by G. K. DeRosa
I gave a curt nod, and he quickly left.
Solaris glanced up. “Kaige, are you sure we can—”
“I trust Garridan with my life.” I moved through the room, finding a suitable velvet chair. My palm slapped it, knocking the dust off before dragging it to the center of the floor. “Come on. Sit down.”
“You sit down. I’m fine.” She crossed her arms against her chest. “You’re the one who almost died.”
My brows dipped. “Solaris,” I warned. She was tired. I’d had a lot of her blood, and she wasn’t back at a hundred percent yet.
The door creaked open, and Garridan slipped through. He handed me a bottle of synth and a bottle of water and a banana to Solaris.
A tiny shake traveled through her fingers as she took his offerings. “Thanks.”
He nodded and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small vial of green liquid. “Take two drops of this first.”
My hand snaked out, snatching it. “What is this?”
Garridan tsked. “Relax, Kaige. It’s just a mixture of vitamins—for the blood loss.” His brow arched. “I can tell you’ve had her blood.”
“Oh.” I handed the vial to Solaris and awkwardly rubbed the back of my neck. “How did you know?” It suddenly felt like I’d gotten caught by a parent doing something naughty with my girlfriend.
“Well, for one, you’re insanely protective of her.” He turned around and brushed off a table, a cloud of dust swirling up. “And another, her blood isn’t tempting me like it should.” He slowly sat.
“That’s good, right?” Solaris made a face after taking two drops of the elixir on her tongue.
Garridan made a harrumphing sound. “You’ve made the bond permanent.”
“Permanent?” she squeaked.
My hand lifted, rubbing circles on her back to soothe the turmoil crashing inside her. “What do you mean, Garridan?”
“No amount of distance or time can sever the link between you. It’s forever.”
Solaris swayed on her feet, and I caught the banana as it fell from her fingers. “That’s so…”
“Permanent?” I mused, a wry smile hitching up my lips. I couldn’t even begin to think of the consequences this would have. We had only been separated for a few days when I started having visions of her. What would happen now?
The distant look in her eyes told me she was thinking something similar. I guided her into the chair until she was comfortably seated. My hands remained on her shoulders, my thumbs rubbing back and forth. Her confusion seeped through me. We had this connection we never asked for, and despite the threat of the prophecy hanging over us, we couldn’t stop from giving into it.
Her hands trembled as she opened the bottle of water. “Nothing can break it?”
Garridan’s lips thinned. “Death.”
She shivered, and I realized how cold she must be. There was no heat down here, and the bitter air cut through every single crack in the building. I moved around the chair and picked her up, placing her on my lap.
“Kaige!” she hissed, her cheeks turning red despite their icy chill. “You can’t just—”
“Your lips are blue.” They weren’t, but they were well on their way. I tossed the banana at her. “Eat this already. You’re starving.”
Her eyes narrowed, and if looks could kill, our bond would be severed right about now. “Drink your synth,” she ground out. “You’re pale as a ghost.”
I fought a smile and grabbed the bottle off the cracked table next to me. “Fine.” My free arm wrapped around her waist, tucking her into my body to warm her.
Garridan’s gaze was on us, watching. His head tilted as he looked at me, his expression softening. He’d never seen me like this with anyone. Usually my cold outer shell kept me distant and composed. I was anything but those things with Solaris. How could I be when she had an unobstructed link to everything inside of me?
He cleared his throat. “There’s no need to drown her in Abscondam.” Garridan motioned his weathered hand toward her. “Now that the bond is irreversible, her blood is less appealing to other nocturnes. They don’t smell a tempting meal anymore.”
My brow arched. “How?”
“Because she’s yours now.”
Solaris’s fingers stopped peeling the banana. “Excuse me? I don’t belong to anyone.”
Oh, but she did.
Garridan shook his head. “Sharing blood like this, a vampire and human, it’s a powerful thing. Kaige has marked you as his human and his only.”
