Page 1 of Their Blood Queen

CHAPTER 1

SCARLETT

I stare at the cordial invitation in my grip. Correspondence isn’t unusual. I get letters every day.

But this one is written in blood.

My fingers are so tense I’m surprised I don’t rip the damn thing. The lighting offered by our new magical fixtures is pleasantly bright, much better than the tallow candles I had to use up until two years ago, allowing me to make out every word clearly. I read the first line three times because I just can’t believe it.

Please accept this formal invitation into the household of the Rinhold estate.

It’s a courtship proposal by the Earl Rinhold, a man I have never been formally introduced to, but know of by reputation.

And it’s not a good one.

I can’t believe my father didn’t tear this up the moment it came in.

But there’s a reason I was kept waiting in the drawing room while my brother and father spoke privately for hours.

So I keep reading.

The letters are styled in perfect penmanship, and every phrase is crafted with fluid, lyrical prose.

But I’ve learned to read between the lines. This is an invitation that will end my life as I know it.

My eyes track down the pleasantries and the subtle threats of blackmail I’d expect of a family with eyes everywhere, to the important bit I make sure to dedicate to memory.

I, Earl of the Rinhold family, hereby offer my courtship terms for the hand of Scarlett Nightingale and the consequential alliance of the Rinhold and Nightingale families, henceforth and thereafter.

A bride price will be paid in full upon conclusion of an exclusive courtship at the Rinhold residence to take place in the span of thirty days, in willing agreement by both parties, in the sum of the following proposals:

Forty percent of Rinhold’s resource village.

Eight-and-ten percent of Rinhold’s treasury.

Three selections from the Rinhold Compound, no limits barred.

Should these terms be deemed acceptable, a signature in blood of the lovely Scarlett Nightingale is required. Henceforth, the blood timer of three days will be enacted for the intended to bring her affairs in order, to begin anew at thirty days for the duration of the courtship.

Which, as a member of the family with the top selections of last year’s Monsters Night within the Magic Sector, I promise will be a lavish and enjoyable affair. I am eagerly awaiting your reply.

The terms of this contract expire at midnight.

May Cain’s blessings be bestowed upon you and yours.

Sincerely,

Earl Rinhold

My lower lip is quivering, and I sink my teeth into it before my father can reprimand me.

There was a reason he took me to the largest drawing room typically reserved for hosting and made me squirm while he and my brother decided my fate.

He wanted to remind me of what he’s been working toward and the importance of this proposal.

All of our reserves had gone into this room, decorating it with three diamond chandeliers cast in gold, an appropriate arrangement of exquisitely lavish furniture, and two stories of portraits of my father’s predecessors, as well as an obnoxiously large one of the monster in charge of our city.

As if Cain would actually ever pay us a visit.