by Megan Duncan
“Just going the back way. I thought it would be better than making everyone walk through town with all this luggage,” he said, sounding more in control of his emotions than he felt. Not to mention it was rather awkward having Dmitry just inches away. He’d been a large point of jealousy for Arrick, and I could tell that just a bit of it was creeping back.
“Good thinking.” I’d completely forgotten how much we’d brought with us. Louie growled angrily behind me, shouting his desire to be free of his cage and the car. “We’re almost there, big guy.” I stuck my finger through the cage and he rubbed his head against it.
“Good! My legs are so cramped and I think my butt is asleep,” Liz groaned, stretching her arms up to touch the roof of the SUV.
“We wouldn’t want that.” I pinched her arm and she slapped my hand.
“No picking on the human!” she cried out playfully.
As if on cue; Robin, Dmitry and Liz all gasped in sync as the Château came into view. From this distance I couldn’t even tell it had been attacked at all. Though the sun had set, the sky still carried a luxurious pink hue tinged in lavender and red. Everything seemed to be soaking in the beauty of it, glowing with the last ounces of light before being swallowed up by the dark curtain of night.
The cylindrical towers stood grandly amongst the arched windows, and ornate architectural details that accentuated the intricate stone statues that stood watch over the Château. Lush plants embraced the structure, hugging every brick with vibrant, green life. Pops of color speckled the landscape giving proof that the coming autumn hadn’t withered the summer’s vibrant blooms.
“It’s even more beautiful in person,” Robin said in awe.
“Wait, you haven’t been to Naos before?” I asked, completely confused.
“No,” she smiled at me, “I’ve just seen this Château before, but only in pictures. Pictures that didn’t do it justice at all.” I don’t know why I was surprised; Robin hungered for vampire history as much as a vampire hungers for blood.
As we drew closer, Arrick pulled the SUV aside and parked in a graveled area amongst several other vehicles. All of them were dark in color with blackout windows. There was a beautiful royal blue convertible that I thought was a bit out of place, but I suppose a night drive with the wind in your hair would actually be kind of nice. Maybe when the war was over Arrick and I could go on that drive.
Liz oohed and ahhed over the cars until her attention was drawn back to the Château. Rounding the front, scaffolding outlined an entire wing like skeletal bones. The repairs were well under way; my parents weren’t wasting any time getting it back to normal, either.
Arrick’s urgency slammed into my chest like a freight train as he quickened his pace toward the entrance. I’d told him what had happened, but no doubt seeing it in person was a lot to take in. Hell, I was here when it happened and it still shocked me. Despite the maintenance and restoration that had begun, the magnitude of the damage did not escape me. I could almost feel the Château’s wound as if it bled from my very own limb. Pain seeped from it like a river. I knew it wasn’t really the building that was crying out, but those inside it. My parents, the guard, the elders, the servants, the humans. Everyone.
I ran to Arrick’s side as he dropped to his knees. “Are you okay?” I kneeled down beside him, wrapping my arm around his waist.
“I should have been here,” he said, staring at the Château. His voice was laced with anger and regret.
“Don’t blame yourself. This would have happened whether or not you were here. If you hadn’t left then Robin and Dmitry might not be alive.” I looked back at my friends who were trying their best to give us space by unloading the luggage from the SUV.
Arrick blinked hard, finally looking at me. “Don’t!” I pressed my finger to his lips when he opened his mouth to speak. I played the blame game enough for the both of us; he didn’t need to play it too. Plus, I hated seeing him like this. He’d always been my rock, my symbol of strength and I wanted to be that for him too. “You’re here now and that’s what matters. Baal might have attacked first, he might have tried to burn down our homes, but he failed!” I pointed to the scaffolding where it was obvious repairs were not far from being done. I could smell the scent of cement and fresh paint mixed in the breeze. “All he’s done is made us stronger.”
“Look at you being all optimistic.” He smiled appraisingly at me.
