The North Page 4

  Eve curtsied. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

  “If my wife agrees to part with you, I will support it.” His gaze flicked to Austin. “What do you think?”

  Austin shrugged. “She’s better than the Royal Weasel, but I still think the whole thing’s a crap idea. I won’t pretend for the cameras, Father. I will act as I see fit, and only as I see fit.”

  The king shook his head and looked away. “You continue to disappoint, Austin.”

  A flicker of emotion passed over Austin’s face, but it was gone too quickly for me to analyze it. “Same to you, Father.”

  “Mark my word. If I do not get what I want from you, I will drag you back down to the settlements. I will bend you to my will, one way or another. Now it’s time for you to take your leave. I command you to dance with Lady Carlisle—I agree that she’s a bit stale. Count your blessings that this is your punishment for now, not a week chained in silver. Now get out.”

  Austin left immediately, his face set in stone.

  The king seemed to recover himself after his son left. “You are all dismissed. Your entourage leaves at first light. Get back to the reception and put smiles on your faces. That’s an order.”

  I didn’t wait for further instructions. I fled the room, but not without plastering a smile on my face first.

  I’d glimpsed behind the curtain, and I was positively petrified of what I’d seen.

  Chapter 5

  Fight Or Flight

  “Don’t let him get to you,” Eve said. She kept her voice low as we headed for the comparable safety of the dessert table.

  “The king? He’s terrifying.” I helped myself to another cupcake, even though all the frosting in the world couldn’t soothe me now. “He’s already gotten to me, I’m afraid.”

  Eve frowned. “I meant Prince Austin. He didn’t mean what he said.”

  I scoffed. “He called me a meal. And a loon. I’m pretty sure he sincerely meant both.” I eyed the prince as he knocked back an entire glass of wine, then went stalking off, probably to find Lady Carlisle.

  “He’s angry at his father. It’s nothing to do with you.”

  “It felt as though it was something to do with me.” The fear wasn’t abating, but my anger at Austin’s words began to subside, replaced by a dull ache. I felt as though I’d been duped. “I thought he liked me, and that he was giving humans a chance, but I was mistaken, I’m afraid. It seems as though he misses the days where we were chained to their dungeon walls as snacks.”

  Eve shook her head. “He was trying to get under his father’s skin. I daresay he succeeded.”

  “I don’t know about that.” The king and queen reentered the room and immediately headed to the dance floor. The queen’s floor-length, sparkling silver gown reflected the light, making her look as if she were lit up from within. The king had plastered a smile on his own face; he beamed at his wife. They began dancing as they were circled by the cameras, the perfect royal hosts at the perfect royal wedding. “He seems impenetrable.”

  “I am sure his son wounds him. But that’s none of our business.” Eve watched the dancers. Tariq, looking quite relieved, was twirling Tamara across the floor. “In any event, I’m excited to go up north. I’m anxious to put my training to use. Enough with all the talk of werewolves and blight—I want to see it for myself.”

  “That makes one of us,” I said gloomily.

  “There, there.” Eve patted my back. “If nothing else, it will be an adventure you’ll never forget.”

  I chuckled, perhaps a bit grimly. “I just hope I live long enough to make it worthwhile.”

  Austin danced with Lady Carlisle twice then promptly left the reception. I helped myself to another level of the cupcake tower as I watched Gwyneth and Dallas dance the night away. Her head was on his chest, his arms wrapped tightly around her. They were lost in their own happy bubble.

  Shaye was dancing with Lucas, Dallas’s friend. Tamara was busy dancing and heaving her bosom at Lord Bryson.

  I added a slice of cake to my plate.

  After another hour of stuffing my face and feeling a bit sorry for myself, I snuck out of the reception and headed back to my chambers. Watching everyone have fun, dancing and drinking, didn’t jibe with my sense of impending doom.

  My maids had already packed me for the journey; there was nothing left to do. I paced the length of my comfortable, cheerful room. I would miss it tomorrow, just as I would miss my maids and my friends.