As his heavy words settled over us, Solaris remained quiet. Her pulse fluttered against me as warring emotions zipped through the bond. I surveyed Garridan, wondering how he knew so much about this. I’d already asked him twice, and both times he’d brushed the question off.
He’d do the same if I asked him now.
“I need somewhere to hide her,” I finally said, breaking the silence. “I don’t want her too far from me.”
“I’m sure you don’t.” Garridan rubbed his forehead. “I know a place in the castle she won’t be discovered.”
Chapter 17
Solaris
Garridan, Kaige’s servant—a word I never thought I’d use in my life—led the way down a steep winding staircase. His words swirled in my mind as I descended the stone steps.
Kaige and I were bonded forever. Forever.
My dark prince’s fingers tightened around mine. Could he feel the tightening in my chest too?
“Where exactly are we going?” Kaige’s quiet words echoed in the narrow passage. “I’ve never been to this part of the castle.”
“That’s because it hasn’t been used for nearly a century.” Garridan spoke quickly, craning his head over his shoulder. He held the lantern up, illuminating a thick oak door. A rusty metal bar extended the entire length of it. He buried his hand in the folds of his robe and produced a hefty key ring.
My eyes widened. There must have been at least a hundred keys of varying shapes and sizes.
After finding the right one, he inserted it into the decaying lock and heaved the bar over. Garridan was apparently much stronger than his feeble figure suggested. The door lurched open, the old hinges squeaking in protest.
Garridan entered, illuminating the way with the lantern, and motioned for us to follow. A large fireplace was the focal point of the room, its granite mantel covered in dust and cobwebs. He moved quickly through the space, removing the white sheets that blanketed hidden furniture. Digging into the drawer of a large credenza, he produced a feather duster and dingy cloth and got to work.
“What is this place?” asked Kaige as he ran a scrutinizing finger over the antique furnishings.
“It’s where the royal family used to keep their special humans.”
Special? I already didn’t like the sound of that.
“Garridan, explain.” Kaige pulled me into the crook of his shoulder and narrowed his eyes.
Garridan paused from his dusting and glanced up at his prince. “Before the prophecy, nocturne and human interaction was common enough, but deeper relationships were always frowned upon. Especially among the royals.” He wrung his hands together.
“What do you mean by deeper relationships?” I asked.
Kaige huffed. “Amorous ones, correct?”
Garridan nodded, refusing to meet my gaze.
“So if any of the royals had secret affairs with humans, they’d be kept in this place?”
Garridan continued his manic dusting. “Yes.”
“And you’re sure Solaris will be safe here?”
“Quite. No one has been down here in ages. I doubt your parents even know it’s here. They never stray into the lower levels.” He lowered the feather duster, grimacing. “I’ll attend to the bedroom.” With a slight bow in my direction, he disappeared through the doorway leading further into the chamber.
I turned to Kaige as soon as he left. “Are you sure I should be staying here?”
He pressed his lips together and rubbed his hands
over my arms. His hesitancy flowed through the bond. “Yes,” he finally said. “If Garridan thinks it’s safe, then I trust him.”
“Okay.” I didn’t like it, but what other option did I have?
I moved away from Kaige to check out my new temporary home. A bookshelf lined either side of the fireplace filled with old leather-bound tomes. At least I’d have something to read since I hadn’t noticed a TV anywhere.
I sank down on the upholstered couch and stretched out. My lids were heavy after the eventful night. The few hours of sleep on the plane hadn’t really cut it.
Kaige sat beside me, his smoky navy eyes intent on mine. He ran his finger over my arm, igniting a wave of goose bumps. I couldn’t believe how my body responded to his. It was like every single cell recognized him and bent to his will.
“Get some rest. I have to go prepare for the next trial.”
I shot up. “You’re leaving me here by myself?”
“I have to. Believe me, I’d much rather spend the day with you in my arms than face my brother in yet another inane match.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and exhaled. “I know you have to finish the trials, and you better win by the way.” I fixed my gaze on his. “But you have to promise me that as soon as they’re over, you’ll take me back to Imera.”
