Abisai
I sit beside my father's throne, my face revealing my absolute boredom.
The court is packed tonight. A ball is being held to publicly announce Bamylan as the future empress. The doors to the grand hall are already open, and nobles from the various clans drink wine and murmur inside, dressed in their finest attire.
My eyes drift lazily to Thymá, who stands beside his young wife. I raise an eyebrow at Higmer's absence and frown. I give Zymei a discreet signal. He understands instantly and slips away through the back doors.
The horns sound.
Everyone moves to the sides of the main aisle, leaving the centre clear. Bamylan enters hand in hand with her father, Faguer. The dress she wears is spectacular: a deep neckline, black and gold fabric that accentuates her figure. My eyes trace that neckline for a second before returning to her eyes.
She looks at me with that sensuality her eyes exude.
Suddenly, the one I see advancing toward me is Zabina.
My heart races, and when I blink, I see Bamylan again.
All the concubines are present in the hall, but I explicitly asked Stema not to bring Zabina. I didn't want her to witness this moment, where all my attention would have to be on another woman.
I stand and descend the throne steps. I take Bamylan's hand.
The priests anoint her with sacred oil and bind our hands in a ritual. The contact is formal, empty. With her, I feel nothing — no matter how beautiful she is, she provokes nothing in me.
She looks at me with a victorious smile.
When the ritual ends, we turn to the court, and everyone bows before us.
"I told you, Abisai," Bamylan whispers, drawing a little closer. "Let's be allies."
We look at each other as the crowd cheers.
"I will be the one to give you heirs," she continues in a low voice. "If you give me the chance, you'll see I can be much more than an ornament. I can help you get rid of that bitterness on your face."
A cold smile crosses my lips.
"We'll see," I reply without emotion.
We move together toward the ballroom.
I dance with Bamylan in the centre of the hall. The music is slow. My hands rest on her waist with the exact distance etiquette demands, but she presses closer than necessary, her warm body against mine with a familiarity that irritates me. And the worst part? It awakens nothing in me. When the music ends, we stop.
She clings to my jacket.
"Don't leave," she murmurs. "Stay with me until the party ends. Please. I will be… your wife."
I don't respond.
I grip her waist firmly and guide her to a secluded corner of the hall, away from prying eyes. She follows without resistance, smiling as if she's won a battle.
I'll stay. I have no other choice. Tonight is her official night, and the entire court is watching. Any misstep would be misinterpreted.
Bamylan smiles and clings to my arm, resting her head lightly against my shoulder.
"I knew you'd understand," she whispers. "I like you very much."
We look at each other.
"I've been in love with you since I was very young. At every ball, I prayed to win your attention, but you never stopped to look at me. When my father told me I would be your wife, what fascinated me most was sharing your bed. Being the mother of your children."
"What do you hope to achieve with such a confession?"
She smiles.
"A little of your attention. That your nights are mine, even if you go to your concubines afterward. I swear I won't interfere with that human."
I observe her. Honestly, she's behaved well after faking an attack against herself.
Zymei appears at my side discreetly. He bows slightly and whispers in my ear.
"Prince, Higmer was seen near the women's palace. And Stema informed me that Zabina spoke with him this morning in the outer garden."
My body tenses.
Bamylan notices the change in me and clings tighter.
"Don't go," she pleads almost desperately. "Stay with me. Just tonight."
I look at her. I lift my gaze to the guests.
I lean toward her, hold her face with one hand, and kiss her.
It's not a soft kiss — it's dominant, meant to remind the entire court who's in charge here. My tongue invades her mouth with absolute control, my hand on her nape keeping her exactly where I want her.
She melts against me, and when her knees weaken, I release her. She's undone, breathing hard, her lips swollen and her eyes glazed.
"Stay here," I order in a low voice. "Be a good future empress, and if anyone asks for me, tell them I had to attend to important matters."
She nods.
I step away with elegance, adjusting my tunic.
