Ovation (Galaxy Circus #9)

Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

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T he tension drains out of my body now that I know the tribunal isn’t happening. I have met the royal family in the past, so sitting at the head table with them is no hardship. Mehira is pleasant company, and she gives me a running commentary after dinner as all of Saxon’s family clan members pass the table, trying to win favor with the queen, Saxon, and Lila.

“Most of them aren’t bad, they are just terrible bootlickers. They are only council to the queen because her brother and his wife were. That’s Saxon’s parents’ clan. Mother couldn’t bear to replace them after their deaths, so she continues to put up with them. They have been slightly helpful over the years, but mostly they are pompous, self-righteous assholes. Mother has been contemplating electing a new council, and they heard about it, hence the fawning.” She waves a contemptuous hand in their direction, taking a sip of her blood wine. “The only one that is half bearable is her.” She points to a beautiful woman with pin straight, long black hair down to her ass. She is standing slightly apart, watching the proceedings with a blank face.

“That’s Saxon’s clan sister, Vanity. Horrible name, but like I said, her mother is an idiot. She prefers to go by Van. She is a little bit of a lone wolf. Many have petitioned to have her in their clan, but she prefers to remain by herself and make use of the feeders and donor bags.”

“Do you know why?” I ask, feeling intrigued.

She shakes her head. “I’m sure she probably doesn’t enjoy all the jostling and scheming involved in establishing a clan hierarchy. Musette and I feel the same. Both of us would rather hold out for a possible blood rose than join a clan. We see how devoted Mother and Father are to one another and want what they have.”

I nod my head in complete understanding. “Have you had any luck yet?” I ask, and she pouts.

“No, but we travel around Vilax regularly. Mother gives us different diplomatic missions in the hopes we might find them in the general population like she found Father, but I think with Saxon finding his with Lila that maybe we need to look beyond the Vilaxian population. Fate has a funny way of putting blood roses in each other’s paths, and neither of us have even had an inkling of ours.”

“You may be right. It’s good that you aren’t closed-minded and bigoted like some of your people.” I think of Radella and Estrella and how they reacted to Lila being Saxon’s blood rose.

Mehira sniffs and waves her hand. “Those two were always full of self-importance. They thought they were above their station because they were in the same clan as the queen’s two nephews. You should have seen their heads nearly explode when they were trying to decide which twin to follow when the clan dissolved.” She giggles evilly.

I think about telling her that they are welcome on the ship if they so choose, since Saxon’s act is short quite a few fliers, but I need to run it by both him and Lila first. He may not want them aboard. Family can be difficult despite the obvious close relationship they have.

Musette stands up and claps her hands, gaining everyone’s attention. “Let the games begin,” she declares, and there is a flurry of activity as tables in the middle of the throne room are cleared away, leaving a group of chairs placed back-to-back.

“What’s happening?” I ask Saxon’s cousin, who just smirks with undisguised glee.

“When Mother and Musette were researching Earth party traditions, they discovered that games are regularly played at them. They decided it would be fun to play a few here as well.”

I frown as I try to remember my own Earth research. I can only remember party games being a staple of children’s birthday parties, not whatever this one is supposed to be. We watch as most of the members of Saxon’s family clan gather around the chairs. The only ones not taking part are his brother and the people gathered around him. His two clan members, Kavita and Dante, are with him, but so are Hale and Velorina.

“What is going on there?” I ask Mehira, and she growls as her gaze finds what I’m referring to.

“Xenos is not being very loyal to his brother. He is making a huge mistake, because Mother has taken note and is not amused,” she replies mysteriously.

Music starts to play, and the clan members begin to dance around the chairs in a large circle. They are writhing and twitching in what I think is supposed to be dance moves, but they almost appear like they are having a fit of some kind.

“What’s going on?” I ask, confused at what I’m seeing. I turn when I hear my wife laughing. Her eyes sparkle with amusement, and she claps in time to the music.

“This is called musical chairs on Earth,” she explains to Saxon and me. “The aim is to dance around the chairs as the music plays, and when the music stops, you need to sit on one of the chairs.”

I turn back to the spectacle, count the chairs, and compare it to the number of clan members. “But there are less chairs than people,” I point out, and she nods, grinning.

“That’s the point. The people who don’t manage to sit in the chair are out.”

“Oh fuck,” Saxon mutters, and my eyes widen as the music stops and there is a mad dash for the chairs. It all happens in a blur of motion, the movement too fast for us to make out due to Vilaxian speed. All of a sudden, someone goes flying through the air, hitting the floor and sliding a distance. Then, there is snarling and cursing as a fight breaks out. Fists fly as blows are exchanged. Lila’s mouth drops open as a chair is smashed over someone’s head.

“Vilaxians are incredibly competitive, and nobody likes to lose,” Saxon says flatly. When the movement finally stops, there are two blood-covered family members—one groaning from being thrown across the room, and one knocked out completely.

