Page 98 of Blood Curse

“For blood?”

“There might be food.”

“There isn’t.”

“A tragic court.”

“Leave while you still can.”

The answer earned a few laughs. Mara put the crate on the nearest table and started passing bottles along.

Stellan stayed beside me as we moved through the room. People made space without dropping their voices. A woman touched his sleeve as he passed. An older man lifted his glass. Stellan answered each greeting, but he didn’t let anyone turn it into a ceremony.

The dark-haired vampire from the cellar rose when we reached the long table.

“Blood King.” He raised his head. “My queen.”

The Crown warmed.

I didn’t answer quickly enough.

Mara set a glass in front of me. “Bryony.”

Several people looked at her.

The dark-haired man frowned. “You don’t call her queen?”

“I call her Bryony.”

“She wears the Crown.”

“Which is exactly why I won’t let the thing decide how I address her.” Mara filled her own glass. “Bryony has my respect. The metal in her hair doesn’t.”

The Crown tightened.

“Mara’s allowed to call me⁠—”

My jaw locked.

The last word died against my teeth.

Cold closed around my spine and spread into my arms. My right hand left Stellan’s and flattened against my skirt. The room remained bright and loud for one more second.

Then every voice stopped.

I could still see. I could hear my own breath. I could feel Stellan’s fingers brush mine as he realised they had gone rigid.

The Crown turned my head towards the guard near the fire.

“You,” it said with my voice.

The guard stood.

My arm lifted and pointed at the dark-haired man.

“And you. Hold Mara.”

Both vampires moved.