Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Claire
You make it impossible to think when you’re near me.
I’ve been wandering the castle corridors for the last twenty minutes, unable to make myself return to my tiny room in the servants’ wing. I’m worried I’ll run into another staff member who will want to chat and that’s the last thing I’m capable of at the moment.
My mind won’t stop spinning through what just happened between me and the handsome Vampire King.
Okay, technically I shouldn’t even be categorizing him that way in my mind, considering I’ve already learned they prefer to be called Krovenian, but I can’t help it.
I’ll never say the word ‘vampire’ to anyone’s face or even call them that anymore between myself and another human.
But it’s true I’ll probably slip often in my thoughts because he has no idea that if I were to look up Vampire King in the dictionary, his face would pop up and not because he’s the literal king of his species.
Krovenians are stronger and faster than humans with heightened senses.
They’ve always been the “don’t mess with us” species on the planet.
The rest of us are simply lucky that they are known to be mainly peaceful and level-headed and remain committed to stay out of human affairs.
All the European wars, including way back to the Romans, have happened around them, with all the great powers leaving them alone, because they knew the consequences.
The Vampires famously killed both Genghis Khan and Hitler when each decided to attack Krovenia.
Nikolai’s face was inches from mine, his deadly fangs extended.
That rough, desperate confession before he snarled at me to leave.
Ugh, I wanted so badly to press my lips against his and kiss him senseless, running my tongue over those fangs.
What did he mean? Why did he say that? Why did he look at me like he wanted to devour me whole?
I turn down another unfamiliar corridor, not really paying attention to where I’m going. My thoughts are a tangled mess.
There’s still the Derek situation. I haven’t told Nikolai about my brother, or about why I was really going through his desk.
What if he had Derek arrested? My brother is spiraling, yes, but he’s not a criminal.
He’s just heartbroken, lost and listening to the wrong people on the internet.
I need more time to talk him down, to get him to take therapy seriously and move on to restart his life.
I can’t do that if Derek is rotting in some Krovenian prison because I confessed everything to a king who already thinks I’m a spy.
But honestly? The spying feels less important now. The more pressing issue is that I’m falling hard for my employer, The King of Krovenia. A man so far above my station it would be laughable if it weren’t so pathetic. I can’t help myself, I’ve had a crush on him for about a decade now.
It was a low-level crush on a Krovenian celebrity that seemed so distant as to be fictional, but the moment I’m here, seeing him in person and in his quarters, listening to his voice…
I press my back against a cold stone wall and close my eyes.
I can admit it to myself now, here in this empty corridor where no one can see my burning face.
I’m falling for this complicated, infuriating vampire.
The one who criticizes my dusting technique and calls humans stupid and looks at my throat like I’m a four-course meal.
But what could I ever really have with him?
At most, a quick affair. That’s all a human commoner could expect from an actual Vampire King, no matter how much I might want something real and lasting.
He’s royalty. I’m nobody. Affairs with the help are probably a time-honored tradition around here, just like they are in the human world.
Marriage between two people who are not only different species but also different socio-economic levels sounds impossible.
Marriage? Is that where my head is going?
That’s silly. It’s an impossibility.
Maybe that’s why he acts so angry around me, because he’s trying to stop himself from having an affair with the staff. That actually makes sense. He has ethical standards to uphold and sleeping with the new American maid would be a no-no.
And I haven’t exactly been helping matters, have I? Arguing with him. Calling him an asshole. Asking if he was staring at my breasts. Swaying my hips as I walked away.
I bite at my lower lip and twirl my hair.
I’ve been playing with fire.
And judging by that look in his eyes before he told me to leave, and the tent in his crotch, I was about to get burned.
I push off the wall and keep walking, turning another corner. This part of the castle is unfamiliar, grander than the servants’ areas, with tapestries on the walls and ornate sconces that flicker with actual candlelight.
Then I recognize that I’m near the King’s private council chamber.
I’ve cleaned this room before. Muffled voices can be heard on the other side of the thick door to the main entrance of the room.
I immediately recognize Nikolai. He’s in a meeting.
And I can’t help but want to see and hear him again for a moment, because I’ve got it bad.
