by Ramy Vance
“I see. And given the choice between a happy life among your kind or one where you will never quite measure up to those around you, which would you choose, Katrina?”
“Neither. I’d much prefer a life where Aldie and myself were free of both responsibility and judgment. However, I’ve yet to find such a place.”
She wrinkled her nose in disapproval, then thankfully changed the subject. “The orchids have turned out beautifully. My father fancies himself a gardener and will be rather jealous of their beauties.”
She cocked her head to the side as she looked at the orchids, then back to me. “Interesting. I’ve just now noticed how similar they are to your necklace. Will you be wearing it for the ceremony?”
I bit my tongue so hard I tasted my own blood. I wasn’t sure what game we were playing here, but I was determined not to let her get to me. If she knew what the amulet did, and that Aldie had taken the extra step of casting a spell, then she knew damn well that taking the amulet off would mean I’d be powerless to control my hunger.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“Well then, I shan’t keep you any longer. I’m sure you have much to do before this evening.”
The vampire part of me wanted to be stubborn and stay right where I was. I did not like being dismissed, but there was still enough human somewhere inside me that knew better than to do anything that would reflect poorly on Aldie or his parents, so I forced a smile and left her standing there admiring the orchids.
I felt better the second I was outside the greenhouse. I was enjoying the last bits of fresh air as I made my way back to the palace. At least, I was enjoying it until Mary showed up.
“Finally. Where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“Not able to pick up my scent or sniff me out, then?”
Mary rolled her eyes. “Katrina, I thought we agreed to dispense with the jokes for the remainder of the day.”
“Sorry Mary, I just had a run-in with Lady Amaryl and I guess I’m still on the defensive.”
Mary’s face softened. She looked around, then spoke quietly. “Katrina, I know you are not fond of being told what to do, so please take this as friendly advice. One such as yourself should tread carefully when interacting with someone like Lady Amaryl. Not all members of this court are as kind as Gaelyn and Kalysta.”
“Thank you, Mary. I appreciate your advice, but trust me: I’ve lived in Scotland for over eighty years. I know an adder when I see one.”
Mary’s laugh sound like a foxhound with the croup, but it was one of my favorite sounds. “Come now, the ladies are waiting to get you ready.”
For once I chose not to give Mary any grief. I’m not sure which of us was more surprised. As I followed her through the palace toward my quarters, it felt like everything was moving in half time. This should be the happiest day of my life, but if I was being honest with myself, I was dreading the whole thing … and I knew why. There would be no church, no white-as-snow dress, no father to walk me down the aisle or weepy mother blotting her tears of joy.
Despite everything that’s happened in the last eighty years, I still want my parents to be here with me. And I have no one to blame but myself that they’re not.
Mary stopped suddenly and turned around. I was talking out loud again. Her dark eyes were full of sadness. “Katrina, you mustn’t do this to yourself. Not today. What’s done cannot be undone. It’s best to look toward the future, to the life you will build with Aldermemnon. We are your family now.”
In true Mary fashion, she turned without another word and started up the stairs to my quarters.
The next few hours were a blur.
My attendants had somehow managed to wrestle me into the dress from hell, and thankfully I had yet to pass out from the corset. I sat next to Aldie on a huge carved wooden chair atop the royal dais and watched as the entirety of the UnSeelie Court whirled and twirled across the dance floor. While their personalities may have been dark and ugly, their dancing was graceful and full of beauty. I’d been raised on fiddle-filled ceilidhs that looked nothing like the spectacle unfolding in front of me now. It was like comparing poetry to a pub brawl.
In the distance, I heard the faint tinkle of bells.
The music faded as the bells grew louder.
The dancers stopped, turning toward our table as Lord Gaelyn rose. “Welcome, members of the court. Lady Kalysta and I are so pleased that you’ve all done us this great honor, and we hope you’re finding our hospitality to your liking.”
The crowd responded with polite applause.
“As is our custom, we’d like you to join us in the matrimonial toasting ceremony.”
