Page 86 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2

"I was," I admit. "We used to play pretend at this," I gesture towards the pavilion in front of me. "I never expected I'd be going to a midnight tournament as a vampire princess when we were playing." I'm not even sure how I feel about that. Suspicious deaths and angry brother aside, I like my life now, a lot more than the life I had before, even if that's not something I thought would happen when I first came here. It's a confusing truth that I'm not entirely sure how to handle most of the time.

"Well, today you are a vampire princess, and the one being honoured with the tournament."

"I'm still not entirely sure what that means," I admit.

"You're supposed to pick a champion," he says. "As am I."

"A champion?" I groan. "No doubt there are a dozen unspoken rules I'm supposed to abide by."

Linc chuckles. "Something like that. And you can't get around them by choosing Marcus, because he's going to be my champion."

"Great," I mutter. "I guess Lord Fallmartin is out?"

"He'd be considered the safe option for you," Linc responds. "At least until there's someone you want to show favour to."

"Hmm."

"What is it?" Linc asks as he nods to the attendants who move the curtains aside so that we can enter.

"Lord Fallmartin would be disappointed if I missed an opportunity to create an ally."

"Has he given you any advice on the matter?"

I shake my head. "I think he's been preoccupied by orchestrating the perfect cover-up and said that he trusted my judgement."

"Ah."

Silence falls over us as we both think about Thomas' untimely death. I know there's nothing that can be done to change it, but it's not a good feeling to know that he's gone.

That feeling only intensifies when I spot Bella waiting beside my chair, her whole demeanour less vibrant than before. I hate that she's being forced to be out in public so soon after everything happened, she should be allowed to rest without fearing what the people around her are thinking. But I also know that Lord Fallmartin is hoping to control the narrative surrounding Thomas' death, no doubt so that it doesn't become obvious that the killer is someone from our own House.

"Your Highnesses," she says as we get to her.

"Lady Vermouten," I say in response.

She winces, but gives me a small nod to indicate that I've called her the right thing. Keeping up with the family plan is something that both of us have to do, no matter our personal feelings.

I take a seat on what looks to be a throne, trying not to feel too uncomfortable about that turn of events. I'm not sure when I became the kind of person who needed one. Except that I know the answer to that.

Yesterday. When I bit Linc and offered him my blood in exchange for his. There's no denying the wedding vows we made. Not that I want to.

"How many competitors are there today?" I ask Linc.

"A hundred or so. Most of the Houses of means put at least one person forward. Though some of them are on the archery list and elsewhere. We're only watching the jousting."

I nod. "Anyone we know?"

"Your father, Marcus, and Lord Luca. Unless you know anyone else who is taking part."

"Luca," I echo.

"Oh no, you're plotting something, aren't you?" he asks.

"Just that if I have to have a champion, perhaps Lord Luca is a good choice."

"He's from a fairly minor House," Linc says.

"But important enough. And that's a good factor to take into account," I muse. I look around to see who is around, before leaning in to whisper to Linc. "If House Vermatchi's position is too low for your father, then maybe we can do something about it."