‘My parents seem to think I just want to help humans. But I want something that works for both sides.’ I get up and walk over to the window. The night sky is soft with clouds, a glimmer of pale moon visible. ‘A world where humans are free isn’t going to work. But things can’t stay as they are. Not while I’m the Raven. There has to be a reason I was born this way, that my mother fought to keep me alive. I represent both sides, vampire and human. I can move freely in both worlds. If I can’t fix this, then who can?’
‘There are many who think there is nothing to be fixed.’
‘I know.’ Below us, Raven guards run through drills, flashing across the paved expanse of the quay, wielding weapons with perfect precision. I remember another dark practice ground, guards with pikes and swords. Punishment from my father, for the lie I told. I’ve come a long way since then. ‘But it’s not going to stop me trying.’
Varin is silent for a moment. Then he speaks. ‘I have trained with many warriors,’ he says. ‘Men, women, human, vampire. Each of them with their own story to tell, their own goals. Some achieved what they wanted to do. Others did not. But what was important was that they tried. They gave themselves to the dance with their whole hearts, and they believed in themselves. It wasn’t anything I could teach them; they already had to hold it, here.’ He puts his palm flat on his chest. ‘You said, when you saw your father do the Morningstar, that you heard the steel sing. Which is true, in a way. But what you also felt, what also resounded within you, was intention. A call to the song you carry that is unique to you. Hold on to that, Emelia. The dance may become difficult at times, the steps harder to learn. But as long as it calls to you, don’t stop.’
I blink back tears, obscurely comforted. From the moment we met, Varin has always treated me as a whole person. Never pandered to my humanity, never made me feel as though we were different in any way. ‘Thank you.’ My voice is husky.
He nods once, smiling. ‘I am always here for you, Emelia.’ Then he’s gone, soft and silent as a shadow, the door clicking shut behind him.
I go back to bed and sip my tea, thinking about my intentions and what I want to achieve, as night turns to day and the coach starts moving once more. I came back for a reason, and now I’m following through, growing my fangs, claiming my power. I dream of a world where humans and vampires live side by side as equals, like the society in the old documents my father found. I imagine being a warrior, strong and capable, mastering the Morningstar. And later, as I drift off to sleep, the warrior becomes Michael, beautiful as the sun, his muscles shifting as he moves through the dance.
When I wake the sun is setting, and the coach is no longer moving. Through my window I see the bulk of a huge building, the ornate twists of an iron fence against a sky that shimmers gold and ice-blue; the clouds rumpled as though someone dragged a stick through them. Versailles. Ancient home of French nobility. Built by humans, now home to the De Corbeau family.
And the place where I will fight for my crown.
ChapterNineteen
EYES ON YOU
Ihaven’t seen Jennie in a long while, but she looks the same as I remember. A small, slender woman, her hair worn long and parted in the middle, her skin the same warm brown as the carved wooden doors, her face sculpted and beautiful. She has the same onyx eyes as my mother and is clad in a long velvet gown of pale blue.
She comes towards us, arms out. ‘Penelope! Oh, I’ve missed you.’
‘And I you,’ my mother says, as they hug. ‘It’s been far too long. Come, you must meet Emelia – you haven’t seen her since she was small!’
Jennie’s eyes widen as she glances between me and my mother. ‘Why, she’s the very image of you!’ Jennie’s speech is charmingly accented, and she smells of violets and lilacs as she gathers me into an embrace, kissing my cheek. ‘You are so welcome here, Emelia. We are cousins, after all.’
‘Thank you,’ I say, conscious of all the eyes on me. ‘It’s lovely to see you again.’ Vampires line the walls, shadowy shimmers of silk and velvet; beautiful, hard faces.
They only know what they are told.
And what they’re shown. Nobody knows how close the Channel Islands visit came to disaster. And no one has to. What they’re being shown, the part I’m playing, is the soon tobe anointed heir to Raven, arriving at a family home after a successful tour, with the full backing of her powerful parents.
Jennie squeezes my arms, still smiling, then moves on to my father. ‘Aleks! Still as tall and handsome as ever, I see.’
My mother takes my hand. ‘I’ve been so looking forward tocoming here,’ she says, her dark eyes dancing. ‘I can’t wait for you to see the rest of it.’
Jennie escorts us through the palace, and I’m astounded. The Raven castle is luxurious, of course. But it’s a luxury of dark carved wood and plush carpets; of gold and silks and stained-glass windows. This place, despite the fact we’re in near-darkness, glimmers with light as though aflame. My father and Varin soon disappear, heading into the gardens with a tall, handsome vampire who I gather is Jennie’s husband. My mother keeps her hand in mine as Jennie leads us through a series of rooms dripping with gilt and embroidered silks, each one more ridiculous than the last. Bertrand and several other guards follow us along with a growing crowd of whispering vampires, more vampires bowing as we go past. I keep my head high, my shoulders back, aware that every move I make, every gesture, will be scrutinised.Iwill be the next Raven, not Oliver or Jacques, or anyone else who thinks that just because I’m human, I’m weak. I’ll show them that strength comes in different forms, and I’m more than capable of ruling. But as the parade continues through more glimmering rooms filled with mirrors and paintings that seem to watch me as I pass, it’s harder to keep up the facade.
What if I fail here, and my father has to fight for my right to hold the crown? How will I bear the guilt of him being injured, or even dying? I wonder who, in the kaleidoscope of faces around me, thinks I’m not fit to rule. My mother was right to make me face the public before we came here, to find my feet as heir. But my feet are starting to ache. Only my desire to prove everyone wrong keeps me going. I was always taught to hide my emotions, to not make myself too appealing as prey. But my human emotions are what will sustain me here. I lean into my anger, allowing it to strengthen my resolve. Imagine I’m carrying my sword, my fangs lengthening. Feel that dark power inside me flicker. They don’t want me to rule? Fine. Let them see why I deserve to.
Jennie comes to a stop in a room that shimmers as though we’re inside a jewel box. She claps her hands, and the clustered vampires pause.
‘The tour is complete. We will have privacy now, if you please.’ There’s a moment where everyone stills. Then they flash from the room in a rustle like wings, until only Jennie, Bertrand, my mother and I remain. I hold back my sigh of relief.
Jennie tilts her head like a bird. ‘I thought you might like to stay here, Emelia.’
A bed against one wall is made up with white linens and a heavily embroidered silk coverlet, pink roses and green leaves everywhere. Matching drapes fall from an overhanging canopy, which has overlapping layers of fabric like the petals of a flower. Gold, woven into the draperies, also gilds the carved canopy and outlines the silk panels on the walls. There’s even a gilt railing between me and the bed, a row of silk-cushioned stools against it. Vampires like sparkly things, but this seems excessive even for them.
‘This was once the bedroom of a human queen,’ Jennie says with a smile. ‘So, I think it shall be perfect for you.’ There’s a knowing gleam in her eye, and I understand. I know which queen she means; a divisive figure, who died in a revolution. And I’m here in response to a revolution against my own crown. Everything, as I say, is symbolic.
Jennie opens a gate in the gilt balustrade, letting me through to the bed. It’s even prettier close up, each trembling flower petal woven in detail, the colours as fresh as though made yesterday.
‘We installed bathing facilities through here,’ Jennie continues, opening a door concealed in the silk-panelled walls, ‘and your clothes have already been hung up.’
I glance at my mother. She nods, a faint smile on her red lips, but worry shadows her eyes. Bertrand is frowning, his keen blue gaze taking in our surroundings. These rooms are all connected, one door leading to another. There’s nothing to stop anyone coming in here if they wanted. Again, though, this is symbolic. A ruler should be accessible. And I have guards.
