Page 47 of Blood & Bedlam

Penny for your thoughts, little one?

Her eyes cut to me briefly.

Just marveling at how beautiful the night is. I thought today … I thought I may not see it again.

Pain lances through me as I remember watching her fight for air, seeing the flames extinguish from her fingertips as he choked her. It nearly drags a growl from my chest.

I’m so fucking proud of you. He wouldn’t have left alive, either way.

The implication of my words are clear, lifting the corner of Cami’s lip in a smirk.

It was worth it, in the end. I’ve survived worse, and now all is well. You can have the life you deserve, Papa.

Her blue eyes land on Reine, watching my mate talk animatedly to Juliette, both oblivious to our private exchange. There’s a wistfulness to her, and I hesitate, flexing my fingers against the top of my thigh.

You could have that too. If you … ever wanted.

Her gaze is stone, face impassive, when she meets my eyes across the car.

It’s too dangerous to rule that way. Too many variables—you taught me that.

I grimace, knowing she’s only repeating what I’ve said a thousand times, the excuse I used as armor any time talk of me finding a mate was brought up. Part of me wants to tell her I overheard her and Tully, but the part that has raised her, that is her father, knows that ambushing Cami will only make her more defiant. My stubborn girl gets that bullheadedness from me.

Maybe I was wrong. Maybe, love makes us stronger. As the Dracul, you’ll have the power to change things.

Cami cocks her head to the side, mulling over my words.

Maybe.

The single reply falls flat, and with it comes the closing of the bloodlink, severed from her end. She stares out at the night sky, and I wonder if I failed her. Part of that fear is real and valid. It’s the reason once Reine and I have a consecrated Bond, I’ll be stepping down and passing the rule to Cami. She’s trained for it, fought for it, and, as first daughter, it’s her Blood right.

Still.

I can’t shake the look on her face as she’d argued with Tully, that desperation in his voice for her to hear him.

You have a duty to my family, and so do I.

Her words claw through my mind, because I am the reason he took the oath to become an Eternal. It’s considered a great honor among all First Blood Clans, and in an attempt to integrate our domain with the rest of society, it seemed a good idea at the time to set up the Eternal Guard in the old way. I contemplate releasing him before I pass the torch, but it’s a lifelong appointment. Severed only by disgrace or death—releasing him from it openly would bring shame on a good man, a stain on his honor that he would never recover from.

I wonder how deep their connection runs, if it’s lust or love or something more?

The car rolls to a stop outside of City Park, stalling my thoughts as we disembark. Reine’s face lights up in wonder as she takes it all in, the giant white Greco-style house with pillars set up in the middle of the field. A plush, black and red damask carpet blankets the path up to the steps, twinkling lights dancing from high in the trees. It makes this place look magical, in that way only New Orleans can. A juxtaposition of rooted nature and laid stones that somehow looks right at home with one another.

“Okay, I’m not insane—this house definitely wasn’t always here, right?” she marvels. Kendra shoots her a wink through her midnight blue and gold horned mask.

“Magic is a wonderful thing, darlin’. Come on now,” she urges, reaching out to take the arm Fleur offers her. Her suit is perfectly tailored, the same deep, midnight blue of Kendra’s mask, but with gold pinstriping and pocket square that matches the shimmering golden fabric of her wife’s dress. Claire is decked in a lush purple that complements her fiery red hair, on Drake’s arm. They trail behind Fleur and Kendra.

From the car behind us, Dasher appears, lipstick on his white collar, hair and suit tousled. He reaches in to help Serena out in her long green dress, then bends again. Juliette comes next, in a sparkling green the same color as her mates. The girls are a tangle of kisses and sweet giggles, each taking one of Dasher’s arms. They make their way toward the entrance just as Cami’s black heels hit the carpet.

Before I or the driver can offer her a hand, Bartholomew Knight strides up in an impressive jet-black suit. It’s a stark contrast to his normal appearance, seeing him buttoned up properly, but he still moves like a pure predator, even laced up. He extends his hand, green eyes intense. Cami looks up at him for the briefest of moments. Their gazes lock.

The air around them charges, shifts, and as she stands, there’s a burning line of anger and want passing between them. He pulls her up, reaches back with his free hand to adjust her dress. That touch is intimate. Lingers too long, and Camille allows it in a way that’s so unlike her.

The moment she’s upright, the spell between them breaks. Cami bolts. Her heels shuffle over the dark carpet, Tully right behind her, both wearing stoic expressions.

I turn back to Reine as they pass, see her clocking it all. Her eyebrow raises to me as if to say, Are you seeing this shit too? I return that same look, then steer us after them. My mind races with anxious thoughts the closer to the ball we move. I can’t stop looking at the two of them walking ahead of us.

Can’t unsee the movement at Tully’s side, the opening and closing of the hand that touched Cami’s back.