Page 70 of The Ballad of the Vampire Prince

Another one of his withering gaze and I sit straighter.

“Anyone can see you have a certain hold on him,” Rainer mutters, frowning into his cup.

I forgot how perceptive my uncle can be. I say nothing to his remark.

“If you were anything like Aerin, I would have asked you to manipulate that feeling and use him to kill Eirik instantly.” His lips tighten into a line. “But you’re… you.”

There is no disappointment in his tone. Just facts.

I’m me.

“Your Nameday is coming up soon,” Rainer suddenly says.

He remembers.

“Do you have the keys I gave to you and Aerin?” He arches a brow.

I nod, touching the earring on my left, the key to open every treasure vault of the Wiolant’s safehouses all across Aelfheim.

“We’ll host a ball for your Nameday,” he decides quickly. “It will make a good show of Völundr’s power and boost the council’s confidence in you.”

I agree with him silently.

“I don’t think I can move the warlords with words.” I swallow hard, my heart thundering.

“It’s a difficult feat, but not impossible. Your mother did it once.” Rainer yields no tinge of emotion as he leans back. “Although hers was to bring us to battle, not to shy away from it.”

Difficult but not impossible.

Rainer is right. This is an opportunity. At least I can deliver a speech to the nobles without the Aeonians’ interruption.

“Is something else bothering you?” he asks, his eyes dipping down to look at me.

“The Aldarelfs and war generals may not know I haven’t ascended, but they can tell that I’m inexperience,” I say, lowering my head to avoid that sharp gaze.

“Don’t let them intimidate you.” There is a chilling edge to his voice. “You are a Wiolant. Do not let others tell you are smaller than who you’re meant to be.”

For a moment Rainer seems to have returned to the warrior who taught Aerin and me how to fight. His words of encouragement chase the dark thoughts perched on my mind.

We sit there in comfortable silence like one of our frequent evening teas in the past.

“The Grimsbane told me you’re getting along with the vampire?” A pointed question.

I simply nod.

I don’t know what Shade has been telling my uncle. The last time he saw me, I was sitting on top of Svenn’s shoulders.

“Sharing a room with the vampire is also your choice?” he asks again.

I nod to that too.

“He’s not forcing you to do anything against your will, is he?” He quirks a brow.

“No, Uncle,” I say, and this time I look him straight in the eye.

His expression softens at my answer. I notice a shadow of something else in there too. But I can’t quite place what it is. Rainer seems paler than the parchment on the table. He briefly glances at the wooden clock behind me. “I need to have my rest now,” he says.

“Oh, I have to leave soon before curfew too,” I say quickly. “Thank you for taking the time to see me, Uncle.”