Servants with massive trays full of crystal goblets appeared from the back of the room. Each goblet was filled to the rim with amber nectar, the traditional honey-and-blood-infused wine served at all elven ceremonial events.
When the crowd had been served, a flock of servants appeared from somewhere behind us carrying silk cushions topped with large silver-and-jewel-encrusted goblets. Every eye in the court was watching us, and I couldn’t help feeling self-conscious as the Dance of Goblets began. Long-lived as I might be, I doubt I’ll ever get used to all this overly dramatic pageantry. I mean, who the hell just decides one day, ‘Hey, I have an idea. Why not fill a cup with wine, slap it on a pillow, then dance around until…’
“Kat, shhhh.” Aldie gave me a pleading look.
“Sorry,” I whispered.
I could feel my cheeks warming and hoped that my future in-laws had not heard me. I really needed to get a handle on this thinking-out-loud thing.
A beautiful elf came to a stop in front of me and took a knee. She held the pillow with one hand and raised it above her head. I panicked for a second, forgetting what I was supposed to do next. I glanced around the room frantically until I found Mary. She was just off to my left and looked a little too amused. She made a pick-it-up motion with her hands, then rolled her eyes at me.
Mary had gone over this part of the ceremony with me at least a dozen times, so I probably deserved her scorn, but it didn’t mean she wasn’t going to pay for it later. Plotting my revenge at least distracted me long enough to remember what I was supposed to be doing.
I lifted the cup with both hands. Between my ridiculously heavy sleeves and the weight of the large goblet, I could barely keep from sloshing the wine out of the cup. I carefully clutched the goblet in my left hand and reached for Aldie’s left hand. Together we stepped forward and curtsied before the court. They took a knee and raised their goblets in our honor. Aldie and I turned to face each other, interlocked our goblet arm, and drank from the other’s cup.
The other thing I may never get used to is the taste of amber nectar. I’m not sure what’s more off-putting: the sickly-sweet taste of honey, or the fact that it’s traditionally blended with the blood of the UnSeelie Court’s enemies. Fortunately, this particular batch was infused with raven’s blood. Aldie’s parents had recently brokered peace with the Seelie Court and there’d been no blood shed in almost a decade.
When we’d finished, the court rose and toasted to our union. I’d love to say I felt their enthusiasm, but I didn’t. Next, Aldie and I took turns exchanging cups with his parents, the guests toasting us in-between each exchange. By the time we reached the final step of the ceremony, I was already feeling the effects of the amber nectar. It was no Atholl Brose, but it still got the job done.
Mary made her way to the dais carrying a silver-and-crystal case containing two perfect orchids. The blood-red petals with forest-green veining had been Lady Kalysta’s idea. They were meant to represent the beauty of Aldie’s union with me; blood red for my vampire nature, and forest green for Aldie’s elven ancestry.
Mary stopped in front of me and opened the case. She smiled and nodded her head as I reached in and pulled out the first orchid. My hands were shaking as I walked toward Lady Kalysta. The collective stare of a thousand eyes on my back certainly wasn’t helping my anx
iety. I knew how they all felt about Aldie and me marrying, and it sure wasn’t warm and fuzzy. They hated everything about me and would love to see me mess this up, which was exactly why I couldn’t.
I curtsied and presented my future mother-in-law with the orchid. She took the orchid and brought it to her nose. She inhaled deeply, then signaled for me to rise. We exchanged double-kisses on each other’s cheeks. I repeated the whole thing with Aldie’s father.
When I was done, I returned to Aldie’s side and he presented me with the most beautiful luckenbooth I’d ever seen.
Elven craftsmanship was superior to anything I’d seen in all of Scotland.
I presented Aldie with a dagger. I’d carved the handle myself—OK, technically with Mary’s help, but mostly myself.
I wasn’t sure if he was more amused or surprised that I’d done something so intricate and time-consuming. I’m more self-absorbed than patient.
