The Red Lily (Vampire Blood)

by Juliette Cross

  “Enough,” said Sienna, hiking her satchel over her shoulder and carefully carrying the tin plate and glass down the ladder with her.

  She wasn’t in love or anything like, she told herself. This was merely an infatuation that would end just as surely as this mission would end. Then she’d return to Silvane Forest and her happy life in the woods among the hart wolves. She’d put the lieutenant behind her and keep the savory memory of her adventure for lonely nights. And that was all.

  Marching across the dew-laden grass and autumn leaves, she held herself steady, hoping Nikolai wouldn’t tease her after she’d lost herself in his arms. He must’ve heard her with his vampire senses, for his head swiveled in her direction three steps out of the barn. No sneaking up on this man. The burly farmer followed his gaze, their conversation dying as she approached.

  “Good morning,” she said, keeping her eyes fixed on Harrison.

  “Morning, milady. Hope you slept as well as you could in the barn.”

  “Yes. Well enough, thank you.” She stole a glance at Nikolai. His countenance was unreadable, as usual. “Is your wife in the house?” She held up the plate and glass. “I’ll return these to her.”

  “Go right in. She’ll be throwing things about, packing.”

  Sienna strode toward the farmhouse. It was a long, single-story house made of gray stone and a thatch roof, complete with white shutters, giving it a clean look. The wooden door was ajar. Sienna rapped three times.

  “Hello?”

  The sound of sweeping stopped, and the door flew open. A petite, full-figured woman in a simple blue frock dress, an apron, and mobcap stood in the doorway, her hand on the handle of her broom, her brown eyes examining Sienna.

  “Hello. I’m sorry to bother, but I wanted to return your dishes.”

  “Oh, aye. Come in, come in.” She set the broom aside and grabbed the plate and glass. Sienna stepped inside the doorway. “Just tryin’ to get the house in order before we have to up and leave. That man—” She turned from the washtub, wagged a finger in the vicinity of the yard, then wiped her hands on her apron. “He could’ve given me more warning to up and pack me whole life in a few bags to go God knows where.”

  “I apologize,” she said. “That was partly my fault, I’m afraid. I am the one—”

  “I know who ye are, milady. Whispers all over of the fair woman o’ the wood has come. And we know you bring tidings from the Black Lily.” Her countenance softened. “That brave woman who is leading the whole revolution.”

  “Stand guard!” a young boy with a mop of brown hair shouted as he leaped from behind a curtained door with a wooden sword pointed at Sienna. “Or I’ll cut you through if you’re with the black queen.”

  Sienna actually jumped in fright, smiled, then wiped her expression clean, quickly thrusting her hands up in surrender. “I mean you no harm, sir. I’m certainly not on the side of the black queen.”

  The boy grinned from ear to ear, missing his two front teeth.

  “Ah, John. Go on and wash up,” snapped his mother, though there was a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “We’ve got lots to do before our journey.”

  His brown eyes rounded. “A journey?”

  “Aye. Be gone with ya.” She grabbed her broom as if to swat him with it, but he tore off into the next room before she could have at him.

  Sienna laughed. “What a sweet boy.”

  “Sweet? Pssh. A scoundrel, if ever one was born.” She shook her head and set her broom aside. “But I love ’im all the same.”

  She turned and busied herself at the counter with a wrap of wax paper and slicing some kind of bread. Again the waft of cinnamon filled her nostrils.

  “Well, thank you for the breakfast. It was delicious.”

  “Hold on, milady. I’ve got a small parcel of vittles for ye.”

  “No, I couldn’t take more from you.”

  “Nay bother. This is a good working farm. Plenty to eat.” She tucked a few slices of that delicious-smelling cake she gathered with a few other wrapped items and tied it together in white sack-cloth, then turned with it in her hands. “Plenty of work, too.” Her face grew somber. “My man Harrison’s uncle will watch the place. Harrison said he doesn’t know where we’re going or how long we’ll be gone.” Her gaze left the window, questioning her with a glance.

  “That is true.”

  “Can ye tell me if it’s safe where we’re going?”

