Page 2 of Vampire Solstice

“She definitely gets that from you.” I cross the room to press a kiss to our daughter’s soft cheek. Her bright laughter fills the space between us, a reminder of what we’re fighting to protect. “Don’t listen to him, my little star. You can howl as much as you’d like.”

Before Fen can respond, there’s a light knock at the door, followed by Kayla’s entrance. Her colorful braid swings behind her as she strides in, a pile of parchments in hand, herexpression brisk but tinged with amusement as she takes in the scene.

“The castle is bustling,” she says without preamble. “Ace is in the courtyard constructing the platform for the Solstice ceremony. He claims he has a ‘brilliant’ idea to make it unforgettable.”

Fen’s brow arches skeptically. “Unforgettable in the way of his last invention?”

Kayla snorts. “I’m already running interference. I’ve reminded him of the safety precautions… which he doesn’t seem thrilled about.”

“And I’m not thrilled about explosions,” I reply, shifting my daughter back into Fen’s arms. “Make sure he follows through, Kayla. I don’t need another disaster in the middle of Solstice preparations.”

“Your queenly instincts are as sharp as ever,” Fen murmurs dryly, bouncing our daughter gently. “Though I do question the wisdom of appointing someone who loves chaos as your chief builder.”

My brother-in-law may be the Prince of Sloth… but he’s always at work on new inventions. Fen is right. Prince of Chaos would have been a more apt curse for him I think.

“Wisdom?” I smirk at my husband. “You’re forgetting I chose you as king. My track record isn’t that bad.”

Fen huffs out a soft laugh, shaking his head as Kayla’s voice grows more formal. “Your Majesty, the line of petitioners is long today. Given the Solstice preparations, I’d say it’s twice the usual length.”

“Wonderful,” I mutter, adjusting my gown and trying not to think about how many hours this day will drag on.

The bustling noiseof castle life surrounds us as Kayla and I make our way toward the throne room. Servants hurry past with trays of spiced cider and garlands of winter greenery, their faces flushed with activity. The faint hammering of Ace’s construction carries from the courtyard, accompanied by the occasional cheer or shout.

“I much prefer being out and about,” I say, glancing at Kayla as we pass a cluster of advisors deep in discussion. “Talking to people in their homes, in the context of their lives. These formal audiences are so exhausting.”

“Tradition,” Kayla replies simply, though the humor in her tone isn’t lost on me.

“Tradition,” I echo with a sigh. “It’s a miracle any of us survive it.”

Kayla chuckles as we approach the grand doors to the throne room. The air shifts, the noise outside fading into a heavy silence as the guards push open the doors. The vaulted chamber beyond is filled with petitioners, their voices dropping to murmurs as I enter.

Kayla steps forward, her voice ringing out over the assembly. “All rise for Her Majesty, Arianna Spero Vane, High Queen of Inferna and Avakiri, Midnight Star.”

The formalities always feel like a performance, a title-heavy script meant to reinforce the authority of the crown. But I straighten my shoulders and take my seat on the throne, Fen’s absence beside me an ache I try to ignore.

Yami, dozing on my shoulder, wakes to nuzzle my hair. The dragon’s way of soothing me when he senses I’m stressed.

The first petitioner approaches—a fae man with hollow cheeks and a weathered appearance. His hands shake slightly as he clutches his hat, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Your Majesty, the snow came early this year. Our crops didn’t yield enough to last the winter, and the Outlanders… theycome in the night, stealing what little we have. We can’t survive like this.”

I lean forward, frowning. “We’ve sent supplies to the outer villages. They should have arrived days ago.”

“They did,” the man says, his voice tight with frustration. “But the Outlanders move like ghosts. They take what they want and vanish into the snow. We’re outnumbered and defenseless.”

I stifle a frustrated sigh. The Outlanders have historically been rebel fae, who refused to bow to the rule of the vampires. Not that I blame them. That was the whole point of the war we had not too long ago. To free them from slavery.

I had hoped that since we defeated the vampires who wanted to keep them enslaved, they would join us. Many did. But some still refuse. They don’t trust the part of me that is now vampire. They despiser that I married one of the original vampire princes–despite him actually being born fae.

Still, I won’t give up on the hope of peace with them. They are still my people. I glance at Kayla, who shifts uncomfortably beside me. “We’ll increase patrols,” I say firmly, my voice carrying through the room. “And we’ll ensure every village gets what they need to survive. I won’t let anyone starve this winter. Including the Outlanders.”

The fae bows, murmuring his thanks, but the tension in the room doesn’t ease.

As he steps away, Kayla leans closer, whispering, “This is the last petitioner of the day.”

“Thank the goddess,” I mutter, slumping slightly. “Why do thrones have to be so uncomfortable? My bum feels like it’s been turned to stone.”

“The weight of the crown is a heavy one,” Kayla quips, smirking.

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