The North Page 6

  I stared at the castle, shocked by its beauty. I’d been expecting a haunted palace, replete with a murky, algae-infested moat and rusty bars across the windows.

  “It’s quite lovely.” Rose sounded as surprised as I felt.

  “The royal family and their ancestors have lived here for centuries,” Robert explained. “It’s certainly no hovel.”

  “But what about all the problems up here?” I asked. “I thought the lands had been infected by something.”

  There’d been talk of a blight which had supposedly made the northern lands sick. Still, everything looked in order. The grass and shrubbery, healthy and vibrantly green, gleamed in the sunlight.

  “I’m really not sure.” Robert looked uncomfortable.

  I leaned forward. “Do you know something you’re not telling us?”

  “I can assure you I do not.” He combed his hair over to the side with his fingers. “I’m sure His Highness will explain everything when he’s ready to.”

  I doubted that, but there was no time to argue. The car stopped and a moment later, our driver opened the door and reached for my hand. He smiled as he helped me out. “Welcome to the North.”

  After the harsh encounter on the road, the warm afternoon sun and pretty scenery cheered me. I took a deep breath of fresh air and linked my arm through Rose’s as we walked up the drive. “You see? It’s nice here. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  She pushed her glasses up on her nose and frowned. “There was howling in the woods, Blake. And a vampire tore your dress, then His Highness almost staked him. Platitudes aren’t going to make this any safer.”

  “We should be brave, though, and give the North a chance.” I forced myself to smile. “As for that vampire, I suppose he couldn’t help himself. He said I smelled too delicious to resist—something about my virgin blood.”

  Rose visibly paled. “What?”

  “Don’t worry,” I said hastily. Here I was, trying to reassure her, and I was only making things worse. “Austin made it very clear that sort of behavior won’t be tolerated. He took the vampire into custody.” But unease crept up, nagging at me. I certainly didn’t care for Abigor, but I didn’t want the vampire harmed on my account.

  We reached the castle and turned to watch the activity below us. The long, semi-circular drive was packed with our caravan of SUVs. The sentinels were busy unloading the luggage, and the kitchen maids we’d brought were deep in conversation with someone who looked like northern staff. I finally caught a glimpse of Eve’s pale curls, bobbing as she nodded her head to the guard she was speaking with.

  Robert reached us and gently set down his tripod and heavy camera. “Here we are.” He smiled at Rose, nodding at her encouragingly. “It’s not so bad, is it? The castle is in fine shape—I daresay we’ll be quite comfortable here. Lots of pretty settings to get great footage.”

  Rose’s eyes showed a spark as she turned to inspect the grounds. “You’re right about that. We could film something over near that garden…”

  They were soon deep in a technical discussion. Knowing that Rose was safely in attentive hands, I excused myself and made a beeline for Eve. I had to know what my friend had seen in the woods, and I didn’t want her saying it in front of Rose. The poor girl was already scared half to death.

  I headed down the drive as the sentinel bowed to Eve and hustled off. “Eve. I’m so glad to see you in one piece.”

  “There you are. The prince is in a right mood—he wasn’t happy that I joined the other soldiers. He lectured me the whole way here.” She stopped when she caught sight of my dress. “What on earth happened to you?”

  “One of the vampires thought I smelled good. He got a bit grabby.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “One of the northerners?”

  “I think so. His name was Abigor, and I’d certainly never seen him before.” I shivered. “Austin saved me, but then he banished me to the car. I don’t think he’s too pleased at the moment.”

  “I don’t blame him. And now I know why he’s so upset—on top of what we found in the woods.”

  “What was it?”

  Eve frowned, then she looked around to make sure no one could hear. “The werewolves. They’ve violated some sort of treaty. I didn’t get the whole of it, just that His Highness is on a tear, threatening to bring every one of them down.”

  “Did you see one? A werewolf?”

  Eve shook her head. “I heard it, though. And then Austin met with their leader on his own. He wouldn’t let me come, of course.”