  “It is very safe,” she assured her, taking the bundle of goods and squeezing her hand for good measure before she stepped back with a smile. “It is well protected and far from the prying eyes of the Glass Tower. That is also why we keep the whereabouts a secret.”

  With a deep breath, the woman gave a nod, then snatched up her broom. “I wish ye well, milady. Heaven knows you be doin’ a fearful job.”

  Sienna smiled. “Perhaps. But a necessary one.”

  “Beware on the road.”

  “Aye. And you send my friend, Arabelle, good tidings for me, will you? You’ll be seeing her before I do.”

  That wiped away the frown puckering the woman’s brow. “Oh, aye. I will.”

  Sienna stepped out of the farmhouse, imagining little John at swordplay with his wooden sword on the sands of Cutters Cove. Of course, Sienna had never been there herself, but she was one of the few who knew the location of the Black Lily training camp.

  It was natural for the farmer’s wife to fear their destiny, especially leaving such a fine farm behind. But that was what told her how strongly the people felt about the cause. A cause that had become so much of her own, no matter that she was born into the aristocracy. She’d always felt apart from her own people. Except her grandmother. She was her grandmother’s granddaughter, not her mother’s daughter.

  Nikolai clasped Harrison’s hand in parting, then the farmer strolled off toward the barn, and Nikolai walked toward Sienna. Interesting that she noticed a keen difference in his complexion. Normally quite pale, there was a distinct blush along his jaw. One might think it was simply from the overly cool morning air. But Sienna knew better. It was her own blood that put that handsome blush in his cheeks. Strange that this fact should make her swell with pride. And possessiveness.

  “Good morning,” he said in his typically austere manner. No sign that anything was different between them.

  Sienna sighed with relief. “Morning.”

  “Shall we be off?” He gestured toward the woods behind the house. “I say we go by cover of the woodlands as far as we can.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” She yearned to be back in the shade of Silvane Forest. For she knew today’s journey would be the last time she was within the forest until their mission was over.

  They walked side by side across the grassy plain behind the farm until Sienna caught sight of a white flash pacing the perimeter of the wood. Her heart burst with glee, and she sprinted toward the tree line. She drew closer, and the morning light grew brighter. The form of her dear friend, Duchess, stood waiting for her, wagging her tail.

  Sienna crossed into the wood and threw her arms around Duchess’s neck. “Oh, my girl. I’ve missed you.”

  Duchess whimpered in response as if to say she did, too. Luca and the two brothers, Kai and Hugo, circled nearby. They’d never come too close with Nikolai shadowing her. The natural enemy of hart wolves was vampires. Sienna’s grandmother had told her old tales of the vampires hunting hart wolves for sport and even as a rite of passage for young vampires, as hart wolves were the strongest and fastest prey.

  Sienna pulled back, still with both arms around her neck. Duchess licked her face. Sienna laughed.

  “There, there. I’ll be with you for the rest of the day.”

  “If we make good time, we’ll be beyond the forest by midday.”

  Duchess swiveled her head to Nikolai and let out a half bark, half growl, then padded away toward the trail.

  Nikolai opened his mouth to say something, but didn’t, watching Duchess trot away.r />
  “What?” asked Sienna, following after Duchess toward the trail.

  “It’s like she understood what I said and didn’t like it.”

  “Oh, she certainly understood you. And no, she didn’t. She’s worried for me.” Sienna walked on.

  Nikolai shook his head as he stepped in front of her to bend a low-lying branch out of her way. “They’re wolves.”

  “Thank you,” she said, passing before him. He joined her at her side as they finally found the trail. “They’re hart wolves. I’ve told you. There is magic in them. Just as there is magic in this forest.” Even now, she felt the tingling of magic singing along her skin, a soft caress that warmed her on the inside.

  Sienna examined the overhanging branches of the black oak trees, the last she’d see for a long while. Now in autumn, their silvery leaves turned white before falling. Some drifted down, blanketing the path like new fallen snow.

  “Perhaps you’re right.”

  She scoffed. “I know I’m right. You’re just a stubborn male, so it takes some convincing before you believe anything. No, a stubborn vampire male, which is worse.”