“Well, I did learn from the best.” I winked at him playfully. He pulled me to him, wrapping me in his arms as he dropped a kiss onto my lips. He was warm and inviting, lacing his fingers in my hair with one hand and squeezing my hips with the other. Passion surged through me as our embrace tightened and our tongues danced. Moments later he pulled away, caressing my face with his fingertips. I sighed as his warm breath tickled my skin. He teased me, nudging my nose with his and pulling his luscious lips away with a smirk when I tried kissing him again.
“Come here.”
I slid my fingers through his hair, leaning into him until our lips locked again. If he wanted to tease me, then two could play at that game. I tugged on his lip, hoping to torture him like he had me, but he jerked underneath me. My eyes popped open to see his finger on his lip. As he pulled it away a single drop of blood stood at the edge of his bottom lip.
“You bit me,” he said with surprise. I stared at the blood, hunger roaring inside me. I hadn’t meant to bite him; to play so rough, but now that I had… it had been so long since I’d last eaten, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold out. This fast was growing more difficult every hour. How were Dmitry and Robin managing so easily? It took all my strength the whole drive here to not beg Arrick to let me drink from him again. I could never forget how delicious he tasted, nothing like the coppery flavor of blood before I was changed. No, Arrick tasted like honey. Honey that filled every inch of my body with energy, and strength.
I could feel my breathing growing faster, my vision zeroing in on that single droplet. I wanted to slide my tongue across his plump lip, but would I stop at that? No, I doubt I could. I managed to pull my eyes away from his lip, but every sensation in my body still focused on it. Arrick was looking straight at me, passion hidden in his gaze. The heat between us was sweltering. I hadn’t realized it, but I pushed my every desire outward, wrapping our bodies together like lovers. It accentuated our desires, fed our passion, and shared our emotions.
His chest heaved against mine, but he dropped his gaze. He took his finger, and slid it across his lip. My heart sank as he pulled away the droplet, making me sigh in disappointment. I unlatched my arms from around him, ready to pull myself from his grasp when his finger slid across my lip. He spread the blood across my lips like a crimson gloss. I stared at him with wide eyes, as the sweet smell wafted into my nose. His touch was so sensual it made my heart hammer in my chest.
I hesitated for only a moment, as I stared into his smoldering eyes, before licking my lips. He smiled lovingly at me, pulling me toward him and planting a kiss on my forehead.
“Why did you do that?” I touched my lips, still able to feel the tingle of his touch. I had been starving, hell, I was still starving, but that gave me no right to bite him. I hadn’t meant to and I felt a little guilty. I didn’t want him to think that’s all he was to me. Arrick was more than just a meal. He was my friend, my guardian, my protector, and… the man I believed I was starting to fall madly in love with despite my stubborn brain trying to fight me on it.
“You’re hungry,” he answered simply. “I can feel it.” I turned away, ashamed that he had felt how much I wanted to sink my teeth into him.
“Get a room!” Liz stuck her tongue out at us, as she shouted from beside the SUV. She was followed by Dmitry who rolled his eyes while Robin gave a playful wink. We had been caught red-handed. Arrick and I untangled ourselves, and after dousing our passion we strolled up to my friends hand in hand. I couldn’t stop the heat that rushed to my cheeks in embarrassment. That wasn’t exactly a situation I wa
nted an audience for.
Arrick and Dmitry carried most of the luggage as we made our way to the Château. Louie growled angrily as I hefted him in my arms, refusing to let him go until we were safely inside. This was a new place for him and I didn’t want him wandering around until he understood this would be our new home.
The moment I stepped into the entry relief washed over me. Being home made all the fears, and doubts I had disappear. Maybe everything was really going to be okay? My parents were healing, the Noire region was going to join forces with us, I had my friends with me and Arrick by my side. We had everything going for us. The possibility of winning this war finally broke through my pessimistic nature.
