Page 44 of The Vampire Court

I clench my jaw until it aches.

“Youdowant her freedom, do you not? After all, there’s no telling who will become her new master or what they will do to her once they have her fully marked.”

I swallow the lump forming in my throat. “What would you have me do?”

Though, deep in my gut, I know what she will ask.

Elizabeth rises from her spot and grabs a decanter of brandy. She fills a glass and brings it to her lips, watching me over the rim as she takes a sip. She deliberately drags the moment out until it’s almost painful. Elizabeth has me where she wants me.

Glass clinks against the glass as she sets it down. She prowls forward, the fire in the hearth gilding her figure and throwing shadows over her face.

“It’s simple,” she says, wetting her lips. “Become mine.”

My stomach plummets. Those two words are the ones I dread.

Become hers.

Allow her to control me and give her the power of my demon. Essentially trading my freedom for Clara’s.

If I refuse her, then I will lose Clara to another vampire who will most likely kill her, though I doubt I would be allowed to keep her by my side even if I do agree to this deal.

But I could send Clara anywhere she wants to go, give her what she needs to start a life free of worry.

It should be an easy choice. It is easy.

But I am selfish, and when I open my mouth to agree, no words form.

The stirring of an idea in the back of my mind begins to form and take shape. If I can get to Clara, I could give her the final mark. Clara asked for it on the ride here. Her instincts had been right.

“I will think on it,” I say, turning toward the door.

“Oh, my sweet prince,” Elizabeth croons. “I know you well enough to see your lies for what they are. You must decide now.”

A brush of air and in the blink of an eye, she’s before me. Elizabeth reaches up and drags a finger down the line of my throat. Her nail, sharpened to a point, cuts. The scent of my own blood fills the space. My skin knits itself back together almost as fast as she slices.

Elizabeth brings her finger to her lips and licks the smear of red off her finger.

Guilt forms a knot in my chest. I can only hope Clara will understand why I must take this risk. “If you force me to answer now, then I have to say no.”

Her brows shoot up. “No? You would still not give yourself to me willingly to save the human you care for?” she clutches a hand to her chest in mock horror. “You are more heartless than I remember.” A smile forms. “I love it.”

I step away from her and throw open the door.

“Oh, and one more thing, Alaric.”

I freeze.

“If you so much as attempt to mark Clara in secret, I will know, and I will not hesitate to rip her head off and leave it for you as a present in your chambers.”

My fingers tighten briefly around the doorknob. Then, I throw open the door and leave, without daring to look back at the queen.

Clara is lost to me. There is nothing I can do that will not endanger her further.

Except give up my freedom, something I have fought against for a hundred and seventy-four years.

Chapter Seventeen

Clara