Chapter 22
NATE
The days I spend away from Sera are the closest I have come to experiencing torture in my long, damned life. I divide my time between calling on Caroline to maintain the illusion I am working for Valeria, and hanging around the Pump Rooms hoping to overhear conversations that might give me a better insight into the Court’s plans.
There is little to be learned about the luna child without some insight from the Court and I glean nothing from my eavesdropping in the city, save for the great number of precarious wagers and romantic entanglements between Houses.
Valeria’s summons reaches me on the fourth day. I was expecting it, of course. She has called me to her as a reminder that I need to uphold my end of the bargain or face the consequences.
It will be a considerable task, standing before the creature who plotted against my sister and not ripping her to shreds. For my need to release my fury on the Court burns stronger than ever.
My wife and children died because of them and now, my sister, too.
If it were not for Sera, I would burn Bath to the ground. But when it happens, I will perish too. And I will not have her die because of my decisions.
Sera needs to break the bond. It is the reason I have kept away — hoping that the distance between us will be so painful for her, she feels compelled to destroy the tether between us for good.
And whilst Sera finds a way to do it, I need to keep Valeria’s attention away from her; give her no reason to question me or my loyalty.
It is with that familiar, gnawing ache in my bones that I enter Valeria’s house and make my way to her study. But when I knock and open the door, it is not my grandmother that greets me.
In the throne by the blackened window is Charlotte. At her feet, Agnes kneels, her head bowed. Even from across the room, I can see how pale and drawn she looks, her body trembling.
“Cousin, how good of you to come.” Charlotte beams at me. She is sitting cross-legged, her bare feet poking out beneath her skirts.
She is a child playing dress up; wearing someone else’s crown.
“Where’s Valeria?” My upper lip twitches, ready to snarl and flare my fangs.
“Our grandmother is an exceptionally busy woman. She cannot worry herself with every small matter that occurs within our family. It is why she needs a reliable heir at her side.” She grins. “And with a new position, I have been awarded new responsibilities. You will report to me now.”
As Charlotte speaks, Agnes sways slightly. I take a step towards her, but Charlotte's sharp glare stops me.
“Report to you?”
“Yes. Grandmother has told me the directive she has set you regarding Miss Vossler. It seems Juliette was not completely useless.” She smirks. “It was a wise decision to arrange the match between you and Caroline so we might have our own spy in the Vossler camp.”
“I report to Valeria and Valeria only,” I growl. “She is the one who summoned me here.”
“Come now, cousin. This is to be the way of things. Grandmother and I have spoken at length as to how we will run things now that Juliette is gone.”
“Since you had her killed, you mean?”
Charlotte cocks her head at me. “The only one who has committed a crime against this family is you, Nathaniel. But if anyone can understand the pain you are suffering from losing your sister, it is me.”
As we argue, Agnes’s breathing becomes more laboured. She lifts her head slightly, her eyes unfocused.
“You cannot compare Ambrose and Juliette. She was?—”
“Not up for the job, cousin. She knew it in the end and did the admirable thing. I would expect nothing less from her. But please keep your accusations of foul play to yourself. I had no hand in your sister’s death, nor the attack on you as you travelled to Bath. I hope you see that now.”
I grind my teeth, already tired of her games. “I have been calling on Miss Vossler, but she does not find me amiable.”
Charlotte cackles, throwing her head back. “I couldn’t possibly see why.”
Suddenly, Agnes collapses, her body crumpling to the floor. I move instinctively to help her, but Charlotte’s voice cracks like a whip.
“Leave her, Nathaniel. This doesn’t concern you.”
I freeze, grinding my jaw. If Charlotte insists on taking too much from her own life-source, then so be it. “I expressed my concerns to Valeria when she gave me the directive. There is nothing to be done. You saw her behaviour at court. She is stubborn and outspoken and everyone, including her, knows the marriage will not stand.”
The laughter stops. “You need to make her believe it will, cousin. Your orders are to woo her. So woo her. By any means necessary.”
“It is impossible when she hates our family.”
Charlotte glares at me, her mouth drawing together in an angry pout. “I thought your loyalty to this House would be enough incentive to perform the task you have been given, but clearly not. Grandmother was right.”
“I am not being disloyal, merely a realist. And if I was to know what Valeria believes is afoot, I may be a better servant to her. Find other ways to get the answers she seeks.”
Charlotte studies me for a moment, the frustration softening in her eyes. She has always been as changeable as the wind; something she will have to get under control if she is to have any success in her new position.
“Now you have been saved from execution, you have no incentive to do what our grandmother has asked of you. A shame, really, but not unexpected. It is a good job that I have just the motivation for you.” She steps down from the throne, hitching her skirts up. She circles me slowly, trailing her fingers over my shoulders. “The Tournament begins in only a few days’ time. Our House has suffered a blow thanks to Juliette’s shortcomings, so it is vitally important that you, Rafe and I all succeed.”
I flinch at her touch — as cold and unwelcome as a blade being dragged across my skin.
“A show of strength will solidify not only my place as future matriarch, but the status of our House. And in order for that to be possible, I will need to be well-fed.”
I wait for her to say more, but she merely continues to circle me like a cat weaving between its master’s legs.
“You have Miss Ellington for such a purpose, providing you don’t drain her.”
“Oh yes, and she is perfectly fine, but her blood gives me none of the powers that Miss Sterling’s affords you.”
My fangs flare instinctively, my head snapping towards her, and Charlotte snickers.
“Yes, indeed. You are possessive of her. And I believe there is a reason for that.”
I stare at her, trying to read in the line of her smirk just how much she knows — how much Valeria has told her.
“My brother suspected it and our grandmother has confirmed it — that there is something about Miss Sterling’s blood that gives you the strength and speed the rest of us could only dream of.”
My heart thuds heavily in my chest. Valeria has told her a half-truth. Why not all of it?
“You have done well to keep it hidden, but it will be exposed during the Tournament — unless, of course, the rest of your family is similarly affected. It will be taken as a sure sign of our immense power. Miss Sterling will be an asset to us all. One to treasure.”
“I am not sharing her.” I snarl openly, letting Charlotte see the full length of my fangs. “You saw what I did to your brother. I will not hesitate to do the same to you if you threaten her again.”
“I am not threatening her, Nathaniel. She will be like a farmer’s prized cow — fattened up and kept in every luxury, so we might get the best from her milk.”
“No. I will not allow it.”
“Then perhaps you will work a little harder at making yourself amenable to Miss Vossler.”
I hiss at her, then turn to leave, my boots clicking on the polished floor.
“These are Grandmother’s orders, cousin.” Charlotte’s voice floats towards me, suddenly cool. Calm. “You have not been seen back at the house for days. You left Seraphina all alone there with nothing but a witch and some humans for company — no one that would stop a servant of House Blackwood entering and collecting her.” She tuts. “Quite careless, considering how valuable she is to you.”
I turn back, flying to her before she has realised I am upon her. “If you touch her, Charlotte?—”
“Oh, Nathaniel.” She reaches out and strokes my cheek.
I push her away, my eyes falling on Agnes, still unconscious on the floor. Charlotte follows my gaze.
“I might need a new pledge soon enough. I suggest you do your job and bring Miss Vossler’s secrets to me if you wish Miss Sterling to remain unsampled.”