Chapter 14
Everyone’s attention is on the prince as they await confirmation, but he looks to be in some kind of daze. I don’t understand why he would embarrass us both like that when he is more than capable of taking control of the situation.
“Go ahead,” he says, his tone stern once again.
Lissian turns his attention to the others, but I don’t miss the disapproving glance he sends my way.
It’s not my fault your prince got blood drunk, you pompous ass.
Athriel lets out a loud laugh, and I’m glad one of us is entertained by this entire thing.
Oh, I certainly am.
“I will call each house to present their vote, and they may speak directly to the prince. Vaughn, please present Vancova house’s vote.”
A rotund male, with dark brown hair weaved into cornrows that fall to just past his shoulders, stands to his feet. I’ve only seen Vincent’s uncle a couple of times, but their features make it clear they are related. The vampire’s black eyes fall to the prince.
He dips his head. “Your Majesty.”
The prince returns the gesture.
“I would like to begin by stating that House Vancova has stood firmly with the royal House of Kayn for many centuries. We fought side by side in the war and have spent many generations pledging allegiance to the crown. House Vancova’s vote is not yet made, and we will be looking to explore the other courts within the realm before our final vote is decided. ”
The prince casts him a look so intense that I shift on my feet. A small voice deep within makes me question whether I can truly kill this monster or whether he will kill me first. When the prince says nothing, Lissian quickly moves to the next council member, a tall female with olive-colored skin.
“House Lemont?” Lissian asks.
The female stands to her feet, back straight and face beaming with pride. The vampires appear to be of varying ages, but not one reflects the centuries they truly are. The prince, himself, only looks to be in his mid-twenties but I wonder how long he has walked this realm.
“House Lemont is the cousin to House Kayn, and we will remain in this court for as long as its crown will have us.”
The prince offers her a curt nod, but his face remains straight, showing so little emotion, though I do not miss him repeatedly clenching and flexing his fingers. The only sign he feels anything.
“House Kayn appreciates House Lemont’s loyalty.
” The prince’s words seem to echo around the room, prompting the others to sit up straighter or clear their throats.
None of this makes any sense. I always assumed that a vampire just stayed in the court where they were born.
I’ve always heard that the magic of a court comes from its crown, so I’m not sure what happens if a vampire leaves it.
The evening continues with each noble head standing to present their house’s decision, and my feet are burning by the time we come to the tenth house.
I shift a little, trying not to draw too much attention to myself, but longing to be comfortable.
Longing to be anywhere but in this cursed room full of monsters.
After nearly forty minutes of speeches, only three houses have expressed interest in exploring other courts—whatever that means.
Lissian interjected earlier to remind the nobles that their decision is not final tonight and that they can at any time throughout the blood vows season change their minds.
That comment earned him a glare from the prince.
“Before I reveal the decision of my own house, I wish to ask the prince a question.” Lissian’s words are coated in a cunning tone that makes me want to roll my eyes.
He sits forward as though he has been waiting the entire night for this moment.
He faces the prince, his expression full of an emotion I cannot quite read.
“Have you thought any more on my proposal, Your Majesty?” Lissian says, and the entire room falls silent. I stand up straighter. I don’t know what’s happening, but from the way the prince slowly turns to look at Lissian, a look of death in his eyes, I just know it’s not good.
The prince remains deathly silent, his gaze daring Lissian to continue. To my surprise, he does not back down. If I didn’t abhor the male, I may have admired him.
“You appear surprised, Your Majesty.”
The prince’s jaw ticks as he picks up his glass and presses it to his lips.
“I did not believe that you would be as foolish as to question me, especially in public.”
“I do not wish to offend, your majesty, but time is of the essence. The ceremony is upon us, and as I stated in our last meeting, my offer will expire. Though I will happily renew my vow, should you accept my very generous offer.”
The prince keeps his eyes on the liquid swirling inside his glass before lifting them slowly to Lissian’s. “And if I don’t?”
Lissian’s throat bobs, but he remains firm.
“Then I will have to look at other options, and I’m sure you know that the loss of a power such as House Blackwood would be detrimental to the future of this court.” Lissian ensures he catches the eyes of the other nobles as he speaks.
