by Leigh Walker
“He said he will die a rebel, with no regrets.” Did I imagine it, or did the king’s eyes twinkle? He seemed pleased to have me on my knees, near tears again. “And so he shall.”
“Father, no. No matter his transgressions, he’s Gwyneth’s flesh and blood. He will remain our prisoner if he must.”
“He will do no such thing. He’s a liability, Dallas. He knows too much about us, and his sister makes us weak. He must die. If you cannot accept that, I have only one other offer.”
Dallas’s face darkened. “What.” He didn’t bother to make it sound like a question.
“We must turn him.”
Balkyn’s face crumpled with fury, and I gripped his hand. He was too weak to fight or even to pretend to make a run for it, and his feelings were plain on his face. He knew he couldn’t outrun being turned into a vampire, which he considered a fate worse than death.
His tortured gaze locked with mine. “Please. No,” he whispered.
“I agree, Father.” Dallas bowed his head before the king.
I looked at him, aghast. “Dallas, no!”
“He’s a threat to us, Gwyneth. A threat to you. As a vampire, his rebel ties will be severed forever. It’s the only way.” He nodded at his father. “And I’ll go one step further—I’ll turn him myself.”
The king’s face relaxed into a smile. He looked as though he’d won something.
“I’ll have the prisoner cleaned up. We can do it tonight. It’s best to have him taken care of before there’s any chance of the outside world finding out about him.”
“Why don’t we take care of it now?” the king asked.
“I’d prefer to change him outside, in the garden, at twilight. We’ll make a ceremony out of it. Like the good old days, to mark the birth of a new member of the vampire family. Guards, take him. Make sure he’s bathed. He smells of filth and rot at the moment.”
The guards dragged my brother away, his head hanging in despair. I knew what he was thinking: the axe was a better fate.
Dallas held out his hand for me. But even under the king’s watchful eye, I ignored the offer. I climbed to my feet, lifting my chin high. “I’d like to be at the ceremony, Your Highness.”
“Of course. I would expect nothing less.” Dallas nodded. “You should return to your chambers, Gwyneth, and have a bath. You’ve had a rough afternoon. Guards, take her.”
Dumbstruck, I had no response. The prince bowed to me one last time. The sentinels marched me off, my heart racing, thoughts spinning, and heart breaking yet again.
Chapter 22
…I Am Found
I kept my head down on the way to my room. Shaye was back, and so was Blake—because her trip had been cut short. I prayed I wouldn’t bump into any of the other girls, or worse yet, Tariq. He’d witnessed my lowest hour, and now he knew my secret.
I made it inside my chambers without detection. I bathed, washing my hair repeatedly, as if I could wash the horror of what had happened—and what would happen—away, and rinse it down the drain. If only.
The sun crossed the sky, heading further west fast, too fast. It would be evening soon. My heart, worn out, skittered in my chest. Why had Dallas agreed to change Balkyn? Was he doing it for the reason his father wanted—as a punishment? Or did he think it less cruel to let Balkyn live as a vampire, as opposed to a lifelong prisoner?
I didn’t know. All I knew was that my brother was broken by the sentence. Even though he’d seemed to forgive me and had certainly been grateful when Dallas first appeared in the throne room, Balkyn did not want to become a vampire. His closely held beliefs would never allow him to see the change as anything but a curse. This was worse than a death sentence for him.
And the trouble was, Dallas knew that. He had to.
Why had he volunteered to turn my brother into a vampire?
I wanted to go to Dallas, to find out what was going on inside his head. But I didn’t dare leave my room. I’d barely escaped the king’s large, shiny axe blade. I had no intention of risking getting near it again.
Still, my heart raced and my thoughts swirled as I dried my hair. My brother, I had to save my brother…
A knock on the door jarred me from my thoughts. “Miss? It’s me. I’ve just come with your tea.” Evangeline bustled into the room, setting up the tea service. “We’ve had word that you’re to attend a private ceremony tonight with the royal family. Are you feeling better?”
“Yes,” I lied, my voice hoarse. “Much.”