  You don’t have to go, I told myself as I paced. There was still time to back out of the assignment. The king wouldn’t risk putting my head on a spike in front of a televised audience… would he?

  Finally, I gave up and flopped onto my bed. But I spied an envelope on the nightstand addressed to me in my brother’s scrawl—I opened it with shaking hands, praying that everyone at home was okay.

  Dear Blake,

  I hope this letter finds you well. I just wanted to update you on Father. He’d skin me alive if he knew I was telling you this, so good thing I’m fast and he can’t catch me!

  He is so much better. I just had to write you to thank you. The medicine they sent from the palace has completely eased his breathing. No more struggling to climb the stairs. He even brought in firewood the other day, a chore he hasn’t been able to do in years. His color has improved—as has his mood—and I have to tell you, for the first time in a long time, he seems…happy.

  He wants you to come home immediately, of course, which is why he wouldn’t want me talking too much of his recovery. And I don’t know how you’re really faring with all those posh-sorts up there, but I want you to know it’s not in vain. Please write soon and keep us posted. Everyone in the neighborhood is coming over to watch the broadcast of the royal wedding, so don’t trip and make an arse of yourself, ha ha!

  Talk Soon,

  Everett

  Everett wasn’t the type to write for no reason. My father’s improvement must be massive. I might not care for the king, but the palace had helped my family—saved my family. I owed the royals a huge debt.

  But what, exactly, did that mean?

  I hopped back out of bed, heading to the window to stare at the waxing moon, as if the night sky held some sort of answer. But movement on the grounds below caught my attention. A lone figure stalked near the reflecting pools. I caught a flash of his cape in the moonlight—brilliant, deep purple. Austin. My anger bubbled to the surface again. Speaking of debts—the prince owed me nothing, but I owed it to myself to give him a piece of my mind.

  Ignoring the king’s mandate that all humans stay indoors at night, I flew down the stairs. I could hear the music from the ballroom. The wedding party was still going strong, and no one would be looking for the likes of me.

  I hustled out toward the grounds. I’d spent many happy hours walking here, but in spite of the good news from home, happy was the last thing I felt at the moment. I reached Austin and stopped, chest heaving. I hoped he could clearly make out my glare in the moonlight.

  “My lady.” He stopped stalking and glared back at me. “What are you doing out here? It’s not safe.”

  My hackles rose. “Ooh, because of the rebels? The rebels are safer than you, I bet! They won’t chain me up and treat me like an appetizer!”

  He stepped closer, and his scent wafted over me again. Good bloody luck with that. I steeled myself against him.

  Austin looked me up and down, probably taking in my clenched fists and wild eyes. “Why Blake. You seem…agitated.”

  “Of course I am.” I took a step back. “I did not care for your performance earlier, my lord. I’ve been thinking about what you said. I don’t know what to make of it, nor what to think about our journey tomorrow.”

  “I don’t know what to think of it anymore, either.” Austin scrubbed a hand over his face. “I didn’t know what my father had planned until tonight.”

  “You mean, about the broadcast?”

  He nodded. “The king pretends to be a champion of
the people. He pretends to give them what they want. So I felt it necessary to remind him that he’s not the benevolent ruler he’s playing at. He acts as though his whole past, his heritage, means nothing…”

  “His heritage?” I practically choked. “Do you mean the part where you all chained up humans and feasted on them?”

  He leveled me with a stare. “We are vampires, you know. I never pretended to be a—what does your lot call it?—a vegan. I drink human blood. I don’t see that there’s any use putting on airs about it.”

  “Well, I know,” I spluttered, “but is it really something you should be celebrating? What do you suggest—breaking out old family photo albums of your feasts?”

  “Of course not. I’m not proud of some of the things we’ve done, but I’m also not the one pretending to be a champion of the humans. The king acts as if he’s the patron saint of the settlements.” Austin’s lips twisted. “I don’t suffer hypocrites well, and my father is the biggest of them all.”