“You know how dangerous that is—”
I lifted my hand. “Kaige, I’m not asking. I won’t sit here and do nothing while those poor people are tortured like animals. Don’t you want to know where all that blood is going?”
“Of course I do, but I won’t risk your life to find out.” His voice was rough, his fear crashing through the bond. “I’d rather go to war with all the other nobles in Draconis or the humans in Imera than lose you.”
I choked on his words, their intensity overwhelming. I twisted the sleeves of the silky sweater between my fingers. “My friend’s sister is in there. We thought she was dead, but Turstan’s been torturing her all this time. What if he does the same to my father?”
Silver swirled in his irises, and he clenched his jaw. “He won’t. I promise we’ll find a way to stop him.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, cupping his cheek. I knew Kaige didn’t want to be king, but if he were, things could change. He would have the power to make things different for both of our worlds.
Garridan entered the room, and I dropped my hand. I knew Kaige trusted him, but every nocturne I’d met besides Kaige had tried to kill me. It was going to take some time before I put my faith in his servant.
“Sir, it’s time to get ready.”
Kaige’s jaw ticked. “I’m sorry I have to go, but I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He squeezed my hand.
I nodded and lay my head back against the soft cushion. He unfolded the blanket at the end of the couch and draped it over me. Bending down, he brushed his lips over my forehead and deposited a gentle kiss.
Garridan cleared his throat and heaved the massive door open. “Sir, we must hurry.”
Kaige straightened and walked toward the door, gazing over his shoulder one last time. “The castle should be empty for most of the day—everyone will be at the trials. Don’t worry, you’ll be safe.”
I gave him a smile and curled into the couch, pulling the blanket up to my chin. The heavy door shut and within minutes my busy mind quieted, and I drifted to sleep.
A loud rumbling yanked me out of a restless sleep. Horrible visions of Malcolm in one of those terrible cages had filled my subconscious thoughts. An emaciated body and sunken eyes stared at me accusingly as they sucked out every ounce of his blood. I blinked, pushing the dark thoughts away, and sat up. My belly growled, the liquids inside churning. Damn, my own stomach woke me up.
In their hurry to get to the trials, Kaige had forgotten to leave me a snack. I got up and searched the fancy armoires. I knew it was pointless. Even if I had found something, it would’ve been a hundred years old and definitely inedible.
I glanced at my wristwatch. What? It had been less than an hour since Kaige left. I paced in front of the sooty old fireplace as I checked out the books on the tall shelves. I didn’t recognize a single title. They must have all been nocturne authors.
My stomach rumbled again.
I moved into the bedroom to check it out and try and distract myself. There wasn’t much to it besides the enormous four-poster bed with a lavish maroon and gold comforter. I ran my hand over the silky soft sheets and regretted not taking my nap in here. I sunk down into the soft mattress and bounced up and down, nervous energy running through me.
This was definitely an improvement over the cabin.
I lay back and stared at the maroon canopy, clasping my hands together to keep from fidgeting. I was so bored.
And uneasy.
A swell of anxiety rushed through the bond. My hand flew to my chest as my lungs constricted.
Kaige. The trials… what if something happened?
I shot up out of bed and raced back to the sitting area as anguish clogged my throat. What if Xander had cheated or found some way to hurt him?
I paced in front of the door, my pulse quickening. I inhaled a long breath to try to calm myself, but it didn’t work. I wasn’t the one that needed to be calmed.
The antique key on the entrance table caught my eye. A really bad idea took shape in my mind. Kaige said the castle would be deserted, and according to Garridan, my blood shouldn’t be appealing to other nocturnes anymore because of the bond. Plus, I still reeked of that Abscondam stuff.
The arena was on the castle grounds. How hard could it be to find?
I raced back to the bedroom and rifled through the old armoire. A black jacket with a dark hood caught my eye. Perfect. I pulled it off the hangar and hung it over my arm.
