XXVII: The Delay

I worked late into the night. The advisors were sick of me. Their irritated sighs did not deter me from my vision. Their retire hours were long past, and I still pushed them forward with tasks.

Commands, really. As Feyd had taught me to do.

It wasn't until late in the morning, when they refused to indulge me any longer, that I returned to Feyd's chambers. I climbed into an empty bed. My body felt stiff and tired. The weight of my lids became unbearable the moment I touched the cool slick sheets.

Sometime later - I could not tell when - Feyd returned to the bed for a short rest. His warm arms touched mine. That I do remember. It welcomed me into a deeper slumber.

Then, he was called away on another mission. There was information regarding a sietch. He readied himself in a rush. His lips touched my forehead in a parting kiss. The memory was a blur. I was so exhausted that I'd barely lifted my head to acknowledge the intrusion.

Several hours later, I arose to an empty chamber.

The dwindling light of the sun was brilliant against the horizon. A golden shimmer through the air. I did not question how the desert consumed so many. I, too, found myself lost to the enchantment of its warmth, beckoning me out into its belly. The allure of a dangerous and mysterious place was like a haunted instinct. I resisted the orange and red colors in the sky, the melting of their hue to the darkness that came afterward.

Witan greeted me with weary eyes. However, attitudes were not foul. It was the best I could hope for.

"The luck of the dunes," one said. "The na-Baron is away. Your preparations can be without his knowledge."

My mind caught the accusation in the innocent statement. Your. My responsibility. If things went wrong, the festival wore my signature.

I swallowed back my growing tensions. "Excellent."

One of the older advisors to my right was a very silent man. I observed enough to know he was the one who examined transmissions around the planet. He knew of motions in the desert, if there were disturbances in their signals.

My eyes turned to him with an attempt at a smile. "You didn't plan that out for my sake, did you?"

"No, lady witch. Reports were genuine."

"Oh. Then it is my true luck," I teased lightly. "A sign from the desert, perhaps. I need more help than I thought."

Another advisor piped in to assure me. "Set-up is underway, my lady. The slaves began at the start of the morning."

"Before the na-Baron left?" I asked.

"Your celebration is quite extensive. There is much work needed to be done before tonight," they explained in a stoic tone.

"Does anyone know if my lord na-Baron noticed?"

They shook their heads.

I exhaled from my lips. "If he noticed, it did not matter. His mission was of upmost importance."

"Yes, my lady."

Lord Bondar, whom I almost forgot was in attendance, shifted in place. My eyes caught the motion in the corner of my eye.

Ugh.

Let me get this over with. "Lord Bondar," I said.

The lord perked at the attention. "Yes, Lady Mintha."

"How fare the nobles? Freshly cleaned with their new allotments, I trust."

His head bowed. "Yes. My lady is most gracious in her gift. They are exuberant for a festival. I trust there will be entertainment."

"Entertainment has been handled," another advisor added.

"The Baron's court was far more interesting," the lord stated. My skin bristled at his tone. "In all due respect to the na-Baron. The nobles are bored of these Arrakis affairs."

"The Baron's coffers are deeper than ours," retorted from an advisor's mouth, insulted at the suggestion that Feyd lacked his royal finesse for fun.

My mouth curled into a smile. Little did this lord know what was planned to entertain the nobility. "They'll see something they have not. Trust that."

A crude smirk toyed at the corner of his mouth. "We shall see."

Vishti forced me to stop for lunch a time later. They pulled me away from the Great Hall to feed me. "You must eat, my lady. Na-Baron says you do not eat. That is no good for you. Your body will grow sick, yes? The baby takes it all. You eat more to feed you both."

"Vishti, I do not have time. There is so much to do."

"You are a high lady. There are people to do it for you. Vishti feed you as na-Baron says."

Once I sat down, my body answered with its many aches. Largely my lower back. It burned. "Ooh." I touched the curve of it at the base of my spine.

"See? You overdo it." Vishti waved their hands. "Wallah. My lady, you need rest."

"I can't rest. I have to get it done for Feyd."

"Na-Baron will not like his party if you are in poor condition when he returns. Eat and drink your tea," Vishti urged.

Although I did not want to, I did as they instructed. My mind still ran fast. Over and over, I pondered the progress that happened without me. I yearned to have the information given to me.

