Page 50 of Fated to the Vampire Prince
“Who is your father?”
She crossed her arms, reclining back on the furs. “The Duke of Nightfall. Prince Josse.”
I didn’t know much about vampires, but I knew the Duke of Nightfall. He governed the lands of my family home. Mama had a drawing of his face that hung outside the barn where they practiced throwing axes. She was fond of saying how incompetent and arrogant he was. I kept that last part to myself.
“Château Blanc is far from here.” I leaned sympathetically in. Setting my food aside. “Do you miss your family?”
She made a disgusted noise in the back of her throat. “Why do you care?”
“I’m just making dinner conversation,” I offered.
Natalia removed her blade and started cleaning it with the edge of her black tunic. “My dinner usually doesn’t talk.”
“Neither does mine,” I snapped back.
She regarded me with mild amusement, and I hoped this meant she found me funny and wasn’t about to stab me.
“The Duke told me about that necklace. The way it tried to kill you. He said it was meant to tease him into choosing you by drawing fresh blood.” She made another disgusted noise. “Who does something like that?”
I met her angry gaze with wide eyes. “You’ve never done anything desperate to protect someone you love?”
Natalia went silent, and I went back to eating. Finishing most of the tender meat and starting on the bread before the vampire spoke again. “Choosing your consorts is the best part of your job. Besides the money.”
She was changing the subject, which I took for a good sign, and I followed her lead. “But what are they?”
She gave me a foxlike grin, then crossed her long legs. “Well paid lovers who have been trained in the art of seduction.”
Oh.Oh.
“You get to pick three, but know you’re required to treatthem just as kindly as they’ll treat you. Or face my Uncle’s wrath.”
“Three!” I gasped, my cheeks reddening. “Why so many?”
She eyed me. “We don’t want you becoming too attached to one person. Sanguine partners aren’t allowed to be courted during their employment. So, keeping multiple lovers ensures your needs are met without it developing into a relationship.”
So, this was why Bastien had said my consorts could take care of my needs. They were there topleasureme. I didn’tneedpleasuring, so to speak. But, having three people at my disposal might be good for other things. Like discovering more information about His Grace and the demonic relics.The idea had promise.
“We’ll sample the applicants when we arrive at Château Rose,” Natalia told me.
“Thank you,” I said, giving her a genuine smile. “For the food. And the dinner conversation.”
Her grin flattened into a scowl. “Stay put until we give the order to load the coach. I’ll come back to collect you.”
I nodded, standing when she did out of respect. Trying to prove to her that I wasn’t the enemy. Even though I very muchwas.
Chapter 24
Jalouser
CLAIRE
Château Rose’s towering iron gates opened as we approached. Although the grandeur of the castle loomed in the distance, my attention narrowed on Bastien, who was waiting to receive me.
I quickly closed the curtains and drew in a calming breath. I hadn’t expected him. Not after the way he’d left last night.
The coach door was opened, and an army of goosebumps rose across my arms. The wind biting through my thick black cloak. A footman offered me a hand, which I took with trepidation, and slowly made my way down the stairs. Another gust of snowy wind sent pieces of my unbound hair flying around my face. With measured steps, I made my way to where the Duke of Roselyn stood.
Others joined me. Tyson. Okeri. Natalia. I took little notice of them. I only had eyes forhim. Bastien wore a black knee-length frock coat, its lapels and cuffs embroidered in gold thread. A simple black cravat framed his throat. One hand rested on the head of his cane, the other tucked neatly behind his back.
