Vampire Kingdom 2: The Pact

by Leigh Walker

  I clasped his hands and squeezed them. “It’s just that I’m afraid. Not only of all the craziness that your mother is about to unleash, but I’m just…scared. I have feelings for you, Dominic. But there are so many things to worry about. What if I get called back? What if I leave you again, and I don’t remember you—my husband? What if I don’t get called back and I’m your eighteen-year-old vampire-bride puppet with the mother-in-law from hell—literally—then she starts a race war and we have to fight and—”

  “Victoria.” He leaned over me, his cool breath on my face. “Stop talking.”

  Momentarily silenced, I looked up at him. Then fear jabbed at my heart. Is he using his voodoo on me? “Oh my god, did you just—”

  “I did no such thing.” He put his forehead against mine. “When I make a promise, I keep it, my lady. I gave you my word. I shall not use that power over you again.”

  Relishing the feel of his skin against mine, finally, I forced myself to relax. “I have to tell you how I feel, though. I need you to understand.”

  “But we don’t have much time. You have to go and meet with the sacrifices, and I have to go and face the council.”

  “I know.” I blew out a deep breath. “You said you didn’t want to marry me if the only reason I was going through with it was because of my mother and sister. But I need you to understand—of course I want my mother and sister here. I have to do what I can to protect them, and the only way I can do that is to get them into the kingdom. And the only way to get them here, as I understand it, is to marry you.”

  “I’ve thought about going to find them,” Dom said. He leaned back from me but didn’t release my hands. “But I don’t feel I can leave my mother here alone. I have a responsibility to the citizens.”

  “Of course you do. And that’s one of the very many things I admire about you—your protectiveness of your people. But that’s what I’m trying to get at. I admire many things about you. I have real feelings for you. If I were being forced into marriage, which I am, I would choose you in a nanosecond, which I do.”

  He cocked his head. “I’ve no idea what you’re saying.”

  “That’s because I’m a coward, and I’m doing a crappy job of telling the truth. What I’m trying to say is, I—”

  “Lady Victoria.” Professor Talbot was suddenly in the doorway, an icy expression on her face. “The sacrifices are waiting for you. Based on the urgency of the queen’s orders, I don’t counsel you to keep them long.”

  “Of course, Professor Talbot. I’ll just be a moment.” I turned back to Dom. “What I was trying to say was my family isn’t the only reason I’ve agreed to marry you. I have other reasons, Your Highness. Important ones.”

  In spite of everything, he managed a small smile for me. “You do?”

  In spite of everything, I managed to smile back. “Yes, I do.”

  “Flagrantly violating the queen’s orders is clearly not in your best interests,” Professor Talbot said as she marched me across the gardens to the sacrifices’ building.

  “She’s ordered me to marry her son, and I’m doing that.” I shot her a dirty look, thrilled that she didn’t have eyes in the back of her head and couldn’t see me. “Besides, didn’t we already have a class with the sacrifices? They showed me how to incline my neck so the prince could feed from me and how to shake my hair out so he could catch my scent… Really, what else is there?”

  Professor Talbot glanced at me over her shoulder. “These workshops aren’t just for you. Both you and the sacrifices are being groomed for the celebrations. Everyone needs to learn how to address and interact with the foreign dignitaries too. You all have a lot to learn. You’ll need to pay close attention.”

  As we hustled across the grounds, I groaned inwardly. I would much rather spend the day with Anthony, working on vanishments, or with the prince, working on apologizing to him while tracing the lines of his muscular chest.

  Professor Talbot hesitated outside the building. “The girls told me that you stood up for them the other night at dinner. Not too many humans would be so…” She made sure no one was near before she continued. “Stupid.” But it sounded almost as though it were a compliment.

  “Thank you?”

  She shrugged. “Stupid doesn’t usually help one last long around here. If I were you, I would go for smart. Pay attention today. There’s much to learn.”

  I followed her into the building, surprised by the loud whoops and cheers that greeted us.

  “Vic-tor-i-a! Vic-tor-i-a!” The sacrifices clapped and stomped as they chanted my name.