  I lifted my chin. “I daresay the way you talked about us humans—as if we were nothing more than a food source—when you’d been dancing with me moments before qualifies you for the hypocrite department.”

  He stepped closer again. “Did I hurt your…why Blake, did I hurt your feelings?” He sounded genuinely curious.

  I’d never been one for games. I didn’t often hide my thoughts or feelings—I didn’t see the point of such posturing, a fact that had driven Tamara bananas during the Pageant. You need to make men eat out of your hand, like the beasts they are, she’d told me, but I always just laughed. That Tamara. She had an angle for everything, and an outfit to go with it.

  “You did, actually,” I admitted. “I thought that my appointment to travel with you was something positive. But you made it sound as though my kind were nothing more than pests, or chicken drumsticks fit for a barbecue.”

  “I’ve never had a chicken drumstick, but I’m sure it’s delicious.” He arched an eyebrow as his gaze raked over me.

  I shivered. “I don’t think it’s funny.”

  Austin shrugged, the sour look returning to his face. “I’m not sure what you’re looking for. Permission to flee from your assignment? It’s granted, my lady, if that is what you wish. I wouldn’t blame you in the least.”

  I sighed. “I am trying to understand. You asked me to go to the North. I went along with it because I thought I was doing something helpful. I certainly never volunteered myself to star in another reality show, let alone a barbecue.”

  “I thought it was a good idea at the time. I can see now that I was wrong. My father taints everything.” His gaze traveled over me again, but this time it was with regret.

  “Your father is difficult. But he is not all bad—I just had a letter from my family. With the medicine they’ve received from the palace, my father’s health is quite improved.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. But from my perspective, it’s just another chess move.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t understand.”

  “Did you see how my father allowed Christian West at the wedding? A rebel dances in the vampire’s castle, free to drink as much champagne as he chooses, for all the settlements to see.” Austin chuckled without humor. “What do you think my father would do if Dallas’s approval ratings weren’t so high? He would drain Christian West dry and make a spectacle of it.”

  I swallowed hard. “Perhaps your father has changed. He’s shown mercy to Gwyneth’s father as well as mine. Perhaps you underestimate him.”

  He glowered at me. “Rest assured, I do no such thing. I understand him perfectly, unlike you.”

  I bristled. “I have no wish to defend the king, but my father is healthy for the first time in years because of him.”

  “My father sends medicine to yours to keep you tightly on your leash.”

  “I beg your pardon,” I cried, “but I’m on no leash!”

  Austin circled me, taking my measure. “The polls favor you, my lady. My father will use that to his advantage. The king is a fine actor, no doubt. But he buys the things that make him appear merciful—don’t be a fool and mistake that for actual mercy.”

  I stepped away from him. “I am many things, Your Highness, but I am no fool.” To my utter horror, my voice wobbled a little.

  He cursed and muttered something under his breath. It sounded suspiciously like bloody emotional humans!

  I took that as my cue to leave. I turned on my heel and fled.

  He cursed again. “Blake, wait—”

  But I didn’t turn around, keeping my head held high as I hustled back to the palace. Tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to cry.

  The less human I seemed, surely the better.

  Chapter 6

  Rear Window

  The staff came to rouse me at first light. “Miss?” My head maid peered at me. “Are you quite all right?”

  “Yes, of course.” But I’m sure I looked a hot mess. I’d barely slept, tossing and turning all night, Austin’s words echoing in my head.

  I won’t be ordered into romancing a girl.

  We used to keep them in chains back home.

  They’re our meals, Father.

  You’re crazy to have said yes.

  Crazy, indeed. But I eyed the letter from my brother again, then promptly got into the bath. There was no use boo-hooing about my assignment. I’d come here, to this dangerous place, because I hoped I could help my family. That hope had become a reality.

