29. Alaric

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

ALARIC

Gideon: You should know that the Nevermore Murder Club is sniffing around Danny’s death. One of them was out at our site, snooping through our files. I’ll redouble my efforts, but if those meddling ladies get close to the truth, we’ll have to consider measures.

M y wife?

No.

This is all wrong.

All these years, Callista has left me alone at Black Crag. I thought she understood that I want nothing to do with the machinations at the Nightshade Court and I have no desire to wed to suit her political aims…

But the pampered vampire princess gliding towards me with victory burning in her eyes tells me that I’ve been a fool.

Of course, Callista would not give up on me. She has brought Perdita to my castle, betting that I would not refuse her while her chosen bride (and my old friend) is a guest in our home. To kick Perdita out of the castle now, after she has made this trip, would invite a feud between our families, between the Nightshade and Midnight Courts. And even with my distance and disinterest in court, I know that is something we can ill-afford in the current climate.

But I will not marry this woman, not for blood loyalty or to save the Upyr community from civil war.

Not when my heart belongs to the remarkable human woman standing beside me, her mouth open in shock.

Panic rises in my chest as Perdita sweeps towards me. There has to be some way to salvage this mess?—

A wild, desperate idea comes to me. I don’t have time to ask permission, nor to talk myself out of an act so abhorred in our laws. I wrap my arms around Winnie and pull her close.

“Unfortunately, Mother, you and Princess Chastain have travelled all this way in vain. For you see, I am already engaged to be wed.” I force my lips into a smile. “May I present my bride, Winnie Preston.”