  Professor Talbot glared at them then sourly smacked her hand against the podium. “That’s quite enough, ladies.”

  The chanting stopped as I stood at the front of the room, red-faced. “Hi,” I mumbled.

  They erupted into cheers.

  The professor rolled her eyes. “I said enough. Lady Victoria, please take a seat. The rest of you, be silent, or I will personally see to it that you never see the inside of the upcoming ball.”

  The girls quieted down at once. I sank into a seat next to a sacrifice I recognized, Constance, who had dark braids and beautiful ebony skin.

  She leaned closer as I sat down. “It’s nice to see you.”

  “Thanks.” I looked around. “What was all that about? The cheering?”

  Constance patted my hand. “You saved Elise and Alexandra from nearly being drained by the queen. News travels fast around here.”

  I nodded then turned my attention back to the professor. She would have my head if she caught me chatting.

  “Let’s discuss the different cuisines that are going to be presented at the foreign dignitary reception,” Professor Talbot said. “The dignitaries themselves do not consume food, of course. But it’s meant as a high compliment to serve dishes that are common to the regions they oversee. So for instance, the kitchen staff will prepare a traditional mutton stew, a boxty, and several other items that are the favorites in the north.”

  As she droned on about boxty, whatever that was, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

  Elise leaned her pretty face between Constance and me. “Thank you so much for the other night. Alexandra and I were both about to faint.”

  “I don’t blame you,” I whispered back. “I’m so sorry you had to be scared like that.”

  “It’s all right.” Elise grinned. “It’s been all good news since then. Here we are, invited to the ball. I’m going to meet a foreign dignitary and make him fall in love with me. Then I’ll live in a castle all my own.”

  I gaped at her, but something the professor said pulled me back to the presentation.

  “The emperor is one of those rare vampires who can eat human food. To that end, we will serve smoked fish, pickled mushrooms, and aspic with black bread, all delicacies from his region.”

  Elise started to whisper to me again, but I shook my head. “Let’s catch up at the break, okay? The queen will put me in the stocks if I don’t study like she wants me to.”

  For the rest of the afternoon, I paid close attention to everything that Professor Talbot said. She didn’t mention the emperor specifically again. But I didn’t forget what she’d said: he could eat human food. He enjoyed aspic, whatever that was. I vowed to look it up later in the library.

  Those clues weren’t much, but they were something. At least I knew my mother and sister were probably being fed. I longed to ask Professor Talbot for more information about the guests, but I didn’t dare call further attention to myself. The queen must already know that the slaves were pleased with me, which would surely displease her. I couldn’t risk any more scrutiny.

  “Do you want some food?” Constance asked kindly during our break. “We have snacks in the kitchen.”

  Realizing I hadn’t eaten lunch, I smiled at her. “I would love some.”

  We walked to the kitchen in companionable silence. The other sacrifices smiled and nodded as I passed. It was nice, I realized, to be around humans again. The kitchen was
well stocked, with apples, bananas, cookies, and other treats. I was relieved to not be the only one hungry for real food.

  Constance grabbed a brownie. “Help yourself.”

  I took a rather large one and put it on a napkin. Just as I was about to take a bite, Alexandra strode in, all ballerina athleticism and gracefulness in her sapphire tulle gown. She looked refreshed and quite a bit better than she had the other night at dinner.

  Still, she scowled at my brownie when she got closer. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

  I stopped the brownie in midair, hurt. “Why not?”

  “Just kidding.” She grinned. “Go ahead and enjoy your brownie. I’ll help you with your workout later this week. I owe you, Victoria.”

  “Thank you. I’m so sorry that you and Elise had to go through that.”

  Alexandra hugged her arms to her chest and shook her head, all traces of joking gone. “We’re the lucky ones. Poor Mia…”

  Constance bowed her head. “It’s terrible. I can’t believe the queen did that to one of us. We’ve given up everything for her. We never complain. We never say no.”

