The North Read online

“You’ll be perfect—just look at you in your dress.” Gwyneth beamed as Winnie proudly smoothed the full skirt of her ballgown. “And spreading the flower petals is a very important job.”

  “Not as important as the rings.” Remy lifted his chin.

  “We talked about this last night. The flowers are just as important!” Winnie’s cheeks started to turn pink.

  “Of course they are,” Gwyneth soothed her little sister, pulling her closer. “The flowers are crucial.”

  Remy clenched his fists, warming to the topic. “Really, the rings are the most—”

  Trumpets sounded from outside, the crowd erupted into a fresh round of cheers, and Gwyneth’s eyes sparkled. “It’s time. Is everyone ready?” She could barely contain her excitement as she straightened herself.

  The maids were on us all in an instant, smoothing and fluffing and making certain that we all looked perfect. “We’ll see you down there, miss.” Bria and Bettina curtsied.

  “Are you sure you don’t want us to wait?” Evangeline pursed her lips.

  “I want you in the chapel.” Gwyneth squeezed her hand one final time. “It means everything to me that you’re attending the wedding as my honored guests. It’ll give me strength, seeing you in the pews.”

  The trumpets sounded again and there was another knock on the door. “They’re ready for you, my lady,” another sentinel called.

  Gwyneth took a deep, steadying breath. “This is it. We should all take our places.” We lined up and headed down the stairs. Evangeline, Bria and Bettina went first; they would walk to the chapel with the other guests. Winnie and Remy followed them, then the other bridesmaids and me, followed lastly by Eve and Gwyneth. The camera crew brought up the rear, and another one would be waiting to film us outside. The crowd’s chants became louder as we descended from the tower. When we reached the landing, the sentinels sent the maids on. They blew kisses at Gwyneth and then linked arms, heading out into the bright morning sun with their chins held high. The crowd cheered loudly when they saw them.

  It was all over the news that Gwyneth had invited her maids to the wedding. A new day was dawning in the settlements. If the roar of the crowd outside was any indication, the settlers were thrilled with the new direction.

  We waited as each of the guests, dressed in their resplendent finery, filed into the chapel. The bridal party would be the last to walk out. Shaye gripped my arm as the crowd roared once again. We leaned toward the tiny window and saw the Black Guard marching across to the chapel, the royal banners flying out behind them. “Ooh, the royals are next! My goodness, this is so exciting!”

  Heavy boots sounded on the stairs. “Here we are, sir. Your daughter’s right up here, waiting.” A sentinel ascended with a thin, frail-looking man holding onto him.

  “Daddy!” Winnie and Remy hugged his legs but were careful not to knock him over.

  “I just saw you two minutes ago, you silly things.” Still, Christian West lovingly kissed the tops of their heads. Chuckling, Gwyneth’s father smiled up at the rest of us, his eyes sparkling. “I daresay you all clean up quite nicely!”

  “Daddy!” Gwyneth carefully made her way to him and wrapped her arms around his bony shoulders. She rocked him back and forth in a gentle, worshipful hug, then pulled back and peered at his face. “Are you sure you’re up for this? I don’t want you to get too tired.”

  “For the love of all things holy, it’s not that far! And if you think I’m going to miss walking my daughter down the aisle, you’ve gone mad.” He beamed at her. “Just look at you, Gwyneth. You’re so beautiful it takes my breath away.”

  Gwyneth’s face pinched. “Please breathe.” She’d been beside herself with worry over her father ever since he’d arrived at the castle. He’d been so ill that he was in and out of consciousness for weeks. Even though he was a rebel, Dallas had made sure that Christian was cared for by the very best doctors at the palace. He’d begun recovering, slowly regaining some of his color and weight, but Gwyneth worried nonetheless.

  “I’m breathing, I’m breathing—don’t be ridiculous, you’re fussing over me just like your mother.” Christian chuckled. “And stop that frowning, you’ll crease your makeup! That won’t do for all the people out there, waiting to catch a glimpse of their new princess.” He clasped her hand as the trumpets sounded again.

  “Are you ready?” Gwyneth asked him.

