Page 90 of You’re So Vein

“But you can’t!” Irene splutters. “She has not yet been Kissed.”

“My betrothed has a name.” Alaric’s fingers tighten on the hilt of his sword. Of course he would bring a sword to a party.

“Winnie does not want the Kiss right now,” Gideon says firmly. “And she has the right to make that decision.”

“We won’t allow it!” Irene says.

“No stabbing.” Winnie’s fingers circle Alaric’s wrist.

“She will not stand between us—” Alaric begins to say.

“She won’t.” Winnie’s eyes raise to his. “No stabbing.”

Reluctantly, Alaric drops his hand from his sword. He raises his fingers to her cheek, stroking her skin with a tenderness I didn’t know he possessed.

Rotten envy coils in my chest, hissing like it’s the snake on Arabella’s shoulders. The weight of everything I can’t fix rests heavily on my shoulders – Dad’s cancer, Hannah’s situation, not being able to find the husker, my fear of the dark, and the fact that I’m an abject failure at everything. How lovely it would be to have someone lift that weight so I could breathe again.

“Luckily, it’s not a matter of whether you allow it or not,” Gideon says with a sardonic grin. “Conclave law doesn’t apply to Sanctus Estate. If Arabella and I say that Winnie and Alaric can marry, then they can.” Gideon snaps his fingers. “Another bloodtini?”

Irene turns to the bar, nostrils flaring. She points a bony finger at Augustin. “You. Come here. What’s your opinion on all of this?”

He looks surprised. “What do you mean?”

“If you become mayor of this village, and we ultimately decide against allowing this unnatural marriage, can we depend on you to enforce Conclave law? Sanctus Estate is not exempt.”

Augustin’s eyes sweep over me. “I will not. Vampire law needs to change. Why shouldn’t Argleton be the testing ground? As mayor, I will celebrate with this couple, no matter the outcome of your decision.”

Even though I knew he’d say it, my heart swells at his words.

“That could very well start a war.”

“So be it.”

“So be it? We have overlooked your family’s shame – disappearing in the night and forsaking your court, all because your father didn’t get what he wanted,” she hisses. “You do not want to bring a vampire war to this village, not with so many humans so near.”

Her gaze flicks to me, her meaning apparent. If war came to Argleton, humans would die. Fear shines in Augustin’s eyes.

“If Augustin is elected mayor instead of me, he’ll do what’s right for the people of Argleton, which includes all residents, human and Upyr, because he’s a dedicated civil servant,” I say. “If I can’t sway him with all my powers of persuasion, then you have no hope.”

Augustin’s eyes widen with surprise. Honestly, I’m surprised myself. I never thought I’d be standing up for my archrival.

Irene huffs and storms off.

Augustin starts towards me, but Dante steps in close, cutting off my view. “I apologise for their behaviour. Our kind do not take kindly to being scolded by our food, no matter how delicious that food might be.”

“After all of this, you still see me as a snack.”

“You are many things, Ms Ahuja,” Dante inclines his head, “but you are not food. It takes a rare gift to force Irene back to her books to win an argument. I can only hope that she finds something to support your argument in Black Crag’s library.”

“Shouldn’t I be the one looking for the evidence?”

“Nonsense. Irene may be dangerous, but she cares for the truth more than she cares for winning. Besides, you have no time for books with your election duties, such as wooing visiting dignitaries from far-off vampires courts. I wondered if you’d dance with me?” He flashes me a smile that’s ninety-three per cent charm, seven per cent danger.

I should really talk to Augustin.

But then I think about the Nevermore Coven and our promise to find this husker, and how much that could help Augustin and Hannah. Here is a Dusk Court vampire, one who hasn’t run away in disgrace, who gave us the clue about Lilac and the warning about Kael. Perhaps I can get him to open up. Besides, watching Augustin squirm might be fun.

“I’d be delighted.”