Chapter 11

When we arrived at the double doors leading into the ballroom, Warrick hesitated before he stepped away from me to wrap his hand around the handle. 

"Just so you know, there will be another throne added to the seating area for the Royals. There's only one currently but I do have one being made, just for you that will be seated next to mine. I think you'll love it." He glanced over his shoulder to capture my expression of surprise before facing away to open the double doors. 

My jaw dropped in awe at the magnificence of the ballroom. It was unlike anything I could really and truly describe. The black marble flooring covered the expanse and the sheer drapery that hung from the tall windows were in a blood red color. The gold was littering every stonework, including the throne. As I stepped deeper into the ballroom, I looked across the space and noticed the small detail in the gold where silver was laid into the design. It was a beautiful mixture, the borders along the walls were decorated with gold and silver roses. In the midst of the roses were the intricate swirls that seemed to blur the gold and silver together that pieced into the blood red color that matches the curtains perfectly. I couldn't tell if it was painted that way or if it was magic. I walked over to what I would best describe as the stage where the throne for the King sat tall. The velvet was the blood red while the gold designs swirled along the headrest. Everything in this hall matched perfectly, including the ornate paintings that were set on the walls. The walls were a deep gray which made the red stick out even more against the silver and gold. The chandelier in the middle of the ceiling was massive, gold and silver dangled from the swoops that held the candled lights. The black ceiling made the room seem endless, the only thing it seemed to be missing were the stars. 

I slowly made my way up the stage and hovered my hand over the arm of the throne where Warrick sits. It didn't appear to be used all that often because the red velvet seemed as if it were brand new. 

I lifted my head to look over at Warrick over my shoulder and frowned in confusion. "Do you never use the ballroom?" 

Warrick tilted his head out of curiosity. "How could you tell?" 

"Your throne looks as if it's brand new, there's no tearing in the stitches or the velvet being worn down from use. The fibers would already be gone, especially in the seat if you had." I mumbled softly in slight embarrassment. 

"Did a lot of sewing at the Sanctuary, did you?" He stepped closer to my side. "You can sit in the chair if you want." 

My head snapped in his direction from where my attention drifted towards the back of the throne. "I will not sit in your throne. You're King, I will not disrespect you like that." I felt exasperated that he would even say that to at least someone like me. I may have been his mate, but it's a clear disrespect to the king himself if I were to sit in his throne. 

I shook my head in his direction and turned in his direction, slowly making my way down the steps. "I'm sorry, thank you for the generous offer, but I cannot and will not sit in your throne. I won't disrespect you like that. If you don't mind, I'm ready for that bath now, Warrick. I'm starting to feel gross, more so than I was before and I'd feel terrible if I got all this blood everywhere in this beautiful room." I smiled gently to soften my words. 

"Yes, of course. Come, dove." He held out his arm and covered his hand over mine when I slipped my hand in the crook of his elbow and walked with me back to my room. "So, what did you think of it?" 

"It was beautiful, of course and more grand than I had ever pictured a ballroom to be. When would we have the ball?" I asked him quietly, as my body slowly started to slow and feel sluggish from the scuffle earlier. 

His pace slowed to keep up with mine, his glance told me he noticed how I was starting to feel. "I was thinking in a couple weeks, so I can get everything prepared and send out the invitations to the Lord's and Ladies. Give them enough time and all. And for you to get settled in." 

I nodded slowly in understanding, I looked up and noticed how we were already at my door but it felt like eons at this point with how I was feeling. A thought suddenly popped into my head and I frowned. "Warrick, why weren't there any guards on the roof like there were the first night we arrived here, tonight? When the wolves attacked?" I looked up at him as I cracked open my door. 

His brows furrowed in concentration. "I'm not sure, but thank you for bringing that to my attention. I'll have it dealt with before I go down before dawn."

"Okay, thank you and goodnight, Warrick." I muttered softly and disappeared into my room. 

It was finally time to get this dried blood off of me and feel somewhat normal. 

Warrick's pov -

As soon as Raven shut her door, I took a moment to gather myself. The way her blood tasted earlier was nothing but euphoria and I didn't want to stop. The pain the thought caused of losing my Beloved because I was the one who killed her, made that decision rather quickly. I doubted I could go back to yet another blood bag to sate my thirst now that I've tasted hers, but we'll get to that stepping stone soon enough. I had guards to deal with. 

And with that I took off for the security room where Lochlan was located. He was the head of security and I would like to discuss either why his men were not on the roof or in the gardens tonight, or there would be bloodshed. The inescapable rage I felt in the moment of realization, made me want to leave the infirmary wing and head down there myself to deal with the buffoons, but my mate needed me. Now that she's gone to rest, I can handle what I need. 

Slamming the door open to the security room, Lochlan stood with a swiftness and looked like he was about to say something but noticed who I was at the last moment. 

"Where were your men in the gardens and the roof tonight?" The rage could be felt in the room as I stepped closer to my head of security. 

I watched him swallow and pale at my question. "They were doing their duties, were they not, Your Majesty?" 

I growled low in my chest. "Do you think I'm blind?" 

"No of course not, Your Majesty." 

"Do you think I'm a fool, Lochlan?" 

"Of course not, sir." He took a small step back and that's when the rage took over. 

Grabbing his throat, I slammed him into the wall. Plaster rained down around him as a large crevice was created from the force of my rage. My nails lengthened into claws and I could smell his blood as they began to pierce his skin. 

Leaning forward slowly to speak in his ear. "Then why are you questioning me about your missing men that did not come to fight off the wolves and protect your King and future Queen, Lochlan?" 

"I-I'm not sure, my lord. I will get to the bottom of it as quickly as possible." Lochlan was shaking like a leaf by the time I decided to take a step away. 

"You have failed me, Loch. And this will be the last time you fail me. If anything happens to my mate on your watch, I'll have your heart. Am I understood?" I pricked my tongue with my fang to calm my mind before I actually did take his heart for putting my mate in danger. 

"It won't happen again, my Lord. I'll take care of it." He bowed low, showing his submission and I stepped out of the room before slamming the door shut behind me.