The prince pauses for a moment, watching Lissian with a calculating gaze, and then, within seconds, he’s across the room, my back pressed against his chest. He wraps a hand around my throat before I even have a moment to react.
I have seen the speed vampires can move, but this is unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed.
My attention is pulled to a pureblood across the room who screams out, and when I turn to face him, my stomach drops.
A dark, shadowy mass in the shape of a man holds him in the same way the prince is holding me.
My eyes flit around the room, and I find every single pureblood in the same position.
I once heard whispers that the prince commands a shadow army, and it seems that it is no lie. The partially formed shapes shift in the air as though awaiting a command.
Lissian’s eyes widen at the scene before him, horror washing his face in a gray tint. Anger bubbles within me because I know that he does not care for a single pureblood that the prince holds in his grasp, only the coin that we make him.
“Karius, please,” he calls out in desperation, but it’s too late.
As if given a single command, the shadow figures all sever the heads of the purebloods they are holding, sending their bodies falling to the floor. Then they release their heads. I cry out, but the prince holds me upright.
“Hush now, human. I’m not done yet.”
Instinctively, I fight against his grip, but he only laughs.
Lissian looks around the room in horror as the now dead bodies lie still on the ground. He turns his attention to the prince, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“That was—”
The prince’s grip tightens around my throat, yet it doesn’t hurt. “Was what?”
“Please,” Lissian begs.
“Please? Were you not blackmailing me just moments ago?” Lissian shakes his head, but no words escape him. “Renew your blood vows or don’t, I am a crown, and I will not be blackmailed by you or any other council member at this table.”
“Y…yes,” Lissian stutters. “Please, just let the girl go.”
The prince laughs at this before dipping a nose to my throat and inhaling.
“Get the hell away from me,” I spit.
“You seem fond of this one, Lissian.” Lissian steps forward, but the prince growls, halting him instantly. “I can smell the potency swirling in her blood. I’ve never smelled anything quite like it. It’s a mystery how you kept her so well hidden from me.”
“Your Majesty, please.”
The prince ignores him to continue his monologue. “Gods, she must bring in a good amount of coin, must she not? I can’t imagine what a loss it would be if she were to die.”
Lissian steps forward cautiously.
“I apologize if I offended you. That was not my intention.”
“No?”
Lissian shakes his head.
“And yet here we are. Tell me, what would it mean to lose her?” I can feel him looking down at me, but I only grit my teeth as my eyes try to avoid looking down at the bodies on the floor.
“Please, your majesty.”
“Answer me,” he demands.
“It would be a great loss.” Lissian dips his head in defeat, and I know without a doubt that I’m about to die.
The prince sighs.
“That it would. But killing her would be so easy. I’m not entirely sure you would learn the intended lesson.” He moves forward in a flash, and we are standing right in front of Lissian. I gasp in surprise, and Lissian seems just as confused. “Remove your mark of ownership.”
The prince grabs my crest-marked wrist and holds it before him.
“Your majesty, I—”
“Remove it.” His voice is a deep rumble.
I see the moment he gives in, taking my wrist and hovering his hand over it. I watch in horror as the black ink turns into wisps of shadows that rise from my skin in a dance until they sink beneath his palm, leaving my skin completely clear. An odd emotion fills me at seeing the skin unmarked.
I feel Athriel’s emotions swirling inside me, yet he remains uncharacteristically silent.
Lissian drops my wrist before taking a step back, creating distance between him and the prince.
“You wanted me to own something of yours so badly. Well, now I do.”
Lissian’s face drops at his words as the entire room looks on in shock. The prince finally frees me from his hold, giving me the chance to turn my angry gaze on him.
“No need to get angry, little human, there’ll be plenty of time for that back at the palace.”
His words cause me to pause.
“The what…”
The corners of his mouth lift as he seems to revel in my confusion.
“The palace, or thanks to Lord Blackwood here, your new home.” For once, I’m stunned into silence. “I will be waiting in my carriage, Lissian. See to it that the human is dressed and ready to leave within the hour.”
Before I can react, he vanishes from the room, and the realization finally sinks in. I’m no longer the property of Blackwood House. I belong to the prince now.