He gives me a look. “You saw it for yourself with your friends.”
I sink into my chair with my brow furrowed.
Benjamin waits for a moment to see if I have any further questions, and then launches into today’s lesson. “We’ll begin with an overview of the four vampire courts…”
I dutifully take notes as he talks, sitting in rapt silence. I’ve always been a good student, and it helps when the subject material is interesting.
“Camelia, of the rose and dagger, is called the court of beauty. Models, actors… many of them are famous, or hoping to be, so it’s unlikely to be a good match for your desire for discretion.” He moves down the list. “Vulpe may be a possibility. It is the court of artists, represented by the snake and goblet. Some are more public-facing, but others prefer their privacy.”
I bite my lip. “I’d… prefer to avoid that court, too.”
Benjamin shoots me an amused glance. “Vulpe? Curious. I don’t believe I’ve ever had someone opposed to them.”
“Yeah, well.” I shrug half-heartedly. “I don’t mesh well with artistic types.”
His brow furrows.
“I know how it sounds! I just…” The truth is that I made a promise to myself a long time ago: never fall in love with an artist. Not after I spent my entire life feeling like I was second best to my own mother, who always loved her art more than me. I won’t put myself in a situation where I’m second best again. But I don’t want to touch on my relationship with my mom when I barely know him, so I scramble for an explanation.
“Your reasons are your own. I’ll respect your wishes.” Benjamin shrugs, and moves on. “The next court is Solomon.” He shows me an icon of a moth over a skull’s mouth. “They are… certainly private, as you would prefer. They deal with vampire law and the secrets of our species, such as details of the creationof new vampires. But they are considered the most dangerous of the courts.”
“I didn’t realize being a valentine could be dangerous,” I say, my stomach flipping.
“It isn’t, generally,” he says. “Our treatment of valentines is considered symbolic of our promise to do no harm to humankind, and thus the peace that exists between us. None of us wish to return to the dark days that came before. The court wars, the hunters, living in the shadows…” He shakes his head. “Suffice to say, breaking a valentine contract is one of the most severe crimes in vampire society. And we enforce the law among our own kind, as we swore to humans we would, long ago.”
“What if I broke the contract?” I ask.
“You’d be immediately dismissed without payment for the rest of your term and blacklisted by the vampire courts. But short of upholding your duties, there isn’t much you could do to violate it. Still… Solomon attracts vampires of a certain character, and a Solomon valentine’s duties would likely include attending Solomonparties, which are…” His lips twist as he pauses, as though considering how much to say. “Not a good match for your preferences.”
“None of this sounds very promising so far,” I say, sighing.
“Well, that brings us to the last of the four courts. Celeste, the court of the quill and moon, who dedicate themselves to preserving history over their long lifespans.” He taps the icon. “Scholars and historians. If you want a private, quiet life as a valentine, this is your best bet. My last client was placed with a Celeste vampire. However, theyarethe smallest of the courts, and rarely the most enthusiastic partygoers, so I can only hope that there will be someone looking for a valentine at the ball.”
I place an elbow on the table, propping my chin up with one hand. It’s hard not to let my thoughts run away with that idea. Ascholarly vampire… “That sounds like my dream life,” I say with a wistful sigh.
Benjamin gives a wry smile. “I will do my best to arrange it for you,” he says. “Though I find these situations rarely work out as perfectly as one might hope. You may be surprised by what you end up wanting.”
I smile and agree, though privately, I think he’s wrong. I know exactly what I want, and I don’t intend to bend on the matter.
* * *
Most of Benjamin’s lessons are easy, even with my thoughts muddled by sleep deprivation. I’ve never had a problem memorizing facts or rules, and vampires and etiquette are no different.
But then come the dance lessons.
I memorize the steps of every dance quickly, but Benjamin’s frown is unrelenting.
“You’re so stiff,” he says. One hand on my lower back tries to coax me into a position my body doesn’t seem willing to bend into. “Try to relax. Follow my lead. Feel the music, rather than just performing the steps.”
“I’m trying,” I huff. “I just don’t knowhowto do that.” And trying toforcemyself to relax is paradoxical. Sometimes I manage it for a second, but my body tenses as soon as my mind wanders.
I find his instructions aggravatingly vague, impossible to follow. It reminds me of being a child, when my mom attempted to teach me how to paint. Lessons that usually ended with me in frustrated tears. The memory—along with the familiar feelingthat this can only end in disappointment for us both—only makes me more awkward.
After cringing my way through another dance, I shut my eyes, letting out a frustrated noise. “I’m hopeless at this.”
A moment passes, and a hand pats my shoulder. “Not everyone can be good at everything,” Benjamin says. You’ve got the most important parts of being a valentine down already; the rest of this is just icing on the cake.” When I open my eyes, he gives me a wry look. “I promise, dancing is only a minor part of all of this,” he says. “You’re doing wonderfully, Nora, really.”
It’s embarrassing how much the praise warms me. I manage a small smile, tucking hair behind my ear, despite my lingering frustration with myself.
