The North Page 3

  “About the gnomes… Are they dangerous?” I asked, trepidation clear in my voice.

  “They’re more of a nuisance than anything else.” Austin squeezed my hand. “And you have nothing to fear while you’re with me, my lady, I can assure you of that.”

  I bit my lip. “My lord?”

  “Yes?”

  We were leaving first thing in the morning, and I had more questions—I’d best ask them now. “Why are you so eager to offer me your protection? And why was I selected as the Goodwill Ambassador to the North?” The other girls said it was for the same reason that he’d been staring at me for the past few weeks.

  “Why Blake.” He stopped dancing for a moment, taking my measure. “I chose you because I quite like you. I thought you liked me, too.” His big hand flexed against my hip again.

  “Yes. I do.” The words were out of my mouth before I could think them through, but I recognized them as the truth.

  Austin frowned. “Also, if you must know, I find the other girls quite boring. Or at least, Shaye’s quite boring. Tamara’s just insufferable.” He resumed waltzing. “I’m anxious to go home. I, for one, believe the North deserves the same attention as the settlements. The rest of the family has abandoned our home and all but forgotten about it. But not me. I thought that having one of the Pageant’s contestants visit our ancestral land would help the North regain some of its former glory. But I don’t think my father’s too keen on that angle.”

  “Why not?” I asked, as he spun me around.

  His face turned stormy. “He’d rather not let the civilians in on our less-than-illustrious history. Not to mention what we were really doing when we came down here to conquer the settlements. We were bloody running away.”

  My breath hitched. “Running away from what?”

  The queen was suddenly beside us. “My dearest, may I interrupt? It’s been so long since we’ve danced together.”

  I was forced to confront her icy beauty up close. Almost as tall as me, the queen was much leaner, with sapphire-blue eyes, a high forehead, and a long, elegant neck. It was impossible to tell how old she was. Her smooth alabaster skin showed no hint of lines.

  Austin groaned. “You have terrible timing, Mother.”

  She smiled at him. “I know.” She turned to me and nodded. “So sorry to interrupt.”

  I backed away, smiling tightly. “It’s no problem at all.” I’d been there the night the queen had drained Eve dry, ending her human life and turning her into a vampire. I had no desire to get on Serena’s bad side, which I feared was quite extensive. “I’ll just leave you two to it.” I made a hasty exit as Austin frowned, annoyance with his mother clearly etched onto his handsome face.

  I hustled toward the dessert table, where Eve and Shaye were talking. Gwyneth had insisted on both a regular cake as well as a cupcake tower, and therefore I had my work cut out for me. “What was that all about?” Shaye asked, as I started piling both vanilla and chocolate cupcakes onto my plate.

  “I don’t think the queen wants us talking too much.”

  We watched them on the dance floor. Serena spoke to her son intently, and he listened with a clenched jaw.

  “I’m not sure what all the fuss is. She knows you’re leaving with him tomorrow for a foreign country, unchaperoned, doesn’t she?” Eve asked. “You’ll be able to talk yourselves silly.”

  “Didn’t you hear the latest news? They will have a chaperone,” Tamara interrupted merrily, taking the plumpest cupcake straight off my plate.

  I glared at her. “What’s this about a chaperone? And give that back!”

  Tamara licked some of the frosting from her fingers and smiled at me, the cat who knew all of the canary’s business. “Tariq is to accompany you. He feels as if he’s being banished, of course. Ooh, and Mira Kinney’s assistant, Rose, is also being sent to take footage for the network. But I’ve heard that it’ll have to be heavily edited, as not only are you an uncivilized urchin from a poor settlement, the North itself is in quite a state.”

  “I see.” I considered slamming the cupcake into her face, letting the frosting clog those perfect pores. “And how do you know all this?”

  “My maids told me.” She shrugged, taking a bite and dramatically savoring it. “They’re quite loyal, especially now that I’m an official member of the royal court.”

  I frowned. “I can’t believe Austin would approve of this. From what I’ve seen, he doesn’t care much for Tariq.” The royal emissary alternated between obsequious and downright scheme-y, often trying to arrange other people’s affairs to his advantage.

