Page 58 of The Princess's Pet

“Yes,” the Princess replied dropping her hand from my neck and taking my hand once more. “Her blood is like non-other.”

“About time you started acting like a Queen to be and taking what you want.” A voice came from behind us.

“Uncle Vasilios,” the Princess greeted turning to the new arrival. Her tone was bright but the way her grip on my hand tightened fractionally put me on edge.

He was a tall man with long brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. He held some resemblance to the Princess, while the Princess’s eyes were silver, her uncles were a dark stormy grey. His smile was squint and teeth not perfectly straight, but he was not unpleasant to look at.

“You cut a striking figure niece, all dressed up for us,” he commented rudely. “Special occasion?” he asked.

“Is my return not cause for celebration? Or does my presence upset you?” she replied, a slight rumble in her chest.

Vasilios laughed and held his hands up in mock surrender. “Oh please, Selene, I am more than happy by your return. If you had not arrived after I sent word of your father’s illness, my next correspondence would have requested your return,” he said walking further into the room behind the table where he stopped next to Lord Antoniou. “We believe it is time that you secure the future of house Borealis by naming a perspective groom.” There were a few nods and muttered agreements.

“You have a groom in mind Uncle?” she asked with a bite to her words.

“Yes, I suggest your cousin Lord Valen Ardens,” Vasilios suggested with a smug grin and keeping eye contact with thePrincess. I was shocked at the suggestion the Princess should marry her cousin.

“You’re son,” the Princess stated unimpressed.

“It would be keeping with tradition and in such crucial times tradition is safe,” Vasilios continued.

“A practice that has not been performed in all living memory in this room is not tradition,” the Princess began and held up her free hand to silence Vasilios before he could counter her. “Unfortunately for you and my cousin, I am currently courting another,” the Princess informed and I felt my stomach fill with uneasiness.

“Who?!” Lord Antoniou asked.

“Lord Halvorsen, son of Duke Halvorsen,” the Princess announced and I felt sick at the confirmation that she was courting Lord Halvorsen with the intention of marriage.

“A shifter?” Lord Halkias asked rubbing his long white beard in thought. “House Halvorsen is large and strong,” he mused to himself. “A suitable pureblood vampire for off-spring would have to be found when the time came,” he thought aloud. “A good alliance,” he finished.

“My thoughts exactly.” The Princess smiled. “In such unsettling times, where it seems there are enemies within our walls, a strong external alliance will be most beneficial to firmly exhibit our strength.”

“And what does Halvorsen hope to accomplish with your hand?” Vasilios asked his voice trembling with anger.

“They have made no demands known. Though I suspect they wish to further their standing to be seen as our equals.”

“Our equals! Preposterous! No shifter could ever be equal to house Borealis!” Vasilios shouted.

“No, house Halvorsen could never equal house Borealis. However, I am confident they could best house Ardens,” the Princess said head tilted mockingly.

“Watch what you say! You are my sister’s daughter, a daughter of house Ardens,” Vasilios warned.

“Do you threaten me? Do you wish for me to demonstrate that I have inherited the strength of house Borealis?” she answered and her hand left mine and sat lazily atop the hilt of her sword.

“I’m sure Marquess of Ardens, did not wish to challenge you my Royal Highness. Love for his house forced him to speak out of turn,” Lady Sana interrupted the heated exchange.

“Is that true Uncle?” the Princess asked a quirk to her lips.

“Have you returned only to ridicule your mother’s heritage and turn away from your family?” he challenged an outraged edge to his voice.

“My mother’s heritage while pureblood, is unfortunately weak, like the mere boy you assume the authority to marry me off to. The truth may be unflattering, but it is your trespass into a station you do not have that ridicules you, Uncle. You disrespect my mother’s memory with your behaviour,” the Princess spat her lips rising in disgust.

Vasilios looked like he might explode from anger, but he did not respond. None responded.

“Lady Sana, accompany me please, to my father and explain his condition to me,” the Princess commanded turning to the healer when her remarks were not further challenged.

The woman stood, flattening the creases in her dress as she did. “Right away,” she replied walking from behind the table.

We followed behind the wire-thin woman, who led us to the king’s wing and chambers.

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