  I brushed some of the dust from my skirt. “Austin said something—something about the vampire who had me. He said that he’d betrayed him by joining forces with the wolves. He’s going to punish him.”

  “I’m sure he is, and I bet it’s going to be harsh.” Eve’s blazing aqua eyes flashed brighter. “We’ll have to see what comes of it. I don’t know what it all means, the vampires colluding with the werewolves.”

  “I think it means Austin’s house is not in order. And he seems intent on cleaning it.”

  “It might get a bit bruising around here.” Eve jerked her chin in the direction of the prince, who was issuing orders to some nearby sentinels. “Austin reminds me of the king, a bit. Doesn’t really seem that flexible in his thinking.”

  I coughed. “That’s a nice way of saying he’s pigheaded.”

  Eve’s gaze held mine. “And dangerous.”

  At that, Austin stalked up the stairs to the castle’s landing, then raised his hand. All activity ceased, and silence fell. “Before we get everyone settled—I have several announcements. Gather around, please.” He motioned to the guards at the entrance. They opened the doors and more sentinels and staff came out, lining the stairs.

  This was the first time I’d seen Austin in this role, the leader of his people, the ruler of this kingdom. I waited with baited breath to hear what the prince had to say.

  “First, as you know, we’ve returned today with guests from the settlements. Some of these guests are human.”

  Several of the staff members looked visibly surprised and went whispering to each other. Austin raised his hand to stop the commotion. “These humans are to be treated with civility and decorum. No one is allowed to touch them. The rules my father instituted at his new home in the settlements are hereby adopted. No one feeds from a human on these grounds without my express permission.” He scanned the crowd as he paused for a moment, letting that sink in.

  “We’ve brought plenty of provisions from the settlements. No one will want for blood. These humans are off limits. Is that clear?” Everyone either bowed or curtsied, and I did the same, although he clearly wasn’t talking to me.

  “Second, anyone who breaks this rule will answer directly to my stake. I will then decorate the view from my window with proper placement of their head on a spike. This is a zero-tolerance policy. One strike, one stake. Understood?”

  There were more murmurs of assent, and Austin motioned to two nearby sentinels. “Bring me the prisoner.”

  They dragged Abigor out. He was even taller and more powerfully built than I’d thought. He stood, chest proud and jaw taut, as the sunlight glinted against the pale musculature of his massive chest. Austin stalked around him in a circle. The trace of panic I’d seen on Abigor’s face before was gone, replaced with a stubborn resistance.

  But wait—one strike, one stake. Austin wasn’t about to kill this prisoner for what he’d done to me…was he?

  I took a step forward and Eve shook her head. Don’t interfere.

  “Don’t talk in my head,” I hiss-whispered. I moved closer still, wanting to catch each of Austin’s words.

  “This vampire had one of the human women—one who is my property. He’d taken her prisoner and was about to drink her blood. He denied it, but he is a traitor and a liar, and you should all know how traitors and liars will be dealt with.” Austin locked gazes with Abigor, and I wondered if the prince was also talking about the prisoner’s deal with the wol
ves.

  Austin turned to face the crowd once more. “Our brother Abigor has earned his head’s place on a spike.”

  No. Oh no. He was going to kill him? Because of what happened with me?

  Austin gaze swept the audience. “I will not tolerate disloyalty, my friends. I’m not sure what you heard while I was away, but I can assure you, I’m not going anywhere. I will rule the North until the day I die. So mind your allegiances. And do not underestimate my ability to find things out.”

  A nearby sentinel handed him a large, metal rod with a deadly sharp edge. The prince nodded to Abigor. “Abigor, I hereby sentence you to death for your treason. You and I both know the truth. Do you deny your crimes?”

  A flicker of regret shone in Abigor’s eyes, but it was gone almost immediately. He shook his head. “I do not, my lord.”

  Austin pointed to the ground. “Then kneel.”

  Abigor knelt, and Austin raised the stake to strike him in the heart.