  Tamara nodded toward Austin, who argued with his mother on the dancefloor. “Well, perhaps he’s just hearing about it, unlike me.” Her chest puffed with self-importance.

  “I’m surprised Mira’s letting Rose out of her sight,” Shaye said, deftly steering the conversation back to more neutral territory. “Rose does everything for her—scheduling, making sure all the production staff is organized—I’ve even seen her arranging Mira’s work outfits.”

  Tamara shrugged. “She’s probably tired of Rose always lingering about. She’s a bit of a hanger-on, I think.”

  Shaye frowned. “She’s just doing her job. From what I heard, she started at the network as an unpaid intern and worked her way up through the ranks.”

  “She hasn’t gotten very far, has she?” Tamara tossed her hair. “Anyway, back to the important people—us. As far as Blake’s concerned, it’s good that Tariq and Rose are being exiled alongside her. At least Austin will have some choice when he’s ready for his dinner.”

  “I’m not being bloody exiled.” I put down my plate and clenched my hands into fists.

  “Now, now, ladies. We mustn’t quarrel.” Tariq’s oppressive cologne wafted over me as he sidled up to us. His black hair was shellacked forcefully back across his head, and his slim-fitting ceremonial uniform was impeccably pressed. “So sorry to interrupt, but I need a word with Lady Kensington.”

  “Don’t be sorry.” Tamara’s lip curled. “You’re doing us quite a favor. She was just about to start another tirade.”

  Tariq chuckled indulgently, but the laughter died on his lips as he turned back to me. “My lady, I’ve had word that I am to accompany you to the North tomorrow morning. I was wondering…could you do me a favor?”

  I blinked at him. Tariq usually treated me as if I were trash about to be taken out to the dumpster, and good riddance. “Me?”

  “Yes, my dear.” He fluttered his eyelashes. “Would you put in a good word for me with His Highness?”

  I stared at Tariq dumbly. “You mean, with Prince Austin?”

  He peered at me as if he feared my head was filled with rocks instead of fully functioning brain cells, but quickly smoothed his face back into a polite mask. “Yes, with Prince Austin. I’d be quite beholden to you if you would.”

  “I’m sorry, but I don’t think it would help much.”

  Tariq frowned for a moment. “Why not?”

  I twisted a lock of my hair, frowning back at him. “He thinks you’re a sniveling—what was it he said? Oh yes, a sniveling weasel. I don’t think my opinion is going to carry much weight with him. He seems to have quite the mind of his own.”

  “Speaking of, check this out.” Tamara nodded toward the dance floor, her laser-like gaze focused on the queen and Austin. They’d stopped dancing and were glaring at each other. “It looks as though he’s giving his mother a piece of his mind.”

  “Oh boy.” Eve crossed her arms against her chest. “This could get ugly fast.”

  “You’d know that first hand, I suppose.” Never taking her eyes off the prince and queen, Tamara tossed another piece of cupcake into her mouth as though she were eating popcorn at a movie.

  “You know Tamara, maybe they could use the likes of you up North. As werewolf bait.” Eve’s curls bounced as she laughed at her own joke. “Yes, I quite like the sound of that!”

  Tamara was about to snap back when Austin and his m
other strode over. We curtsied, Tariq bowed, and the queen stiffly nodded at us. “We’d like a word, Tariq and Lady Kensington,” she said. “And I have a feeling the dance floor at my son’s televised wedding is not the place to have it. Eve, please collect Rose for me and meet us in the salon off the back of the ballroom.”

  “Yes, Your Highness.” Eve was gone in an instant.

  The queen motioned for us to follow. “Right this way. This won’t take long.”

  I quickly looked to Austin, whose jaw was still clenched. He held out his arm for me and I took it. His heady scent wafted over me again, but I took no pleasure from it. I felt as though I was walking the plank.

  The vampire plank.

  My stomach rolled again, and I wondered just what I had gotten myself into.

  Chapter 4

  True Colors

  You won’t be harmed, Austin spoke inside my head.

