Chapter 134

The ceremony went by in a flash, at least for Zezi.

Vows were made and the content of the Silver goblet was gulped down by both parties. They were declared joined and Valerick had declared her to be Lavida's Queen.

Zezi had seen a disapproving look glint in the eyes of some of the Lords, but they had been wise to hide it quickly. No one questioned their King because he was the King.

The hall was soon filled with music and Valerick, with his hand resting on her back, had taken her around, introducing her to different vampires and hinting at the idea that she would be in The Court soon, taking all their meetings and taking important decisions.

He intended for her to take the role of being their Queen fully, and he wasn't hiding it.

Most hated it, just like she hated them, but they showed her a fangless smile and tried to act welcoming.

Valerick smirked. Of course, he knew how much his plans infuriated his Lords. He wasn't a fool, he was a King and their little games could do nothing to deceive him.

From the corner of Zezi's eyes, she could see the Princess and Oliver get into a hushed fight. She strolled away from him seconds later and headed to the bar in controlled rage.

Zezi banished a smile from her lips.

Her misery was always fun to watch.

Whatever could be wrong in their perfect little Paradise?

Then she had seen Akeem looking across the hall, his gaze resting on Lady Delice as she moved around and talked to some of the Lords Valerick had introduced her to earlier; to her, they showed a true smile. Zezi wondered about the kind of relationship Akeem had with Lady Delice.

It had to be more than just her being his High Pillar.

Maybe he liked her?

Wait!

An idea!

Could Akeem be the father of Lady Delice's dead child?

She felt someone's eyes on her and her gaze snapped to the direction of the heat.

Nicholas.

Their gazes clashed and he held hers, before looking away about two seconds later.

She didn't like him and this just wasn't because he was a vampire.

No, there was just something about Nicholas that made Zezi feel uncomfortable.

She watched from the corner of her eyes as he picked up a conversation with Lady Irysi. How a second later they were both laughing about something that he had said.

She didn't like this vampire one bit.

"Zezi, meet Lord Rosil from the Right Province."

She was a lady but that must be the title for the position she held.

Zezi quickly accessed the woman in front of her. Early fifties. Stunning green eyes. Deep green, long dress, black elbow-length gloves, grey hair in a loose bun with curled strands, a warm sincere smile and--- wait, a warm sincere smile.

That was a first tonight.

"Your Majesty, it is a pleasure to meet you."

Zezi's fingers slipped right into her hands.

"You have really lovely eyes."

"Silas had them too." She smiled, pulling away and Zezi flinched. "Just like Irysi."

She was their mother?

"I'm sorry about his death," Zezi said and Valerick moved his hand along her back in a comforting manner.

He could probably feel that she was uneasy.

It wasn't that she was scared, there was nothing Lord Rosil could do that Valerick wouldn't protect her from.

However, she was nervous.

It wasn't easy to get her nervous, there was just something commanding about Rosil's presence even though she didn't seem like she was posing any threat.

Almost like Delice's aura.

A bit of life.

Just that for her, instead of a twinge of madness Lady Delice had, she has dominance.

Maybe Lord Rosil was also a turned vampire.

Rosil waved a dismissive hand. "Why should you be? He had it coming."

Wow, even his own mother was dismissing his death like it was nothing.

This was very unexpected.

Wasn't he loved by his family?

"How are you finding Lavida?"

"Great. Thank you."

"I hope your journey here wasn't stressful?" Valerick asked. A question he didn't mean while he had been talking to other Lords.

He seemed to be genuine now though.

Maybe Lord Rosil was a friend of his mother's. This c made her realize that really didn't know a lot about Valerick.

She should ask him--- but knowing a lot would make him feel less distant to her, make him feel more than just a fated mate she was falling for... make him feel like a friend.

She didn't know why that felt more dangerous, but she was scared it would throw her off her plans.

It was better to know nothing.

"It was great, your Majesty. It was absolutely lovely meeting you, your Majesty." She was talking to Zezi now. "I hope we meet again some other time. I have some urgent matters to attend to, if you'll excuse me."

"Of course," Valerick responded.

She bowed, then departed from them.

"She seems nice," Zezi said, once she left and Valerick turned her in his arms, his grip around her tight with just enough pressure to keep her form against him, as he effortlessly led her into a dance.

Oh, by the Moon, he was so beautiful.

His white suit was adorned with golden epaulets on each shoulder, artistic golden designs on the chest of his jacket - that was long enough to his knees only at the back, and wrist armour designs around the end of each sleeve.

He had been wearing his black leather gloves when the Ceremony had just started, but he had taken them off so that he could touch her.

So needy.

She had been glad he did though.

Did that make her needy too?

Her fingers moved away a couple of loose hair strands that had been purposely left out of his slick back hair style, to fall over his forehead.

His collars were high, she knew it was part of the style but honestly, she hated it.

He said something but she didn't catch it, instead, the new couple that had just joined them on the dance floor seized her attention.

Confusion, curiosity, unnerved.

Commander Riza and General Basit?

What were they doing here?

Did the White Circle send them?

"Are you alright, my love?"

Her attention snapped back to Valerick, knowing that he had felt her emotions.

She really had to get better at this or he would catch her.

"Yes," she nodded, following his lead and breathing him in. His aura of the first rain calmed her down, but they didn't vanish her questions away.

What were they doing here? What was the White Circle planning?

Also, her family still wasn't here yet.

Could it be that they weren't coming or had they ran into a problem along the way?