The next evening, I sit at the table for breakfast with my heart pounding. “I think we need to talk about our contract,” I say.
Claude glances at me. “What is there to discuss?”
My cheeks are burning. “You know what I want to talk about, Claude. Stop being deliberately obtuse.”
Claude sighs. He leans back in his chair, regarding me from beneath his long lashes. “I’m not,” he says. “The contract is set, Nora. I thought you understood that.”
“But I thought the contract was betweenus,” I say. “If we both want to change it, then…”
His brow furrows. “You want to change it?”
“I…” It’s embarrassing to admit it. “Yes. I do.”
“Hm.” I expect him to leap at the chance to tease me, if nothing else, but instead he regards me in silent consternation.“But you wanted it for a reason. I don’t want you endangering your future for me.”
“It’s my choice to make,” I say.
He shakes his head. “I’m afraid it isn’t at this point, though. Nor mine. You’re represented by Benjamin. I’m represented by my court. They’d both be involved in any potential changes to the contract.”
My mouth has gone dry. “But…” I frown down at my half-eaten plate. “Surely they wouldn’t care? It can’t be that serious?”
“Oh, Nora.” He says my name like a sigh. “I suggest you talk to Benjamin. I’m sure he can answer any questions you may have.” He pushes out from the table and leaves the room without feeding from me.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The conversation leaves me with my gut in knots. It’s obvious I’m missing something, and Claude doesn’t seem willing to explain it to me. So I take his suggestion and invite Benjamin over for tea. I emphasize that it’s not an emergency, but still, he agrees to meet me that very night.
I meet him in the foyer with a curtsy and a smile. “So glad to have you, Lord Benjamin.”
His returning smile is warm and tinged with relief as he looks me over. “Look at you. A proper lady of the house. I take it you’re settling in, then?”
“Better than expected. Thank you.” I lead him to the sitting room, where a pot of tea is waiting along with cups and saucers. I found the lovely set of floral-decorated porcelain in one of the cabinets, along with an outrageous amount of tea just ready to be made. I’m not sure whether to be relieved or worried that Claude let me set it all up myself without coming in to insist on helping.
“You seem well,” Benjamin says, pouring himself a cup and drawing me out of my thoughts.
“I am,” I say, sitting across from him at the table. “Truly. I hope you didn’t rush here thinking I was in trouble.”
“The thought crossed my mind, but really, I had been meaning to visit. I wanted to see for myself how thisarrangement was working out. Especially since you and Claude have an… unusual agreement.”
“Right.” I bite my lip, looking down at my cup as I stir sugar into my tea. “That…iswhat I wanted to talk about, actually.”
I can feel him watching me, but I can’t bring myself to make eye contact. It’s embarrassing to have this discussion after how insistent I was about adding the intimacy clause. More embarrassing still because Claude clearly indicated that I don’t understand something. But Benjamin did once tell me I should ask him whatever questions I want.
“Go on,” he says, after a few moments of silence trickle past.
“Benjamin,” I begin, “is it possible to change my contract with Claude? If… both of us wanted that?”
It’s difficult not to squirm under the weight of his gaze. “It’s not impossible,” he says, “but it’s not as easy as an agreement between you and him. It would require my agreement, and that of the Vulpe Court, as your representatives.”
I nod, considering. I’m sure that Benjamin would agree if I asked him, though he might not be thrilled about me changing my mind after all of the trouble. But the Vulpe Court… that might be a bit more problematic, given Claude’s tumultuous relationship with them.
“And what would happen if the contract was broken?” I ask.
Benjamin sets down his cup rather heavily. “Has something happened?”
“No,” I say. “I’m just curious. I realized I made all that fuss about the intimacy clause and I don’t actually know how it would be enforced. Are you the one responsible for it?”
Benjamin’s gaze is heavy, suspicious, but after a moment he leans back in his chair. “Partially. But a vampire’s court is responsible for enforcing any contracts under their name, and the Solomon Court would also step in to render aid if requested.”