  I startled again, but this time he didn’t laugh. Are you going to jump every time I do that? If I were in a better mood, I’d find it amusing…

  “Why are you in a bad mood, exactly?” I kept my voice low, lest the queen or Tariq hear us. “What on earth is this all about?”

  “My father wants to talk to us about the parameters of our trip. He has certain stipulations I’d not been made aware of until tonight.” His nostrils flared. “Sorry about the dance. I’d much rather have spent that time with you. Instead, I was treated to a stump speech.”

  “Oh.” I didn’t know what else to say. What on earth was happening? Even though I’d been a finalist in the Pageant, my contact with the king and queen had been limited. I’d largely flown beneath the radar. But tonight was different. I had a feeling I was about to get a glimpse behind the curtain, and I wanted to run, screaming, in the opposite direction.

  Heart pounding, I stayed close to Austin as we rounded the corner and headed into a formal salon I’d never visited before. Rich tapestries hung on the wall, and velvet couches studded with gold-threaded pillows adorned the space. To my surprise, the king paced beneath the windows. I’d thought he’d been on the dance floor only moments ago, waltzing with a fine-looking vampire lady I’d never seen before.

  “You get tired of Lady Carlisle already, Father?” Austin’s voice was ice. “Can’t say I blame you. She’s a bit stale.”

  “Austin.” The queen’s tone was sharp. “We don’t have much time, or we’ll be missed back at the reception. Let your father speak.”

  The king stopped pacing and regarded his younger son. “First of all, your toast was inappropriate. Our family projects nobility and regalness in the settlements. We don’t speak freely of the gnomes here, and we certainly don’t speak of Lady Reardon’s undergarments.”

  “Well we should. As I remember it, they were quite splendid.”

  “Enough.” The king’s eyes flashed.

  “As you wish, Father.” But Austin didn’t look at all contrite.

  “You and your brother arranged to have this girl,” he nodded toward me, “sent to the North without my advice or consent. As it was announced during the live broadcast of the Finale, there’s little I can do to change course. That being said, I do not agree with the plan. But I will capitalize on your indiscretion.”

  “Of course you will,” Austin muttered.

  At that moment, Eve hustled in with Rose by her side. Even in her ballgown, the young assistant looked harried, her cheeks flushed and her eyeglasses slipping down her nose. “Good evening. So sorry to interrupt.” Rose curtsied and then practically hid in between Eve and Tariq.

  “It’s no interruption, child.” The queen nodded at her. “My husband was just discussing your journey tomorrow.”

  The king motioned in Rose’s direction. “I’ve decided it’s in our best interest to send a network representative with you. Mira volunteered this girl for the job. She and a cameraman can film approved parts of the journey, such as your continued interactions with the Goodwill Ambassador.”

  Austin jerked his thumb from himself to me. “My interactions with her? Why on earth would you film that?”

  He cleared his throat. “The polls have indicated there’s an interest. So we will fulfill that interest.”

  “Absolutely not.” Austin’s face turned stormy. “Unlike my brother, I’m no show pony.”

  The queen moved closer to her son. “Austin, please. Just hear your father out.”

  “I’m not taking part in his bloody three-ring circus!”

  “That’s enough.” The king kept his voice low, but my hackles rose nonetheless. “My decision is final. Things have begun improving with the settlers, and we must keep up the momentum. Mira and her team will edit the final footage, of course. We want to send the proper message.”

  Austin stepped forward. “And what message is that, Father?”

  King Black squared his shoulders. “As you can tell from the excitement surrounding your brother’s wedding, the settlers support the royals engaging with…” His gaze traveled toward me as he paused. “…Civilians. To continue to promote the peace, we will give them what they want.”

  Austin’s lip curled into a sneer. “I’m not going to give them a bloody thing. I won’t be ordered into romancing a girl so that you can enjoy riding high in the polls.” Disgusted, he practically spit the words out.

  He said ‘girl’ the way I might say ‘rat.’ And I couldn’t agree more—I’d never romance a rat.

  But then I frowned. Was Austin comparing me to a rat?