Chapter 6
Arrick and Dmitry deposited our bags by the door for the eager hands of the servants who had been awaiting our arrival. Of all the servants there, I recognized one face. It was the girl who had warned me about Bennett. I couldn’t remember her name, but I was still very happy to see that she had survived the attack. She smiled at me happily, taking in the others in my group.
“Would you take Louie to my room?” I asked her, offering her my furry friend who had finally giving up fighting my grasp.
“Of course, princess. We’re so happy to have you back home.” Her genuine smile stretched across her face, and the others joined in with her, nodding their agreement.
“I’m happy to be home. Do you know where my parents are?”
“They’re in the throne room,” she answered cheerily, like my arrival had broken through the storm cloud that hung over the Château.
“Oh, Princess!” Liz drawled sarcastically before nudging me with her elbow. “I sure hope you don’t expect me to call you that.”
“I don’t expect anyone to call me that, Lizzy!” I teased, using the nickname that her mother had given her that she absolutely hated. As soon as the kids in grade school learned that one, she was dubbed Dizzy Lizzy. And that’s when Liz’s career in playground fights began.
“Hey!” She pointed her finger at me with a stern look on her face. I’d definitely pushed a button, but I couldn’t stop myself from laughing.
“Oh, I think Lizzy is a pretty name,” Robin sided with me, a smile making way for her ivory fangs.
“Great!” Liz threw her hands up in the air, giving up.
“I’m just teasing, Liz. You know I love you.” I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her toward me. She crossed her arms against her chest and glared at me, but the corners of her lips were curling up and I knew she wasn’t really mad.
“All right, let’s go,” Arrick said, after giving orders on where all our luggage should go. He and Dmitry led the way, while the girls and I hung back. I pointed out every piece of artwork that I thought Robin would enjoy.
Massive double doors lay open to the throne room as we approached. The sight of it didn’t rattle my nerves as I had expected it to. In fact, all I could think of were the two vampires I saw standing before me. I pushed past my friends, running to the giant table that stood in the center of the room. I recognized it from the strategy room. I wondered why they had brought it in here. Did the strategy room get destroyed?
I pushed that thought to the back of my mind as I closed the gap between my parents and me in the blink of an eye. I fell into my mother’s waiting arms, and my father wrapped us both in the cocoon of his embrace.
“I missed you,” I said, buried in their arms.
“We missed you too, Claire. Let us have a look at you,” my father said, pulling away from me. He looked me up and down, ensuring that I truly wasn’t hurt.
I blinked away the tears that wanted to fall, as nightmarish flashes played through my mind. My father’s motionless body on the floor, my mother’s blood dripping into a pool and the fear in her eyes. I didn’t know what I would have done if they hadn’t survived, but they did and I needed to focus on that. My stomach lurched as I saw the pallor of my mother’s skin. It was nothing like the vibrant, ivory flesh of a vampire. It carried an unusual shade of gray I’d never seen before, and so did my father’s. Their injuries must have been more severe than I had realized if they still looked this ill.
Nausea roared in my gut, and without even thinking I clutched at the stones under my blouse. Arrick was at my side as my breath drew in ragged gasps. He clutched my hands in his, tearing them away from the stones and forcing me to look at him. “They’re going to be fine.” He stared at me without blinking and all I could do was nod. “I promise,” he whispered in my ear, his breath tickling my neck.
“Claire, darling,” my mother cooed, stroking my hair. “Arrick is right, we will be just fine.”
“What’s wrong with you?” my tone wavered pitifully. It sounded like a stupid question after I said it, but they looked sick. As far as I knew, vampires didn’t get sick. In fact, we healed remarkably fast, as long as we fed.
“You’re not feeding?” Dmitry cut in. My father shook his head.
“Why not?” Arrick questioned, sounding alarmed.
“Baal and his monsters destroyed our stock,” Rennek said, standing up from the table. I hadn’t even realized he was there. My attention had been solely focused on my parents.
“What about donations?” I stepped away from Arrick’s embrace, eager to find a resolution.
“The population of the entire region is donating in masses, but…”
“But, what?” To my surprise, my tone had grown suddenly angry.