  “I am indeed.” He grinned at her, his gray-green eyes sparkling. “More importantly—are you?”

  She nodded, true joy breaking out over her face. “Yes.”

  The chants fired up again, bringing my attention back to the crowd. “Long live the king! Long live the queen!” I practically knocked Tamara out of the way in order to peer out the window again. The king and queen were at center stage, waving to the onlookers. The queen stopped and curtsied. The crowd went mad, cheering and clapping in a deafening cacophony. When the queen rose, I caught the flash of a smile on her face, something I literally thought I’d never see. Queen Serena was a bit of testy, old-school vampire, but her smile told a different story. She was clearly thrilled for her son.

  Her vampire prince son, who was about to marry a human commoner.

  Maybe the times really were changing.

  Next came the groomsmen: Sergeant Miles, Dallas’s closest friend from the Guard; Lucas, his friend since childhood; Lord Bryson, a tall, striking cousin I’d never met before; and of course his younger brother, Prince Austin, his best man.

  My heart rate kicked up when I saw the younger prince. Resplendent in his dress uniform, his cape sailed out behind him and his large muscles strained against his jacket as he waved to the crowd. I swallowed hard, seemingly unable to drag my gaze away. Tamara leaned in close to my ear. “See something you like?”

  “Oh do shut up.”

  Dallas came out next, his confident stride and gleaming uniform sending the audience into an absolute frenzy.

  “Long live the prince! Long live the prince!”

  Dallas smiled, bowing, and stopped to shake hands. He kissed children’s cheeks. The crowd gazed at him adoringly as they continued to cheer. Their excitement was real, infectious. Winnie had been right—this was the event of the century.

  The sentinels motioned for us to go out. Gwyneth’s chest was heaving, and her eyes were bright, but she smiled as she held Winnie and Remy’s hands, her father right beside them. She turned to us once more. “I’m sure the crowds are overwhelming for all of us, but I love them for being here, for their well wishes, and for their hope and excitement about the future. I’m overwhelmed, but it is with honor. I can’t believe my good fortune.”

  I beamed at my friend. “You’re the one who is bringing the good fortune to all of us, and to the settlements.”

  Gwyn’s cheeks heated. “Things are changing for the better. I can feel it.”

  “Gwyneth! Gwyneth!” The audience was anxious to see the bride next.

  Eve motioned down the stairs. “Well, let’s get on with it, then. It’s not every day you get to make history.”

  The crowd’s cheers were almost deafening once we made it outside. But the smiles on the onlooker’s faces made it worth it—they burst into mad applause for each of us and went absolutely wild when Gwyneth finally appeared. Several onlookers openly wept with happiness. Gwyneth rewarded all of them with an enormous smile, visible through her veil. She looked as though her heart might burst.

  “Long live the princess! Long live the princess!” Gwyneth touched everyone she could as she made her way to the chapel, the wide smile of gratitude never leaving her gorgeous face.

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of His Royal Highness, Prince Dallas Black, and Miss Gwyneth West, hailing from Settlement Four.” Dallas, incredibly handsome in his formal ceremonial uniform and enormously tall, had not stopped smiling since Gwyn came down the aisle. They beamed at each other, hands clasped together tightly as the officiant continued.

  They only had eyes for each
other.

  I kept finding my gaze traveling to Austin, who stood behind his brother. Like Dallas, Austin was tall and strapping, but he was slightly shorter, and perhaps more powerfully built. I tried not to think about that. I focused on the officiant’s words. “…For richer and for poorer, in sickness and health…”

  But my attention wandered again to Austin—who I found looking me up and down. I quickly checked my gown, worried I had some sort of stain on it. I hadn’t been able to resist working my way through the baked goods tray in the bridal suite… Bloody hell, I’d probably gotten confectioner’s sugar from the chocolate croissants all over the bodice.

  There’s nothing wrong with your dress—in fact, it’s quite becoming, a voice spoke inside my head. I startled, practically knocking into Shaye. She gave me a worried look, but I just smiled in return. I couldn’t very well explain that I was going mad, having auditory hallucinations in the middle of the ceremony!