  “Son.” The king’s voice was a warning. “We may agree to disagree about the appropriate course of action. But in the end, I am the king, and you will do as I say. If you do not give me what I ask for, there will be repercussions.”

  Austin raised his chin. “At home, I’m the one in charge. I don’t bend the knee for anyone.”

  King Black’s gaze turned steely. “You are only in charge because I left you in charge. It would serve you well to remember that as I’ve given you power, I can also take it away.”

  Father and son glared at each other. Austin’s hands clenched into fists.

  “I won’t be responsible for the humans. I thought that asking Lady Kensington to come to the North would help matters there. I didn’t do it so that you could turn it into something sordid, something extra for the masses to consume while they’re eating their paltry rations.” Austin’s powerful body coiled with rage. “I won’t do it. Pretending to appease the settlements is your game, and I’m not playing.”

  The king shook his head. “It’s not a game, and I’m not pretending. This is our country, now. They’re our citizens, and they’re our responsibility.”

  “They’re our meals, Father.”

  Rose gasped from where she was cowering, then promptly clamped a hand over her mouth.

  Austin didn’t give her a backwards glance as he continued. “Give it whatever public relations spin you like, but you can’t lie to me. We used to keep them in chains back home. You used to enjoy scaring them before you drank from them, if memory serves me correctly.”

  The king’s face went white with fury. “That’s. Enough.”

  Austin shrugged, relaxing a little, clearly enjoying his father’s discomfort. “Despite what they’ve seen at the wedding of the century, these humans should know the truth. They’re the loons who’ve volunteered for this.”

  Rose hid behind Eve. She looked like she wanted to promptly un-volunteer herself. Tariq had gone quite pale. Even though I was trembling a bit myself, I raised my hand. “I don’t know that I volunteered, exactly.”

  Austin shrugged, not looking away from the king. “Volunteered or got volunteered, it doesn’t make much difference. You’re crazy to have said yes.”

  I wanted to argue that the whole thing had been his idea in the first place, but this didn’t seem the optimal moment. Plus, his words stung and confused me. We’d been waltzing minutes before, and now he was acting as though I was some loon who wanted to spoil his private hierarchy party up North.

 
Tariq cleared his throat. “If I may, Your Highness?”

  The standoff broke apart, and the king turned to Tariq. “Go on.”

  “I, for one, did not volunteer to travel to the North. In addition, I don’t believe my services are best suited for this endeavor.” Tariq’s polite smile didn’t reach his eyes. “It sounds as though the filming will be limited, and the opportunity for my contribution will be truncated. And as for this particular Ambassador,” he eyed me with vague distaste, “let’s just say that my talents might be best used elsewhere. Like with Tamara tending to the settlement’s needy children. Now that’s a compelling narrative.”

  “Did you think I chose you for this trip because I thought it would be best for you?” The king eyed him disdainfully. “Quite the opposite. I did it because Dallas threatened to have your head on a spike, after all the trouble you caused during the competition.”

  “Sire.” Tariq looked as if he might cry. “You and I both know how hard I worked to make the Pageant a success. Your son dances with his new bride because of the contest. Your poll ratings are the highest they’ve ever been. Please do not banish me on account of a stale grudge. I promise you, I can serve you better by staying close to home.”

  Austin jerked his thumb at Tariq. “I don’t want this sniveling wanker anywhere near me. He’s all yours, Father.”

  Eve stepped forward. “I will take his place, Your Highness. I know that I can’t help with the film production, but I can help keep everyone safe, and that’s just as important.”

  The king looked around. “Did someone ask you to speak, Lady Eve?”

  Eve shook her head, her aqua eyes blazing. “No, and I do not mean to do so out of turn. But if you must send a representative from the palace, let it be me. I’ve yearned to learn more about your homeland, and also, to work on my combat skills. If the North is as dangerous as I’ve heard, my particular set of talents is more appropriate than the royal emissary’s.”

  The king looked to his wife. Since she’d turned Eve, Serena had developed what seemed like a maternal interest in the young vampire. “I would hate to see you go,” the queen said, “but I daresay you’d be a better fit for this journey than Tariq.”