  My father had terrible asthma. He would need medicine for the rest of his life. Leash or no leash, the longer I fulfilled my duties as a Goodwill Ambassador, the longer my father would live comfortably. I dressed in a bright tangerine frock and let my maids do my hair and makeup without argument. Forget about the cameras. Forget about the king’s maneuverings. Forget about Prince Austin and the unfortunate juxtaposition of his large muscles and even larger prejudices.

  I took a deep, steadying breath. Chicken drumsticks didn’t cry, and neither would I.

  I made it through the front entrance of the palace just as the sun broke over the eastern horizon. The bags had all been brought out and the supplies assembled. Several large SUVs were lined up in the drive, waiting to take us north. The royals and their staff spilled out over the steps, ready to see us off. Mira Kinney had a full film crew out; they were recording every moment.

  Andrea, my favorite kitchen maid, approached me with a picnic basket. “My lady.” She curtsied. “I took the liberty of preparing you a meal for your travels. I’ll have the stewards pack it in your car.”

  “That’s very kind.” My voice wobbled again, and I cursed myself. Emotional human, indeed! I hugged her, hard, so I wouldn’t have to talk more and accidentally start blubbering.

  After Andrea and I said our goodbyes, I headed to the lawn where the others were gathered. Rose and Mira Kinney spoke in hushed tones, reviewing notes, Eve and the queen were deep in conversation, Austin and Dallas were studying a map, and Gwyneth looked like she was about to burst into tears as she hustled toward me.

  She sniffled as the stewards finished packing the last of the vehicles. “Please write to me as often as you can—I’m going to go mad, worrying about you.”

  “Of course I’ll write. But you’ll be busy on your honeymoon!” I winked at her, careful to keep my voice light. “You’ll have plenty to keep you occupied, besides worrying about me.”

  She blushed. “No matter what, I will absolutely worry about you. The prince and I will be traveling these next few weeks across the settlements, but you’ll never be far from my thoughts.”

  “I’ll be fine. I’m wishing you safe travels.”

  “Thank you for that. I’m wishing you the same.” She bit her lip. “Can we have a word, though?”

  I’d put on a brave face for my friend, but she still frowned as she led me away from the others. “Why is Eve going with you, now? And I don’t understand about Rose and the cameraman. All of this happened quite suddenly, and it was news to Dalla
s and me.” She would never come out and say it, but I knew tension existed between Dallas and his father. Dallas wanted to govern the settlements in a new, honest and hands-on way; the king preferred secrecy, and to tightly control the royal message. It didn’t surprise me that King Black had kept his plans for filming our travels to himself.

  “Last night the king and queen briefed us about the journey. Tariq was supposed to go, but he whinged his way out of it. Eve volunteered to take his place. She wants to prove herself by fighting with the Northern guard, or some crazy thing.” Gwyneth cursed, and I continued. “As for Rose and the cameras, the king asked them to go. He mentioned something about the polls.”

  “Go on.” She waited, brow furrowed.

  “He said…er… He said that there was an interest in me and Austin. Which is ridiculous, of course.” I could feel my cheeks heating.

  Gwyneth’s eyes sparkled. “I told you so! Austin has been following you around since he got here. The audience must’ve noticed it, too!”

  “I think it was all a misunderstanding.” Disappointment flooded me. “He wasn’t at all excited about the cameras accompanying us. You should have heard the things he said.”

  She frowned. “Like what?”

  Gwyneth’s laser-like gaze had me instantly backtracking. It was her first day as princess; I didn’t need to burden her with my troubles.

  “N-nothing. He was angry at his father, is all. I don’t think he took kindly to the idea of being filmed.” I refused to tell her that he’d called Dallas a “show-pony.” I looked miserably toward the waiting SUVs. “I really should get going.”

  “You should do nothing of the sort. You are not getting into that that car if he’s been unkind. There’s plenty of work to be done in the settlements—Austin can go off and rot in the North by himself, just as he pleases.”