Lenobia's Vow: A House of Night Novella

By P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast

A great journey…

A new love….

A dark secret revealed.

Evreux, France, 1788: Before she is Zoey's favorite professor and the House of Night's powerful horse mistress… Lenobia is just a normal 16-year-old girl – with enough problems to last a lifetime. As the illegitimate daughter of a powerful baron, she has never quite belonged, and instead has to watch her spoiled half-sister, Cecile, get anything she wants. As if that's not enough, her remarkable beauty draws unwanted attention wherever she goes. For once, she would like to just fit in.

But when fate intervenes, Lenobia suddenly finds herself surrounded by other girls, on a ship bound for New Orleans, where they will be married off to the city's richest Frenchmen. And they're not alone…. An evil bishop who is skilled in Dark magic makes the same journey. His appetite for lovely young women makes him dangerous – most of all to Lenobia, who caught his eye back in France. So she remains hidden, making secret visits to the ship's stables, where a handsome young man and his beautiful Percheron horses soon capture her attention.

Will they make it to land before the bishop discovers her true identity and a powerful evil breaks loose? And will Lenobia follow her heart, even if it puts lives at risk? Find out more about one of your favorite professors in Lenobia's Vow, the next heart-thumping House of Night Novella by PC Cast and Kristin Cast.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Jan 31, 2012
• ISBN: 9781429933131

P. C. Cast

P.C. Cast is the author of the House of Night novels, including Marked, Betrayed, Chosen, and Untamed. Ms. Cast is a #1 New York Times and USA Today Best-Selling author and a member of the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame. With more than 20 million copies in print in over 40 countries, her novels have been awarded the prestigious Oklahoma Book Award, YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Prism, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Booksellers’ Best, and the Laurel Wreath. Ms. Cast was born in the Midwest and grew up being shuttled back and forth between Illinois and Oklahoma, which is where she fell in love with Quarter Horses and mythology. After high school she joined the United States Air Force and began public speaking and writing. After her tour in the USAF, she taught high school for 15 years before retiring to write full time. She now lives in Oregon surrounded by beloved cats, dogs, horses, and family.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

February 1788, France

Elle est morte!

Lenobia’s world exploded with the sound of a scream and three small words.

She is dead? Jeanne, the scullery maid working beside her, paused in her kneading of the plump, fragrant bread dough.

"Oui, may the Holy Mother have mercy on Cecile’s soul."

Lenobia looked up to see her mother standing in the arched doorway to the kitchen. Her pretty face was unusually pale and her hand clutched the worn rosary beads that were always looped around her neck.

Lenobia shook her head in disbelief. But just days ago she was laughing and singing. I heard her. I saw her!

She was beautiful, but never strong, that poor girl, Jeanne said, shaking her head sadly. Always so pale. Half of the château caught that same ague, my sister and brother included. They recovered easily.

Death, he strikes quickly and terribly, Lenobia’s mother said. Lord or servant, he eventually comes for each of us.

Forever after, the yeasty scent of fresh bread would remind Lenobia of death and sicken her stomach.

Jeanne shuddered and crossed herself with a flour-whitened hand, leaving a crescent-shaped spot in the middle of her forehead. May the Mother protect us.

Automatically, Lenobia genuflected, though her eyes never left her mother’s face.

Come with me, Lenobia. I need your help more than Jeanne does.

Lenobia would never forget the feeling of dread that engulfed her with her mother’s words.

But there will be guests—mourners—we must have bread, Lenobia stammered. Her mother’s gray eyes, so like her own, turned to storm clouds. That was not a request, she said, switching smoothly from French to English.

"When your mère speaks in the barbaric English, you know she must be obeyed." Jeanne shrugged her round shoulders and got back to her dough kneading.

Lenobia wiped her hands on a linen towel and forced herself to hurry to her mother. Elizabeth Whitehall nodded at her daughter and then turned, motioning for Lenobia to follow her.