When we’d finished exchanging gifts, his father led a toast to our union, then signaled the servants to being the feast.
Tables laden with every food one could imagine were scattered throughout the great hall. I’ve never seen a creature that can gorge themselves like an elf and not gain weight. I’m surprised they don’t all weigh half a chalder, eating like they do.
“Kat,” Aldie hissed.
Lord Gaelyn looked at us both sternly—at which point I noticed that neither of Aldie’s parents had touched their food.
“Why aren’t your parents eating?” I asked him.
He shrugged. “I’m not sure. They’ve been oddly quiet since the feast started. Perhaps they’re having a disagreement about something. I’m sure my mother will perk up when the dessert is presented.”
I had been looking forward to dessert for weeks. Lady Kalysta had arranged for the best pastry cook in all of Scotland to make a traditional brandied fruitcake. Considering that the average Scot doesn’t invite vampires to their wedding, I hadn’t had a cake in almost a century. I didn’t care if it made me retch—I was having a slice as big as my head.
A few minutes later, I saw Lord Gaelyn in an intense conversation with Aldie and Mary.
I knew all of Mary’s looks by now, and her face was set with concern. I placed a hand on Aldie’s shoulder to get his attention. “What’s going on?”
He caressed my cheek. “Nothing. Everything’s fine, my love.”
Everything’s fine my ass, I thought, not caring who heard me this time. I could smell trouble from as far away as I could human blood, and something was definitely wrong.
Mary went to the far side of Lady Kalysta’s chair. She and Lord Gaelyn helped her up. Lady Kalysta’s magnificently verdant skin was now a drab, mossy color, and she was sweating. In all my years here at court, I’d never once seen her sweat. She was the epitome of perfection at all times, which explained Mary’s concern.
Aldie got up to follow, but his father motioned for him to stay.
“They will bring the cake soon. Your mother would never forgive me if Katrina did not get to enjoy it.”
Aldie sat back down and began chewing on his bottom lip. He kept looking back toward the door.
I was just about to tell him to go when they brought the cake.
It was a massive tower of fruitcake layers covered in red-and-green marbled fondant. It was decorated with ribbon and flowers, and it was more fabulous than anything I’d imagined. I felt the tears starting to well up again.
The crowd had all stopped eating and were watching Aldie and me in anticipation.
Aldie glanced back toward the door again. He waited for a few seconds, then turned back. He took my hand. “Shall we?”
We rose and made our way to the cake. We each placed a hand on the cake knife and were about to slice into it when a scream sounded outside.
A look of panic flashed across Aldie’s face. “That was my mother.”
We both dropped the cake knife and ran for the door, a horde of elves following close behind.
When we reached the courtyard, both of Aldie’s parents were lying on the ground.
“Mary, what’s happened?” Aldie asked.
“I—I don’t know. It happened so quickly.”
Mary’s shoulders were trembling almost as much as her voice. I stooped down and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
A murmur ran through the crowd of elves behind us as the royal healer pushed his way to the front. He addressed Aldie directly, ignoring Mary and myself as if we weren’t even there.
“Can I be of service, my prince?”
Aldie nodded, and the healer knelt toward Lord Gaelyn first, then moved to Lady Kalysta.
Though it only took a moment, it seemed like an eternity before he finally rose.
He stepped closer and spoke quietly. A single tear left his eye and traveled down his cheek as he spoke. “My deepest sympathies, Prince Aldermemnon. There is naught I can do. They are gone to the Plains of Forever Green.”
Aldie said nothing, just stood still as a statue. Mary, on the other hand, didn’t handle things quite as well. She fell to her knees beside Aldie’s father and wept.
As much as we bickered, I couldn’t stand to see her cry. I wrapped my arm tighter around her shoulder, trying to comfort her as much as possible, but she was inconsolable.
I looked up as several members of the elven guard pushed their way through the crowd toward us. Two of them broke through, opening a path for one of the court elders. I couldn’t remember his name, but that wasn’t surprising. Trying to learn the elvish language was kind of like eating questionable mushrooms from the forest, then trying to speak Welsh.
