When Ambrosia left the room with her two attendants following, Rayth and Grayson remained. The shorter though more sinister brother prowled forward like a predatory feline, his eyes narrowed menacingly on his new prize.
Cora would guarantee Gray Vale remained the most powerful and feared of the nine realms. And with the half fae as his bride, Rayth would be at the very summit of all vampires.
Gray Vale already supplied the ever-flowing blood river to each of the realms without fail, which was the hallmark of its supremacy. But as Rayth's mother explained, Cora was the fail safe. The threat of death through her ability was unique.
Fae were the only creatures who could end the immortal life of vampires, but no one kept a fae just lying around. This child was the exception, and she was going to make him the most feared of any of his kind. If he could truly succeed at taming her, then even his mother would have to fear him. Gray Vale could instead have a king.
"You do not look suitable to be my bride," he said in a low rasp as he stalked around her. "Kat!"
The girl scuttled in from the hallway where she had been instructed to wait in case she was needed.
"What is wrong with her hair?" He asked, gesturing toward Cora as if she were a mere object in the room. "After tonight, she will be known as Prince Rayth of Gray Vale's fiancé. She cannot look like some random stray we dragged in off of a human street."
Kat's head was bowed, arms rigid by her side. It was clear she was terrified of this prince.
Cora would have objected to being spoken of in such a way if she had not been stunned into silence by Ambrosia's words. But she stood staring at the doorway where Her Majesty had left after upending Cora's entire universe in mere moments. Was this all truly happening because of last night? A few plants—a small path of grass—and now Cora was being married off to this awful creature? And if she didn't, her mother was in jeopardy?
"I-I will fix it," Kat said with a tremulous voice.
"Yes, you will. And you will do it quickly," Rayth snapped. "Our guests are waiting."
Kat busied herself with Cora's hair while everyone in the room remained silent. Rayth watched with a smug expression.
When Cora finally snapped out of her shock and her eyes refocused on her surroundings, the Veiled had pushed itself back into her awareness. Rayth and Grayson were both like black holes, dispersing all of the light and all of the energy around them so that nothing could touch them—no life, no pain, no suffering. This is what she had witnessed the first time she performed a death by desire. It was that black hole that needed to be filled.
What would happen if she gave both of these males beating hearts right now? What would happen if she filled them with a rush of the Veiled for the first time? It would be so satisfying to see the shock on their faces as they felt their hearts thrum to life, their immortality instantly stolen. Why did Ambrosia believe Cora wouldn't do that to her dear Rayth?
Cora knew why. It was because of that final threat Ambrosia uttered as she paused at the door, not even bothering to look at Cora as she spoke it. Her mother was in danger here. Not only that, they had Zane locked in the tower. They could easily transfer him to the dungeon and torture him like the rest.
"I need to sit down," Cora said quietly, and Kat's fingers paused in her hair. She felt like she was going to be sick.
"Can you give us a minute?" Penelope ventured, seeing the blood that had drained from Cora's face.
"One minute," Rayth said and slithered out the door followed by his brother who seemed unable to meet anyone's eyes.
"You can stay, Kat," Cora said weakly, aware that the girl was expected to finish her work quickly.
"I am almost done," Kat said. Her fingers returned to Cora's hair, pulling up the final braided strand and securing it so that it completed the elegant image that Rayth expected.
"It's going to be okay," Penelope said, her hand on Cora's knee as she crouched in front of her daughter.
"You keep saying that."
"It's the truth. Look at me," Penelope insisted, lifting Cora's chin. "Is there any deception in me?"
Penelope's aura was so beautiful in the Veiled. It always had been. Her mother's essence made visible—that is what Cora saw.
"You believe it is going to be okay. That doesn't make it true, mom. How can this possibly be okay? Rayth is a monster. Why is this happening? Because of some stupid plants?" The words tumbled out, and on their way the tears followed.
"Shhhh," Penelope glanced at Kat who handed her a tissue. "The path forward is not always straight. We can get through this. Let's just get through tonight first, okay? This isn't a wedding. It's an announcement. You can do that much. You can do this moment. Don't let fear of the future overwhelm you when it is not yet here."
"I don't know," Cora sniffed, reigning in her tears so she wouldn't become a red, swollen mess. Rayth wouldn't like that either, and as much as she didn't care about her appearance and what a room full of vampires thought, she didn't want his smug fury unleashed on anyone else. Kat had been so kind to not insist on doing Cora's hair in the first place even if she suspected it might land her in trouble.
"Despite what they say, you have the upper hand my love. You always have. The Goddess has us here for a reason. Trust me," Penelope squeezed her knee, and then she straightened herself when Rayth strode back in.
"Time's up my bride," he said, and Cora bit back a growl. It was going to take every ounce of patience and self restraint she had not to start this guy's heart tonight.
He offered his arm, and she stood to take it. "Thank you so much for your help, Ekaterina."
The vampire girl replied with a soft smile.
Cora watched as Grayson offered her mother his arm. It appeared he would be leading her into the ballroom, which was a relief. At least he could be trusted to watch over her.