The music starts up again, and the chair winners all stand up and continue to dance, stepping around the losers. A couple more chairs are removed, and the injured Vilaxians are escorted off the floor by the queen’s guards.

“Well, that was…” Lila trails off, and Sabine claps her hands.

“Highly fucking entertaining. We should include musical chairs at all of our functions,” she exclaims, congratulating Musette on the wonderful idea.

Musette preens, and Mehira snorts and rolls her eyes. “My choice of game is so much better.” She sits up straight, her wine glass forgotten, wearing a determined look on her face.

Fuck, I had forgotten how competitive the twins are. This surprise party, while a sweet idea, is quickly devolving.

Once musical chairs is over, and the injured losers are all taken care of, we get up to mingle for a little while. Saxon doesn’t stray far from Lila, and I find myself caught up in a conversation with the head of Saxon’s family clan—or I guess the head now that Saxon’s dad passed. He is a pompous fool who likes to toot his own horn, as Lila would say. I’m barely paying attention, instead keeping an eye on my family. Both Saxon’s and Lila’s expressions are looking a little strained at their individual conversations. Xavier, of course, seems like he’s having a blast. I’m sure he’s causing as much mischief as possible.

“Next game. This was my pick,” Mehira shouts as something is lowered from the ceiling. The gathered crowd cheers as the object comes into view. It is a large, star-shaped thing that looks to be made up of an organic material. I find Lila, who is smiling and nodding her head. She obviously knows what this is.

“It is time for the penisata,” Mehira announces and waves a hand. A guard comes over holding a blindfold and a wooden stick. “It is filled with wonderful prizes for those of you quick enough to get them.”

Lila’s smiles drops, and she frowns slightly. I search through my data banks in the hopes I can figure out what a penisata is.

“Who will do the honors in going first?” Mehira asks, and there is a jostle amongst the partygoers as they all fight to go first.

Instead, she waves Saxon forward. “As the guest of honor, it shall be your turn first,” she declares.

Saxon shrugs and smiles good-naturedly, and he allows her to blindfold him before she passes him the stick. She spins him three times and then faces him toward the hanging object.

“Go,” she cries as I finally figure out what this game is. She pronounced it wrong. It’s a pi?ata, and it involves taking turns hitting the object with the stick until it breaks open and candy and prizes spill out.

“Where did you find a pi?ata?” I ask Musette, who is glaring at her sister.

“Oh, we have black market contacts. They smuggled us one from Earth,” she says as Saxon takes a swing and misses. The crowd jeers, his brother the loudest of them all, and I can see his jaw set with determination. Shit, Saxon isn’t immune to the Vilaxian competitiveness.

Something occurs to me. “So that’s a regular Earth pi?ata, and it hasn’t been reinforced for Vilaxian strength?” I ask her, and she cocks her head to the side and shrugs.

“I don’t think so.”

I turn back to see Saxon lift the rod once more and cry, “Wait!”

It’s too late. He swings with determined precision. The stick hits the pi?ata with such force, it is knocked off the string and becomes a lethal projectile, flying across the throne room at super speed. There are screams and shouts as people duck and move out of the way of the deadly flying object. Luckily, no one gets caught in the path, and it smashes harmlessly against a wall where it shatters into a million pieces, the insides sliding down the wall in a musical tinkle. It looks like they filled it with coins and gems, and not the usual candy like on Earth.

There’s a quiet pause as everyone stares in shock before chaos descends as there is a mad dash toward the prizes. People scramble around the floor, trying to fill their pockets. There is more bloodshed, hair pulling, and bitch slapping than a catfight in a warlock’s harem.

“Holy shit.” I shake my head at the carnage, but again, the queen claps her hands.

“This is the best party we have ever had. We will be the talk of Vilax.”

“Your mother is quite insane,” I mutter to Musette, who shakes her head with an amused smile.

“No, not really. She just likes to keep them all on their toes. She isn’t wrong, though, this is fun. Seeing such pompous assholes fight over such petty things really is glorious. They are going to be so ashamed when they sober up and realize how they behaved.”

“That’s devious,” I remark.

Lila is pulling the blindfold off Saxon and congratulating him on a job well done. She sees me watching her and gives me a subtle wink. I chuckle as Xavier approaches us. He’s frowning, so I instantly go on alert. I know he was scanning minds today for nefarious plans.

“What’s going on?” I ask him.

“Xenos is going to try to get a reaction out of Saxon. He’s annoyed that Saxon hasn’t even noticed that Hale and Velorina are with him and his clan again.”

Musette scoffs. “Of course he is. He isn’t happy because the attention isn’t on him. He’s happiest when Saxon is off world because all the focus can be on him. He was so angry when the others decided to go with the circus. I am surprised he’s actually forming a clan with them again. I’m sure it isn’t for the right reasons.”

“He’s going to flirt with me to try to get a reaction out of both Lila and Saxon. Do me a favor and take them away. Ask to see his bedroom or something. Keep him occupied while I deal a blow to Xenos’s ego.”