She peered at me, her pretty face puckered in worry. “I don’t mean to pry, but is everything quite all right? All the staff is in an uproar. No one knows why the prince cut his visit to Fifteen so short. He never even made it there. And now, this ceremony…”
I sighed, gratefully accepting the tea she offered. “I don’t know what to tell you, Evangeline. The prince came back because he had urgent family business to attend to. I don’t know what the ceremony tonight’s all about.” I hated lying, but I wanted to shield her from the truth.
She nodded. “I’ll bring you some food, then. You won’t have time to dine with the other ladies. And I’ll send Bria and Bettina along to do your hair and makeup.”
“O-okay. Thank you.”
She curtsied and left. Realizing my hand was shaking, I hastily put the tea cup down. And then I went to the window, watching the sun as it set much too fast.
Bria had just put the finishing touches on my hair and Bettina had just packed away the makeup crate when another knock sounded.
A sentinel waited. “I’m here for Miss West. It’s time for the ceremony.”
“Yes, of course. She’ll just be a moment.” Evangeline closed the door and came closer. “Are you ready?”
I nodded, trying to quell the tremors shooting through me. “Of course.” I peered at the three of them. They all looked worried, their faces pinched in concern. “What’s the matter?”
Bettina patted my hand. “It’s just that you’re deathly pale underneath your makeup.”
“And trembling,” Bria added.
“And you seem distracted.” Evangeline bit her lip. “Everything’s going to be okay, miss. Even if it’s not okay.”
“T-thank you.” Even my voice was shaking. I’d best keep my mouth shut.
“I wish you’d tell us what was going on.” Bria frowned at me.
“But she cannot, and we mustn’t add to her trouble,” Evangeline scolded. She squeezed my shoulder. “We’ll be back tonight for your turn-down service. We’ll see you soon.”
I nodded, unable to say what I was thinking: I’m afraid for my brother. Don’t leave me. Help me stop time. Instead, I smiled at them and rose unsteadily to my feet. “Thank you. For everything.” Without another word, I went to meet the sentinel.
He was silent as he led me down the back stairs to the western lawn. It was almost twilight, the sun sinking below the horizon. We navigated a path lit by elegant lanterns to a stone courtyard surrounded by high hedges. In the center, a fire roared in the fire pit. A platform stood at the far end of the garden. I swallowed hard as I saw the king and queen seated on it, gracing their thrones. The vampire lords and ladies milled about, dressed in their finery, chatting amongst themselves. They made the gathering look like a cocktail party, not what it really was: a celebration to mark the end of my brother’s life.
Shaking, I stepped toward the king and queen. I curtsied. They nodded in return. The king’s face was relaxed and open—he was enjoying this. The queen watched me with her sapphire-blue eyes, the expression on her face unreadable. I quickly moved to the side of the courtyard, wishing the large hedges could swallow me whole.
A small band began to play as smoke from the fire rose into the air. One of the vampire ladies laughed, a shrill sound that made my skin crawl. They’re having fun. A sense of anticipation filled the air. Waiters in tuxedos served the crowd silver goblets. One of the vampire lords strode toward the king and queen, holding out his chalice in a toast. “To the Royal Family,
and the creation of a new family member. May you continue to rule the settlements in peace and prosperity. Long live the king!”
“Long live the king!” the crowd chanted. They all drank as the king stood and took a bow.
Moments later, Austin strode into the courtyard. He wore a ceremonial uniform, cape flying out behind him. He bowed to his parents. “The prince is on his way, along with the prisoner. It won’t be long now.” He accepted a goblet from a passing waiter and held it forth. “To tonight’s ceremony, and to the settlements! To peace and prosperity for centuries to come! I’ll drink to that!” He grinned as the crowd cheered, then took a large swallow from his drink.
Austin’s gaze flicked to me as I tried to hide on the outskirts. He winked. Then he sauntered off, talking to the lords and ladies, regaling them with stories of the North as the music continued to merrily play. If only I could feel festive. Instead, dread filled me as I watched the revelers. When would Balkyn arrive? What was my brother thinking right now? And what about Dallas?