Vishti brought another full kettle in after I drank the last of the first.

"Can this water be spared? Did you see the new allotment for me?" I asked.

"You will never run out of water, my lady."

"Are you certain?"

"Oh, yes." They nodded. Their veils shifted as they did so. "Drink up."

The woes of my body became less. Just like Vishti said they would.

I did not relay the information on. It would only encourage them more.

Instead, I was surprised with a visit from Aishti. She entered my chambers with a tense expression on her face.

My gut twisted in an instant. Did she mourn Adnan? I wondered if I should offer something in repayment.

"Hello Aishti," I said softly.

"My lady." She tipped her head. Overtop her shoulder was a cloth bag. "I have your dress here, made just as you asked for. But, please, lady, this is -."

"I swear it is what I want."

I was very specific in my vision for this festival.

Aishti pulled the garment from the bag. The thick black fabric billowed out at the bottom with a narrow skirt up to the hips before it cut out with a lace overlay for my pregnant belly. The swell of my womb would be fully shown in the dress, as I imagined a proud Harkonnen would show it.

A short bustier of black lace topped it with two fallen straps. There was an obscene necklace in my jewelry that was netting of black jewels, like a spider web. It went collarbone to collarbone, down to the start of my cleavage.

There were matching black velvet gloves I fawned over. "You did it," I breathed in awe. They were elbow length, soft velvet, the richest shade of ebony that could be made. The fingers were fitted with sharp velvet tips, like claws.

Aishti grimaced but allowed me to try them on.

"It is the na-Baron's style," I assured the uncertain faces. "He will like it. I swear."

"But." Aishti said stilted. "They will see."

Her fingers pointed to the cutout for the stomach in the dress.

"It cannot be hidden forever."

"There are better ways, my lady."

"It is important that I do this. Feyd does not seem to think now for the ways of the court. He only cares to protect me from harm. It's clouding his mind."

She shook her head. "I do not understand. Is a good thing, yes? Protect you and the baby."

"You do not know the way of these monsters. If I do not show a strong front, they will divide us for their own gain. The race to be his favorite, the one who bears his children, is over. If I show it now. They will change the tactics of their scheming. Next, they will want to be useful, friends to their na-Baron, friends to me. It will be their only way. First borns are far more important. I think they will see it that way."

"And if they do not?"

I cleared my throat. "I'll be forced to be aggressive."

God willing, it would not come to that.

Preparations for the festival overtook the day. The Great Hall was fashioned in drab black gothic decor with large ornate brass statues throughout. Black woven lace was thrown over the tabletop candelabras. The candle wax dripped down the arms. Stuffed birds of black feathers hung from the walls. A backdrop to the throne was created in the same glossy black texture, with long feathers spread out to the sides, as if the one sat on the throne would take flight.

Brass and silver chalices lined the tables. There were pitchers of elegance that held their favorite wine. Its deep red hue showed under the dim light like a puddle of blood. It would appease the ones who it was meant to.

A Harkonnen affair was macabre, but never so gothic and thematic as I designed. I'd been helped by the stewards to match the event to those once held on Geidi Prime, for the nobles to enjoy, while feeling more regal.

I wanted Feyd to feel every bit of adoration from this festival in his honor.

The throne itself was coated in a slick grey fabric rather than the black metal and leather. I rather liked the way it looked with the backdrop of feathers behind it.

Local townspeople not invited to the intimate festival within the castle would be given access to the castle grounds for the festival. There would be nourishment provided. Music of their own to listen to while a show of fireworks split their night sky.

It was a large expense - one that the advisors never let me forget. However, it was worth it.

This was my thanks to Feyd. Arrakis deserved some of the thanks. It had only aided my thawing.

My vision was near complete when Vishiti announced that it was time that I rested before the festival. It would take place in a couple of hours. That was a rush, if you believed Vishiti. They fussed over all the work I'd done. It was too much for my body. Too hard for an expecting mother to work.

There was no person I would leave my fate to in this castle. Except myself.

It very much was my fate on the line. I had made many executive decisions that should have been in Feyd's power, not mine. If he did not like it and did not like what I intended for the party, it would be a possible ending to the tripwire of our relationship.