The pounding in my chest intensified as I marched to the door. I had a feeling the newly cemented bond would lead me straight to my prince. I chewed on the inside of my cheek as I picked up the old key off the entrance table and flipped it around in my palm.
I couldn’t just sit here.
I yanked on the metal handle and pulled with all my strength. The door opened. I peered into the passageway lit by a handful of torches lining the stone walls. All clear. I crept along the corridor, and the blood bond pulsed.
Chapter 18
Solaris
The roar of the audience vibrated the castle walls, leading me straight to the arena. Even without the blood bond guiding me, I would’ve had no problem finding the stadium. Kaige hadn’t exaggerated; the giant fortress had been empty. I didn’t see a single nocturne as I traversed the winding passageways of Castle De La Divin.
The ceiling above me shook as thousands of spectators clapped and stomped in the stands overhead. Somehow I’d ended up in one of the inner corridors of the arena. I turned a corner, and the dim passage opened up to the floor of the stadium. Bright spotlights flickered ahead as the roar of the crowd intensified with every step.
The anxiety in my chest had begun to dissipate. In its place burned an intense fire. It wasn’t wild or out of control; instead, it was focused and determined, much like my prince of darkness.
I hugged the wall, keeping to the shadows until I reached the large archway. I peeked out from behind the stone into an enormous stadium. Tens of thousands of people crowded every inch of the arena.
High above, a platform jutted out over the stands, the Draconis emblem emblazoned on a flag waving high in the air. Seated at the center was an imposing man with a golden crown atop his jet-black hair. The family resemblance was uncanny. Kaige was the spitting image of his father only thirty years younger. Next to him sat an equally attractive woman, her long auburn locks cascading over her elegant purple gown. To her side was a young girl with matching hair and a mischievous smile. The infamous Zabrina, no doubt.
A loud gasp rippled through the audience. I stood on my tiptoes to catch a glimpse of the arena floor, but I couldn’t see anything over the taranoi crowding around the tall barricades.
I had
to see what was going on.
Pulling the hood further forward, I kept my head down and darted into the mass of taranoi. The stench of unwashed bodies swirled all around me as I weaved my way to the front. Bleh. At least I didn’t have to worry about anyone smelling my blood.
I reached the wooden barrier and squeezed between a young girl and an elderly male taranoi with missing teeth. The little child furrowed her light brows when she saw me and for a moment, panic seized me. After the two-second stare down, she turned back to the main event.
I followed her gaze, and my jaw dropped.
At the opposite end of the arena floor, Kaige sat astride a beautiful black stallion, a gleaming sword clenched in his hand. He shouted instructions to the five men on horseback in front of him—royal guards by the look of their sleek black uniforms. Behind Kaige was a wooden tower, stretching about twenty feet high with a red flag perched on top.
The horse pawed at the ground as Kaige’s steely gaze focused across the field.
I’d been so preoccupied with finding him, I hadn’t even noticed Xander on his mount just a few yards away from me. He, too, had a small army and stood in front of a wooden tower protecting a blue flag.
A thousand spider legs crawled up my arms at the sight of Kaige’s twin. Goose bumps ignited over my flesh as images of his fangs piercing my neck flashed across my vision.
A horn blasted, jerking my focus back to the battle. Kaige’s soldiers surrounded him, forming a tight line. Xander’s men, dressed in blue, moved forward with their prince remaining behind their formation.
Within a few minutes, the blue soldiers reached the red line that extended across the center of the sand-covered floor that divided the arena in half.
“Charge!” Kaige lifted his sword in the air, and his soldiers took off. The thunder of hooves echoed across the stadium, shaking the ground.
The moment one of the blue soldiers crossed the line, a volley of arrows shot through the air.
What the heck?
They hadn’t come from Kaige’s men. I scanned the arena. A dozen more soldiers stood along the outer ring, shooting arrows into the mass of combatants.