  “Worse? Hmm. You didn’t think so lowly of me last night.”

  Her heart hammered faster. “I was wondering when you’d use that against me.”

  “I’m not using anything against you. Merely stating a fact. And it certainly didn’t take any convincing for me last night.”

  “That’s because it was something you wanted.”

  “I won’t deny it,” he said, all joviality leaving his voice. “I’ve often imagined what it would feel like to sink my fangs into your pretty neck. Among other things.”

  She sucked in a breath, eyes wide when she shot him a sidelong glance.

  “But I certainly didn’t believe you’d actually ever offer yourself. I’m starting to believe the rumors that you are a witch. For I felt quite enchanted and unable to do anything but take your offering.”

  “Stop teasing me, Nikolai. I was only—”

  He gripped her arm and stopped her in her tracks. “I am not teasing.” His jaw clenched tight. “I could not resist you last night if the world itself was on fire.”

  He held her in his gaze, eyes electric with the energy rolling off of him and charging the air between them. Sienna had a sudden vision of them tumbling to the ground and finishing what they’d started. God save her, she yearned for him, like an aching agony that would not relent. Her gaze fell to his mouth where she could see the tips of his canines. For a split second, she thought he would take her in his arms again. Instead, he broke the trance and stepped swiftly along the trail.

  “We must move on. We need to be in Lobdell before nightfall.”

  Sienna fell in step beside him. “Who is our contact there?”

  Arabelle had told her in the letter that Nikolai had memorized all of the contacts’ names and appearances. It was crucial that nothing be written down in case one of them were taken captive.

  “She is the butcher’s daughter.”

  “The butcher’s daughter? That’s odd. Why not the butcher?”

  “He’s dead,” said Nikolai with a sidelong glance.

  “Oh.”

  “Ivan informed me that her father never returned from working one of the feasts at the Glass Tower.”

  Hugo, the fiercest of Duchess’s brothers, crossed their path ahead, golden eyes glowing even in the morning light. He watched Nikolai keenly before vanishing again.

  “That one doesn’t like me,” said Nikolai.

  Sienna smiled. “None of them like you very much. But I think you’re right. Hugo likes you least of all.”

  “Might there be a reason for that?”

  “He and his brother, Kai, are very distrusting of strangers in our wood.”

  “But I’m not a stranger.”

  “Well, that may be, but you don’t belong. And you’re a vampire.”

  “Am I? What a shocking revelation.”

  “You’re in a mood today. And here I thought my blood might have softened your temper.”

  He scoffed. “Your blood is burning through me like lava.”

  Sienna tripped on a branch, but Nikolai caught her by the wrist. For a moment, they were both trapped, suspended without words and staring at one another. His physical touch was enough to send Sienna’s pulse tripping ahead double time. And by his sudden intake of breath, she thought he felt the same. There was no denying the attraction flaming between the two of them.

  Sienna cautiously spoke, for she felt if she made a move either forward or backward, he would’ve snatched her close and sunk his fangs inside her throat. And heaven help her, she knew she was no longer thinking clearly on the matter.

  “Is this,” she whispered, “is this because of the blood?”

  “What?” he asked, his gaze focused on her lips.

  “Is this…feeling because you’ve tasted my blood?”

  His mouth ticked up on one side. It was intended to be sexy, for he had that cocky air when he spoke, but it nearly melted Sienna on the spot.

  “No, sweetheart. It is not. This is pure, burning desire,” he said boldly, without hesitation.

  Slowly, she stepped back. He squeezed her wrist and held her an excruciating moment longer, then released her.

  “We better keep moving,” she whispered, her mouth gone bone dry.

  “That would be wise.”

  She moved ahead first, with him a step behind. A rumble of distant thunder echoed ahead in the direction of Lobdell. She pulled her hood up over her head while the wind blew in a cool chill, rustling the silver-white leaves. More floated down onto the path as they walked on, rounding the bend and seeing an opening in the woods up ahead, the trail winding over a grassy hill. Her heart faltered for she knew it was the end of the Silvane Forest. A cold fear gripped her chest and tightened as she wound closer.