There’s a servants’ entrance here, a narrow door behind a tapestry that staff uses to deliver refreshments without interrupting meetings.
Just a quick look, I tell myself.
Although this is exactly the kind of snooping that got me in trouble in the first place. Haven’t I learned my lesson? But then I hear someone say, “The Blood Calling has finally found you, brother. This is wonderful news.”
Blood Calling? Hold on. Isn’t that the term Krovenians use for their mating?
This is another reason why it would never work between us considering my blunt teeth and lack of need to ever ingest blood.
But I have to know more, so I inch closer to the peephole.
Through the narrow opening, I see part of a grand fireplace crackling with flames, the edges of leather chairs and movement.
There are other male voices I assume must be his brothers and cousin. Mrs. Vesek mentioned Viktor, Sebastian, and Maxim. They don’t live in the castle, each has their own estate and household, but they come here often for their roles in the government of their country.
Through the gap, I can see another figure quietly watching Nikolai with an unreadable expression. That must be Viktor. The middle brother. The widower.
“The timing couldn’t be better,” one of them continues, I think it’s Sebastian. “The Council will be thrilled. A Blood Calling with Princess Serina? They’ll finally stop pressuring you about the wedding date.”
My stomach drops.
Nikolai is engaged. To a princess.
Dammit. Of course he is. Of course. What did I think, that an impossibly handsome king would remain single forever, waiting around for some random American maid to stumble into his life?
There’s obviously a beautiful, appropriate, royal Krovenian waiting for him.
For all I know, he might’ve been engaged to her for years.
I’m such a fool. I thought he was being honorable, trying to not have an affair with me only because of our power imbalance, but instead he’s got a freaking fiancé. And now I feel yucky for flirting with him.
“This is excellent news.” A different voice responds, deeper and more intense. I look closer and recognize that it’s Maxim, the cousin. “A Blood Calling with your intended bride? That’s rare. Most political matches require the elixir to consummate.”
“So when did you know she was your true mate?” Sebastian asks eagerly. “Tell us everything.”
A long, heavy silence stretches uncomfortably.
“It’s not Serina.” Viktor’s voice is quiet but certain. “Is it?”
More silence.
“Nik?” Sebastian sounds confused now.
Through the gap, I watch Nikolai run a hand through his dark hair. “No,” he finally says. “It’s not Serina. She is not my future mate.”
“Then who?” Maxim demands.
“It’s the new human maid. Claire.”
I slap my hand over my mouth to stop the gasp from escaping. Me? He’s talking about me.
“Wait, is this that same maid you told us about yesterday? The one who called you an asshole to your face?” Sebastian sounds incredulous.
I smother a snort before it can escape past my lips.
“Yes.”
“Nikolai, this can’t be right.” Maxim’s voice has gone sharp. “The Blood Calling doesn’t choose humans. The only case in recorded history—”
“Was three hundred years ago.” Viktor’s voice cuts in.
“We all know the cautionary tale. The Blood Calling chose a human for King Aldric and he claimed her against the Council’s orders.
Civil war followed. Thousands died. He was exiled, died broken and alone.
His half-blood children were stripped of titles and scattered. ”
“I know.” Nikolai’s voice cracks. “Do you think I haven’t thought about all of this? Every second since it happened?”
“What exactly are you feeling?” Sebastian asks carefully. “Are you sure it’s a Blood Calling?”
“I’m not stupidly mistaking it for something else. I can’t think when she’s near me. My fangs want to extend constantly. I’ve been hard for three days straight.”
Heat floods my face. I should not be hearing this.
“You’ve never felt arousal before this?” Maxim asks. “Maybe you saw Serina and became enflamed and confused this with…”
“Never. I have not seen Serina in over a year. Not once in thirty-two years has this happened. I thought the Blood Calling had been bred out of our line.”
My hand is still pressed over my mouth. He’s never felt desire before? And I triggered it?
“Heh,” Sebastian grumbles. “I was starting to think the same. I’m not sure if I’m happy or terrified to know it can still happen to us.”
“How is this human reacting to this?” Viktor questions.
