Page 79 of Their Blood Queen

To rethink things. And then I found the letter on my desk, penned in my mother’s writing.

I’m still sitting at my vanity just staring at it well after the sun has set. The correspondence should give me relief, considering it’s the first letter I’ve received since my courtship began, but all I can do is read it over and over again, looking for something that isn’t there.

Dear Scarlett,

I’m so proud of you. I know it isn’t easy to navigate the trepidations of a family like the Rinholds, but I have heard nothing but news of your grace, dignity, and elegance amidst the tides of scandal and intrigue.

This is what it means to be a Duchess, Scarlett. You aren’t one yet, but it’s as if you’ve slid right into the role most suited for you.

Maybe life looks foreign to you now. Especially since I know that you had planned on running a small settlement once the population of Nightingale Village had grown enough to support branching out, but I don’t truly believe that was ever a realistic option. It was a dream I had hoped would come true for you. After my illness, I only brought this family down, and for that, I deeply mourn the cost of my life and the burden it has placed on your delicate shoulders.

Because you’re the one holding this family up now, Scarlett. My beautiful, dear daughter.

As you know, the Nightingale Selection is tonight. Your father has high hopes that there is one selection in particular who will attract a powerful monster mate and earn our family direly needed points. I do hope you can watch the broadcast with me. I have already invited Earl Rinhold, and the Duke and Duchess as well.

Please don’t forget to bring more of that fragrance you found for me. I’ve almost run out of mine.

In Cain’s name,

Eveline Nightingale

It’s not uncommon for my mother to talk about fragrances or frivolous things at the end of her letter. But I know she’s not talking about perfume.

She needs more anti-aging tonic.

It’s only been a matter of days. How could she be almost out already? I wonder as I fold the letter and slide it into a drawer.

To go through it so quickly means she’s most assuredly reliant on it. Not getting her more could even kill her if she’s used so much.

What am I going to do?

Looking up, I stare at myself in the vanity mirror of my room. I half expect wrinkles to form on my face or gray hairs to sprout amidst the bright red strands.

I look perfect, unfortunately. The damned magic tonics in the Rinhold household work every time.

I’m a little over tonics right about now.

Reaching out, I press one of the tabs on the wall that’ll summon Julie or Beatrix. I’m hoping for Julie, but the older woman appears at my door a moment later.

“You called, my lady?” she asks but doesn’t hide her perusal that’s accompanied by a frown. “You’re far too tense, Lady Scarlett. Keep your spine like that and it’s liable to snap.”

She’s right. Which is exactly why I called for her in the first place. “I need a bath, Beatrix.”

Bracing myself for her protest, I’m surprised when she slides inside and shuts the door behind her. “Finally. I was wondering how long you were going to pretend to be so comfortable with all this frivolous use of magic tonics,” she says as she marches toward the parlor. “I could buy dinner for the entire sector every night until I leave this dark world with the amount of tonics used by some Elites.”

I chuckle at her frankness. “So you’re not a fan of them?” I hedge. She had previously admitted that Duchess Rinhold doesn’t share her anti-aging tonics with her staff. So for the rumor to have circulated that a tonic had been used for such scandalous purposes inside her own house had definitely put a damper on this year’s festivities.

But that was precisely the source of my stress, now with the addition of my mother’s predicament.

My mother seems to think I’ve handled the scandal well. I saw Edward that night. He was shaken, but there wasn’t evidence of a mask that one would wear when lying. He has to be telling me the truth.

Which means that the fires of jealousy I’ve ignited in this sector can cause very real danger. If one of my rivals was willing to go so far as to magically compel Edward into leaving me, what kind of enemies am I making just by being here?

Beatrix seems to like me, at least. She gives me a wry smile full of wrinkles as she gathers up towels and a robe. “I’m not a fan of magic when it makes everyone act insane.”

I doubt that magic is really to blame when it comes to the games Elites play. Living this life and trying to stay ahead is enough to make anyone go mad.

I’m feeling a bit manic myself, so when Beatrix asks me how I want my bath, I breathe out an honest answer. “Hot. Steaming, piping hot so that I can steep in it until I emerge as a wrinkled prune.”

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