“I didn’t order champagne,” I say, in a playfully accusatory tone.
“I thought we should celebrate your first time flying,” she replies, giving the flight attendance a curt nod as she accepts a glass of distilled blood.
We clink our glasses together, and I take a sip. The champagne is crisp, with a subtle sweetness. “How do you know all of my favourites, sir?”
“Only the best for you,” she replies.
It’s impossible not to grin, and my fingers stray to the bejeweled collar I’m wearing. I remember when she said those words to me in her office, when she first gave it to me. I’d felt so insecure then, so nervous about how she felt about me.
I’m still uncertain about many things, but I’ve become much, much more comfortable the past several weeks. Crimson and I have been spending most nights together, and I’ve taken to wearing my collar regularly, even when we’re out. The other vampires and staff, bothmagical and non-magical, know that I’m Crimson’s favourite, but I like having something that demonstrates that I’m her’s.
“Our estimated arrival time is an hour and forty-five minutes, with the headwind,” the flight attendant says. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
Crimson looks at me.
“I’m fine, thank you,” I reply.
“We’ll call for you if we need you,” Crimson says, suggesting we should be alone. A little tingle of excitement flutters in my stomach.
“Of course, the call button is just by your seat,” the attendant tells us. “I’ll be up at the front of the plane.”
She swiftly disappears, leaving us alone on Crimson’s private jet.
I’ve never been on an airplane before, so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but this plane isamazing. The chairs are soft, cream-coloured leather, more like armchairs than something you’d expect on an airplane. There’s a wide table between Crimson and I, and large, oval windows with a view of Midnight City shimmering below.
“This is stunning, my king,” I tell Crimson, unable to take my eyes from the sight. “Thank you so much for bringing me.”
“We should travel more often,” she answers, leaning back comfortably in her seat and crossing her ankle casually over her other knee. “I’m sorry that the first time we’re using the jet is for business.”
“Oh, but I’msoexcited to see Silverlake City!” I reply. “I’ve never been before. Chelsie told me all about it, and about the hotel. She says there’s a beautiful restaurant, and a club, and a whole water park!”
“Yes, Celine and the other northern vampires have built quite an empire there,” Crimson says, a thoughtful expression in her eyes.
“But you like Celine and those vampires, right?” I ask her. I’ve been trying to keep track of all of the vampire politics, or at least as much as Crimson will share with me.
“It’s complicated,” she replies, running a finger along the rim of her glass. “Our Creators were allies, and they were staked in the same conflict. I have no reason to be distrustful of them, but it was Celine who ended her own Creator, and her sister, Renata, who ended mine.”
My brow furrows. “Isn’t that bad, then? Who’s to say they wouldn’t want to hurtyou?”
Even though we’re alone, Crimson drops her voice. I lean forward in my seat to catch everything she says. “Renata did me a favour. I’ve been waiting many decades for someone to stake Xavian, so I could take his spot. If I had done it myself, it would have significantly complicated things. And I don’t suspect that Renata staked Xavian in order to grab power in Midnight City.”
“Why not?” I ask.
A smirk flickers at the corner of her lips. “Renata…has her hands full at the hotel. I don’t think she’s interested in becoming the leader of the Night clan. You’ll understand when you meet her.”
I take a generous sip of my champagne, the liquid mingling with the excitement and the nerves in my stomach. When I started working for the vampires, I never could haveimaginedI would be traveling to visit another vampire clan in Silverlake City. And accompanying the King of the Night clan. I hope I don’t mess anything up. Even though it’s been several months now, I still feel new to this world, and there’s so much I don’t know yet.
Crimson leans forward in her seat. “Paige,” she says, her lips dancing over my name in a way that makes my heart flip. “You don’t have anything to worry about. You’ll be accompanying me and I’ll ensure that you’re safe and well cared for when we’re in Silverlake City.”
Her words immediately assuage all my concerns. “Thank you, sir. I trust you, and I know you’ll keep me safe.” My fingers absentmindedly wander to the collar around my neck, caressing the smooth, peaked tips of its diamonds.
Crimson’s eyes flicker to my neck. “I look forward to showing you everything the hotel has to offer.”
“I can’t wait,” I reply breathlessly. It’s impossible to imagine everything waiting for me…but my body reacts, my nipples tightening under my thin, silk dress, goosebumps erupting across my skin.
“Perhaps we don’t need to wait,” Crimson says with a raised eyebrow. In one gulp, she finishes off her blood and sets the glass on the table between us. In a quick motion, she rises and stands before me. “Care to join me at the back of the jet?”
I put my glass down beside her’s. “Of course, my king.”
