Tanaka, Adrian’s viceroy, was older than any other vampire I had met. His skin was white and wrinkled, even on his cheeks, and while his hair was still dark, it had receded nearly to the back of his head.

I wondered at his age and why he was changed so late in his life. Despite having a few memories from my past life as Yesenia, I did not remember this man or his connection to Adrian, though it was possible he grown closer to Adrian in the two hundred years since my death.

A lot had happened in my absence.

“My queen?” Tanaka asked.

“I am not quite ready,” I said, not looking at the old man.

“But it is cold,” he said.

I did not mind the cold. It, at least, allowed me to feel something beyond the strange, distant numbness that had consumed my body since my father’s death.

“If you are uncomfortable, you may return to the palace,” I replied.

He huffed out a breath and tried once more. “Adrian will be very cross with me if you were to catch a cold.”

“Then I will be sure to protect you from his wrath,” I said, though my reply felt distant, even to my ears. I was distracted, but by nothing in particular, truly unable to focus on one line of thinking. It was as if my mind were a puzzle, and since the bloodletting and betrayal, I had been trying to piece together a picture of my world—its truths and its lies.

I lingered on the tower wall for a few minutes longer. Tanaka did not try to convince me to return to the palace again, and he did not leave my side. I wondered why he stayed. Was it out of true loyalty to Adrian or a ruse?

“Winter is upon us,” said Tanaka, his voice quiet, almost as if he were speaking to himself.

I glanced at him, and he nodded toward the eastern sky where clouds gathered, thick and heavy, full of a coming storm.

“It will be snowing by sundown.”

I frowned. Winters in Revekka were harsh, and while I doubted it would affect Adrian, I worried for those outside our city.

“Is Revekka prepared?”

The blood mist was still a threat, and with fewer noblesse, could the others survive?

“We will do the best we can,” he replied.

“What is your best?” I asked, and when I looked at Tanaka, he had frozen, mouth ajar as if his answer was stuck in his throat, or perhaps he did not have one at all. After a moment, he composed himself.

“These are winter folk, my queen. They know how to survive.”

As much as I desired to remain outside awaiting Adrian’s return, I was queen of Revekka, and while my husband hunted, I would plan.

This world thought they knew a conqueror when Adrian had been born, but they had yet to feel my wrath.