The entourage pulled to a stop in the courtyard of a dark castle surrounded by a forest. It wasn’t the same forest they’d traveled through; these trees weren’t near as menacing with their gray trunks and crimson leaves. They appeared more vibrant—less like the hollowed-out husks of Chaménos—and more lush, with full branches. The architecture of the castle featured ebony spires and flying buttresses. The large stained-glass windows making up the front of the castle didn’t do much besides make for an imposing view.
No one greeted them as Thalia dismounted in the courtyard. Only two soldiers stood outside the castle doors, their armor glinting against the light of the moon.
She’d expected to feel something as they crossed into the Vampyr world. A barrier, perhaps, or some tingling to know she’d entered another realm. But the only strange thing she’d noticed about Vaccarium as they rolled through green fields, heading toward House Lorenzia, was that they didn’t stop to take shelter during the day. In fact, during the day the sky was cloudy. Almost as though a summer storm were rolling in, blotting out the sun. And because the sun remained hidden, the Vampyrs weren’t affected. Another strange fact to add to Thalia’s ever-growing list about the Vampyrs.Why don’t they still stick to the night to hunt? Surely the clouds aren’t always around to keep them safe from the light.
“Where is everyone?” she asked Keegan, who still seemed the most reasonable out of the group. Given the fact that the Vampyrs were creatures of the night, she’d expected someone to greet her—the guards who were to protect the castle, the staff who’d now be under her charge. More importantly, she’d expected her new husband to be standing on his palace steps. But it was quiet. Unnerving. As though she and the Vampyrs she’d traveled with were the only souls on this side of their world.
The thought sent an unwanted pang of fear through her stomach.
“You’ll be introduced tomorrow.” Lord Damien stepped forward, aiming for the castle. “You’ll be taken to your room until then, where you will be confined.”
“What of the prince?” Thalia pushed, following the Vampyr up the stone steps.
“He’s been detained but shall return on the morrow.” Lord Damien didn’t say anything more as they entered the castle. It was silent, eerily so. They passed marble busts tucked in hidden alcoves, their footsteps masked by long carpets dyed a rich burgundy. In the grand entrance, the winding onyx staircase was polished to a shine. Thalia could see her warped reflection as she followed Lord Damien into a cold wing of the palace.
It seemed the farther they walked, the colder it got. The dark-papered walls didn’t hold any paintings or tapestries and were broken up only by arched windows of stained glass. The hall was decidedly bare aside from suits of armor that lined the edges and the occasional sconce casting shadows across her path.
“What is it that you do?” Thalia broke the silence. The Vampyrs hadn’t seemed inclined to speak to her on their journey to Irenbis, but perhaps now that they were at the castle …
Lord Damien paused, cocking his head. “I am the prince’s diplomat.”
“To the humans?”
“To anyone he wishes to broker a deal with.”
Thalia picked at her nails. “Who has he brokered deals with?”
“You are not well versed about our courts, are you?”
“I’m versed about your courts. Which one are you from?”
“I was from House Avanerius.”
“Was?”
Lord Damien stared at her unblinking. “I serve the prince now. As such, I was bound to a new House, House Lorenzia.”
Thalia could have sworn dark-auburn hair flashed out of the corner of her eye, but it was just her and Lord Damien in the hall. “How long have you served House Lorenzia?”
Lord Damien cocked his head. “Seven years.”
Thalia tucked the information away. He had deep ties with the prince, then. Perhaps he could be of some use. “How many serve the prince?”
“All of Vaccarium serves the prince.”
“Do the courts not answer to him?”
Lord Damien shifted. “They do. But that does not mean they are subjected to his rule alone.”
“What does that mean?”
Lord Damien met her stare. “There are five Houses—five courts. They oversee their capital city and the surrounding territory. While the prince, and by extension House Lorenzia, technically watches over all of Vaccarium, the members of the Houses can hold votes. Can even outvote the prince if needed.”
“Why would you need to outvote the prince?”
The smile Lord Damien gave didn’t reach his eyes. “If the prince is ruling unfairly. If House Lorenzia is abusing its power over the other Houses.” The Vampyr began walking again.
“You said you were part of House Avanerius? Who runs it?” Perhaps if she could start building trust with Lord Damien, his House would also hold some sway with the prince.