  “Especially Mia,” Alexandra said. “She was always so loyal. She was faithful to the queen. Do you remember when that guard was trying to date her? She never gave him a chance. She fancied him too. But she said that she was here for a reason, and that reason was the queen. And look where it got her—turned, and then locked in the dungeon.”

  Elise sashayed in, her brown curls spilling over her slinky ivory gown. “I’m done with the royals, personally. I’d tell the queen to suck it, but…” She shrugged. “I’m afraid she would take it literally.”

  “Elise.” Constance looked around, clearly worried we’d been overheard. “You’ll be tried for treason.”

  Elise tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Is it treason if it’s the truth?”

  “Yes,” Constance and Alexandra said at once.

  “Humph.” Elise grabbed an apple and took a bite. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve heard that she wants us at these events so that the foreign dignitaries can drink from us—fine by me. They’re going to get a taste of something they like. And when they leave, I’m going with one of them, the lucky winner of this.” She pointed at herself. “Then I’m going to live happily ever after. In a castle. And I’ll throw a ball every weekend and wear a brand-new gown.”

  Alexandra sighed. “Do you think it’s true—about letting the foreigners drink from us?”

  Elise snorted. “Of course it’s true. She needs to find a use for us since our regular blood’s somehow not good enough anymore.”

  “The idea of being transfused…” Constance shivered. “Let’s just say I’ll take a foreign dignitary every day.”

  “Me three,” Alexandra said. She turned to me. “Sorry we’re venting like this. It’s just been so crazy since the other night. We didn’t know what hit us—the queen has never expressed dissatisfaction before. But thank you for stepping up. I could be dead right now.” She reached for my hand and squeezed it.

  “You’re welcome. I couldn’t watch that happen.” I had another bite of brownie.

  “So. I’ve been dying to ask.” Elise stepped forward, a sly grin on her face. “Did you enjoy getting bitten by the prince?”

  I nearly choked on my dessert. “Um… Well…”

  Even Alexandra and Constance leaned forward, eager for my answer.

  I cleared my throat. “Ladies, I can report that, all logic to the contrary, it did not suck.”

  They laughed, and Elise clapped her hands. “I knew it! I knew he’d be good!”

  The other girls frowned at her, and she coughed. “I mean, I knew he’d be good for you.”

  “Ha. Thanks. Anyway, the whole thing is very strange.”

  Alexandra cocked her head. “But when they’re kind, it’s not terrible. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.”

  I could feel my face reddening. “Yes. Agreed.”

  “And when they’re kind and attractive, it can be rather enjoyable.” Constance winked at me. “Very enjoyable.”

  Elise fanned herself. “That’s why I’m finding myself a hot vampire foreign dignitary and letting him take me to his castle. Then he can ravish me all he wants every night and—”

  “Elise!” Constance shook her head. “Enough already!”

  Elise shrugged, the wide smile sliding from her face. “A girl can dream about getting out of here, right?”

  The other girls looked at her then at me.

  “Right,” we said in unison.

  11

  Grip

  The next day, I learned what Infernal Pilates was. After using some rather incendiary language on the other sacrifices, who’d laughed at me while I’d cried and whined my way through the class, I limped back to my room.

  “There you are, dear.” Mistress Olivia’s smile turned quickly to a look of concern. “What on earth did they do to you?”

  I sank onto my bed and moaned—my thighs were burning. “Pilates.” I grimaced. “Infernal Pilates.”

  “Oh goodness. That sounds unpleasant.”

  I laughed. “That’s the nice word for what it was. There are several other more colorful ones that I would choose.”

  “Well then. Let’s have you rest a bit. You’ve an exciting evening ahead of you.”

  I looked at her hopefully. I hadn’t seen Dominic since the day before. “I do?”

  “Yes, yes.” Mistress Olivia bustled toward the wardrobe. “You have a date with His Highness in the village. A special restaurant has been reserved just for the two of you. It’s all the villagers are talking about! They’re preparing a fantastic feast for you—of course, they’ve no idea the prince doesn’t eat—and the whole town’s being decorated with fairy lights and streamers. No one’s ever seen them this excited about something, not even the Trade. My friend told me they believe the gods are favoring them because the prince is marrying a common girl from Margate.”