Bamylan stays leaning against the column.
I turn and leave the hall without looking back, with Zymei following closely behind.
I enter the women's palace with my escort behind me. The concubines watch me advance in silence.
I stop at Zabina's door. I push it open wide. My men plant themselves on either side of the entrance and close it.
I find her sitting on the bed, wearing a thin sleeping robe, her eyes frightened. Was she already planning to sleep?
She looks at me questioningly.
Jealousy invades me like fire.
"Get up," I order.
She obeys instantly, standing.
My eyes fix on the curve of her breasts.
I advance until I'm in front of her and look down at her.
I lean over her ear.
"Liar…" I whisper, letting my breath graze her skin.
I feel her tremble.
"Who do you belong to, Zabina?"
She presses her lips together and looks at me defiantly.
I like that.
My hand rises to her neck. I encircle it without squeezing… yet.
I push her onto the bed with control, not force.
"I asked you a question," I say, my body pinning hers down, trapping her. "Who do you belong to?"
"To you…"
I release her.
Not out of mercy, but because she's already answered what I needed to hear.
I lean over her, caging her between my arms.
"What were you doing talking alone with a man?"
Her breathing quickens.
"I have eyes and ears everywhere," I murmur. "Don't do things you don't want me to see."
She moistens her lips.
"He was just someone I… knew… I didn't know it was… forbidden…"
"Maybe it's not forbidden. But for you, it is. And keep that in mind so you don't do something that displeases me again. How could you possibly know my cousin?" I insist, bringing my face closer to hers.
"Years ago… he helped me and my father escape from the black dragons…"
I freeze for a second. The information hits me, but I don't let it show.
"So I suppose he already knows what you are."
"Yes… He knows I'm… a white dragon…"
My nose slowly slides along her cheek, inhaling her scent.
"I. Don't. Want. You. Near. Any. Man. When. I'm. Not. Present," each word falls heavily on her. "Is that clear?"
She nods, trembling.
I kiss her.
This woman makes me lose my mind. She makes me weak, and I don't like that feeling.
My hand travels up her thigh, lifting the robe to her waist. I touch her where she's already soaked and make her moan against my mouth.
"Tell me the truth," I murmur against her lips, not stopping my touch. "What did Higmer say to you?"
Zabina moans as I slide a finger inside her.
"Abisai… please…"
"Talk," I demand, moving my finger slowly. "What did he say?"
"That… that you would have to choose… between me and the kingdom…" she pants. "That I'm just a secret you'll have to sacrifice…" A tear slides down her cheek.
I stop for a second, looking at her intently.
"And you believed him?"
"I don't know…" Her eyes are glazed with pleasure and fear. "I'm scared, Abisai."
I move again, deeper, faster.
"You only have to fear me when you lie," I growl. "Do you understand?"
She nods desperately.
"Say it."
"I understand…" she moans.
I undo my closure impatiently and enter her in one swift movement.
Her body arches.
I hold her by the hip, setting the rhythm from the first second.
It's not slow or gentle.
It's wild.
"Tell me you're mine."
"I'm… yours…"
"Again."
"I'm yours, Abisai… only yours… Happy?"
"Yes. Happy."
I keep moving, not taking my eyes off hers.
I want to see every reaction.
Every lie.
Every doubt.
I want to shatter them all.
When she reaches her limit, I hold her there a second longer, then let her fall with me.
After a few minutes, I grip her chin firmly.
"Stay away from Higmer," I say against her lips, still inside her. "I forbid you from going near him. Understood? I'll handle it."
"What are you going to do?"
"Nothing that concerns you."
She nods, breathing hard.
I kiss her one last time, softer, and get up.
I adjust my clothes calmly while she remains on the bed, flushed and undone.
"I must return to the ball."
I look at her one last time before leaving.
"One last question. Were you going to tell me?"
She nods quickly.
I exhale through my nose and walk to the door. Now that I know Higmer knows what she is, the game has become much more dangerous.