Although I knew there was no way out of his entrapment, Feyd had options, changed at the drop of a hat and had the means to cut me down if I overstepped his honor. Maybe my place was not so permanent as he claimed. There could be others in the castle that he entertained. Maybe I was a fool for how lofty my belief in him was.

"Vishiti," I said quietly as they spread oil across my back. "Are there others that you've seen the na-Baron with?"

"Heh?" They asked, only half listened to my statement.

My insecurities felt like a burden I could not help but drop on them.

"Others like me. Who he, you know, visits. Does the na-Baron visit other people? Ladies, servants, soldiers, the lords?"

Feyd was very adamant in his statement that he did not like men. It would not matter to me if he did. My care only rested with this: was I his only, or one of?

"No, my lady. The na-Baron does not visit any in this castle."

"Are you certain?"

"Oh, yes. Vishti would know."

I swallowed. "You'd tell me if you knew?"

To that, they went quiet. My lips fell to a frown.

"Please, Vishiti."

"I would tell you if you asked it of me, lady," they revealed.

"So, he doesn't?" I asked quickly.

They shook their head. "No. His eyes only look for you, my lady."

Discussion on Feyd dropped away. It turned toward the ornate costume I'd commissioned for myself. Vishiti did not care for it. Their wrinkles went deeper as they appraised the length of me in the making of my full display. Their head shook in dismay.

I understood why.

I fit the part of one of the Harkonnen monsters.

"Black lip stain," I requested.

"Too much black," Vishiti complained.

"So, white lips?"

They plucked a color from the bag. "Rose?"

"A warm shade will contrast, don't you think? I need to look the part."

"There is blood red, if you like. They like that color."

"Black is better," I said. The clock showed a very late time. "Hurry. I have to be there in a few minutes."

"People will just be arriving then," they countered.

"I want to be the first thing they see," I replied. "The nobility will want to speculate and gossip before Feyd shows up. That's when the fun all starts. They will like the time to chat about something."

Vishti flexed their brow. "How do you know so much now? You not care before."

"All my memories are of watching these people. How they act. How they move. I did not understand it then. I only wanted to know the signs of danger. But now. Feyd taught me how to move through them. He uses their own behaviors against them. I need to do that, too, if they are going to respect my position."

Vishti did not agree on the path, but they helped me into the Great Hall before anyone had arrived. It was only the last-minute preparations being done by the castle staff that filled the space. The musicians were setting up on the edge of the room, as they were all celebrations before.

"I will help you up." Vishiti offered out their hand.

The throne. My eyes widened.

"They will not like to see me up there."

"It is where you belong."

"They do not agree," I said. "I'll stand in the center for now. I want to be the first thing they see when they enter."

The whole Great Hall was unlike itself. It was decorated, beautifully. I could only imagine the look on Feyd's face when he saw it.

A lifetime of being adored for the wrong reasons, I hope that it would feel better to be celebrated for one thing he himself chose.

"Get Yulyushek. I want to see the gift before the na-Baron arrives," I instructed.

"Which one is that?" Vishti shrugged.

"Just find the attendant for their room. They'll know who."

The musicians started warming up the string instruments. The duduk was especially nice to listen to. It held a sound that was unlike any other.

I even told the musician so. "Just lovely. That is perfect."

"Thank you, my lady."

The slinking shadow of an advisor appeared not long before the time was due to start. Noise outside the grand doors of the hall had grown in number. There were many in wait of passage.

Yulyushek held a long skinny box under his one arm. The other was limply held at his side.

He bowed with a short snap of his back. "Lady Mintha. I have what I assume you are asking for."

I smiled. "You've read my mind."

He pulled the box stiffly down. He winced as he lifted the box for display.

"It is a fine specimen," he stated. "A very fine gift."

I dared not touch it. "Do you think he will like it?"

"Na-Baron Feyd-Rautha has an affinity for blades, does he not?"

"He does," I hummed in delight.

"It is a fine blade."

"I agree." The blade was not the significant part of it. "Ceremonial you said?"

"From what I understand, it is not used for carnal delights."

I shrugged as the lid was replaced. "That is alright. He has plenty for that."

"Quite right, Lady Mintha."

"I'll ask for it when he makes his grand entrance. Before he takes his seat on the throne. I'd like to present it to him."

"Which slave shall be assigned to it?"

"I'd prefer you be the one who tends to it until then. You are the one who found it for me."

