Free Forbidden Blood: A House of Comarré Novella by Kristen Painter Page B

“I assume you’re treating Lord Arnaud the same way?”
    “Yes,” Rennata answered from behind her. “He’s being checked for weapons as well. You should be grateful he agreed to that much.”
    “Yes, it’s such a boon.” Marissa turned. She hadn’t heard the woman come in. “And if he secrets one in anyway?”
    “He probably will. You should be prepared for that.”
    I am , Marissa thought, but Rennata didn’t need to know that.
    “Out,” Rennata commanded, and Arnaud’s servants departed. Once they were alone, Rennata sighed and took the nearest chair. “Are you certain you want to go through with this? You might still be able to apologize and—”
    “No.” Marissa planted her hands on her hips to keep them from shaking. “If I die at his hand, at least I go out having tasted freedom and all its earthly pleasures.”
    Rennata’s face scrunched in confusion, then flattened into understanding. “I don’t care to hear about your exploits with Lord Falconetti.” She stood. “I say, Marissa, you’ve given the whole lot of us a bad name and jeopardized everything we hold secret.”
    Ignoring her, Marissa looked toward the door that would lead her into the ballroom. “Is Dominic out there?”
    “He’ll be in there to observe as he was your witness.” Rennata’s mouth thinned. “And thanks to you involving him, so will the Dominus of his house.” She threw her hands up. “This whole thing has become a spectacle!”
    “So that’s it, then? No words of encouragement in my last moments, just more condemnation?” Marissa had had her fill of Rennata. “You make me sick. All these years you’ve had it out for me and why? Because I was chosen for the breeding program and you weren’t? You’re a sad, small woman who will never see beyond the bars of her cage.”
    A chime sounded.
    “It’s time.” Rennata’s eyes narrowed as her lip curled. “May the holy mother have mercy on your soul.”

Chapter Thirteen
    W ith only five bodies in it, the ballroom seemed like a vast cavern. Every step rang hollow as Marissa made her way to the middle where Arnaud stood waiting. Rennata followed her, but stopped an equal distance away from where Dominic and Dominus Zephrim were on the opposite side.
    Arnaud’s eyes silvered as Marissa took her place across from him. From his proud stance to his almost haughty disposition, everything about him said he expected to win. He hadn’t even changed out of his suit, the pompous fool. She kept her shoulders rounded and her head down like she was worried. Scared. Out of her depth. She wanted him to think that. To underestimate her. That would be her greatest advantage in the beginning.
    Once he understood she knew how to fight…everything would change. Which is why she had to kill him as quickly and decisively as she had the fringe vampires at Dominic’s.
    Thinking of Dominic, she slanted her eyes his way. He caught her gaze and nodded slightly, making a fist at his side and squeezing it in support. She held her blank expression, but her spirit soared and in that moment, she knew there would always be a place in her heart for him. He could sustain her in the years to come, no matter what trials they faced.
    Just so long as she made it through this one.
    “There are no rules to libertas,” Rennata announced. “Only that the victor is decided by death.” Marissa raised her head to watch Rennata as she went on. “Lord Arnaud, are you ready?”
    “Quite,” he replied, studying his nails.
    “Comarré Marissa, are you ready?”
    “Yes.” Marissa kept her voice soft. Almost timid. She slid her left foot back and calculated the distance to Arnaud.
    Rennata took an audible breath. “Then let the challenge begin.”
    Just as Marissa had expected, Arnaud lunged immediately. She dodged him, but not enough to keep the tops of his knuckles from brushing her temple.
    She twisted as he whipped around. Without pause, he went for her again, this time raking his nails