  I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted you to stop picking at yourself and pay attention.

  I looked up to find Austin still staring, an amused smile on his face. That’s right. It’s me, the bloke who’s talking in your head.

  I must’ve looked confused because his eyes glinted merrily. What, you didn’t know my kind could do this?

  I’d heard vampires could talk in humans’ heads, but I’d never experienced it for myself.

  Austin still stared. We’re capable of all sorts of things.

  The way he said it, my cheeks began to heat.

  There there, you mustn’t worry. I’ll be the perfect gentleman. The perfect vampire gentleman. He winked as the pastor continued with the vows. “Do you, Dallas, take Gwyneth to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

  Dallas’s gaze burned with intensity as he looked at Gwyneth. “I do.”

  “And do you, Gwyneth, take Dallas to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

  “I do.” Her voice was so thick with emotion, my eyes pricked with tears.

  “Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. Prince Black, you may now kiss your bride, the princess. Congratulations, and many blessings to you both.”

  The audience shot to their feet, clapping and whistling as Dallas took Gwyneth in a tender embrace. She joyfully twined her arms around his neck as he cradled her, then pressed his lips to hers.

  And then I let the tears flow freely, mascara be damned.

  Chapter 3

  Flip Or Flop

  “Don’t be nervous.” I patted Shaye’s hand as she reviewed her notes. She was giving one of the toasts.

  Shaye took a deep breath. “I’m not—I’m actually excited, just like everyone else. We’re here in celebration of an amazing couple and a brand-new vision of the future.”

  “You’ll be great. You’re always great.”

  “Aw Blake, thank you.” She hugged me and then whispered, so that Tamara wouldn’t hear, “A certain someone hasn’t stopped staring at you all night. Have you noticed?” She inclined her head in the direction of Prince Austin, who was indeed staring in our direction.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” I whispered back. “Perhaps he has a lazy eye?”

  Shaye giggled. “A smoldering lazy eye. In any event, that’s not a nice thing to say.”

  “Yes, yes, I know.” I sighed. “But don’t worry about him. Or me. Go on, study your notes.”

  My friend, who knew me well, studied my face instead. “Are you quite all right?”

  “I guess I’m a bit cagey about tomorrow, is all.” I hadn’t let myself think about it too much, but now that the ceremony was over, the imminence of my journey pressed upon me. “What’s it going to be like up there? What about these werewolves and gnomes? Not to mention the blight and all the vampires in the bloody haunted castle we’re going to—”

  Someone farther down the table clinked a fork against their crystal flute—it was time to begin the toasts. Shaye put her hand over mine. “I think you need to trust Dallas. He never would have agreed to send you up there if it wasn’t safe.” She winked at me. “Even from his brother.”

  Speaking of the younger prince, he stood and raised his glass. “I’m so honored—and surprised, quite frankly—that I get to give a speech in my brother’s honor today. First of all, cheers to the happy couple. To a long life together, filled with love and adventure!”

  “Hear hear!” everyone cheered.

  “As you might expect, having Dallas as an older brother meant that I grew up in his shadow.” Austin’s eyes glittered as he continued. “But instead of wankering about that, I bloody well enjoyed it. As the heir, he was always supposed to be perfect. So if we ever got caught for being naughty—which happened a lot—Perfect Dallas got in trouble for it, and for teaching little old me big, bad things. Aw, I used to love listening to my mother chew Dallas up and spit him right out! It was just what the wanker deserved. He was always the one with the ridiculous schemes, most if not all of which he dragged me into, much to my detriment.”

  He took a slug of wine, then grinned. “I remember the time we escaped from our nanny—what was her name again, Dallas?”

  Dallas stared straight ahead, as if he couldn’t believe this was happening to him. “Aggie.”

  “Right, poor Aggie, we used to really take the piss out of her! Remember that time we snuck out in the middle of the night to catch gnomes?” Dallas muttered something under his breath and Austin raised his eyebrows. “You’re not still upset about that, are you?”