He nodded in agreement. "Very well, Lady Mintha." His eyes flicked to the main gates. "They await."

"They hunger," I replied.

The snarls of hungry devouring beasts.

Soon their riptide would wash against me. Tear me apart with their fangs, the stench of rot from their bite would sink through me. Blood. So much of my blood would spill.

I was left alone to meet the spill of their bodies through the home I'd made for Feyd. Their wide eyes stared at me, their main center piece amongst the black standing tables across an otherwise open floor. Long sitting tables encircled the main center of the room. The gloom of the room matched that of their home world.

Women entered with black veils overtop their faces blocking their ravenous attitude from sight. Some adorned in black or grey leather dresses with slits clear up the sides to their ribs. Scandal felt the theme amongst them. Much of their bodies were displayed in racy outfits. Women and men.

A young man with a scar in his top lip entered the room in only a lion cloth. I recognized him from the scar. My skin prickled with tension.

One of Feyd's harem.

A friend.

The scar was a dead giveaway. In the light, it was nothing but when he smiled, it turned him into a menace that I did not want to meet.

I'd seen him across a room before, or in a private conversation with Feyd like they were plotting the demise of someone. Feyd used to be tutored along with that man. He disliked mentioning men to me, but he would complain a strange murmur or two about the man when he would visit my chambers in the Baron's castle. It was said aloud, like talking to himself. I never asked. I did not want to know a haunted creature that Feyd respected.

Now, there was importance attached to the man. His scar lifted in the middle of his mouth as he appraised the room. Slitted eyes jumped around. They observed the decor a minute, but where they truly took notice was the people inside the room. He scoured the faces. Content with what he found, he took a long sniff through his slitted nostrils.

The slender man was that of a sapling, but I knew better than to doubt his size.

Feyd did not like him for nothing.

Lady Semenova appeared first through the crowd to approach me. Oversized earrings dangled against her shoulders - tiny bones - as she stepped over. The man she dragged at her side was far older. His wrinkles set deeper into his pale skin. The lesions on his neck were pretty advanced. The young nobles had some, on arms or near their eyes, but they were the size of the tip of a toenail. So small and insignificant.

Lord Semenova flicked his wrist to the ceiling above. "Fetching," he commented. "The false sense of familiarity is a nice attempt. It lacks a taste of coal."

"I prefer it without the coal," Lady Semenova stated. "I smell my wine here." Her glass hanged lazily from her fingertips. "Tastes different that way."

"The na-Baron is akin to his home, but looking for his own touch on things," I said. "The Great Hall was my attempt at that vision."

"I am in raptures. I adore these furnishings." The lady ran a finger along the slender standing table covered with black cloths topped with bronzed statues of horror inspired artwork. I'd demanded that none be obscene like the ones once decorated in the chambers Feyd and I resided.

These were beautiful, haunted, but tasteful.

Their faces did not fill me with disgust to view.

Not that the nobility would share in the feelings. They overlooked happenings. They overlooked Feyd's.

"Like home," the lord agreed.

"A nod to Geidi Prime in a new home," I added with a smile. "Progress. That is what we are all here for."

This was not the black sun planet. This was not their home. This is not the place from whence we came.

It was a new start.

Our place.

Not the Barons.

"Please," I hummed. "Enjoy the night."

The stares of all the monsters before me were so familiar now. Their eyes traveled the length of my elaborate dress. Attention lingered on the exposure of my stomach. What did it mean? Was it swollen because I was fat, pregnant, a design choice?

I'd given them an oppurtunity to do what they did best: speculate from afar.

Lord Semenova was the first to whisper to the others of his social circle. I caught his shifty glances toward me at the corner of my vision as I grabbed a goblet of clear water. My attention was pretended to be kept elsewhere as he gobbled on. The ears that leaned closer as he murmured were hungry. They themselves whispered along in a train, all eager for a shred of word.

The murky air of the Great Hall was a demented atmosphere. Across the room had to be seen through squinted eyes. Shadows were an aid; it hid the devious natures of the Harkonnen delights from the blaring light.

Not many of the Harkonnen's enjoyed Arrakis; I wondered if the severity of light was the reason.

Seldom things felt sneaky if done in a blinding glare.

These monsters needed shadows to do their work. I'd given them just that.

Darkness.

