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A woman seated near the center of the table stands. She sends the courtiers on either side of her a beseeching look. They only offer a nod and the wave of a hand to go on. “Won’t some humans see that as free rein to slay vampires?”
I barely hold back my shock to hear a concern that isn’t about deposing me. “A vampire can defend themselves but should take measures to subdue and not harm if it is avoidable.”
She nods and lowers back down, looking at those nearest her with a nervous smile.
“Measures will be put in place to ward against any retaliation on all sides,” I add. “We will do away with the uneven distribution of power, allowing everyone to live without fear.
“As part of this change,” I continue. “The Claiming will end. “No human is to be hunted, forced, threatened, or compelled into offering their blood or anything else. A vampire wishing to feed must find a willing human—who is to remain unharmed and fairly compensated for their services.”
“What if none are willing?” Mr. Greene sputters.
“Then I suggest you learn to be more personable,” I say flatly. What I imply seems to break the last of his restraints. The corner of my mouth ticks up.
He bares his teeth and hisses. But before he can launch himself over the table and run at me, Alaric has already crossed the room, his hand around the man’s throat, fingers pressing into the tender skin of his neck.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
CLARA
Lawrenceand the Voice have positioned themselves to block anyone else from approaching—their alliance made clear.
“She is your queen, and my oath bonded. If you, or anyone else, so much as attempts to harm a single hair on her head, they will find their heart removed from their chest before they can lift a finger.”
Every gaze in the room snaps to Alaric’s face at the mention of the oath bond. Gasps and murmured questions rise like the tide, falling silent as he continues to stare the man down.
I cross to the far end with long strides. Alaric has the other vampire pulled forward. Mr. Greene braces his palms on the table to steady himself. I draw my dagger from the sheath strapped to my thigh and drive it into the center of his hand—the metal slices through muscle and bone with ease. Arthur Greene’s eyes bulge, his pallor turning waxy and gray. “Consider this my warning,” I say. “Next time, it will be your life.” Then I rip the blade out and turn away.
Alaric releases him with a shove. “Clean yourself up.”
We return to our seats as if what just happened was of little consequence.
Mr. Greene cradles his bleeding hand inside his jacket, rubbing his neck with the other and trying to disguise it as fixing his collar. Already the skin is discoloring from the force of Alaric’s grip.
Not a single vampire in the room failed to understand Alaric’s message or mine. He will kill them without hesitation, even if I didn’t wear the crown, and I will kill any who pose a threat.
“We are here to discuss the future of the court, not to ask for the court’s approval of our queen,” Alaric says.
The Voice makes the most subtle movement, commanding the floor. A spell all its own. It’s easy to see why Elizabeth wanted her.
She has a rare power, understated and valuable. Anyone not looking closely would miss it.
When I woke up the second time, the Voice came into my room. She said she was in my service. Though she made it sound like a debt for freeing her, I understood that whatever bound her here had not ended with Elizabeth’s death.
Without hesitation, I freed her. As beneficial as it would be to have someone like her, I will not follow in Elizabeth’s footsteps. She agreed to stay and help me with the transition as repayment.
“Before we go any further.” The Voice lets her gaze sweep the room. “Each of you will stand and pledge loyalty if you wish to retain your position. Or should you refuse, you will be dismissed. No one will face retribution for their decision…. Those who decline will have their powers fettered.”
One by one, each vampire stands and offers an unwavering loyalty to the crown… to me. I am surprised that so many have readily accepted my sovereignty.
Though I suppose it shouldn’t be entirely unexpected for those with power to welcome inconvenient changes in order to keep it.
With each pledge, there is a subtle pulse of magic, like a dandelion seed brushing over skin, binding them to their oaths. From one to the next, everything goes smoothly.
That is until only three remain.
It doesn’t come as a surprise when Mr. Greene does not make the same decision as those before him.
“I will act in accordance with the laws of this rule, but I cannot remain as part of this court if it means I must participate in whatever changes ahuman—”Voice raspy, he spears me with a look of open hostility. “—should decide for all vampires.”
