East Lawn

"It's twilight. I won't be able to do much out here tonight," Cora said as she and her mom followed Grayson out onto the rear lawn.

"That didn't stop you last night," he chuckled and looked over his shoulder at her. She had her arms crossed over her chest like a sulking child.

"I was ready to fight someone for my brother," she said, glancing away from him.

"Would you have fought me?" He asked. He was truly curious. He wasn't afraid of her using her abilities on him, but that didn't mean she wouldn't do it.

"Of course I would have. What makes you different?" She scoffed.

A smile curved on his lips. She may be afraid of the vampires here or of becoming one, but she certainly had a fiery spirit. It was impressive. Hopefully she would be able to fall in line enough to keep his mother happy.

"Why do we have to dress up?" She asked from behind him.

The wardrobe thing was still bothering her. She didn't want to play dress up. She didn't want to pretend to be someone she was not—and those dresses were someone she was not. To satisfy Grayson and, by extension, Queen Ambrosia, she made the deal he offered and told Kat to give her all black dresses with pockets.

She didn't want any fluffy, bright dresses as if she were living some kind of fairy tale here. She didn't want to be dressed up like a princess. She preferred her t-shirts, jeans, hoodies, and anything comfortable.

"You are living in the palace now. It is the way things are done. Those who may visit in the future have expectations for the royal family, and you are famous, Cora. It may not be what are used to, but you will get used to it. They are just clothes."

Cora rolled her eyes. Hopefully she could wear her own clothes when she didn't need to be seen by anyone else in the palace.

"Wow, you have really done a lot with this place," Cora said dryly as they walked through the dead lawn. The land just went on and on—so much space with no point to it. Nothing was planted back here. Nothing was grown.

"It's perfect for you. A blank canvas," he told her.

"Do I get the whole lawn?" She asked, scanning the area. It was enormous. She could really have fun back here if they were truly going to give her the freedom to do as she wished.

"The east lawn. It is only a portion, but it will be large enough for you," he said. "It is just past that hill."

Now Cora understood. They were putting her far from the royal residence and out of immediate visibility. No one would have to see what she was doing back here if they didn't want to. All around the perimeter of the palace grounds were dense woods, and the blood river did not wrap around this area. No one came here. It was completely private.

She let out the anxious breath that had been in her lungs ever since last night when Zane disappeared. This might be okay. She would finally have the freedom to be herself—at least out here in this open with no one around.

Cora turned to smile at her mother who had been walking silently this whole time, following Cora because her daughter did not want to leave her alone in the palace. Cora did not trust the vampires with her mother. She was terrified of them doing something to Penelope. She already lost her father, and now Zane may no longer be the same. Her mother was all that she had left.

"Not bad, right?" Cora smiled. Penelope gave her a reassuring nod. She was happy Cora would have an area that was her own.

Over the hill, the east lawn sloped downward and then leveled out, stretching on and on until reaching the border of the white forest that ran along its perimeter.

"It is about ten acres," Grayson told her, looking at the land. "It should be sufficient."

Cora squatted down and touched the ground that had never had anything grow from it. It was barren, but she was going to change that.

"We have a few hours until the death by desire is scheduled. Do you want to spend some time out here and I will come find you when the appointment approaches? You should probably change beforehand," he said, looking at her clothes.

Cora ignored the comment that would have annoyed her normally. She was too happy about this area of the lawn that had been given to her to let the insult spoil her mood.

"I would like that," she said, and then her eyes lifted to his. He was so patient and positive when she was sure he didn't need to be. "Why are you the one who is looking after us, Grayson? Isn't it a job that is beneath your title?"

"Certainly not. You are one of the most important people in Gray Vale, Cora. It is an honor," he said, bowing formally with that boyish grin he wore sometimes. When his gaze lingered on her for an extra moment before he turned to return to the palace, her heart sped up with the hint of a layered meaning in his eyes. Grayson grinned to himself when he heard it.

After he was out of earshot, Cora whispered to her mother. "You don't think Prince Grayson likes me, do you? That's impossible right?"

"I don't know, Cora," Penelope said, the worry of that possibility already formed in her chest.

It was not something she wanted to imagine. She already observed that Grayson seemed to act different around her daughter, but imagining Cora partnered with a vampire… even though Penelope's mate was originally vampire, it was not something she wanted for her. But then Cora was fated to become one of them. It made sense that her partner would be one of them, didn't it? But then what of the giant wolf who had shown up at their house the night before?

"What is it, mom?" Cora asked, seeing the distress on her mother's face.

"Oh, nothing. I am just worried for you and Zane," she said. She did not wish to reveal her suspicions about the lycan yet. It was more than Cora needed to worry about right now with so much else going on. "Do you have ideas for this land?"

"I don't know. It's so big. But it will be fun, won't it?" She said, her eyes lighting up as she let them wander over the sloping ground. She touched her hands back to the earth and watched as green grass sprouted and quickly spread over the whole east lawn.