“Your parents are refusing to eat,” Jarvan added, with severe disapproval, stepping away from the table.
“You’re not eating?!” I whirled on my parents, anger dripping from my voice. They’d been brutally injured. Why weren’t they feeding?
“No,” my mother answered, sounding sad as she sat down. My father took a step to stand beside her, laying his strong hands on her shoulders for support. “We will not eat until our people and our guards have been fed.”
“All due respect your majesty, but that’s insane!” Dmitry countered, but shrank back at the glare my father gave him. I was shocked he’d been so bold to make such a statement.
“Insane? Insane to put the lives of our people first? Insane to cherish the existence of those that are most precious to us?” my father bellowed in rage.
“He’s right, Cathair,” Jarvan joined in, standing beside Dmitry. “How can you defend your people if you’re not strong enough to do so?” I could hear my father’s growl vibrate throughout the room.
“Our stocks are nearly replenished, your majesty. I planned to tell you this very news in my report tonight. There is plenty to go around for our guards and the royal family,” Rennek reported, trying to calm the storm that was brewing.
“It looks like we all could use something to eat,” my mother added, taking in all our malnourished bodies. She was right. We might have been trying to respect the dead by fasting; and they might have been trying to honor their people by not eating, but we’d never be able to fight Baal if we were too weak to stand.
“Introduce us to your friends, dear,” my mother said, smiling.
“This is Robin; she lived with me at the palace.” I gestured to my angelic-like vampire friend, and she bowed courteously.
“And what did you do at the palace?” my father asked curiously, all the anger gone from his tone though his expression grew suspicious.
“I studied vampire history under my parents’ guidance,” she answered, the word parents catching lightly in her throat. I prayed my father caught on to that and didn’t ask her about them. I knew Robin wasn’t ready to talk about it yet, and doing so would only cause her more pain.
“And this is my friend, Liz.” I latched onto her arm, pulling her to my side. I squeezed her hand seeing the nervous look in her eyes. She’d never been around this many vampires in all her life. I recalled how alarming that could feel.
“Oh, is this the famous Liz from your childhood?” my mother asked, her eyebrows reaching for the ceiling.
Liz glanced at me with a worried
expression. “Nice to meet you. Your home is lovely.”
“Not quite as lovely as it used to be, but it will be,” my mother replied, the sparkle returning to her eyes.
My father nodded in Dmitry’s direction, ready for my mouthy friend to be introduced. “I’m Dmitry, sir. Again, I meant no disrespect,” he said, bowing deeply.
“I admire those who speak their mind,” my father said, striding toward him. “That’s why I keep this old vampire around,” he nodded toward Jarvan, “just choose your words carefully. Your anger can be more useful when directed at Baal and not at your allies.” My father grasped Dmitry’s shoulder before turning away.
I hadn’t realized it until my father said it, but there was definitely anger emitting from Dmitry. Why hadn’t I noticed it before? Things were so different between us that it felt like a massive chasm had wedged itself there. I had tried to reach out to him, but that hadn’t been enough. Whether we were together or not, we were still friends and I should be there for him. I could only imagine the anguish he must be feeling. The loss of his brother, the attack on the palace, the shame his parents carried on their shoulders. Even seeing me with Arrick couldn’t make things any easier, that is, if Dmitry still had feelings for me, which I wasn’t sure he did. He rubbed at the scar that stretched across his face and I wondered if it would ever heal.
“How long have the two of you lived with Nicolae?” Jarvan asked with distrust in his eyes.
“All my life,” Robin answered quickly. My father and Jarvan both consider her answer without a reaction before turning their gazes onto Dmitry.
“Two decades, sir,” Dmitry said clearly.
“Hmm…” Jarvan looked the two of them up and down before turning toward my father to begin whispering in his hear.
“Hey! Wait a minute. You don’t think…” I shouted at Jarvan angrily. I could see the mistrust in his eyes and I wouldn’t have it.