Bitter Bloodlines

Chapter Ten

The tournament in my honor began early the next morning, in sun so bright I navigated almost entirely without sight, the dark hood of my dress drawn up over my eyes. I stayed close beside the Queen, feeling the heat of her skin and listening to the soft thump of her heartbeat as she toured the grounds, commenting on the nobility of the athletes. The quiet swish of her gown wound between the sharp clang of swords against armor, the shouts of food vendors and the smell of roasting meat, the sound of whinnying horses.

I was relieved when we finally reached the covered viewing platform that had been set up for the royal family. James was sat there in his wheelchair, alongside my aunt Anastasia and my cousin Phillip. Behind them, Isabelle and Senka stood with a handful of other attendants.

My mother beckoned for me to sit beside her in the blessed shade. Several empty chairs to my right seemed to indicate that we were expecting visitors.

"I do love a tournament," she said, nodding toward the jousters below. "Isabelle, do we have proposals to consider today?"

"A great deal, your majesty," Isabelle replied.

I glanced over at James, who was rolling his eyes, and at my aunt, absolutely stony-faced in her refusal to be married, as it would ruin her chances at the crown. Prince Phillip was the only one who looked pleased: a marriage to a Avelinian noble would likely increase his own standing, considering his foreign father.

"There are four suitors seeking your hand, three seeking the hand of the Lady Anastasia, eight fathers presenting their daughters to Prince Phillip, and six fathers seeking permission for their daughters to court Sir James," Isabelle continued, addressing my mother. It was the first time I'd heard any sort of title applied to James, and it did not escape me that the nobility of "Lord" had not been granted. "Additionally, two fathers are hoping that the Princess Audrianna may consider their daughters as ladies-in-waiting."

I felt both relieved and, surprisingly, somewhat left out to hear that I had no proposals, despite the fact that I expected none. That was one inheritance law that followed the same in both Aveline and Raverre: nasferata were not meant to carry on the family name.

The day went on that way, with Isabelle bringing hopefuls to introduce themselves as the tournament went on below. I clapped dutifully for the victors when the cheers went up, but hardly paid any attention to which lances broke and which arrows hit the target. Instead I watched closely as my mother navigated the choppy waters of flattery and refusal.

To her own suitors, she was endlessly charmed by their interest, but made no promises to any - not the Avelinian nobles or even the Raverrian count, who offered her a chance to return gracefully to her homeland. Between them, she leaned over to me and whispered: "Do not fret, dear. No man will keep me from the throne."

Her undaunted determination brought a smile to my face. As the day went on, she dealt with James' suitors in a similar manner - always promising that she, as his guardian, would love for him to be married, but that it would need to be revisited when his health was better.

James nodded, saying almost nothing in response, but bowing his head politely to greet each of the girls who was paraded before him. Meanwhile, Anastasia refused each of her suitors without a second thought, and Phillip kept each of the women he met wrapped in flirtatious conversation for far too long.

"Is it always like this?" I asked Isabelle, yawning with boredom.

"When the public is invited to a gathering, yes," she replied, with a small smile. "Perhaps next you would like to meet your possible ladies-in-waiting?"

"Ah, yes," my mother said, overhearing. "It would be good for you to have a lady of your own, to help with your wardrobe and hair and correspondence. You can choose whoever you like - if these two don't suit your fancy, perhaps you will meet others at the feast."

"I can't imagine any Avelinian ladies want to serve a nasferata," I replied.

"Why shouldn't they? You are a princess." My mother took a sip of her wine and winked at me. "Besides, their fathers only want them at court to find a wealthy husband. They would be lucky to find favor with you."

Both of the girls that Isabelle brought to meet me were young: several years my junior, sweet and soft-spoken, and being praised loudly by their fathers. Daisy, the first, could hardly look at me, and the sound of her heart was as loud as the galloping horses below. Vanessa, the second, was a little less bashful.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Princess," she said, curtsying as her father conversed with the Queen. "I look forward to seeing the demonstration of your skills after the feast."

Her hands shook a little as she spoke, dark fingers picking at the edges of her skirt's embroidery, but I admired her courage. I had nearly forgotten about the demonstration that my mother had promised I'd give, without telling me what it was. I wondered if it was related to the surprise gift from Peria.

"A pleasure to meet you as well, Lady Vanessa," I told her, trying to sound as warm and inviting as my mother did. "I hope to see you at the feast."

*****

I was seated, as always, at the Queen's side for the feast. I was surprised when, alongside the wine and mead for our noble guests, the server brought me a warm, silver goblet of blood.

I wondered where it came from, and tried not to picture Carmen's eyes, glaring at me out of the darkness.

The young Lady Vanessa sat on my other side, doing her best to act unalarmed by my drink. Her deep brown skin glowed golden in the light of torches and candles that illuminated the feasting hall. Voices echoed all throughout the space as the air filled with the smell of roasted pig and duck, pastry pies and sharp fruit tarts.

"Do you have any favorite pastimes, Princess?" Vanessa asked.

I glanced at her, internally racing to come up with an appropriate response. It occurred to me that no child had ever intentionally sought my friendship before.

"I used to write a lot of letters to my mother, between my classes," I said, after a moment. "Back in Raverre. But these days I don't need to anymore."

"It must be wonderful to be reunited," she replied, nodding.

I carried on a slightly stilted conversation with her as she ate, sipping at my goblet with a twisting feeling of discomfort in my stomach. As the last courses were being brought out, my mother took my hand, bidding me to stand with her as she gave a toast.

"To my dear daughter, the only child of my husband the king, Princess Audrianna," she said, raising her glass as the room fell silent. "And to the peace that her return has brought to her realm. Just this morning, in celebration, I have signed a treaty with our neighbors in Peria: may our countries live in harmony for years to come."

A few seats away, the Perian ambassador rose and raised his own glass, smiling in her direction.

"To Queen Valentina," he said, voice carrying over the crowd. "Recognized this day by Peria as the one true regent of Aveline."