerk so that he fell heavy and dead at my feet, blood dripping from his mouth. I stared out at those gathered before me and those who were waiting for an audience.
“Anyone else wish to offer their daughters as a concubine to my husband?” I asked.
There was only silence.
I turned and made my way back up the precipice.
Adrian held out his hand. “Your knife.”
I hesitated but offered it to him, as he didn’t seem to be so much disappointed as pleased. Then he took it and cleaned it as he had done last night, returning it to me immediately. Another set of guards dragged Cain’s body from the center of the room, leaving a streak of blood as they went.