They set straight to work. Their mouths were colored the hue of blood suckers. Laughter, boisterous and maniacal.

Already, I'd watched a woman be showered in a spill of crimson red liquid, and the multiple dukes stepped up to wash her clean. With their mouths.

It was done as their fathers, sisters, peers watched on. The same hunger filled them all.

My body was forced calm. I used every ounce of strength to keep stoic in the light of the delights they engaged in. It was all things seen before. Only, with my melted resolve, I felt all new horror at the way these people indulged themselves.

The awareness that I'd released all these monsters into their feral minds without Feyd around was an all-encompassing fear I had to forget to walk again.

It was about Feyd. I did this for him.

A while later, Lord Bondar made his entrance. His family of women followed behind. They wore their best dress, despite that unironically looking shredded and mangled against their bodies as if an animal had attacked with talons and claws.

Lord Bondar walked as if a crown balanced atop his head. He did not lower his chin for anything.

Of course, then, a small mouth pressed into his ear to discuss my attire. It captured his instant attention. He tilted his chin low to take in the entirety of my gown.

This time, I allowed him to notice my attention of his. I lifted my glass with a short nod.

As the lord approached me with his stiff smile, the news of my suddenly swollen belly spread throughout his family. The elder daughter was stricken. Her eyes were wide as she looked at me now. Our eyes connected through the very densely crowded hall. The was a vacuum, her and I shared.

So many things kept locked in unspoken tension between us that it could not be seen as anything but rivalry to those who noticed.

Lady Bondar rushed on to spread gossip further. Her mouth chirped at startling speeds. It could be seen even from behind her hand.

The younger sister Elmira whispered into the Motya's ear. Our eyes broke away. Her head shook in disagreement to whatever her sister said.

"Lady Mintha." He greeted me with an attempt at respect. "Pleased with the turn out?" He gestured toward the people of the castle whom I left him in charge of.

"I am. Na-Baron with be most honored when he arrives."

"Let us hope the desert returns him soon enough to enjoy the..." his eyes roamed around the room, "splendors you have planned for us."

I smiled sweetly behind my glass. "None compare to what I have planned for him after."

He chuckled. "Of that, I have no doubt."

The smile did not reach his eyes. They remained lackluster and venomous. To match his insides.

All the pain he'd caused in meetings just to spite me, humiliate me, or prove my unworthiness of the responsibility surged back to the surface as he attempted to mock me - as I knew he did not have high hopes for this festival. The curl of a snarky smile only prompted me to allow the leech of anger into my veins.

I, however, had perfected its control. My pulse kept steady as the anger went straight to the place it mattered.

"The na-Baron will be happy to see his water to bathe was well appreciated." The dead stare followed the gesture of my eyes. Young men lapping up the liquid - wine or blood, I did not want to know. "Imagine. The riots if they had come unclean."

The lord said nothing.

"Enjoy the night, Lord Bondar." I hummed in a hauntingly satisfied sound, it had to taunt his pride.

I was all too pleased with myself. My hips swayed with that of a confident woman Feyd allowed me to be. The power over these conniving lords gave me more venom than they liked.

The coil of confidence wound tighter. I proudly walked around the room. The important families that Feyd always made sure to greet were given my personal welcome.

They fawned with their fangs withdrawn. Their mouths curled in sweet smiles.

All lies.

There came a time in the hour when a toast was expected.

Feyd was always the one to make it. Every time.

He still had not arrived. Nor was there word of his expected time of return.

It fell to me. The night was my own making.

Quiet came when the clinking of goblets was made. All eyes turned to the dais. I stood at the base of the great throne without intention of ever placing myself on it without Feyd. The music slowed.

My stomach soured. It screamed in disbelief that I was about to speak aloud in front of all these monsters for a shred of favor. I had to push it from my thoughts to continue.

"The na-Baron is still delayed," my voice echoed in the grand space, "but it is in his honor that we have gathered tonight. And his honor would demand that we use this night to our advantage. Waste not a drop."

"Not a drop," was a single answer back before a fall of quiet as they sipped from their goblets.

Pitchers of wine had been refilled once. After the toast, another was needed.

Before food, came entertainment. There was always need for entertainment if the nobles were gathered. They'd devour the walls if not.

