‘It’s not that simple, unfortunately.’ My mother looks pained. ‘Mistral was my lieutenant, and he betrayed us. Many lives were lost, and property destroyed, in that rebellion. If it comes out that Mistral was behind it, it could weaken our position.’
‘Why?’ I’m furious. ‘Why does our choosing to punish a traitor mean we’re weak?’
‘Because we didn’t know about it. He was plotting against me, against you, against the realm of Raven itself, right under our noses,’ my father says. ‘If they expose this now and spin it so it looks like they’ve been pressured into accepting you, it could negate any of the gains you’ve made with the tour and Versailles.’
‘Is this about me being human again?’ I shake my head. ‘No. I did not go through … what I went through, for these two idiots to try and take my realm. Because that’s what they want, isn’t it? I doubt I’d survive long with either of them as my lieutenant.’
‘No one would let anything happen to you!’ My mother sounds shocked. I’m surprised at her naïveté.
‘So, I’m to keep living my life constantly under guard? I don’t want that, either! And I doubt either of them will be interested in what I want to do for humans. Anyone I choose needs to be aligned with my agenda.’
‘Who were you thinking of choosing?’
‘I’m still not sure. Corinna Eligor, possibly. Or Deryck Vindhof.’ Even though he reminds me of Michael. I pause. ‘What did it say in the letter? The exact wording? About who they want me to choose?’
‘It requests that you choose “a son of Mistral” as your lieutenant,’ Varin says, his lip curling. ‘In honour of their late father.’
Hmm. ‘Not that their father should be honoured in any way, but are there any positives to choosing Mistral?’
‘Why do you ask?’ My father stops pacing, folding his arms.
‘Well, you’ve always taught me to consider all sides.’ An idea is forming. Another gamble.
‘Mistral was a good lieutenant to me, until he wasn’t,’ my mother says, looking thoughtful. ‘He stepped aside when your father came into my life?—’
‘Though it wasn’t without tension, my love,’ my father interjects. My mother glares at him.
‘As I was saying, he served me well. The Mistral line have held the position before. And, of course, it will alleviate any dissent.’ Her onyx gaze narrows, briefly. ‘The twelve families know the truth of how and why Mistral died, and four of them chose to side with his sons against you anyway.’
‘So, if I choose one of them, it will effectively nip that in the bud. Make us out to be the bigger person in all this.’
‘Yes. Binding one of Mistral’s sons to us also means there will be far higher consequences for their treachery. Loyalty is valued highly among our people, and taking the post of lieutenant sends a message. For one of Mistral’s sons to hold the post, then turn on us, would likely be the end of their family line.’
‘Just so I’m clear, then, if I don’t choose a “son of Mistral”, Oliver and Jacques will spend the rest of my reign trying to destabilise me. And if I focus on improving conditions for humans, like I want to, then it will make it even easier for them to turn vampire opinion against me. These are my options.’ Such a neat little trick. Darkness flickers within me, something feral rising to meet their challenge. They think they have me. But they don’t.
My father nods. ‘Unfortunately, yes.’
‘What if there was a third option? One that met their conditions, but meant I got what I wanted, too.’
My mother raises one eyebrow.
‘Mistral had another son, didn’t he? A human son.’
My father looks thunderstruck. My mother’s eyes widen.
‘Yes, he did. But how?—’
‘—do I know him? He was my … my friend, in the Safe Zone.’ I pause, letting the words settle. I can’t give my feelings away.
‘If he shows up,’ my father says, still looking shocked, ‘then yes, I suppose it does adhere to their terms.’ He glances at my mother. ‘There are no guarantees he’s still alive, though. Mistral never cared for human children, as you know. Oliver and Jacques are probably the same.’
I feel sick. He cannot be dead. Why was I so quick to block him?
Because you were hurt, grieving.
‘If I choose him, they’ll get what they say they want. But I’ll also get what I want.’
‘Are you sure about this?’