  I sighed. “They’re being duped.”

  “No.” She smiled as she shook her head. “They’re excited that the prince is in love and to be married, and that is real. The smaller details don’t matter, not really. You aren’t from Margate, but you also aren’t a royal, and that is what gives them hope. Let them have their hope, my lady.”

  “They need it.”

  “Ah, yes, they do.” Mistress Olivia pulled out a gown and beamed at me. “Now, I had the seamstress make this special for tonight. Go ahead and speak freely if you don’t care for it.”

  Maybe the vampire seamstress didn’t hate me, after all. “Oh, Olivia… It’s stunning.” The gown was strapless, made from heavy, luxurious orange silk. An intricate gold pattern embossed the bodice. The dress was beautiful, unlike anything I’d ever seen.

  She grinned at me. “I have a feeling His Highness will like it.”

  I grinned back. “Me too. And good thing, because I still have some making up to do.”

  “What’s that?” Anthony sailed through the door without knocking. “You still haven’t cleaned up the mess of things with the prince? Why am I not surprised? Nice dress, by the way.”

  I scowled at him. “Did someone invite you in?” That was one old vampire tale I wished were true—that they couldn’t enter your abode unless you asked them to. The ones in my life just came and went as they pleased.

  “No need, Tor.” Anthony grinned. “So here I am. Are you busy?”

  Motioning to the dress, I said, “I have a date with the prince.”

  “I need you for a little while first.”

  “Can I change?” I asked, looking down at my sweaty workout clothes.

  Anthony held out his hand for me. “No need. We’re cleaning the library again. It’s very physically exerting.” He waved to Mistress Olivia as he hustled me out. “I’ll have her back in plenty of time. I promise.”

  “You two have fun,” Mistress Olivia called. “And by the gods, be safe!”

  Out in the hallway, I glanced at Anthony.
“She doesn’t believe you about the library, you know.”

  “I know—she’s a good sport, Mistress Olivia. I do it to keep her safe. That way, if she’s ever directly questioned, she won’t have to lie.”

  “So where are we actually going?” I kept my voice low.

  Anthony looked around before he spoke. “To the dungeon, of course. We have work to do.”

  I hustled to keep up with him. “Is this about your private errand yesterday?”

  Anthony shrugged. “You’ll see. Keep your voice down—I don’t want Fitzy to hear us and think we’re coming to see him and that cursed cat.”

  We were both silent as we stole down the stairs and into the bottom floor of the castle. The familiar smell of dank decay was everywhere, and I wrinkled my nose, trying not to think about the vampire tombs and poor Mr. Fitz and Tibby. Anthony motioned for me to follow him down the gloomy hall, past Mr. Fitz’s cell to the very last door on the right.

  Without knocking, he put the key into the lock and opened the door. He grabbed me by the arm and dragged me into the dark cell.

  “What are you doing?”

  He struck a match then lit a torch on the wall. “I’m delivering your homework assignment. Lady Victoria, meet Herman the Foul. Herman, meet Lady Victoria.”

  I couldn’t make out the large, shadowy figure in the corner, so I turned my attention to the redheaded fool next to me. “Herman the Foul?”

  “That’s right. I sprang him from the stocks. He’s been caught grabbing again.”

  “Grabbing what?”

  “Well, it’s not what so much as who. In any event, he’s loose in here. No chains. And he’s got a strong grip. So you’d best do something.”

  I gripped his arm and hand. “Anthony! Stop being an idiot! I can maybe vanish people, not fight them!”

  Ant shook me off. “Let’s just see about that, shall we?”

  “No, we shall not!” But all the yelling had awakened the giant shadow in the corner. It lumbered to life, stepping out toward the light.

  “Oh.” I took one look at Herman the Foul’s wretched, scarred face and thanked the gods he was still half-encased in shadows. “Anthony, if I live long enough, I will never forgive you for this.”