“Will that cause a problem with the queen? We don’t want to upset Saxon’s aunt,” I ask him, and he and Musette exchange a glance before bursting into laughter.

“My mother will think it’s entertaining. She lives for drama now that Vilax is at peace. It feeds her need for war without bloodshed. Saxon will be the only one hurt. Go distract him. I will make sure the bloodshed isn’t life threatening,” Saxon’s cousin insists.

“His life, not mine,” Xavier growls, and his fingers spark with lightning.

I sigh, knowing there is no talking him out of it. He is offended for his lover and wife and will not take the insult lying down.

I look around the room and find Saxon and Lila standing off to the side. I hurry over to them just as Xenos makes his way to Xavier. He practically slinks like a cat, but unlike Saxon, who unknowingly exudes sexual charisma and lethality from his pores, Xenos kind of looks constipated and awkward, like he’s trying too hard.

I reach Lila and Saxon at the same time as I hear Xenos greet Xavier. “It is a great honor to be in the presence of the warlock. It would be my pleasure to show you around the palace if you would like.” Xenos puts his hand on Xavier’s arm.

A rumbling growl comes from Saxon’s mouth, and Lila hisses.

“What is that asshole up to?” she spits out, her eyes locked on Xenos’s hand.

Instead of shrugging him off, Xavier looks down his nose at the hand on his arm. “You dare to touch me?”

Xenos doesn’t take a hint at the obvious threat.

“Oh, I can do way more than just touch you if you’d like. I heard your sexual appetite is great. Have you ever been bitten by a Vilaxian before? Or a whole clan?”

Saxon stiffens, his rumbling growl getting louder.

“Oh, he did not just suggest that,” I mutter in disbelief. I can’t believe the audacity of Saxon’s twin. He must know that Xavier and Saxon have been lovers before. I know they spent time together during our downtime.

“What’s going on? What’s so bad about what he said?” Lila asks me.

Saxon’s entire body vibrates like he’s barely restraining himself from lashing out at his brother. “Being bitten by a whole clan is taboo. It is dangerous to the bite recipient because all the clan members are drinking from them, and it floods their bodies with so much venom, they don’t know they are dying until it’s too late. Mentioning it in polite company is foolish. There is an underground trade for such practices, and bite junkies are usually the victims,” I explain to Lila as she wraps an arm around Saxon’s waist to distract him

“Bite junkies?”

“Vilaxians who are addicted to venom and its properties,” Saxon says through gritted teeth.

Musette and Mehira, who are both still standing with Xavier, look shocked, their eyes wide and lips pursed with disapproval. Musette mutters some words to Xenos, but he ignores her, keeping his eyes locked on Xavier.

“Come now, I bet Lila would love a tour of the palace and to see your childhood bedroom.” I step in front of Saxon, blocking his view of what’s transpiring.

Lila frowns. “What about X?” she says, and I shake my head.

“He will be fine. He told me he will take care of this and that we are to take care of our guy. Remember, he hasn’t eaten. I bet a bit of blood will help cool his temper. He’s hangry,” I tell her, and she loses interest in Xenos, knowing Xavier will cut the idiot to shreds, and shifts her concern to Saxon.

“You’re right. I’m feeling a little peckish myself. The blood wine was barely enough to alleviate my hunger.” She jumps onto the idea of distracting Saxon beautifully. I wonder if Xavier said something telepathically to her.

It works, because Saxon’s attention turns to his blood rose at the mention of her hunger. “Come on, I will find us somewhere a little more private to feed.”

As I follow the two of them out of the room, neither of them looking backward, I realize the party has devolved and turned into a bit of a feeding orgy. Party favors in the form of blood donors have been brought in, and the feeding and fucking portion of the night has begun. No wonder Xenos approached Xavier, foolish though he may be. I’m sure once Xavier puts Xenos in his place, he will find us.

We wander quietly through the dimly lit palace, only coming across an occasional servant. Most of them are attending the party. Finally, Saxon opens the door to an opulent yet slightly musty room. He crosses the large expanse and throws open a pair of curtains before opening the set of doors leading onto the balcony, letting in a burst of fresh night air. It has a small chill to it, and Lila shivers in her barely there outfit, which was not out of place. In fact, it was a lot more demure than most of the females’ outfits.

When he turns back to face us, his eyes are glowing red, and his fangs are on display. “Oh wow,” Lila says, then she turns and stalks toward me, her eyes red and fangs beared. She waves a hand, and my suit disappears, leaving me naked.

“Lila?” I ask, wanting to make sure she’s okay.

She gets to me and leans in to whisper, “Just go with me. I promise it will feel good.”

I relax. I trust her with my life, and I hate that Saxon is upset, so I’ll let her lead the way.

“Are you hungry, my sweet?” She turns her head to look at Saxon as she runs a finger down the pulsing vein in my neck. I shiver at her touch, and my cock starts to harden. I love the feeling of Lila’s fangs in my neck, and it looks like I’m about to feel Saxon’s too. I can’t wait.