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“I didn’t say yes or no,” I say. “Helena, I’ve only just barely left my tower. I’m not even a vampire. How can I, a human, manage vampires? It’s impossible.”
She shrugs. “Easy. Become a vampire.”
“Then I will be a vampire who can barely manage other vampires.”
Helena just laughs. “I would love to have you as my queen, just so you’re aware.”
We drift into other subjects. She tells me all about the new vampire she has her eye on, and how Carmen is doing much better. We talk about chocolate and what dessert we plan to make next. Laughing and talking, time slips away.
Later, I head to the kitchen to eat. “Sit, sit,” says Chef, gesturing to a wooden stool near a small ledge attached to the wall. “Hungry?”
I nod, and before I blink, three dishes are placed in front of me. One is a small salad with vegetables I know come straight from the garden. The vegetables taste crispy and light. I moan in happiness. “How did Carmen like the tea?” he asks as he hands me the next dish.
It’s a curved plate with chicken on it, covered in a sauce I’ve never seen before. I take a small bite and almost die. The chicken is nowhere near dry, something I have yet to achieve even in all my years cooking for Airalin. I have no idea what is in the sauce, but I can taste oregano among the flavors.
“She loved it,” I say. “I swear her eyes even brightened when I said it was you who sent it.”
His cheeks redden as he places the last dish next to me, and he clears his throat, abashed.
The last is a pudding-like rice dish. I eat a small spoonful, and my eyes widen. “Louis, you’re a genius.”
He laughs as I take a larger bite. The rice is fluffy and covered in cinnamon, but it does not taste like rice in the least. It is sweet and gelatinous, and I finish the dish in no time.
“Louis. If you ever leave, I will hunt you down,” I say. “These are delicious.”
“I’m happy you are pleased, milady.”
I giggle at the formality, charmed. Before I can move, Raúl is by my side, glaring at Louis. I swat him on the arm, and he grins mischievously at me. “What?”
“You know what.”
He pulls me close and kisses me. “Shall we?”
“Yes, let’s.”
I wave goodbye to Louis as Raúl whisks me away to the garden. We stand in the grass, surrounded by plants and starlight. I pause, waiting for my eyes to adjust to the copious amounts of silver dusting everywhere. It is different inside, where most things are still or dead. Outside, though, is teeming with life and movement.
“Raúl,” I say, then hesitate. He does not interrupt, but patiently waits for me to begin talking again. “Raúl. What if I became a vampire?”
Chapter Seventy-Two
Raúl stops, staring at me. His red eye flashes with fear, but I stand my ground. “The ritual is dangerous,” he says. “You could be hurt. Killed.”
“Or I could become a vampire,” I say with a shrug, determined to defend my idea. Technically, Helena’s idea, too. “I know the risks.”
Raúl runs a hand through his hair. “What brought this into your mind?”
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, actually. I even found a spell in the library.”
Raúl scoffs, pacing back and forth in front of me. “A witch spell for vampires. I’ve seen that one before. It is not always successful. I know the ritual you would want.”
As do I, says Nava.
“See? Nava does, too,” I say. I fold my arms across my chest and stare at Raúl, unwavering. “If you don’t show me how, she will.”
Raúl strides toward me, gripping my shoulders. “I cannot watch you die.”
“You won’t,” I say. “We’ve just done that ritual in the tomb, remember?”
