Page 103 of Fated to the Vampire Prince
My attention darted between the dagger and the cup and the cold look in Natalia’s eyes. I had no idea how to handle her, or the threat she continued to pose to my secret.And my life.
“The Duchess should vow, like the rest of us,” Natalia continued—her hips swinging as she sauntered closer. “She should swear toneverreveal the secret of your marriage. And never,everbetray you. Or keepanysecret from you.”
A vow I couldn’t keep withoutdying, which was exactly what she wanted. My hand flinched toward the choker necklace, but I caught myself before actually touching it. Natalia didn’t miss the movement, though. She could read me in a way her uncle couldn’t. I cursed my younger sister’s impulsivity. Had she not slapped her, perhaps Natalia wouldn’t be so suspicious.
“Nervous?” she asked in a devilish way. Her tiny nose crinkled.
I didn’t know what to say. Fear had me by the throat,unable to speak. I knew Bastien could sense my emotions, and with each passing moment, they grew stronger.
He knew I was afraid.
Frantically, I looked around the room, noticing the faces of those who had already pledged loyalty to Bastien, including Tyson. If his nephew agreed, how could I get out of this? I couldn’t. Arguing against it would seem even more suspicious.
My life depended on how well I could keep up my lie. I knew Bastien would never forgive the truth of my family’s mission and my part in it, so honesty was out of the question.
I swallowed hard, staring at the cup. I supposed I was faced with death yet again. In my moment of hopelessness, when I didn’t know what to do, the dark thing inside me flickered to life. The part of me that was a Dark Witch.
Live. Live. Live.
The words calling to me with each beat of my heart. The darkness reluctant to be snuffed out.
The heat of magick warmed my blood and snapped against my skin like it was begging to get free. I was ashamed of it, disgusted by it, but I couldn’t deny its power. In the graveyard, the darkness had broken past whatever was keeping it at bay, allowing me to create a wall of flames out of nothing to protect Bastien and me from the witches before retreating back inside me. It was back now, called forward by my desperation. Only this time, I didn’t need fire—not exactly. I just neededstrength.
The magick filled every corner of my body, coaxing my nerves to relax and my swirl of thoughts to settle. When they did, I realized honesty or death weren’t the only ways. I rolled my shoulders back and lifted my chin, facing Natalia with courage I did not feel, but that seemed to possess me like a demon.
Pulling back the hood of my cloak, I revealed what I’d beenhiding: my burnished copper hair. Even though they’d been told, this was undeniable proof. I let them all stare.
Yes, I was a ruin.A ruin that was still standing.
“Whatareyou suggesting?” I asked the vampire in a sharp voice that didn’t sound wholly like my own. “That the gods erred when they fated His Grace to me? Do you believe you know more than Diana or Damien? And that you see things in me that they did not?”
Whispers went around the room. I only caught clips of what they were saying, but it sounded like:
“Out of line.”
“Too far.”
Good.
A smirk rounded my lips when I caught sight of the mild look of surprise on Bastien’s face. He didn’t like me meek and soft, as I once thought. He liked seeing me show my teeth. I canted my head to one side, taking in the lines of frustration creasing Natalia’s forehead. She was on the defensive now. As a warrior, she must know her position wasn’t good. As much as they respected her, I was the Duchess of Roselyn now. The wife of their liege lord.
“Of course not,” Natalia said, glancing between Bastien and me. “The only thing I’m suggesting, Lady Claire, is that you ally yourself fully with my uncle. As we all are.”
I made a noncommittalhmphand then crossed my arms. I had no idea where my confidence was coming from or whether this side of me was good or not, but I did know the darkness inside me was elated. It urged me on. Told me to press my advantage.
“I was with the Duke at Kemp Manor, accompanying him as he requested, when, by some fate, Damien named me the worthiest witch in the graveyard, granting me Temperance Kemp’s powers. When the witches turned their cloaks andcame for our heads, I stood by his side and fought with him when he told me to run. And when they came for me, I offered to trade my life to save his.” Hot tears collected in my eyes at the memory of that blade to his throat. “We trust each other. And whether you like it or not, His Grace and I are one now. Fated by the gods.”
“I understand that?—”
I pressed on. “What you seek is to make a mockery of me by suggesting that I cannot be trusted. To drive a wedge between us where none exists.”
More whispers followed. Bastien looked as if he wanted to intervene but was too intrigued to do so.
Then I delivered my final point—the one that I knew would keep them all from questioning my loyalty again. I leaned in, lips pulled back over my teeth and said, “The Duke drinks from me whenever he wishes. I do not need some cup and knife to make a vow to him. I have already done so, time and time again.”
“Yes, but—” she started, but Bastien cut her off.
He was at my side, one arm wrapped protectively around me. His tolerance for this was clearly at an end.
