Page 69 of The Ballad of the Vampire Prince

“You remind me so much of him.”

My uncle’s voice breaks through my cloud of thoughts. I turn to the elf leaning by the door with his arms folded across his chest. He’s wearing an immaculate emerald suit, the woven thread is so dark it edged more to black. It matches the dark porcelain mask covering the upper half of his face. His silver hair might once have been closer to white but now it’s beginning to show darker streaks, making it closer to gray.

A shadow darkens his eyes as he follows my gaze to the portrait of my father.

“He could have won the battle for Rhianelle the First. Had he not chosen compassion at the last minute, the Darhash territory would have been ours too.” By the flatness of my uncle’s tone, I can sense his deep disdain. “Noble he may be, but my brother was soft.”

I understand what he meant. Father was weak…

“Aelfheim is lucky your mother made up for whatever he lacks,” he casts a warm, adoring look at the painting of mother and Aerin.

“Uncle…” I mutter. I feel a hint of tears crowding my eyes when I finally take in his presence. It’s been weeks since I last saw him. I run to him immediately.

A light smile touches his lips as he welcomes me into his arms. “How have you been, niece?”

“Good,” I mutter. The material of his suit smells like pinecones in the first breath of winter. Silly Shade made it sound like my uncle had grown horns and turned into a beast.

Rainer seems better than fine. I follow him silently to his study. I settle on the velvet settee right beside him.

I don’t bother with pleasantries and small talks with my uncle. We both detest it.

“The Aldarelfs and Aeonians are planning on reclaiming Celestria and Tavan.” I quickly update him on the High Council’s progress. “I’m trying to convince them not to do it.”

Rainer’s sharp eyes shoot to me.

“I believe it’s a waste of resources,” I add quickly.

“Agreed,” he says, giving me the faintest nod of approval. “There is wisdom in avoiding a useless fight.”

Shade arrives with a tray of tea and biscuits. It’s so odd seeing a Grimsbane completing such a domestic task. They are created for chaos and death.

“The Aldarelfs are divided on this. I wish for them all to see that this will be the ember that triggers a bigger flame,” I say the words lodged in my throat these past few weeks. “It will set us on a path to war with Avalon, Myrkheim, and Darvan. I don’t want that, Uncle.”

His intense gaze sweeps on my face and I do my best not to fidget.

“I’ll call in whatever debts and favors those nobles owed me in the past, but I can’t make promises,” he says, leaning in his chair. “I have few friends these days.”

“Thank you, Uncle.” I take a sip from my teacup.

Heavens above.

The tea is as bitter as gourd. I immediately look at my uncle. Rainer simply drinks his cup without feeling.

I ask for more sugar from Shade and he pours some.

It tastes worse.

I’m certain he has just put more salt into my cup…

“When can the vampire end the Fae King?” Rainer suddenly asks.

All my thoughts on the salty tea vanish. An icy shiver skitters on my skin at the question. I can command him at any time with the Rhunhraefn. Even Svenn had volunteered to do it willingly.

“Not before I fulfill my end of the bargain.” I lie.

“And your end of the bargain is in a spell book in the capital?” He lifts his brows.

It is too long before I finally muster the calm to answer his question. “Yes, Uncle.”