Moonlight Prince (Vampire Girl #4)

Nothing.

Dean sits on a rock, his eyes dark. "There is only one thing left, then."

I try to find an argument to sway us both, but there is none. Arianna comes above all. Above Tavian Gray's life. Above any reservations I feel about making deals with the Darkness. "We will speak with him first," I say.

Dean nods.

And then we head for Stonehill.

The city is carved into a mountain, filled with raging waterfalls and glowing crystals protruding from the stone. Past the large gates, small buildings of wood and stone line the cobble streets. Deeper into the city, the architecture grows more grand, the use of stone more common and exquisite. Deeper still stands the castle, a mass of gray rock built from the mountainside. It rises into the pale cloudy sky, looming over the thousands of people below, reminding them of their ruler, of their kingdom, of their duty. It is a marvel of architecture, art and nature converging.

And it is the chain that binds me.

I push away thoughts of responsibility as we pass the market square, the stage where Fae are bought and sold. None are on show today. But still people crowd this part of the city, gathering at stalls, bartering for goods, bidding for services. Their voices muddle together, but one catches my attention.

"You forget your place, Fae," says a man as he smashes his fist into his slave, knocking her into the mud. Thick robes and heavy jewelry swing from his person, while the Fae wears only tattered gray rags. He grabs her ear, twisting it, and she squeals in pain. "How dare you forget to bring my cane? I will—"

I flick my hand, and the earth beneath the man shifts. He falls to the ground, staining his white robes in the brown dirt. Gasping, he looks around, his face flushed red. Hiding his embarrassment, he covers his face and tries to stand, only to fall again, this time kissing the mud with his lips.

Dean glances my way. "Careful, brother."

I shrug, my lips curling into a smile. "The man is clumsy. I didn't make him so." And in truth, I didn't mean to do as I did. My powers are more instinct than plan. When I rushed in front of Arianna, jumping between her and the flames, when I threw my arms up in defense, all I sought was to protect her with my body. I did not expect to move the very earth with my will, and yet I did. What to make of that I still don't know. Should I train as Varis suggests? But how? How could I find the time when I must first find Arianna?

Dean shakes his head at my silence, sighs, and says nothing as we make our way for the castle. We pass the wooden poles and crosses raised by Levi's men. They are empty now, the Fae pulled down and buried by my command. But still they stand as a reminder of innocent blood spilled. When I can spare the men, I should have them pulled from the earth, but for now my workers toil at the castle, repairing the wall destroyed by Levi's explosives. I did not think he would risk the lives of so many innocents to set a trap for Arianna. What a fool I was.

When we pass the gates, and enter the great hall, half majestic, half charred and broken, I find my Keeper, Kal'Hallen overseeing the repairs. "Find Tavian Gray. I must have words with him."

"Of course, my lord," says the ancient Fae, stepping forward and clutching his stomach; he has still not fully recovered from his wound. "When shall I have him meet you?"

I walk to the tree at the center of the hall, up the stairs that will lead to my room. "Tonight."

The Keeper swallows hard, unease in his eyes. "But my lord, what of the ball?"

I freeze. "What ball?"

"Oh dear. I thought Prince Asher had consulted you—"

"What ball?"

He licks his lips. "In your absence, my lord, your brother planned a ball for this evening."

Dean and I exchange a look. Asher is overstepping. "Tell him I will not attend," I say, growling, "It is what he expects anyway."

I turn away, walking up stairs, and Kal hurries behind me. "My lord, I think that would be unwise. He will be here, after all."

I stop, dread twisting my stomach. "Who?"

"Your brother, my lord. Prince Niam."





Chapter 5


PRINCE OF GREED


Fenris Vane


"Don't let the pretty baubles fool you, Princess. We are still demons. This is still a dangerous place."

—Fenris Vane



My fist smashes into Asher's face.

He flies through the air, slamming into the wall of his chambers and falling to the ground. He rubs his chin, and Dean, who stands beside me, does the same in some strange sympathetic gesture. I glance between them, bewildered. Then focus back on Asher. "How dare you not consult us?"

He shrugs, still sitting on the floor by his bed. "You were busy searching for Arianna. In fact, I'm curious as to why you have returned? I don't see the princess."

"We…" I pause, deciding not to give too much away to my treacherous brother. "We need to gather more supplies."

"I see," says Asher. "Well, just as you need supplies, I need security. That is why I summoned Niam. To discuss peace."

I clench my fists. "Peace? He voted to have Arianna and I killed! What kind of peace can I make with him?"

"You alone? None. But the three of us together…" He stands, dusting off his suit. "Though most of our brothers hate you and dislike me, they have a fondness for Dean. And no matter their opinion, we have power. There are three of us. Four of them—three since Levi is yet to be found. Almost an equal split of the Seven Realms. If they challenge us, they start a full on civil war. A war that will tear the land apart even without help from the Fae."

Dean nods. "If Niam agreed to attend, he must be interested in discussing a treaty. And if we can get Niam, he'll get us the others."

"Exactly," says Asher. "And we will make sure it is a treaty that benefits both parties. A treaty that keeps peace while you two go about searching for the Princess."

I don't like the idea of meeting Niam, but I see no other alternatives. Still… "A ball? Could it not have been a council meeting? You know I am not made for such things, and the timing hardly seems appropriate. We have our realms to rebuild and a possible war to plan for. Not to mention Arianna to find. This isn't the time for a party."

Asher studies me up and down. "Not everyone shares your distaste for the finer things in life, brother. And a ball is exactly the setting we need for a talk of peace. Wine, women, music… some much needed distraction after so much stress. You must learn to alleviate the pressure when it builds, lest it explode in your face. This will remind our brothers of the perks of a united family. So, off with you. Prepare for the festivities. Make sure to clean yourselves up. And find something nice to wear. You look like savages."