Page 49 of Fated to the Vampire Prince
Tyson reached for his own blade, drawing with lightning speed and twisting out of her grip, reversing the hold on her. His blade pressed to her throat.
I gasped again, unsure who I wanted to win in this fight. Or if I wanted anyone to win. I hugged my arms around my chest, trying to stop shivering.
“What makes you think you’re so much better than me?” Tyson questioned. “I’m the one who has been named heir to Château Rose.”
Natalia slipped free from his grip, and lunged, slashing at him with her dagger. Teeth bared. Eyes black. “I don’t think I’m better than you. I know it.”
I wasn’t sure why, but watching them argue had my thoughts drifting to my little sister. Sera was younger than me, but had been named my mother’s successor because I lacked the magick necessary to lead our coven. I wondered if Tyson possessed any special skills, like Bastien’s ability to slide intominds, and if that’s why he had been chosen over Natalia. Or if it was simply because he was a male.
Natalia kicked Tyson between the legs and then punched him in the jaw. He flew ten feet through the air and landed in a snowbank. It gave her enough time to draw the sword at her hip. The two stared at each other. Her—standing her ground. Him—flat on his back. Both breathing heavy. Natalia let out a bellowing scream and attacked—racing to where he lay and pointing the tip of her sword at his neck.
“Diana!” I gasped. Was she going to cut his head off?
I crawled toward them, trying to get a better look. My fingers were like icicles, and, without a cloak, my clothing was soaked through.
She pressed her weight forward, and the tip of her sword pushed against his skin. “These people are more than just family to me. We’ve fought together, shoulder-to-shoulder. Taking curses. Carrying dead bodies back to the wagon. Watching friends burn on the pyre. I’ve lived in the north for a hundred years, and the people of Roselyn know my worth.” She bent low, teeth bared. “You’re nothing to them. They won’t respect your title—oryou—until you do something worth respecting.”
Tyson scowled, and something inside me twisted. I felt a little bad for him. Yes, he was haughty and spoiled, but it wasn’t his fault. He was eighteen. I mean, my sister could be reckless at times too, but wasn’t she supposed to learn and fail and grow as a leader?
I might envy her gifts, but I would never treat Sera the way Natalia was treating Tyson. Even if she was adored while I was ignored.
Natalia eased her weapon back into its scabbard, and Tyson got to his feet—brushing snow off his back. He dipped his chin in the smallest bow. “I’ll pack up my tent.” He strodeoff, only stopping to look back at me once before he disappeared into his tent.
Some part of me admired him. Even if he had caused trouble.
Natalia grumbled something under her breath in Sanguisi, then gestured for me to follow her. This time, I was cold enough to listen. We cut our way through camp, heading toward a spit where a wild boar was roasting. Natalia cut off a hunk of meat and placed it on a piece of bread. She was beautiful. With perfect cheekbones and a long, slender neck. Thick brown hair that always stayed in place. But there was a hardness to her. Like she picked up a shield a long time ago and never set it down. Not for anyone. I needed to do the same. Put a shield around my heart and stop acting so damn emotional.
She handed me the food, then gestured for me to follow her. As we walked through camp, she called into each tent we passed, informing them it was time to pack up and move out for the night. Her order was met with groans, but swift action.
Once we got to the largest tent, the one Bastien and I shared, I sank onto a pile of furs, wrapping myself in one. Natalia took a seat across from me, elbows propped on her knees while she watched me eat. The meat was juicy and hot, and I ate without manners.
“What did you do to anger His Grace?” she asked. “Did you slap him like your sister slapped me?”
“Are you always this…intense?”
“No,” she snapped back, another wicked smile spreading across her face. “Sometimes I’m worse.” Her look darkened. “Now answer the question, Miss Donadieu.”
I told myself to be sweet and control my temper, but it was impossible at the moment. Returning her glare, I said, “I didn’t slap him.”
Natalia didn’t seem convinced. Her little nose scrunched. “Maybe not, but you’ve donesomethingto him. Ever since he met you, he’s been acting strange. You’re not a witch in disguise, are you?”
I busied myself with a piece of meat, tearing off a hunk and shoving it in my mouth. “Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“When I find out what it is,” Natalia continued, “there won’t be a law in this land that keeps you safe. Do you understand me?”
I had no doubt she’d make good on that promise if she ever discovered my treason. Barely tasting the meat, I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet her critical gaze, wondering how I was going to convince her I wasn’t here for nefarious reasons, when I was.
“I haven’t doneanythingto him. The Duke is simply…” I searched for a word to describe him without being too disrespectful and landed on, “moody.”
Silence followed, and I wondered if I’d gone too far—if she was going to raise her blade to my throat too.
Natalia cracked a reluctant smile. “He is moody, isn’t he?”
We both shared a small laugh, the tension breaking. When the laughter died, it got quiet again. I shoved another piece of meat in my mouth.
“Moody as he may be, there isn’t a better vampire in the land. He’s worth three of his brothers. And six of theViscount.” She spat on the ground, then shook her head. “I still can’t believe thatidiotwas named heir. Of all my cousins, they had to choosehim.”
I realized Natalia and I might have more in common than I thought. It seemed she didn’t have many people to talk to either. I could learn a lot from this warrior vampire.