The elder stooped down, placed a hand on the center of Lord Gaelyn’s chest, then did the same with Lady Kalysta. When he was done, he stood and wrinkled up his face like someone had broken wind in church.
“'Twas poison.”
There was a collective gasp, then chaos as his words sank in. Some were wailing while others were loudly voicing their opinion as to who was behind this. Unfortunately, most of those opinions seemed to think it was me.
I looked up at Aldie, hoping he’d snap to and take control before they formed a lynch mob, but he was just standing there, still frozen in shock.
“Um, seriously? So you’re all just going to blame the vampire? Give me a break.”
Lady Amaryl scoffed. “This is not your human world, Katrina, nor is it in our nature to show mercy to those who’ve wronged us.”
Damn it, she’d done it again. Lady Amaryl was standing just feet from me, and I hadn’t seen or heard her coming. She definitely spooked the crap out of me.
Mary stood up so quickly it almost knocked me over. She took two big steps toward Lady Amaryl and stopped just inches from her face.
“My dearest friend and the love of his life have just been taken from this world. Now is not the time for your politics. Leave this for another day so that we may mourn.”
Her words came out in a low growl that left no room for anyone to wonder if she was serious.
I expected Lady Amaryl to respond with anger or indignation; I didn’t expect her to laugh.
“Need I remind you, Mary, that you are speaking to an elder of this court? As such, I do not take direction from an abomination such as yourself. Your presence among us was a gift we afforded Gaelyn out of respect for his station. Now that he is gone, I caution you to keep your disobedient tongue to yourself.”
The court had gone silent, hanging on Lady Amaryl’s every word, waiting to see if Mary would push back.
I didn’t give her the chance.
I only had two friends left in the UnSeelie Court, and I had a sinking feeling that I was going to need them both if I was going to get out of this mess.
“It’s okay, Mary.” I tugged her back toward me. “I can handle this.”
She turned to face me, her expression a mixture of grief and fear. “Katrina, I do not think you understand the seriousness of what is being implied here. This court is not full of mischievous fairies pla
ying tricks on unsuspecting humans. These are fae with the darkest of hearts, magic as black as night, and ill will for any but their own kind. Your nature may be sufficient to protect you in the world outside this forest, but here it cannot.”
Somewhere deep inside, a voice told me Mary was right and I should listen.
Unfortunately, it was my before voice.
The same voice that had once told me to disobey my mother and sneak out to the dance.
The same voice that told me to turn my mother, and my father would beg to join us.
Nothing good had ever come of listening to that voice, so why start now?
I lifted Mary’s hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. Her whole body tensed and she started to say something again, but I cut her off.
“There’s nothing to worry about, Mary. I’ve done nothing wrong, and Lady Amaryl knows that. I’m sure she didn’t mean to imply that I was responsible—”
Lady Amaryl shook her head, letting out another laugh. “Actually Katrina, that’s exactly what I was implying.” She made a gesture with one hand, and six large elves appeared at her side. “Seize her. If she resists, feel free to use whatever means necessary to subdue her.”
Great. Just freaking great. It was hard enough sitting in a six-hundred-pound silk-and-beaded disaster … there’s no way I’m going to be able to fight these guys off wearing this damn dress. Unless ...
“Katrina, no,” Mary barked. “Do not fight back.”
Crap—guess I said that out loud. So much for the element of surprise. I reached for the blood jasper hanging from my neck and snapped the chain with a single tug. I tossed the amulet aside and instantly felt the bloodlust sweeping through every vein in my body as my incisors descended. Two of the guards closest to me flinched, and I made my move.
I lunged toward them, but came up short as Aldie’s hand caught the blood jasper and slapped it against my chest. I saw his lips move, but didn’t hear what he said. A second later, there was a burning sensation on the back of my neck as the broken chain re-fused itself and my rage subsided.