Adele spoke loudly as Pet began to struggle in her arms for the first time. “You are in for a rare treat, gentlemen. Don't be afraid and consider this a warm welcome from the true residents of Edinburgh Castle.”
Feline shapes swarmed forward from every nook and cranny.
“Cats!” exclaimed Shirazi.
Adele knelt and released the eager Pet into a mob of his old cohorts. She greeted as many as she could within her reach. The Harmattan stood staring, though Adele was pleased when the youthful Corporal Darby bent down and scratched one of the many heads pleading for attention.
Shirazi leaned close to her and asked, “Does he eat them?”
Adele laughed. “I thought the same thing once. But no. They are just companions. The castle is an empty and lonely place.”
Shirazi said, “I'm beginning to doubt your choice for the next king of the vampires.”
Baudoin had disappeared, but Adele knew her way through the gloomy passages. Luckily they had brought lanterns from the ship and their way was illuminated slightly. The glow preceded them into the great hall where once she had dined on a magnificent feast. It looked dim and vacant now with no one there. Even with Baudoin's departure the Harmattan did not relax, and if anything, drew tighter around her, facing out toward the shadows. She couldn't laugh at their fears. They were too reminiscent of her own once upon a time.
“Put yourself at ease, Captain.”
“Not likely, Your Majesty, given where we are and what we just met.”
“Baudoin may seem mysterious and stoic, but he's not a threat. Or did you mean the cats?”
With a scowl in place he replied, “He may be old but he's still a vampire.”
To her relief, Baudoin soon returned. He entered through another door on the far side. Adele saw him first and sidled away across the room to stand near the mantel of the dead fireplace, well away from her men but not so far as to cause concern.
“When do you expect Prince Gareth to return?” she asked as Baudoin approached her. The Harmattan caught by surprise made to close in around them, but Adele held them at bay with a hand.
“He will return when he wishes.”
“It's imperative that I talk to him.”
“I'm sure. Life is a long series of imperatives with you.”
“Is there a way to send word to him?”
Baudoin regarded the soldiers, contemplating how much to relate in front of them. He looked long-suffering. “Has there ever been? What do you want with my prince now?”
Adele lowered her voice. “An assassin is in Edinburgh. A woman. She is here to kill Gareth.”
“A human?” There was the barest sense of derision in his voice.
“A geomancer.” Then not knowing if he understood the term, added, “Someone like me.”
That brought a rise out of him, but it showed only in the widening of his eyes. Baudoin cursed quietly in vampire. “You bring this danger to our doorstep.”
“I am here to make sure she doesn't have the chance. Where vampires may not see her, I can. I will stop her.”
Baudoin scowled and repeated with an air of resentment, “Frail old retainer?”
Adele offered a half shrug along with a wry grin. “I had to make you appear less threatening to my men.”
“So long as they don't attack me, they're safe.”
“They won't disobey me, but remember they are far from home and frightened. I would ask you to show restraint. If some incident does occur, don't kill them, as I know you are fully capable of doing.”
Baudoin tried not to look impressed. “Such words. You are quite adept at using them. Is that how you mesmerized Gareth?”
“He knows exactly what he's doing.”
The servant closed his eyes briefly in dismay. Then he turned to depart, shoulders slumped. “You will be the end of him.”
ADELE BUSTLED AROUND her old room. It hadn't changed, still pristine as if it had been waiting for her all this time. The early spring sun couldn't penetrate the dense stones of the castle, leaving the room damp and cold, but a fire crackled in the fireplace.
There was a knock on the door and Captain Shirazi's voice called out. “Your Majesty, you have a visitor.”
Adele's heart raced at the thought that Gareth had arrived, and she said swiftly, “Enter.”
The heavy door opened and Morgana flew into the room, her face an expression of utter joy and excitement, shouting Adele's name.
“Morgana!” Adele returned, rushing to her friend and embracing her in a fervent hug. “Oh, how I've missed you! I've thought about you so often.”