I snapped my fingers. A servant appeared at my side. The tips of their fingers were coated with a thick black stain.

"Get the sacrifices," I murmured.

"Yes, my lady."

They wanted depraved. They yearned for the taste of blood in the air.

They'd get their wish.

Deep and low music filled the Great Hall while the party continued on with its socializing. Many appetizers and pitchers deep, the nobles were ignorant of the happenings in the center of the open floor until the wooden structure had been constructed. Their murmurings grew in concern as they watched the local women, in full length robes covered in silken black feathers, build a fire within the structure built in the center of the room. The nobles' murmuring turned to uncertainty like delightful music to my ears.

Lord Bondar glanced from his gaggle of followers to meet my eye.

I sat on the stairs of the dais with a smirk that would have made Feyd proud.

The women again entered the room with live animals. The show had just began when the great hall doors were thrust open with a loud clatter.

A strong stomp echoed.

I stood in sudden snap.

The crowd parted to show the long-awaited guest of honor. Feyd was on his highest alert. Quick pace of his stomps ignited the fuel of my fires. He was agitated. Ready.

The strength of his stare was intense until it landed upon me. He stood still.

Eyes now followed the design of my dress down to my exposed, curved and very obvious belly.

I put my arms to the side. "Welcome to your festival, na-Baron Feyd-Rautha."

The dark of his eyes widened as he glanced around. Eyes of his subjects looked to him. The smiles of their half-slaked lusts convinced him calm.

"My festival?" He repeated.

He had only just landed. His gear was still intact, he smelled of hot sand. The beads of sweat atop his head were very visible with the glow of the firelight.

The crackling of fireworks started outside the castle walls. Their bursts were fired from the towers out into the air of the castle grounds. Quick popping.

Feyd turned quick in surprise.

"Fireworks," I relayed. My feet moved toward him. "To celebrate you." My fingers quickly reached for a goblet and lifted it high. "Hail."

"Hail, hail, hail," repeated, echoing louder.

Feet stomped in rhythm. It grew louder, stronger with each moment. It vibrated up my calves.

A servant bent down on one knee as they offered a large silver goblet jeweled and gaudy in the style that Feyd liked. The bloody surface reflected the orange flicker of flames.

Feyd drank his fill of the wine with a smile.

A round of applause surrounded him.

The festival continued. The voices of the many rose, all in want of Feyd's attention.

The women spoke from behind their veils. The strong difference of their native tongue hit nearby ears with interest. The guests calmed slight. Their interest in what was happening with the fire was more important.

"Should we continue, lady?" They asked.

Feyd raised his chin in question. I fought a smile.

"Wait for the na-Baron to return," I instructed. "Once he's freshened up, begin the slaughter."

His mouth swallowed a grin. The confusion, still, toyed at the edges of his expression. His arm was offered out to me. "My lady. Please, escort me."

"Oh."

He excitedly pulled me out the doors of the Great Hall in the direction of his chambers. Though he did not want to wait. A nearby door was wretched open and our bodies were pulled inside of it.

"Mintha." He spoke calmly. His eyes were anything but calm. "What is all this?"

"Did you not hear?" I lifted my tippy toes. One glove slid down the length of my arm until it hit the floor. My fingers walked up the length of his neck. The other was kept gloved, clawed, scratching along the outer plates of his armor. "A festival in your honor."

"You did this?"

My fingers walked along his jawline. The plump beauty of his lips perked more as the tips of my fingers ran along their surface, so dried and cracked.

"Yes," I said.

"All of it."

"I had some help," I revealed quietly. Our eyes met. He did not show that he understood. "Your absence in Witan gave me an opening to exploit. Once business was settled."

"You've been running the castle?" He asked in great disbelief.

"Somebody had to. Your spineless advisors wouldn't make a move without my say so," I snapped. "You were busy in the desert. What did you expect me to do? Things don't run on their own."

His hand touched my shoulder. His thumb caressed my skin with the gentlest touch.

"And this?" He gestured toward the dress.

I did not back down. "A statement that needed made."

His lips grew to a small smile. "My Empress." He kissed my shoulder. An intimate caress of his tongue against my flesh told me what he intended to do. "Let me worship you."

"Later." I chuckled. "Right now, you're missing your own party."

The devious tip of his tongue ran along my shoulder blade. "I'll worship you right."