They made their way quickly through the wide, graceful halls of the Château de Navarre. There were nobles who had more money than the Baron of Bouillon—he was not one of King Louis’s confidants or courtiers, but he did have a family that could be traced back hundreds of years, and a country estate that was the envy of many lords who were richer, though not as well-bred.

Today the château’s halls were hushed and the curved, mullioned windows that usually allowed plentiful sunlight to spill against the clean marble floors were already being draped with heavy black velvet by a legion of silent servant girls. Lenobia thought that the house itself seemed muffled with grief and shock.

Then Lenobia realized they were hurrying away from the central part of the manor and toward one of the rear exits that would empty out near the stables.

Maman, où allons-nous?

In English! You know I loathe the sound of French, her mother snapped.

Lenobia suppressed a sigh of irritation and switched to her mother’s birth language. Where are you going?

Her mother glanced around them, then grabbed her daughter’s hand and, in a low, tight voice said, You must trust me and do exactly as I say.

Of-of course I trust you, Mother, Lenobia said, frightened by the wild look in her mother’s eyes.

Elizabeth’s expression softened and she touched her daughter’s cheek. You are a good girl. You always have been. Your circumstances are my fault, my sin alone.

Lenobia began to shake her head. No, it wasn’t your sin! The Baron takes whomever he wants as a mistress. You were too beautiful not to catch his eye. That was not your fault.

Elizabeth smiled, which allowed some of her past loveliness to surface. Ah, but I was not beautiful enough to keep his eye, and because I was only the daughter of an English farmer, the Baron cast me aside, though I suppose I must eternally be grateful he found a place for me, and for you, in his household.

Lenobia felt the old bitterness burn within her. He took you from England—stole you from your family. And I am his daughter. He should find a place for me, and for my mother.

You are his bastard daughter, Elizabeth corrected her. And only one of many—though by far the prettiest. As pretty even as his legitimate daughter, the poor, dead Cecile.

Lenobia looked away from her mother. It was an uncomfortable truth that she and her half sister did look very much alike, enough alike to have caused rumors and whispers as both girls began to bloom into young women. Over the past two years Lenobia had learned it was best to avoid her sister and the rest of the Baron’s family, who all seemed to detest the very sight of her. She had found it easier to escape to the stables—somewhere Cecile, the Baroness, and her three brothers rarely went. The thought crossed her mind that her life would either be much easier now that the sister who looked so much like her—but who would not acknowledge her—was dead, or the dark looks and the sharp words from the Baroness and her boys would get even worse.

I am sorry Cecile is dead, Lenobia said aloud, trying to reason through the jumble of her thoughts.

I would not wish ill on the child, but if she was fated to die, I am grateful that it happened now, at this moment. Elizabeth took her daughter’s chin and forced her to meet her gaze. Cecile’s death will mean life for you.

Life? For me? But I already have a life.

Yes, the life of a bastard servant in a household that despises the fact that their lord scatters his seed aimlessly and then enjoys flaunting the fruits of his transgressions as if that proves his manhood over and over again. That is not the life I wish for my only child.

But, I do not under—

Come, and you will understand, her mother interrupted, taking her hand again and pulling her along the hallway until they came to a small room near one of the rear doors of the château. Elizabeth opened the door and led Lenobia into the poorly lit room. She moved purposefully to a large basket like those used to carry the linens to wash. There was, indeed, a sheet draped over the top of it. Her mother pulled it away to expose a gown that shimmered with blue and ivory and gray, even in the dim light.

Lenobia stared as her mother began lifting the gown and the expensive undergarments from the basket, shaking them out, smoothing their wrinkles, brushing off the delicate velvet slippers. She glanced at her daughter. You must hurry. If we are to be successful, we have very little time.

Mother? I—

You are going to put on these clothes, and with them you will also put on the identity of another. Today you will become Cecile Marson de La Tour d’Auvergne, the legitimate daughter of the Baron of Bouillon.

Lenobia wondered if her mother had gone utterly mad. Mother, everyone knows Cecile is dead.

