The queen wasn’t exaggerating about the number of guests at the gala. My skin burned in response and my supernatural defenses were going haywire in an effort to alert me to all the potential threats. At least my magic was behaving. I was a normal shade of beige with nary a silver fleck in sight. Now I just had to stay that way for the duration of the gala.
Callan and I entered through the State Room to be welcomed by the royal family and continued to the ballroom. I caught Callan looking at me for what seemed like the fiftieth time and I finally broke my silence.
“Is there something on my face?” Aside from makeup, of course. I touched the corner of my mouth to check whether the lipstick had smudged. If Kami could see me now, she’d die laughing.
The prince seemed taken aback by the question. “No, you look…exquisite.”
I glanced down at the dress I’d been loaned. The sapphire fabric complemented my coloring and the A-line skirt emphasized my small waist and had the added bonus of making it easy to move in.
“Try not to look so surprised.”
He said nothing and turned his attention to the ballroom where the gala was already underway. Vampires danced in pairs and even threesomes, although the latter moved so awkwardly I didn’t see why they bothered. There was no fun in constantly bumping elbows and tripping over each other’s feet.
I felt the gaze of dozens of vampires as word spread of the prince’s arrival and it didn’t take long for Princess Louise to find us.
“Prince Callan, how splendid you look.” She wrinkled her nose at me. “You, too, of course, lady knight.”
“Her name is London,” Callan corrected her.
She gave him a coy smile. “Did you know we were once discussed as a match? To join our Houses.”
Callan maintained an air of indifference. “I wasn’t aware.”
She plucked two flutes of blood from a passing server and handed one to Callan. The smell was nauseating.
“I don’t know what became of it,” Louise continued. “Perhaps we should inquire.” She flashed an engaging smile that showed her fangs.
Callan took the flirtation in stride. “With my reputation, I would be a heavy burden for any woman. You’d be much better off with someone like my brother, Maeron.”
“But my father has no interest in a match with House Lewis. He is, however, quite interested in a union with House Duncan.” She lowered her lashes in a coquettish fashion. “Prudent marriages have been a staple of our survival, you see.”
My gaze darted to Callan, who remained impassive. “A prudent marriage to the Highland Reckoning seems counterintuitive to me,” he replied.
“Why are you traveling together outside of House Lewis territory?” She tipped back the flute and emptied the glass of its contents.
“An assignment that required royal supervision.” Callan tapped the outside of his flute, the contents untouched.
The princess regarded me. “A knight who requires a protector? Why bother calling yourself a knight at all?”
“He’s not…” I started, but Callan interrupted.
“We knew an encounter with the Mierce was likely given our destination and my House hoped to avoid a diplomatic incident. King Casek decided it best to send an emissary along with his best knight.”
It wasn’t even a good lie, but the princess seemed to swallow it whole.
“Ugh, the Mierce. They’ve troubled our House for quite some time. I can’t travel to the coast without soldiers because of them. Father thinks it’s too risky. If it were up to me, I’d send the army after them. Set their heads on spikes to warn others what happens to traitors.”
“They’re more misguided than harmful,” Callan said. “I wouldn’t waste your resources on them.”
The princess tugged at the collar of his shirt in a playful fashion. “Perhaps you wish to lull us into a false sense of security. After all, House Lewis stands to benefit if our House is weakened by a Mierce uprising.”
“If they’re a significant threat to your House, then they’re a threat to ours,” Callan pointed out.
She removed the flute from his hand and drank it, keeping her eyes glued to him the whole time.
“Dance with me,” she said.
“Of course, Your Highness.” Without so much as a glance at me, he took her by the hand and escorted her to the dance floor.
At least they didn’t try to make it a threesome.
I watched them for a brief moment before seeking refuge. What did I care that he’d placed his hand on the small of her back? Those two were made for each other. Princess Louise was hard and cruel and Prince Callan was terrifying. I’d be lucky to be rid of him soon.
I ambled through the cavernous rooms of the castle until a pleasant scent permeated my nostrils.
Citrus?
I followed the trail until I reached the open doorway to a courtyard. I stood on the threshold and blinked in surprise. The courtyard was lined with trees bearing fruit. I’d never seen so much in one place, not even at the market. I walked to the nearest tree to examine the oblong green fruit.
“Lime trees,” a voice said. “Her Majesty planted them when they first took over the castle.”
I turned to see a girl in a white satin dress. She couldn’t have been a day older than twelve. “You know the history?”
“My mum told me. She works here. She oversees the magic users who keep the trees on the castle grounds alive.”
“Why lime trees?” I knew the answer, but I wondered whether she did.
The girl squared her shoulders. “Because they’re impressive. No other House in the country grows lime trees as far as I know.”
“That’s certainly one reason.” The other reason was that lime trees, along with linden trees, were believed to inspire truthfulness. I’d bet good money that if the king or queen wanted information from staff, they were interviewed in this very courtyard. Glancing around to make certain I wasn’t observed, I plucked a lime from the nearest branch and stuffed the small object into the bodice of my gown. No one would search for it there and they’d lose a hand if they tried. I held a finger over my lips and smiled at the little girl. It would be our secret.
Callan appeared at the opposite end of the courtyard and the girl’s eyes grew as large as the limes. “Is it true?” she whispered.
“Is what true?” I asked.
“Is he truly…You know?” Her eyes stayed pinned to the prince.
“He really is.”
She looked at me agape. “And you travel with him?”
“We work together.”
“He doesn’t frighten you?”
All vampires frightened me, but I pushed back against the influence of the lime trees and kept my mouth shut.
“I’m a knight. It takes more than fangs to frighten me. How about you? You’re a young witch in a castle full of vampires. Doesn’t that frighten you?”
She lowered her gaze. “Every day.”
I crouched down and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I think you’re very brave and the world needs brave women. Practice your magic as much as they’ll allow it. It’s your best weapon.”