As a string quartet played a lively minuet from the musicians’ balcony, the rest of the guests found their seats. The air was alive with the flutter of fans and the murmur of speculation over who might secure a dance with the High Prince.
Each chair was filled with men and women whom I’d come to know over the years, their jewels catching fire in the candlelight. Each had trusted me to protect them. Now they were here to witness me pass my title to Tyson.
While part of me was sad to leave, I was less concerned with Marius’s dance card and more worried about whatever punishment he had planned for my crimes. I had my reasons for taking my mate as a sanguine partner, but I understood that those rules were the foundation of trust between us and those we protected.
Tyson beamed at me from the bottom of the stairs that led up to where I stood on the dais. He was dressed in the black and gold of Roselyn, which suited him well. And for the first time since he set foot in my castle, his attire was actually appropriate for the circumstance.
I might’ve had my doubts when Marius had named him my heir, and in many moments since, but since our trip to the Lawless Lands, he’d begun to walk like a man of Roselyn and had proved his loyalty.
Now, he seemed eager to begin the ceremony. With his hands clasped behind his back, he glanced around the room. First acknowledging his sanguine partner, Lady Okeri, who was dressed in a lovely gold gown detailed with black beads. But his attention quickly shifted past her. I traced the line of his focus and found who he was watching.Claire’s sister.
She was being escortedto her seat, in human form, by Alec. Her silver gown reminded me of her wolf coat. But it was the egg-sized moonstone around her throat that caught my eye. It was the same stone Shayla had worn. I don’t know why, but I found it unsettling.
Natalia, who was standing beside me on the dais, dressed in the regalia of a military commander, nudged me with her elbow. I slipped inside her thoughts, knowing instinctively that she had something to say.“She’s trouble waiting to happen, that one.”
I hummed.“Good thing you’ll be here to keep a watchful eye on her.”
“So you agree there is something to watch?”
The music ceased as the ceremony was about to begin. Laurent, my Grand Advisor, anointed Tyson’s forehead with water from the three rivers that ran through Roselyn. Then he prayed, calling on both Damien and Diana to give him strength and guidance.
“I believe you should follow your instincts in this matter,”I told Natalia as we watched on.“But do not allow your anger to cloud your judgment. Nothing is black and white. And not everyone is an enemy.”
Once Laurent had finished his prayer, I waited to receive my nephew on the dais. With my fingers curled around my cane, I tried to relax the tension that had settled in my shoulders, but it was impossible. The room fell into a deeper silence as Tyson began the climb, step by step. A thousand thoughts raced through my head.
I chanced a look at Claire, who was smiling at me and sending encouraging energy. I needed every bit of it when Tyson reached the final step. He bowed to Natalia, then me. We bowed back. There was nothing left to do except say my part. The crowd waited attentively.
They needed reassurance that this changewouldn’t disrupt their lives. That they were safe with Tyson in charge. I had to be confident and poised, no matter what.
“Kneel, Lord Tyson.”
He did so without hesitation. His head bowed.
He was ready for this. Or at least more ready than I’d been at his age. And while I still wished Natalia were the one kneeling before me, I intended to renew my efforts to reinstate her claim to her father’s duchy.As long as Marius didn’t order my execution.There would always be a place for her here. But she was the rightful heir to Nightfall.
I lifted my cane, as duty required, and touched the tip of it to one of Tyson’s broad shoulders. “Do you swear to defend the city of Roselyn and the outlying lands? Do you swear to protect the innocent and serve the High Prince with honor?”
“I swear.”
I tapped his other shoulder. “Do you promise to uphold the traditions of Château Rose? To rule with wisdom, to lead with strength, and to fight with valor?”
“I promise.”
I met Claire’s eyes and saw she was wiping away a tear, but there was a fierce smile on her face. It gave me the strength I needed to say the last part.
“Then rise, Tyson of the House Allard, Viscount of Aurenne and Duke of Roselyn.”
Once the words were out of my mouth, the ballroom erupted into applause. I held out my hand for him. He clasped it and pulled me into an embrace. More cheers came.
Emotion was thick in his voice when he said, “Thank you, Uncle.”
“Address your people,” I whispered, patting his back.
It was done. I was relieved of my duties. A peaceful transition of power from one vampire to another. Tyson had inherited a peaceful border and would oversee the construction of anew château. It was time for a new ruler, one who cared about pageantry and appearances.
Tyson faced my people—his people. He gave a short speech that I barely heard over the ringing in my ears.
I didn’t like being on the dais. And now that I’d done my duty, I wanted to leave. Glancing at Claire, I said,“I need you,”through our bond.