"No, my child. Everyone at the Château de Navarre knows she is dead. No one on the coach that will be here within the hour to transport Cecile to the port of Le Havre, or on the ship awaiting her there, knows she is dead. Nor will they, because Cecile is going to meet that coach and take that ship to the New World, the new husband, and the new life that awaits her in New Orleans as a legitimate daughter of a French

Reviews for Lenobia's Vow

[theamwriter · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really liked the cover of this novella. I think it is awesome that they put Lenobia on the cover with her crescent moon filled in and the other tattoos that go along with it. I also love that the cover has a vine design on the front, spine, and back of the book. The cover is in a matte finish and the title is in a glossy finish. Onto the story, I really like that this novella is about how Lenobia become House of Night fledgling and eventually a fully changed vampire. It made me wonder what her life would be like if Lenobia’s mother hadn’t made her take the place of the other girl, Cecile. But in a way I’m glad that her mother made her do it, because now I know how she became marked. I thought the ending was sad though. I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read it, but I wasn’t expecting that ending I will just say that. Overall, I enjoyed this quick little read. I highly recommend it to anyone who is reading the House of Night series or is thinking about reading the House of Night series.

[vampiregirl76 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lenobia's story starts in 1788. She is a young girl on the verge of womanhood. On a boat headed to New Orleans. But danger lurks aboard the ship. Soon after making land she is Marked to be a fledgling. Her world opens up to good and bad things.I was excited to see Lenobia would be the next in the novellas. She is one of the most intriguing characters in the House of Night. I've always thought her class would be a fun one to take part in. This second novella in the series is a great read, so far it's my favorite of the novellas. I loved the connection between Lenobia and Martin. Lenobia's Vow is one of hardship, first loves, loss and new beginnings. A vibrant story that has wonderful description. Mostly it is set aboard the ship that is headed to New Orleans. I was quickly taken with the story.Lenobia's Vow is read by Caitlin Davies. This is the third time I've listen to Ms. Davies on audio and she does an amazing job each time.

[ctmsallison · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This litttle book is so full of interesting stories, and action about each character in the house of night novel. I think these little books might be better then the actual "House of Night" books themselvs. I want to buy more books on each of the house of night professors.

[jeneaw-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lenobia’s Vow takes us through her life. She is in charge of the stable at the House of Night, and teaches riding. Lenobia’s past was emotional. Loving someone so much and only having them taken from you is horrible. She went through some terrible things growing up and as an adult that led up to her being being marked. Lenobia’s love for Martin was amazing. She is a tremendous asset to the House of Night with her affinity with horses and is a wonderful role model for the students. This was an enjoyable read and I like learning more about the professors that are Zoe’s ally’s. Give this a try…

[lms8esmith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

P. C. Cast does a wonderful job telling Lenobia's tale. I've liked Lenobia's character since her introduction in the House of Night novels. I'm glad Zoey has someone like Lenobia she can talk to when the plot thickens. I really like that Lenobia has an affinity for horses; I feel a pull towards animals as well. :) This is a good way to keep the readers entertained and connected to the House of Night world while we await book 10.

[bookishthings · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was AMAZING to see Lenobia’s strength at such a young age. It’s also easy to see why Lenobia doesn’t fall into the darkness that Neferet brings to the House of Night. Her love interest is a really sweet person, and overall explains why she has the feelings she does towards relationships with humans. He is a Creole, and I swear every time he talked I heard the voice in my head as Renee Lanier from True Blood. Yes I know lame, but the voice fit with his personality. I definitely recommend this book to the fans of the House of Night series. You won’t be disappointed, I promise!

[mzserena · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I wasn't quite sure what to make of this story at first. I enjoyed knowing Lenobia's background, but I wish that there had been a bit more of a tie to the House of Night outside of the ending. It would have been nice to have more her background at the House of Night as well. Overall, I did enjoy the story, but found that I was wanting more.I hope that the next novella(s) in the series give us more of what we're looking for.