What was left of my control snapped. I closed the distance between us and had him by the throat before he could blink. My fingers dug into his flesh, his muscles tightening against my palm. “No, Marius. I’ve always let you win.”
Marius pulled his dagger from his chest rig and lifted the blade to my throat. “You might be stronger, brother, but not smarter.”
“Enough!” The word ripped through the room. My wife put her hand between us, her eyes already glowing crimson. “If you lay one finger on my husband, I’ll find out if vampires burn as fast as witches do.”
Marius relaxed his grip, easing the dagger away from my throat. I did the same, my fingers loosening from his neck but not letting him go. Not yet.
“I didn’t come here to lay fingers on your husband,” Marius said. “I came to hold him accountable for what he’s done.”
Claire lifted her chin in defiance. “Who cares if he lied about our matebond? Who cares if he took blood from me?” she demanded. “He did itfor you. To fightyour war. To beyour general.Which he didwithout questionandwon. You should be offering us your thanks.”
For whatever reason, my wife’s anger seemed to pave the way for cooler heads. Marius put his dagger away, and I let go of him. We both straightened and tried to appear gentlemanly once again.
“You might’ve won the war for the border, but the capital is locked in its own battle.” Marius dusted off his jacket, continuing. “The nobles argue about the cost of this peace. As well as the gold required for the new castle and the soldiers needed to protect it.” He canted his head to the side. “And with yourstunt at the Sanguination Ball, followed by your roguish behavior, you have caused me unnecessary problems.”
I held out my arms, knowing he came to do more than just exchange angry words. Marius had made excuses for me at the Sanguination Ball when it appeared that I’d bitten Claire without contract. But now, he was done covering for me. “Enough. Tell me my punishment.”
Marius looked from my wife to me and back to her again. “There is only one thing I could do to truly punish you, Bastien.”
“Which is?” Claire demanded. “You claim not to want to hurt him.”
Marius’s smile widened. “Bastien, your punishment is to handle the mess you created. You will return to the capital at once, and you will become the new High Prince of the Unified Territories.”
I froze. That was not what I was expecting.
My brother took a step closer. “You’ll be in charge of answering all the courtiers’ questions. Placating the lords and ladies. Holding court. And your wife will help coordinate sanguination balls and name day parties and the like.”
High Prince. He was going to trap me in that wretched castle, surrounded by liars and schemers, until it suffocated me. Until it drove me mad.
“No,” I said flatly.
Marius’s eyes gleamed. “Just think of all the parties and dances you’ll be hosting to win the nobles back over to your side. And all the financial documents you’ll review to levy the coin needed for that new château.”
“I don’t do parties,” I said, running a frustrated hand through my hair. “And I don’t fret over coins. I’m a commander. Not a politician.”
“You are now,” Marius replied. “This is your punishment. The position is yours. As is the burden.”
I set my hand on the desk I’d sat at countless times, pouring over maps and strategies, trying to quiet my thoughts. This wasn’t a death sentence. This wasn’t banishment. However…
“Marius, I promised my wife…” I began, trying to find the right words. “I promised her we’d live a quiet life. She has sacrificed more for our people than any lord or lady who dares judge us.” I rubbed at the bridge of my nose, then turned to face him. “This is the last thing she deserves. Don’t punish her on account of my behavior.”
Claire, who had gone rather pale after hearing this news, came to stand by my side. Neither one of us quite able to process the gravity of the situation. Of the enormity of this demand.
“Your life won’t be quiet,” Marius said more gently. “But your wife will want for nothing. Your children will have the best tutors. You’ll have your pick of blood nannies so your wife can rest.” Claire and I exchanged a look. “It’s either this or I have your head. Banishment is not an option.”
My heart broke when I saw the tears shining in her eyes. “We’ll do it,” she answered.
“No. I promised you?—”
She took my face in her hands. “If it’s the capital or death, then I’ll take the capital.”
I closed my eyes, the fight leaving my body. “Fine. We’ll do it.”
Marius’s smile was smug. “Iknewyou would.”
Once again, Natalia had been right. Marius hadn’t come to chop off my head. I was too valuable to him now. Instead, he had sentenced me to a throne.
Claire and I did not return to the party. We returned to our bedchamber, which was a smaller room inside the Duke of Roselyn’s private residence. We didn’t talk much. We sat on the floor by the fire and watched the flames as they danced in the hearth. She cried for a while. I held her, saying nothing.
