Page 19 of Rite of Blood and Secrets

"Your Highness," Lord Fallmartin says.

"Lord Fallmartin," Marcus responds stiffly.

I look between the two of them, trying to work out what's happening between them, but having been at court for barely a few hours, and only having the things that Marcus has just told me to go on, I don't know enough about either of them to even start guessing.

"Beatrice, it's time for you to take your place with the rest of your family for the toast."

"Of course, Lord Fallmartin."

"Father is fine," he responds, turning around and walking back to where the others are waiting.

I stare after him. Does he really want me to call him father? If he knew I existed before tonight, then he's ignored me for years, if he hasn't, then neither of us has known that there was a relationship to build.

I push the thoughts aside. It doesn't matter how I feel or what I want, it's been made crystal clear to me that I'm expected to do as I'm told, and at least for now, I'm going to do just that.

Chapter 10

Throughout the room, people are gathered in groups, many of them wearing clothes in matching colours. I try to count the number of different houses I can spot, but I lose track with everyone moving around.

The townspeople are in the centre of the room, several of them looking around and seeming more nervous than before. I see a few faces I recognise, but there are many more I don't. Perhaps some of them have come from towns other than my own. Or my town is bigger than I thought it was.

I suppose it isn't mine any longer, it's just the place I used to live. Not for the first time since arriving back in the ballroom, I find myself wishing that Pip was with me. She's a comfort beyond what I can imagine, and I'm worried about her sitting in my new room. What if one of the Fallmartins decides she's not supposed to be here after all?

I take a deep breath. I need to stay calm. This whole evening has been a lot to take in, and I'm not really sure how to deal with any of it, but I know that the ballroom, surrounded by vampires I don't know, isn't the place for me to let my true emotions show.

A hush falls over the room as a man appears on the balcony at the far end. I can't tell much about him from this distance, but I have to assume he's important. A woman stands on his left side, and another man on his right, though that one is somewhat familiar. It takes me a moment to realise that this must be Marcus, and that it probably means the other two vampires are his parents.

The royal family. Though there's no sign of the brother he mentioned.

"Good evening," the King says in a deep rich voice. "And welcome to the Golden Moon ball."

A cheer goes up around the room and several people raise their goblets.

I tighten my grip around my own.

"Do any of the Noble Houses wish to present new heirs to the court?" the King calls.

Lord Fallmartin steps forward with his head held high. "I wish to present my heir, Bastian Fallmartin," he says, gesturing to my brother.

I want to sink back against the wall so he doesn't draw the same amount of attention as Bastian is getting.

Eliza catches my attention. "Don't worry, he won't call on you, you're just a girl."

I manage a small nod. There's some comfort in that. Marcus' words ring through my mind about Lord Fallmartin leaving most of his dhampirs to die. Would that have been me if not for my brother? Bastian did say that he'd made a deal for us.

"Welcome, Bastian Fallmartin, recognised heir to House Rothorne," the King says, raising his goblet.

Bella scowls at my brother, clearly unimpressed. I'm not sure I understand where much of her animosity is coming from. As far as I can tell, she wouldn't have been the one in Bastian's position if he were not here.

Several of the other houses come forward and announce new heirs, each of which the king acknowledges in turn. I'm sure that if I knew more about the way things worked here, I'd understand what was going on better, but there's an understandable but huge gap in my knowledge.

One that I'm going to have to rectify so I don't end up in a situation like this again. Somehow, I feel even more powerless standing in this room in a dress that probably cost more than Bastian and I could make in a year, than I ever did in our home with the leaking roof and the lingering smell of vegetable stew.

Maybe it's because the danger is greater here, but I can't work out precisely where it's coming from. Maybe it's Bella's glares I should be worrying about the most, or Bastian's threats. Or simply the way Lord Fallmartin is walking around with an air of superiority.

I'm out of my depth and I know it.

I keep my eyes trained on whoever is speaking, trying to commit the Houses to memory along with who their new heir is. I don't know how the information might be useful to me, but considering these people are potentially in the same position as I am, they could be potential friends.

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