"Don't you even want to see what I have planned for you?"

He perked. "More than the festival."

"So much more," I purred.

He groaned against my skin. "I love you, my sweetness." His fingers gripped my hair. He pulled it back so that my face looked up to his height. The hardness of his excitement for me pressed against me. "You are my everything."

It was said so seriously that I could not breathe.

Hairs pulled from my scalp as I nodded against his grip.

A single finger ran along the center softness of my throat. "I'll burn for you."

Burn he did.

While he was presented with his attire that I had prepared for him for his own party, he used all his skills to seduce me into his bed. It took all my restraint to deny him.

I'd worked too hard for him to blow it off.

"One taste of your mouth," he bargained. "I want to feel your tongue against mine."

"I'll get you covered in lipstick."

Feyd showed me how little he cared by dragging his mouth against mine. He held around my hips to keep me in place as he thrust his tongue in and out of my mouth with want. He groaned when I moved against him, too, losing my resolve to leave his bedchamber.

The touch of his body against mine only ever tempted me further into his feral needs. We only ever needed one look, one kiss, before our bodies ignited the same spark inside.

"Please." I managed to breathe in between ragged kisses. "I have things planned."

"They will enjoy them without you there."

He pressed his lips at my throat. His hands gripped the hefty necklace to the side to better access the sensitive spots of my neck.

"I did not throw this party for your stupid fucking court. It is your party. For you," I said fiercely. It was my only weapon against lust. His lust, and mine. "You now have an heir, Feyd. Your rule is being cemented. You've done your duty. That is important to celebrate with your people."

"Duty was not the reason," he said.

I sighed. "I know that. Please. Just allow me to do something for you. You've done so much for me."

"Mintha, you do everything for me. The most that any thing or person could. I do not need more."

"Well you're gonna get more. So, get going out there to see what I've done for you."

Feyd amused me by entering the festival in his name. He pretended to be bothered by it, but the layers of attention sank deeper than his lust. His ego inflated with the fawning of his beloved subjects.

The fire had grown in our absence. His confusion at the live fire in the middle of his castle did show. He shrugged his shoulder at me.

I smirked. "All in good time."

When we neared the dais, I slipped my arm from his hold. He paused. He tilted his head.

Yulyushek sidled nearer.

The box was clutched within his hands.

"Na-Baron," I said loud enough for the room to silence itself.

Feyd scanned across the room before his eyes returned to me. There was a lack of understanding that he typically wore. It made him uncomfortable. He shifted, forcing his features indifferent.

"Allow me the honor of gifting you the first tithe of the night."

Yulyushek pulled the top off the box. It was the first time I was to touch Feyd's gift. I grew nervous. It was so important, that I feared my touch would ruin it. It was a beautiful piece of art. The blade was not for use because it was meant to be admired. Up close, I noticed just how the craft was intricate and delicate.

My fingers slipped against the cool smooth hilt.

I pulled the blade from the box. The crowd hummed with interest. Their murmurs grew louder the longer the strange blade was shown in the light.

Feyd stepped down the stairs to come close. He examined the length of the unique spiraled blade without a tell of emotion upon his face.

"It is a tusk blade from the House of Rabban," Yulyushek relayed.

The weight of the blade was extraordinary. It felt like a relief when I took hold of the blade to rest my one wrist.

"It is a ceremonial knife from Lankiveil," I said. "Your home." I offered the heavy blade to him. Down to my knees, I held it for his honoring as a proper lady would. "To carry on a legacy, you should have something to pass on from your past."

Feyd blinked.

"For when your heir is of age."

My voice carried.

The room remained quiet, but with a built energy within it. Many assumptions were confirmed. Their relief or satisfaction or excitement released from their lungs into the very air they all shared. The Great Hall was consumed with emotions within. I felt it prickle my skin. Anticipation.

We all stood perched on a ledge of future and past. The beautiful delight of plunging forward was just below our toes.

A split of emotion changed Feyd's face. His eyes drifted to my swollen, eager, smiling lips. He leaned close.

My body thrummed in wait of his kiss.

Only, another sound impeded our jump into our future.

The great doors of the Great Hall split. The whirring hiss of air - like a murderous scream - defused our joy.

Feyd overlooked my shoulder and saw the only thing I knew to make his face look that way: The Baron.