“I never dreamed in a hundred years you would return!”
“I only had to become empress to do it,” Adele replied jokingly.
“Our lord will be happy to see you. He broods so when he is here alone.”
“As I do when he is away from me,” she assured the woman, readjusting the blond hair that she had displaced on her friend's head. “You've let your hair grow longer.”
Morgana blushed. “So did you.”
Adele's hand touched her long curls and remembered the shearing Gareth had once given her long ago. To dispel her returning worries, she grabbed Morgana's hands and drew her to the chairs by the fireplace. “Tell me everything I've missed! How have you been?”
“I've been well, miss. Life here isn't near as exciting as yours, I'm sure. Baudoin drove off three vagabond vampires, bless his soul. Thomas tore his best net, and we lost Ol' Mary only a month ago.” Morgana's eyes glistened at the last.
Adele couldn't help but feel the same. Mary was the second human she'd met in Edinburgh after Morgana. Adele's hands were chafed for days after helping Mary at the washtubs. “She went peacefully?”
“Aye, she did. She lived a good long life thanks to the prince.”
“I'll miss her. She showed me such kindness.” Adele squeezed Morgana's hand. “All of you did.”
“Of course we did. You were lost. We wanted to make you feel at home here. The prince included, though you didn't know it at first. Now tell me, miss, what brings you back? Baudoin told me there is some danger.”
Quickly, she told Morgana about Nzingu. The handmaiden had not seen anyone matching the Zulu's description. If Nzingu was here, she was covering her tracks well. That made Adele even more anxious.
“I'll make sure to spread the word,” Morgana assured her.
Someone must have seen Nzingu if she dared enter the city, and the more people looking for her, the better the chance of discovery. In addition, Adele explained about the potential for Undead here. She asked Morgana to alert the city to be aware of recent arrivals, particularly those who seemed distant or odd. And if any of them should suddenly disappear, Adele needed to know. All she could do was be mindful and pray time was on her side.
For now, however, Adele sat quietly with her friend, content to pass a few moments woman to woman without fear of the outside world.
The dark shape silhouetted against the grey sky made Adele's heart jump. Any human with any sense would be terrified at the sight of a vampire hunting. Instead, Adele immediately started briskly from the jumbled courtyard toward the familiar shadow. Her Harmattan moved into place around her without question. She paused. “Captain, remain here.”
“He's a vampire.”
“I can handle him.”
“I'll be one minute behind.”
“Five.”
With that, she moved with measured and resolute steps toward the western quadrant of the castle where Edinburgh was still moored. As soon as she was out of sight of her men, she broke into a sprint, waving her arm. Gazing upward for a glimpse of him, she stumbled.
Suddenly a shadow passed over her and landed directly in her path.
“Gareth!” She ran the last few steps into his crushing arms. He smelled of wind and rain and grass. His clothes were damp from a passing storm. She should have been cautious of someone seeing them, but in this moment she didn't care. She only knew she needed to feel his to
uch.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded with unexpected ire.
“Saving you!”
Anger made his frame more rigid. He gripped her arms and held her out from him. “This foolishness must stop. I'm perfectly capable of fighting my own battles. I've only come here briefly to begin moving people into the countryside. What am I to do with you here?”
“I can help you with that.”
“Adele, you can't be so impulsive. We've talked about that before.”
“I'm not being impulsive. You don't understand. Mamoru put an assassin in play before we arrested him. She is on her way here to kill you. I came to warn you, and to help you. She is a powerful geomancer.”
Gareth sighed and surrendered his anger. He brushed his lips over her flushed cheek. “You worry too much.”
“Someone has to.” Adele embraced him again. Everything would be okay now. Together, they could deal with any obstacle.
The stomping of heavy boots on cobblestone and the rattle of weapons heralded the approach of her Harmattan.
“Do your men know everything?” he asked quietly.