  “Wait—Your Highness—no!” I broke away from Eve and ran forward, aware that more vampire eyes were on me than I cared to count. “This vampire didn’t hurt me. He shouldn’t be sentenced to death for what he did—he merely frightened me. I’m perfectly all right.”

  Austin’s big body went tense. He turned to face me, fire in his eyes. “You dare interrupt me, my lady?”

  “M-my apologies, Your Highness.” I quickly curtsied—or perhaps ducked. Austin looked as if he might launch the stake in my direction. “But I must speak up. That prisoner cannot die for scaring me.”

  Austin looked as though he was breathing in through his nose and out through his mouth in an effort to calm himself. “Go on, Lady Kensington.” He paused for a moment, turning to address the crowd. “This is Lady Kensington, by the way. She’s one of our guests, a Goodwill Ambassador appointed by my brother. She hails from Settlement Fifteen.”

  Everyone politely nodded, and I awkwardly curtsied in response. Then I turned back to Austin. Much to my relief, he’d lowered the stake and was no longer pointing it at me.

  “The vampire Abigor didn’t harm me, my lord,” I continued. “In any event, he didn’t know the rules yet about not touching the humans. Surely, he shouldn’t be sentenced to death. He didn’t know he was committing a crime. He was just…” Intoxicated by my virgin blood? Smelling me like I was a juicy steak he was about to devour?

  I couldn’t finish the sentence, so I wrung my hands together as I looked at Austin imploringly. “Please, Your Highness. Show mercy. I don’t want to be responsible for his death. I’m sure he won’t hurt me, or any of the others, now that he knows the laws.”

  I shot Abigor a quick look. But the vampire, still on his knees, stared straight ahead. He didn’t dare glance in my direction.

  Austin frowned at me. “I should spare him because of his ignorance? That’s not a defense, as far as I’m concerned.”

  “You’re right, it’s no defense. But still, I beg you.” I too knelt before the prince. “You should spare him because you’re a just ruler. You do what’s right, whereas others would seek to merely flaunt their power in the face of such a transgression.” I briefly thought of the king, and how we would handle such a scenario.

  Austin scrubbed a hand across his face. “You impress me with your bravery, my lady—if not your naivety, which is vast.”

  “Thank you?” It was half-compliment, half-swipe, but at least it was something. I peered up at him.

  Austin coolly took my measure. “You may rise, my lady. And I will listen to your counsel. There will be no execution today.” His gaze flicked to Abigor. “Count your blessings, beast. And remember the debt you now owe to Lady Kensington, not to mention to me.”

  Abigor hung his head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  Austin motioned to the waiting sentinels. “Take him to the dungeon. Some time alone with his thoughts will serve him well.”

  The prince turned back to the crowd. “Continue with the preparations. Our guests are tired from the long journey. Ready their rooms and make sure each of them has plenty to eat.” The sentinels and staff leapt back into action, clearly eager to please.

  I climbed back to my feet as Abigor was led away. “Thank you,” I said, keeping my voice low. “I wasn’t ready to have his death on my conscience. And this will give you time to think it through.”

  Austin shook his head. “I would never hurt one of my subjects on a whim. I’ve thought it through, and I’ve good reason to want him dead.”

  I opened my mouth and then closed it, unsure of what to say.

  Austin’s eyes flashed. “In spite of what you might think, my lady, I’m no monster.”

  With that, he bowed and was gone.

  Chapter 9

  Fit For A King

  Austin words echoed in my head. In spite of what you might think, my lady, I’m no monster.

  Shame flushed my cheeks as we entered the palace. I’d been angry with the prince for some of the things he’d said, but I didn’t think him a monster. He’d just shown mercy to Abigor, and for no reason other than I’d asked him to.

  That was decency. That was kindness. Those were not the traits of a demon.

  I pushed the thoughts to the side, vowing to return to them later. For the moment, I forced myself to pay attention to my new surroundings. A maid, Isabella, gave us brief a tour of the castle. Its beauty stunned me. Colorful and lavish rugs, tapestries and oil paintings decorated every room. I’d been expecting cobwebs and ghosts, but the interior of the castle was spotless and inviting. It radiated gilt and glamour.