I sank back against the hedges, willing myself to calm down. But something ice cold—someone—grabbed my wrist. Don’t say a word. As it was spoken inside my head, I knew it could only be one person.
Eve dragged me back through the bush. Its springy leaves scratched my face as its branches scraped me, nearly tearing my dress. “What the bloody hell are you doing?” I whispered as she finally got me out the other side. I picked the leaves and twigs from my hair.
She nodded at me, curls springing. “That’s a lovely way to thank me.”
“Thank you for what—for getting me beheaded? The king’ll happily get out his axe again, once he realizes I’ve skipped out of the ceremony!”
“You can thank me for getting Dallas back to the castle, for one thing.” She tugged on my wrist, marching me away from the gathering and out into the grounds.
I dug my heels in, too afraid to flee from the ceremony. “Dallas is about to turn my brother. I’m not feeling very grateful, I’m afraid.”
“Well come on, then. Don’t fight me.” Eve snorted as she pulled on me, urging me forward. “We’ve got to hurry. There isn’t much time.”
“Time for what?” I cried, but she didn’t say another word as she hustled me away. The music and the smell of smoke from the fire faded away into the background.
I was quite out of breath as we crested a small hill, but she kept dragging me toward the tree line. “Eve, what the bloody hell—” But hooves thundered nearby, cutting off my question. Before I could argue further, Dallas shot out of the forest on Maeve, the beautiful white mare. He held the reins to another white horse who galloped slightly behind. I gasped as they drew closer—Balkyn was with him. He held onto Dallas for dear life as they headed for us at a breakneck speed.
I clapped my hand over my heart. “Dallas! Balkyn!”
Maeve whinnied as the prince tugged her reigns and brought her to a stop. The other horse pulled up behind them. “Eve. Take Balkyn and follow us closely. I don’t know how long my brother can hold off the court with his stories. We have to hurry.”
Eve quickly helped Balkyn down from the horse. I ran to him. My brother pulled me in for a hug, his arms stronger than I would’ve expected from his frail appearance. “Thank you for this.” He released me and hurried with Eve, climbing up behind her into the saddle.
Eve winked at me as she adjusted the reins. “Want to thank me now?”
I nodded. “Y-yes.”
Dallas looked down at me, his eyes stormy. “I’m sorry for the secrecy, but I didn’t want to put you at any more risk. This is our one chance to get him out of here alive.”
I choked back a sob. “You don’t have to apologize to me. Not ever.”
He held out his hand for me as Maeve whinnied again. “Shall we?”
There was only one answer. I reached for his hand. “Yes.”
Chapter 23
You Keep Me Holding On
“Where are we taking him?” I had to shout over the wind and Maeve’s pounding hooves.
Dallas urged the mare on faster, darting in and out of the trees. “He told me where I could find his men.”
“But Dallas.” I clutched him even tighter. “Is that safe? I trust my brother, but the other rebels… They won’t want to let you go.”
“I have Balkyn’s word they will, and that is good enough for me. ”
I had a thousand objections, but the wind and my better judgment kept me quiet. He would save my brother, no matter the cost. Even as fear for Dallas’s safety bubbled inside me, I pressed my face against his back, hugging him, loving him with every cell of my body. He was the bravest person I’d ever known.
I held him tighter. I wouldn’t waste another moment.
We rode further into the woods, the darkness gathering. Eve and Dallas slowed the horses to a walk.
“It’s about a mile from here,” Balkyn said. “We should stop. I can make it on foot. You do not need to take me.”
Eve shook her head. “He’s too weak. I will deliver him, Your Highness. You and Gwyneth should wait here—you mustn’t risk it.”
Dallas stopped Maeve and climbed off. “I’ll bring him from here. Eve, take my horse. Keep Gwyneth safe—go to the meeting place. I’ll be there shortly.”
I scrambled down after him. “Dallas, no!”
He turned on his heel, cape flying, and clasped my hands. “I will be fine. Your family is my family, now. We look after each other.”