“They don't know you are Greyfriar, but they know there is an assassin about. And they know I intend to put you on the throne.”
He cocked a sarcastic eyebrow. “You are putting me on the throne?”
“In this scenario I am.”
“Well, thank you for that,” he said playfully.
“You're very welcome.”
Adele and Gareth pulled apart as Shirazi rounded the corner with his men.
“Your Majesty.” The captain's greeting may have been to his empress, but his stern visage did not stray from Gareth.
Adele waited nervously for Shirazi to recognize the vampire as Greyfriar. She saw the similarities so plainly now, she couldn't believe anyone could be fooled. However, Gareth's alteration of voice and posture was subtle but effective, and the soldiers showed no recognition.
The prince bowed. “A pleasure to meet you, Captain.”
Shirazi responded with practiced courtesy. “Prince Gareth, I presume.”
“At your service.”
“And I, apparently, am at yours.” Shirazi stared coldly, and his men looked murderous behind him.
“I bid you welcome.” Gareth's hand gestured around at his castle. A rain shower arrived suddenly, forming a grey shrouding mist. “Let us go inside and discuss our new friendship.”
Gareth led the way, greeting the cats as they rushed him. He picked up a wiry young white cat and placed it on his shoulders. The animal perched there proudly.
“Is she new? She's adorable.” Adele reached up to scratch the cat's head, but it shrank back and slapped a quick paw at her, thankfully with the claws retracted.
“She was a gift. I call her Adele.”
“Oh really. She seems very antisocial.”
“Some consider it strong willed.” Gareth's eyes crinkled at the corners.
Adele longed to reach out impulsively and squeeze Gareth to let him know how much she loved his small gesture, but watchful eyes were everywhere.
“Has Baudoin seen to your quarters?” Gareth spoke to the entire group. “If they are not to your liking, please feel free to choose any room. There are many, and few are used.”
“I chose my old room,” Adele told him. “It suited me then and it will serve me well now.” A gentle smile played about her lips, though she attempted to keep it hidden from Shirazi.
“It is the best room in the castle,” he replied. “Morgana keeps it pristine. I'm sure she's delighted to see you again.”
Adele's smile grew wider. At least she didn't have to be shy about her feelings for her good friend. “And I her!” She regarded him suddenly as she asked, “Do you think it's possible to empty the city in so short a time?”
He nodded. “With your ship here things may move quicker.”
“It's at your disposal,” she said.
“Why remove them at all?” Shirazi countered, obviously not liking the fact that she had just offered up their sole means of escape.
Gareth replied, “It's better the people be removed in case things don't go well in London and my brother retaliates.”
“I didn't realize there was so much love lost between vampires,” Shirazi said. “What do you have to fight over?”
Gareth said stiffly, “Power and food, much like humans.”
“Not quite like us,” Shirazi replied. “We don't fight you over food. We are your food. You eat us.”
“Captain,” Adele admonished. “You forget your place.”
Gareth smiled graciously, but turned a cold glare on the impertinent man. “It's true. We do eat you. You make it sound so dastardly, but it's really just nature. We feed off you. You kill us.”
“Yes,” Shirazi said in a low voice. “Things balance out.”
Gareth smirked, unimpressed by the soldier's attempt at menace. The windows behind him spattered with heavy raindrops. “Every creature has its day. Vampire or human.”
Adele felt a growing ache in her heart. She remembered a distant conversation with Gareth about the fleeting mayfly and the end of the vampires. The thought of a world without Gareth ate at her soul. She stood quietly, unable to reach out to him.
THE NIGHT ENVELOPED Edinburgh. For the first time in many days, the clouds blanketing the sky parted to allow the thin moonlight to hold the worst shadows at bay, keeping them from wandering too far into the streets.
The castle ramparts were lit as if there were a hundred lanterns shining down upon them. Gareth gazed out over his city with a sense of sadness that it would soon be abandoned. Even though it was for the best, he wondered how his people would endure. In time, they could return to Edinburgh.