  Dallas gave him the death look, and Austin chuckled. “You can only blame yourself.” The younger prince turned back to the rest of us, positively gleeful. “See my brother—my older, perfect brother—wanted to catch gnomes and try to skim them across the pond. He’d heard they were good for it, even better than a flat rock. I know, it’s terrible, but he used to have all sorts of horrible ideas and then he’d drag me along with him. My dearest Gwyneth—don’t let him do that to you.”

  Gwyneth laughed while smoke practically poured out of Dallas’s ears.

  “Anyways, these gnomes are tricky little mongrels. They have very sharp teeth. So my brave brother had the brilliant idea of using me as a decoy to attract them. I was supposed to stand perfectly still and let the mangy beasts attack me, then Dallas would sneak up from behind, grab them and stuff them into a burlap sack, easy pickings. Now I am ashamed to admit that I was stupid enough to say yes, but then again, he also threatened to lock me in the dungeon if I said no, so there’s that. Anyway, we went to a field where gnomes were known to lurk. I took my position in the middle of the field, while my big, brave brother crouched in the woods and hid. I should’ve known then it was a bad idea, but it was too late—the gnomes came soon enough—ten of the beasts rolled out of nowhere and sank their fangs into me!”

  Austin had another slug of wine, clearly warming to his topic. “While I was howling like a baby, my big, brave brother turned tail and ran—leaving me to suffer. But you know what happened? The gnomes went after him! Hundreds of them came out of the woods and somehow managed to stuff Dallas into the burlap sack. They dragged him to the pond and nudged him in. I daresay they’d guessed his plan, and they didn’t like a coward anymore than I did! Oh, he was soaked and spluttering when I finally pulled him out…declaring war on all of gnome-kind…” Silent laughter shook Austin’s big shoulders. “Then there was the time we snuck into Lady Reardon’s boudoir and stole her underwe—”

  “Hear hear!” The king stood and raised his goblet, a strained smile plastered to his face. “Cheers to the happy couple!”

  “Hear hear!” everyone shouted back, but I felt cheated. I wanted to know what they’d done with Lady Reardon’s underwear.

  The orchestra started another song and I felt someone—or something—breathing down the back of my neck. I turned from the group of girls I was with—Shaye, Eve, Evangeline and Lyra, Gwyneth’s childhood friend from 4—to find Austin directly behind me.

  I couldn’t help it. I jumped a little.

  Austin laughed
, then bowed. “My lady, I didn’t mean to startle you…again.” His unusual amber-and-hazel eyes glittered. “Would you dance with me?”

  My friends leaned in, hanging on his every word. I cleared my throat. “Of course, my lord.”

  Austin held out his arm for me then led me to the dance floor. He put his right hand firmly on my waist, taking my left hand in his. Is that quite all right? he asked inside my head.

  “Gah! Please stop doing that!”

  He laughed. “I’m sorry, my lady. It’s just that it’s rather fun to see you jump.”

  “I think you’ve seen it enough for one day.”

  “As you wish.” Without another word, spoken aloud or inside my head, we twirled in perfect time with the music. For an uncivilized vampire, he was certainly a good dancer. I held myself back from running my fingers over his muscles, just to see if they felt as rock-hard as they looked.

  He eyed me up and down—again. “You’re looking statuesque, Blake.”

  “Um. Er.” My cheeks heated. “Is that a compliment?”

  His brow furrowed. “I meant it as one.”

  “Well then, thank you.”

  Austin cleared his throat. “And your new necklace is beautiful. It’s quite becoming.” He pulled me a bit closer.

  Boy, was it getting hot in here. “T-thank you.” I silently prayed I didn’t have sweat on my upper lip. Austin flexed his hand against my hip, and I attempted to ignore the flip of my stomach and also, how strangely good the prince smelled.

  These vampires really had the “mesmerizing their prey” thing down-pat.

  “I enjoyed your toast,” I said, in an attempt to make polite conversation.

  “I don’t know if my brother did.” He chuckled. “I didn’t realize we weren’t supposed to speak of the gnomes—Father stepped on my foot when I started the story, but of course I ignored him.” Austin shrugged, his eyes still sparkling merrily. “He wasn’t having any of that underwear talk, though. He’s getting quite stiff in his old age.”