  Duchess leapt onto the path and padded beside her, angling her hazel eyes at Sienna. Sienna put her hand on the wolf’s neck.

  “I know, girl. But I must go. Arabelle needs me to do this for her.”

  Duchess whined when they came to a stop at the edge of the wood. Luca, Hugo, and Kai moved forward out of the cover but not too close to Nikolai. Sienna threw her arms around Duchess’s neck and kissed her on her soft fur.

  “I won’t be too long,” she whispered. “I promise.” She looked her in the eyes. “You four need to watch out for Willow and Mildred. They’ve got plenty to eat and shelter in the barn, but be sure nothing comes in to eat them.”

  Duchess licked her on the cheek. Sienna laughed, despite the overwhelming urge to cry.

  Thunder rolled again, but closer.

  “We’d best be getting on,” said Nikolai behind her.

  With another kiss and a stroke of her pretty head, Sienna said, “Good-bye, Duchess. Good-bye, my boys,” she said to the others behind her. Then she turned abruptly and walked swiftly on, crossing out of Silvane Forest.

  Her grandmother had warned her time and time again, Do not stray from your path and do not leave these woods unless you absolutely must.

  Well, this was her path, which led her away from these woods. Even if her heart warned of some ominous danger, she would do right by Arabelle and the Black Lily.

  A heavy loss swept through her as she marched away. Then a sorrowful howl filled the gray morning as Duchess cried out her good-bye. Then Luca and Hugo’s deep howls joined hers. And finally, Kai’s did as well. She pulled her hood up more to hide the tears streaming down her face. She made not a sound as they crossed the hill, but a thread of dread wound its way around her gut, and for the first time, she wondered if the Black Lily was worth this.

  Chapter Eight

  Though she’d tried to hide it, Nikolai knew she wept the entire march over the grassy hill and onto the main lane leading toward Lobdell. The dark gray up ahead showed that it was raining already in town.

  “You know, we’d get there faster if you let me carry you.”

  “I don�
�t like traveling that way,” she protested, not meeting his gaze.

  “Do you like being soaking wet? I can get us both out of the rain faster.”

  She stopped and whipped toward him. “Well, forgive me for being human. I cannot move at your speed.”

  “I’m well aware of your deficiencies. Which is why I offer to carry you.”

  “Damn you, Nikolai.” She walked even faster. The wind blew off her hood, and she stopped suddenly. “Fine. Take us to the edge of town, but I will walk on my own feet once there.”

  Anger burned bright in her lovely green eyes where there was pain a few moments before. Mission accomplished. He’d rather her be angry at him than for her to be heartsick.

  “As you wish, my lady.” He swept her up, noting her gasp.

  There was no mistaking the palpable desire ever-present and growing between them. He would wait as long as possible, but there would be no getting around the absolute fact that they were going to be lovers. He needed her in his bed, beneath him, to assuage this restless, burgeoning passion.

  “Hold on,” he told her.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, which he found strangely comforting, then he flashed down the road. He passed an ambling cart with a farmer and his load of winter squash and stopped at the blacksmith shop, the first on the lane entering town. He set her on her feet. She gripped his shoulders and steadied herself.

  “Are you all right?”

  She gazed up at him, and he willed himself not to pull her into his arms. The need to hold her and care for her was as strong as his need to lay her down and bed her. This woman was certainly a witch, for she beguiled him every step of the way.

  “I’m fine,” she said, pulling away. But the press of her palm on her stomach told him otherwise. “Where’s the butchery?”

  “Of that, I’m not sure.” He glanced around, the distinct ping of hammer and anvil at work in the smithy shop. “But this is a small town. Let’s keep moving.”

  A peasant woman with a child on her hip disappeared into the bakery when she caught sight of Nikolai. It wasn’t as if he could hide who or what he was. Some vampires blended in, especially those that had been made. But he was a born vampire from a long line of blue bloods. His height, his sharp features and fair hair denoted him as one of the old ones. No one needed to see fangs in his mouth to know he was a vampire.