Page 11 of Fated to the Vampire Prince
“Well, well,” Natalia said, an eyebrow lifted. “Two little orphan girls.” She shifted her attention to Bastien. “Uncle, you’ve truly outdone yourself this time.” Her smile flattened. “I thought we agreed no more strays at Château Rose.”
“This stray bit my leg when I tried to leave,” Bastien quipped.
Bit him? If I remembered correctly, he was the one who bit me.
Natalia laughed dryly, then pointed to the red welt on her cheek. “Looks like bad behavior runs in the family.”
Sera gave me a sheepish grin, and I tried to hide my shock. She’d slapped a vampire. A brave but reckless move. Something worse than this could’ve happened to her, and I would’ve never forgiven myself.
I shifted in his grip, but Bastien’s hand flattened against my stomach, holding me still. The back of my body flush against his. He was too close.Much too close.Theintoxicating aroma of bergamot and fresh pine wound its way through senses, reminding me of cool nights beside warm fires.
I focused on my hatred of him—on the fact that I was now a spy, and my job was to collect information about his knowledge of the demonic relics and their whereabouts. “Please, Your Grace. Tell the Lady to release my sister. She only wanted to ensure I was okay. I’m the only family she has.”
There was silence, and for a second, I wondered what he was planning to do with her. Whether she’d be taken prisoner or if they’d extract justice for striking a vampire noble. Instead, he relaxed his hold on my waist. I used the opportunity to putspace between us, daring to take a step closer to Sera, who was too proud to beg for her own freedom.
“Lady Natalia, let the girl go.”
Thank Diana.
“As you command,Your Grace,” Natalia said, releasing her hold on Seraphina’s hair.
My sister rushed to me, wrapping her arms around my middle and squeezing me tight. I smoothed my hand over the back of her head, hoping she wasn’t in too much pain.
“Are you alright, Clairey?” Sera asked in a whisper.
I choked on a sob. Sera was the only person in our coven who treated me like I wasn’t broken, and the only one I’d do absolutely anything for. I nodded. “Yes, I’m fine. Just a little sore. How are you?”
“No worse for the wear,” she replied. I could hear the hint of pride in her voice.
From the corner of my eye, I watched Bastien walk around us to stand beside Natalia. The two of them spoke in Sanguisi, the language of vampires. I took Sera’s face between my hands, my gaze tracing every inch of her to ensure she hadn’t been harmed. Sera did the same, but when her attention narrowed on my neck, she sucked in a sharp breath.
“Oh, Claire.” Tears sparkled in her eyes. “That looksawful.”
I didn’t want her to be sad. I wanted her to be proud.I’d done it.Against all odds, I’d been taken into the Duke’s service. I would endure a thousand bites if it meant finding the location of every demonic relic for her. Once I did, Mama and the coven would destroy them, and at last, Sera would be safe. She wouldn’t have to lead our family’s war against dark magick. She could live a blessed life practicing her gift in peace.
As I stared into her eyes, I watched her brown irises turn bronze, like a shield catching the light of the sun, just like they always did when she was casting a spell. Before I could stopher, the tingle of magick tickled over my neck, easing the worst of the pain caused by the choker.
I couldn’t believe she dared to use magick in a room full of vampires. It was so, so reckless. And all because I couldn’t do it myself. The shame welled inside me until tears flooded my eyes. She shouldn’t be wasting her magick on me. Sera still needed to make it back home in one piece, and this time, she’d be traveling alone. The full moon was a week away, and she wouldn’t be able to recharge her powers until then. I leaned my forehead against hers in a silentthank you, but the moment was short-lived.
“I wonder how two orphan girls came to own such fine dresses,” Natalia said to Bastien in the Common Tongue, loud enough for us to hear.
I took Sera’s hand in mine. Mama had prepared us for their suspicion. “The dresses were donated to the convent by the Dame of Nightfall for any girl wishing to attend your Sanguination.” I ran my hand over the smooth black lace covering the boning of the bodice. “With a few modifications, we were able to make them fit.”
The best part about this answer was that it wasn’t a lie. The Dame of Nightfall, a member of the human aristocracy, donated dresses each month to orphan girls who desired the income of a sanguine partner. With a bit of planning and a lot of magick, our coven was able to secure these two.
The vampires stared at us like they weren’t sure what to make of our story. “The Dame is in attendance tonight,” I offered. “Question her if you wish.”
Natalia went to move, like she was going to do just that, when Bastien gave a slight shake of his head. “I have no desire to remain at Château Corbin, questioning nobles. Now that I have my new sanguine partner, we ride for Roselyn.”
He reached inside his pocket and removed a small coinpurse. With a thoughtful look at my sister, he tossed it to her. Sera caught the leather pouch with a curious look. Inside, there were gold and silver coins. Both of our mouths dropped.
“Your Grace?” Sera asked.
His pale blue eyes flicked from me to my sister. However, his hard, chiseled features remained stoic. “Considering the circumstances, I’m assuming Miss Donadieu would prefer you to have her first month’s earnings. She will want for nothing at my castle, and that purse will provide you with enough money to return to Nightfall comfortably.”
To say I was shocked by the gesture would be an understatement, but I told myself it didn’t mean anything about Bastien other than he had a conscience. If he believed Sera and I were orphans, then perhaps he felt guilty. His warmongering had left countless children without parents. Either way, when Sera brought Mama the extra coin, it would be of great help as they plotted their next moves. It meant more weapons. More rare ingredients for potions.
“I guess this is goodbye,” I said, trying to be strong. Sera melted into my arms, hugging me tight.