My eyes filled with tears. “Let me take him. They won’t hurt a human. You, on the other hand—you’re the prize they’re after.”
“They won’t be getting their prize today. Go with Eve. That’s an order.” He leaned closer, eyes fiery. “I will come back to you.”
“How do you know?” I asked hoarsely.
“Because I will always come back to you.”
I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him in for a deep, passionate kiss. Electricity coursed through me as he sank his hands into my hair and pulled me closer, our bodies molding together.
“Blimey,” I heard Eve say, “are they breathing through their noses? That’s quite a trick!”
Dallas and I broke apart, chests heaving. He grinned, tapping me on the chin, bringing my gaze even with his. “I’ll see you soon.”
I opened my mouth, but before I could even speak, he winked at me. “I love you, too.”
“Sister.” Balkyn climbed down from the horse and hugged me again, more gently this time. “I’m so sorry for—”
“No.” I shook my head vehemently. “No apologies. I thank the gods we got to see each other again. I love you, Balkyn.”
His eyes shone with tears as he released me and stepped back. “And I love you, sister. Always have, always will. We’ll see each other again, someday. Even if it’s in the next life.”
“Yes.”
I couldn’t say anything else. I could only watch as he climbed behind Dallas and they rode away, deeper into the dark forest.
Eve guided Maeve out of the trees and toward a small hill. We could see the palace, lights winking in the distance.
I tried not to think about the rebels, and whether they would let Dallas go. I would end up a blubbering mess, which would solve nothing.
“What will the king do?” I asked Eve, in an attempt to distract myself from the minutes ticking past.
“Well, I suppose he’ll throw a bit of a fit.” Eve frowned as she looked at the castle. “But in the end, what can he do? Dallas is his son. He loves him. He’ll have to accept that they don’t see eye to eye on certain things, is all.”
I winced. “Helping a rebel prisoner escape and lying to his father about it—in front of an audience—is a bit worse than not seeing eye to eye, I think.”
Eve shrugged. “Vampires live a long life. Things that seem catastrophic to humans might be more of a blip to our kind.”
“I hope this is only a ‘blip,’ but I’m a bit skeptical, I’m afraid. My head was almost
on a spike earlier today, so everything does seem a bit catastrophic.” I rubbed my neck.
“Yeah, that’ll do it.” My friend grinned at me.
I reached for her hand and squeezed it. “I can’t believe you got Dallas back to the castle in time, and did all this to save my brother. Thank you for everything. You’re so brave, Eve.”
“Brave or stupid—we’ll see what His Majesty has in store for me.”
Maeve suddenly whinnied. I stroked her mane. “What is it, girl?”
Hooves pounded nearby and Dallas rounded the corner, his horse a flash of white against the darkening sky. I put a hand over my heart. He’s safe. “Dallas!”
He slowed the mare. “Your brother’s safe, Gwyneth. The men who took him said they have medical supplies and food. They’re bringing him back to a secure camp. He’s going to be okay.”
“They let you go?”
“Your brother vouched for me, and said that he wouldn’t return to the army unless they gave their word to allow me safe passage. They didn’t hesitate.”
“Thank God.” He got close enough so I could make out his handsome face in the fading light. “Thank you. Of course, I can never thank you enough.”
He grinned, then held out a hand for me. “I expect we’ll have some time to test that theory. At least, I hope we do.”
I climbed up behind him, wrapping my arms around his strong body. “I’m not sure what your family will have to say about…us, not after everything that’s happened. And we have to make sure your father doesn’t take his wrath out on Eve. She’s saved the day, again.”
“We don’t need to worry about my father—not for Eve, not for us.” He turned to Eve. “If I haven’t said it lately, thank you. This would have been impossible without you.”
She shrugged, but I could tell she was pleased. “It’s nothing.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand. Why don’t we need to worry about your father? He was waiting for you to turn Balkyn, and he was excited about it. I could tell. So not only did you let my brother go, you made your father—the king—look a fool. I think we should all be at least a bit worried.” I instinctively rubbed my throat again. “Maybe more than a bit.”