“She doesn’t know much about it. I’ve been doing my best to treat her terribly and cause her to stay away from me, even possibly quit.”
“Did it work?”
“No. I made the fatal error of assigning her to cleaning duties in my quarters. She is bold and does not back down. And then I find myself standing too close, breathing in her scent, and I told her—”
“Told her what?”
“That she makes it impossible to think when she’s near me.”
“You’re in love with her.” Viktor says it like a statement.
“I barely know her.”
Viktor shifts in his chair, and I get a better view of him.
He looks exhausted with sharp cheekbones and dark circles under his eyes.
“I had an arranged match with Elara,” he says quietly.
“We never had the Blood Calling. I cared for her and I love our daughter but I never felt what you’re describing.
” His voice roughens. “The Blood Calling is rare. You have something most of us will never have.”
“What about the future of the entire country?” Maxim cuts in.
“You can’t talk like this is an easy thing for him to throw over Serina and take this human as his mate.
The entire country treated you like a hero, Viktor, because you mated with Elara and produced a child together.
They wept for you when Elara passed. We’ve been told our whole lives to do what you did.
And that if we don’t have an arranged marriage, we will be responsible for the deaths of thousands. ”
“Maybe there’s another way and Nikolai can have Claire?”
“Or maybe he will instead lose everything and cause civil war.”
“Nikolai can defy the Council,” Sebastian mutters, “and then there’s hope for the rest of us.”
Maxim ignores him. “What about the human herself? Does she even know what a Blood Calling is?”
“I don’t think so,” Nikolai admits.
“Then tell her. She needs to understand that she’d be entering into a life-long commitment.
And that she’d be immediately pregnant because Blood Callings are matings.
And also, she needs to know her offspring would be half-human.
And tell her how you’d both be banished and if you chose to stay, you two could cause war.
” Maxim’s voice hardens. “Consent matters. Stumbling into this blind isn’t fair to either of you. ”
Nikolai nods in the affirmative.
Viktor glances toward the window. Through the gap, I can see the sky has turned dark. Snow is falling heavily now.
“The storm is getting worse. We need to return to our estates before the passes close.”
They all stand and move toward the main door.
“Talk to her,” Maxim says firmly. “She deserves the truth.”
“Don’t wait too long,” Sebastian adds. “Time runs out faster than you think.”
Viktor pauses at the threshold. “Choose what makes you happy. We will support whatever decision you make.”
Their footsteps fade down the corridor.
I wait, frozen, until I’m absolutely certain they’re gone, including Nikolai. Then my legs give out entirely and I slide down the wall until I’m sitting on the floor with my knees pulled up to my chest.
The King of Krovenia thinks I’m his fated mate.
A human maid with fifty-seven thousand dollars in student debt and a brother who thinks vampires are evil masterminds running a global conspiracy.
He’s never felt desire before and I triggered it by being in the wrong place at the wrong time with his family photograph in my stupid, clumsy hands.
I press my palms against my eyes, trying to stop the tears.
Nikolai was cruel to me only because he was fighting something neither of us asked for.
You make it impossible to think when you’re near me.
That was a confession of helplessness.
He’s engaged to a princess and his entire kingdom expects him to do his duty. And instead, his blood chose me. If he claims me, he could lose his throne and cause war to break out in his country. Thousands of Krovenians could be killed, just like the last time this happened.
I came here to help my brother, and instead I’ve become the thing that could destroy a king.
This morning I thought Nikolai wanted an affair with the maid. A quick fling, easily forgotten. The truth is so much worse. The truth is that he thinks I’m the person his blood has chosen. If I stay, I’ll continue to temp him and possibly destroy him.
I think about Maxim’s words: She deserves to make her own choice.
But what choice is there?
I could never ask Nikolai to give up his kingdom for me. He has a princess waiting for him — appropriate, noble, everything Claire Adams from Chicago could never be. If I left he might never feel passion, but he’d still have his throne and his kingdom. And no one would die because of me.
I stare at the cold stone floor, tears dripping off my chin. The horrible truth is that I’m falling in love with him.
And that’s exactly why I have to go.
He could lose everything because of me.
I can’t let that happen.