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My stomach cramps painfully.
Hunger… endless hunger.
The need to feed has the urgency of having been neglected. I cannot recall the last time I fed. It couldn’t have been more than a day or two at most from the dried blood spilled on the rug in my parlor. The harder I try to remember, the more difficult it is to hold on to anything.
It is a dark and sharp presence slithering through my mind, contorting parts of who I am. Squeezing. Suffocating. Cutting the shapes of my thoughts, of my past, of who I am into harsh facets with razor-like edges.
For perhaps the twentieth time today, Elizabeth sends a sidelong glance filled with concern in my direction. I thought nothing of it at first, however, now I wonder if I have displeased her.
“My prince?” Elizabeth’s sweet voice pulls me from my thoughts and back to her. “Is there something on your mind?”
Kharis perches on a statue, with features worn down by time and weather before it was eventually brought inside. The high-pitched sound rings painfully in my ears. When the echoing resonance fades, my head is clearer.
“Nothing important, my queen. I found it tiresome having to listen to endless complaints from incapable nobles. They seemed pettier than usual.”
She frowns, and… there’s that look again.
“There’s no need to fret over me when you’ve endured to the same tedium,” I add quickly.
She waves her hand apathetically. “I’ve had centuries to grow accustomed to it.”
Elizabeth hums, seeming pleased. “I am glad you finally decided to embrace your role. You have settled in quite well.”
That would explain the way she keeps glancing at me.
Does she think I am straining under the few simple duties I’ve taken on? I make a mental note to prove to her that I am more than capable.
“Thank you, my queen.” I take one of her delicate hands in mine, bending at the waist to press a soft kiss against the cool skin of her knuckles.
She pouts, though there is an obvious teasing quality to it. “You needn’t be so formal when no one else is around, my love…”
We are not what I consider being alone. The Voice stands a few paces to my queen’s side, as unmoving and pale as a sculpture carved from moonlight and ice.
When she took up the position, she surrendered whatever name she once had. Now, she is only the Queen’s Voice, rarely speaking outside her duties. With her head held high, her bright pink eyes slide to mine, though she seems unbothered.
My queen moves closer, grabbing my cravat near the base of my throat and pulling my face to eye level. “Call me Elizabeth,” she speaks each word slowly.
“Elizabeth.” The name feels awkward on my tongue when I attempt to infuse my affection and loyalty into the sound. It comes out coarse, though she doesn’t seem to notice.
Pleased, she releases me. “I could use some air. Would you care to escort me?”
Briefly, her voice doubles over on itself. One version a sweet request for company, the other a sharp demand. It vanishes before I’m able to make sense of it. Not wishing to ruin a pleasant night, I put it out of my mind.
I offer my arm to Elizabeth and say, “I would be honored.”
She settles her hand in the crook of my elbow, and we change course, heading toward the eastern wing of her floor where the expansive balcony overlooks the valley.
It is the second night of the full moon. Within an hour, it will be at its zenith. From her expansive balcony, we can see the entire valley cast in pale moonlight.
Elizabeth talks of the events leading up to my coronation—a ball to end each week. The first will be the smallest, held for the nobility, then becoming grander each week, inviting the gentry and other lesser vampires, and even allowing a few chosen humans from the city for the main event.
I can’t help but think how much Rosalie will love the spectacle. She will need to have new dresses made. I will stop by her quarters later to tell her—
Sharp pain pierces my head with a sudden throbbing at my temples that makes it impossible to remember how to find her room.
“Rosalie…”
Elizabeth abruptly stops talking and glances at me with one brow quirked. “Who? Ah, you mean your sister.”
