‘Yes. This is the kind of court I want to build. A court where humans and vampires hold equal status. Making Michael my lieutenant is a message.’ I’m not lying. Aside from however I might feel about Michael, it does make sense. Varin as my vampire champion. Michael as my human lieutenant. Both sides working together, a symbol for how I’d like things to be.
‘Choosing Michael…’ My father sighs, concern gleaming in his hawk’s gaze. ‘I understand why you’re considering it. It’s risky, and bold, and definitely a message to all of our kind. It’s the kind of move you need to make as a ruler. But it also puts you in a dangerous position.’
I get it. For the ruler of Raven to be human is precarious enough. For her second-in-command to be, too, is dangerous.
‘I cannot choose Oliver or Jacques. I won’t. If Michael isn’t here, I’ll choose Deryck Vindhof. And we’ll deal with whatever Mistral brings as a result of that.’
My father glances at my mother, who is biting her lip. She nods.
‘The choice is yours,’ he says. ‘And we’ll all support you. Whatever it may lead to.’
There’s so much love in his voice it almost breaks me. I know what I’m doing is risky. But it also feels right, for so many reasons.
‘Thank you,’ I say.
‘It’s almost time.’ My father glances out the window at the moon. ‘Are you ready?’
‘Oh, I’m ready.’ Ready to unleash hell on those assholes. But, as we leave the coach, my mother grabs my arm.
‘A moment,’ she says, her voice low and urgent.
I wait, wondering what the hell is going on. Father and Varin continue to the dais, taking their places by the thrones.
‘Are you sure about this?’
‘About what? Choosing Michael? Or not choosing Oliver or Jacques? Because the answer to both is yes. Why?’
‘Mistral did what he did out of love for me.’
I’m shocked. It’s the first time she’s said it aloud, though I know she blames herself.
‘Do not repeat the same mistake with his son. You had feelings for him, didn’t you; I could see it in your face. And Joaquin is not someone to be strung along. If you choose Michael, you need to be clear what his place is with you, from the start.’
‘I’m with Joaquin.’
‘Again, are you sure?’
‘I don’t have a lifetime to wait for love, like you did,’ I snap. ‘And I have to choose for power, not love.’
My mother’s brows draw together. ‘We’ve talked about this. You are Raven, Emelia. You can choose for yourself.’
‘No, I can’t. And we have to go.’ Families are already lining up at the dais. If she doesn’t understand this, I don’t have time to explain.
My mother sighs, worry still darkening her gaze. ‘Just be careful. We’re more alike than you think.’
I’m still fuming as we ascend the dais. As if we’re alike. Sure, everyone says how similar we look, but we’re worlds apart. She is vampire, and I am human. And there lies the main problem with her handing me the crown.
But the wheels are in motion. I have a job to do, the crowd getting restless. Joaquin joins us, standing next to Varin, and the ceremony begins. The families, one by one, approach the throne. Each one announced, their ancient names ringing across the meadow. Each one kneeling, taking my hand and kissing the ring.
There’s no sign of Mistral.
As the line grows shorter, the night moving towards dawn, worry sits deep in my stomach. If they want to stand against me, then so be it. I’d love to put the boot into them. I just wish I knew whether or not Michael was alive.
Then I see them. Oliver and Jacques. Tall and blond, looking so much like their father. I plaster a smile on my face as they approach, even though my heart sinks. Keeping up appearances, pretending as though they aren’t traitorous bastards.
Then, as they get closer, I realise who’s walking behind them. My heart starts pounding.
Eyes like a summer storm meet mine.
