Page 63 of Of Shadows and Blood

“Is ‘missing’ the correct term? She was convalescing. We’re more private in this age,” Cedric replies cooly, taking a sip of his wine.

“Well, I am glad to see you well nonetheless, Elivienne. My friends mean a lot to me.” Rolan places a hand on his heart. “So, Lux, all well on your front?”

I clock the change in conversation. “Very well, as can be expected at the end of our summer. Our lords have been successful in land management and harvesting, which has been inspiring for the peasants.”

“Land management…” Rolan drawls.

“I don’t follow,” Cedric murmurs into his glass, eyeing the king in front of us. He looks over at a map on the wall. Duresden is painted in gold, completely standing out of the rest of the continent.

“By land management, you mean Krue,” Rolan replies, moving his attention to some blank papers on the desk.

“Yes, Krue and the Rhydian Range have done well for Lux. Strengthening our land and fortifications has always been important to my family. You know that. But they deserve an autonomous future.”

“You reference the land that you stole, no?”

Rolan meets Cedric’s eyes again and the two stare at one another for a few seconds. My back straightens at the tension hanging between us, awaiting movement. A corner of his mouth tilts upwards. Rolan bursts out in laughter.

“Cheer up, Cedric! By Gods, you’re hostile nowadays. The land issue was a concern on my father’s end, and I am by no means my father. Scornful bastard. All is well between us. With these ongoing discussions regarding the alliances, nothing could sever our friendship.” Rolan was still reeling from his laughter when I blew out my breath, loosening my jaw. This trip is meant for cordial relations, not outright starting a war.

Cedric grabs the bottle of wine and raises it to toast with Rolan, unsure of exactly what to say. Seemingly, he understands and together, they indulge in silence.

We return to the banquet and find Avonde and Garreth seated quietly. Their eyes locked on couples dancing to the final stringed song. It appears most of my interactions will be limited moving forward.

The music slows to a light melody played by a hidden quartet. The rest of the room, finished with their meal, discard their cups and trickle out to call it a night. I, too, yawn from exhaustion. The carriage ride did not provide me with much comfort. Knowing what life, what squalor, sits just at the bottom of the drive to the castle will make it near impossible to find rest on the way back.

Avonde didn’t eat due to the lack of human food and my glass has been half-filled with wine, which means I have gone without blood for almost a day now and at this rate I wouldn’t be surprised if my body succumbs again.

There is the other option, I suppose.

Not here. Not with their blood supply.

After our meeting, Cedric disappeared into the crowd to speak with some courtiers. I curiously observe them from the dais and take note of their movements, their laughter, the way they always seem one step ahead of one another. Is this the life of a vampyr? To be cunning in all things? Cedric is quite popular here being the king of what is arguably the strongest country on the continent.

A blushed woman in a light pink dress approaches him seemingly from nowhere. Her walnut hair rests on top of her head in various braids and coils. He bids farewell to a pair of merchants and bows to her. She hides a smile behind a blue floral fan and curtsies in return. My neck cranes but I can’t hear their words from this far away, but I can see their body language.

Her hand reaches for his, causing him to pause and turn. From my position, I can only get a glimpse of the conversation that is semi-hidden by the pillars in the room. She laughs, grazing his jacket with her fingers, and conceals her giddiness with the fan once more. Her hand travels down to his and their fingers hold one another for a moment before Cedric eventually nods in departure.

Interesting.

I turn my attention to Garreth, tapping him on the shoulder once.

“How long have you been in court?”

Garreth turns to completely face me. “Well, let’s see, I was born into it.”

“Ah.”

“In a way, I was bred to be Cedric’s third.”

“But you’re his second?”

“Yes, I did well enough to jump rank. Sawyer is the younger of us. Having children is extremely hard for vampyrs. It happens often enough for families to sire heirs, but some are not that lucky. However, we relish in the act of, uh…” His voice catches in his throat, his eyes darting to behind me.

“So why are you the second and not the third?”

Garreth squirms a bit. “I think even you understand the prince’s standing at court is not all welcomed these days.”

“A little vampyr history?” Cedric cuts in, pulling the chair next to me and flipping it to sit on it backwards.