  “Ladies, your rooms are next to each other, and Master Robert, you’re right this way.” We deposited Robert outside his chambers, then followed Isabella down the next hall. “Here we are.” The maid curtsied. “If you need anything, please just ring the bell. We’ll bring you down for dinner after you rest a bit.”

  Eve raised her hand. “Is there a dress code for meals?” We’d had to wear formal gowns to dinner during the Pageant, and Eve never joined us in the dining room for that very reason.

  “No, miss. At least, I don’t think so.” Isabella looked confused.

  “You don’t think so?” Eve scratched her head.

  “It’s just that we haven’t hosted a dinner in a long time. Not since the king and queen left.”

  “The prince isn’t one to socialize, I guess.” Eve waved the maid away. “Go on. It’s quite all right—we’ll figure it out.” She turned to us once Isabella was out of sight. “I’m burning the three gowns Gwyn made me pack. It’s tunics and pants for me all the way, baby!”

  “Mira said I had to dress appropriately, or she’ll have my head—I’m representing the network.” Rose smoothed her dress, which was rumpled from the long car ride. “I suppose I should change.” She eyed my dirty frock. “You should, too. Eve might be fine in pants because she’s training for the Guard, but you’re a Goodwill Ambassador, and you need to look the part.”

  I arched an eyebrow. “But there’s no cameras, for once.”

  Rose shook her head. “There will be. Robert and I discussed it—we need to start shooting immediately.”

  “But why?” I’d enjoyed the brief respite from filming. The Pageant had been fun in some ways, but it had also been exhausting to be under a microscope all the time, worrying that I had food stuck in my teeth or a visible wedgie or any number of other embarrassing things. It felt nice not to not have a cameraman always creeping about.

  “It’s going to be tough to get decent footage.” Rose pursed her lips. “It’s different up here. Different rules, different behaviors, different expectations. Prince Austin is a bit of a rogue, and there’s no Tariq to try and keep him in line. So we need to cast a wide net, and hope we get something worthy of air time—and we need it fast. Mira said as much right before we left.”

  I frowned. “What does Mira deem ‘worthy of air time,’ and why do you need it so fast? We just got here.”

  “We need it fast because she said so, and she’s the b
oss. She wants something that will satisfy the viewers. Something…romance-y.” She blinked at me, looking hopeful.

  “Don’t you look at me.” I crossed my arms against my chest. “The prince is just not that into me, as they say.”

  “He listened to you about Abigor. That was surely something.”

  “He listened to reason in general, not me in particular.”

  Rose tilted her chin. “I thought you liked him?”

  I coughed. “This isn’t about me, it’s about you doing your job. Let’s focus on that.”

  “What will happen if you don’t get the proper footage?” Eve asked.

  Rose looked around, making sure no one was near. “Mira told me this morning that the king will order us all back to the palace. He will hold another contest—The Pageant, Part Two—starring Prince Austin.”

  Eve rocked back on her heels. “Good bloody luck with that.”

  Rose raised her hands. “It wasn’t my idea. Don’t shoot the messenger.”

  I shook my head. “Austin would never agree to it, and he would never forgive his father.”

  Rose shot me another hopeful look. “Then maybe you can help him out?”

  “Oh, enough.” I groaned and headed into my room. “I’ll see you at dinner. And I’ll wear a dress, but don’t expect much more from me than that!”

  I closed the door behind me, and then rested against it. My head was spinning. It wasn’t even dusk, but the day had stretched on forever. Too many thoughts crowded my poor brain.

  Since there was no dessert tray in sight, I did the only other sane thing: I took off my shoes and flopped down onto the bed. My eyes closed before I even hit the pillow. I prayed that my nap would take me away to a place where no cameras rolled, werewolves looked like Tibby, my virgin blood was immaterial, and I didn’t make handsome vampire princes feel like monsters.