When he was king.
That sounded strange. He had never wanted his father's throne, but now he didn't want Cesare to have it either. He was jealous that his brother had spent the last days with their father while he was off playing Greyfriar.
The masked hero was unnecessary in this new world he and Adele were shaping. Perhaps he would become like Adele and use a disguise as a means of escape from the oppressive duty to the throne.
Soft footfalls below made him smile. His heart beat faster. Seconds later an auburn head appeared through the wooden hatch set in the roof. The scent of Adele was plain on the breeze. Gareth stepped forward and offered his hand. Adele grasped it so he could lift her one-handed off the ladder and onto the roof beside him.
“You're so strong,” she said. “Like a bear.”
“I was a bear once.”
She leaned forward and kissed him. The excitement lingering on her lips spread to match his own. He picked her up, lifting her onto the edge of the ramparts. She had his worn scarf tied neatly around her head and neck.
“You still have it.” Gareth tucked the fluttering scarf tighter around her face.
“Of course. It's my prized possession.”
“I still have the book you gave me. I've added it to my expansive library.” He caressed her cheek lit by the starlight. His hand nearly glowed white like some macabre specter against her deep olive skin. Her lips pressed against his palm. He barely felt it, but his every other sense filled with her. “Alone with you. It's been too long.”
It was several minutes before they parted. She glistened in the night, and the salty taste of her lingered.
Adele took a deep breath of the cool night air, indulging in his embrace, her only refuge. “This is where I'm happiest. High up, under the open sky in your arms.”
“Rooftops seem to be safest for our trysts.”
She laid her cheek against him. “I like that. It fits us.”
“I was wondering what happened to you. I thought Morgana forgot.”
“She startled me when she appeared from behind the curtain. Imagine my surprise when she showed me the passage in the wall of my room. Did you ever use it when I lived here?”
Gareth's blood fanned warmly at her use of the word lived. That
she considered Edinburgh even a temporary home pleased him. He shook his head. “No. Though it was tempting. I was content to spy on you from the rooftops. The cats tend to use the passageways the most. Lots of food in there.”
She held up a hand. “I don't want to know. Though I always wondered how Pet got in that first night. Speaking of which, where is he? I haven't seen him today.”
“Baudoin saw him a few hours ago in the kitchen. He'll find you tonight I'm sure.”
“So long as you do as well.” Her hand stroked his long fingers as they rested on her thigh.
Gareth's head dipped to her shoulder, drawing the cloth away to reveal the curve of her neck, kissing her there. She shivered with anticipation in his arms, her breath a quivering exhale. It thrilled him that she was unafraid, so unlike most humans around vampires.
The sliver of a moon moved behind trailing clouds, darkening the rampart. Gareth could still see clearly, but she couldn't. Instead she used her hands to feel for him. Gentle fingers fluttered over his face, tracing his cheekbones and brow. She slowly kissed each part of him she touched.
Adele shivered again, though this time from the blustery Scottish wind as the perspiration dried on her skin. He wrapped his coat around her. She sighed pleasantly, drawing deeper into its decadent soft wool folds. He only wore one in case she needed it.
“I went to Paris,” Gareth said, “to see Lothaire. To see whose side he would take if given a choice. Cesare or myself.”
“He was your old friend, right? Is he still?”
“Yes, more so than ever.”
“I'm glad,” Adele said. “Tell me about him.”
And Gareth did, his voice filled with excitement and hope. “The humans in Paris are left largely to do as they please. There were times in Paris I almost felt it was back before the Great Killing. Most extraordinary.”
“That's amazing. Then you're not alone!”
“He's just one vampire,” Gareth pointed out.
“Who's teaching his family new values. I knew you couldn't possibly be the only vampire with some compassion.” She impulsively hugged him.
Kingmakers, The (Vampire Empire Book 3) Page 33