My heart weighed in my chest. My thoughts scattered all over the place. Did he care? Truly?
His eyes told me he did. But how could I believe it? Were vampires really capable of feeling something for a human?
The only thing I had to guide me was my instincts and they compelled me to believe him. As I started to accept that, Nightmare whispered, trust him.
My throat constricted. It might have been crazy, but the knife’s conviction gave strength to my own. Erik cared. And that was important. It meant he might protect me. But for how long, I couldn't guess.
“Thank you,” I breathed at last, a heaviness lifting from me. “And I'm sorry I called you a bloodsucker.”
He chuckled, his eyes brightening in an instant. “I'm more of a blood-sipper.”
I couldn't fight a laugh. “So what's on your agenda today, blood-sipper?”
He grinned, moving closer and resting a hand on my shoulder. “I will continue my pretence of courting the other girls. I believe I'm spending the day with Brionna today. Or is her name Briony?”
“Pretence?” I echoed lightly, not correcting him on Brianna’s name. “I thought you were interested in Paige?”
He dropped his head beside mine, gazing at my reflection in the mirror. “There's only one thing I'm interested in this world. And it's not Paige. Or any girl.” His breath tickled my neck and I fought the temptation to lean closer.
“Well women all over the world are sighing a huge breath of relief right now.” My gut told me I was not remotely pleased about what he'd said, but I refused to think about why.
“Funny, I don't see you sighing, Rebel. In fact, I would guess you look a little disappointed.” He stood, leaving me in a heatwave that engulfed my whole body.
Damn him.
“So what is it you do care about?” I asked.
“Not your business.”
I bit back my annoyance, not wanting to descend into another argument.
Erik fiddled with his hair in the mirror, his shoulder jamming up against mine. “I've sent General Wolfe to the west coast to release your father,” he revealed in a causal tone.
I turned to him so sharply my mouth collided with his cheek. I awkwardly threw my arms around him, not giving a damn what he might think about that.
“Thank you,” I gasped, pressing my face into his shirt.
He turned, sliding his arms around my shoulders and holding me closer. “I told you I would,” he muttered.
Tears leaked from my eyes full of relief. Relief that my father would be freed and relief that I really could trust Erik.
“Will you bring him here?” I asked as I fell apart in his arms.
“Is that what you'd like?” he asked.
I nodded, not having thought of it as an option before. He couldn't go back to the Realm, it was unthinkable. And I wanted to see him with my own two eyes, to prove he was really okay.
“Then it's done,” he promised and for once I believed him wholeheartedly.
I leant back, quickly wiping my cheeks, embarrassed for showing weakness in front of him.
“Thank you, Erik, really,” I whispered, my heart thumping madly in my chest.
He stood upright with a small smile. “Enjoy your day with Miles. There's nothing to fear from him. He'll be along soon.” He bowed his head then seemed confused by doing so before he headed to the door and exited.
I used the powder in the drawer to lighten the redness of my face then headed to the bed, bending down to retrieve Nightmare.
My hand curled around the warm hilt and I stood, carrying it to the closet and taking out a silk scarf. I lifted up my skirt, holding the blade against my thigh and tying it there with the scarf. When I was sure it was secure, I dropped the skirt and eyed myself in the mirror. No one would be able to tell I was carrying it. And its presence built a wall of strength around my heart.
A rhythmic knocking came at the door. “Oh beautiful Courtier, are you in there?”
I raised my brows, hurrying to the door and opening it.
Miles gave me an appraising look, flicking a lock of blonde hair from his deep blue eyes. “Good morning, hottie, you look ravishing. No wonder my brothers are warring over you.”
I laughed, warming to him immediately. “They aren't warring over me,” I said. Especially not Erik.
“Yeah yeah, play it modest. They'll eat that up.” He winked then snatched my hand, tugging me into the corridor. I spotted a beefy guard standing behind him in a black uniform. His dark hair was shaved short and his jaw was sharp and square.
“This is my bodyguard, Warren,” Miles explained. “Don't worry about him, he'll just follow us around and scare off pests.” He pulled me along and Warren fell into step beside us. “You're Montana right?” Miles asked and I nodded. “Miles and Montana has a certain ring to it, don't you think? If you don't wanna pick Freaky Fabian or Evil Erik at the ceremony, then your safest bet is me.” He threw a glance at Warren who rolled his eyes. I recalled what Fabian had said about Miles and wondered if Warren really was his partner.
“I have a surprise for you this morning. But first-” Miles reached into his navy robes and produced an apple. “Breakfast.”
“Thanks.” I took it and my empty stomach encouraged me to bite into it.
Miles made smalltalk as we made our way downstairs and headed out to the front of the castle. A gleaming white car awaited us and a guard handed the keys to Warren as we approached it.
I held the apple core in my hand, swallowing the last of it. Miles plucked it from my fingers and tossed it into the trees.
“In you get.” He opened the back door for me and I dropped inside. He followed, beaming as he sat beside me. “So here's the deal, Snow White.”
I frowned at the name. “What?”
“You know, dark hair, pale cheeks, blood-red lips. Like the story?”
I shook my head, having no idea what he was talking about.
“Never mind. So anyway, you may have heard on the grapevine that I'm with Warren.”
I lifted my brows, surprised by his honesty.
“So if you pick me, I'm gonna be more like a friend than a husband, alright? I'd like to get that clear in case you fall for my roguishly good looks today. It’s not that I don’t like girls...I just like guys more. One guy in particular.” He gave me a slanted grin and I released a small laugh. Warren glanced at us in the rear-view mirror with a glint in his gaze.
“Okay.”
“Good.” He sat back in his seat with a satisfied smile. “But you know...we might still have to er, kiss and stuff occasionally. For show and that.” His eyes dimmed a little and I sensed his displeasure at the idea.
“Why do you have to take wives if you’re with someone else?” I asked.
His golden brows drew together. “It's just the way it is.”
A pang of sympathy ran through me which was followed by a sharp flare of heat from Nightmare on my thigh.
I rubbed my leg a little, trying not to give away my discomfort.
Warren drove us into the city and we took lanes left and right, sailing between towering skyscrapers which blocked out any glimpse of the sunlight beyond the clouds.
The further we drove, the more relaxed I felt about putting some distance between me and the castle. I felt less like a prisoner beyond those walls but I wondered if I'd ever escape them fully.
Warren parked us outside a glass building nestled between two tower-blocks. We exited onto the street and Miles took my hand, keeping me close. Warren opened the trunk of the car, taking out two duffel bags. He followed without a word as Miles led me up to the building and pushed through the door.
A sharp scent reached me in the heated air and I glanced at Miles with curiosity.
“Good morning, your highness,” said a female vampire behind a wide desk. “We've had everything organised for the Courtier.”
“All warmed up?” he asked and she nodded, gesturing to a wooden door across the room.“The changing rooms are just thr
ough there.”
I frowned as I followed Miles through the door and we emerged in a short corridor. Two doors stood ahead of us, one marked with the symbol of a man and the other with a woman.
“Here.” Miles took one of the bags from Warren and thrust it at me.
“What do you want me to do?” I asked, eyeing the bag.
“Get changed into the bikini and meet us back here,” Miles announced before heading through the male door followed closely by Warren.
I was left feeling a little shell-shocked as I headed through the other door and emerged in a blue room full of cubicles and a row of small cupboards on the wall.
Heading into one of the cubicles, I unzipped the bag, finding the item Miles had called a 'bikini' which looked like underwear to me. The only difference was it was bright red and had a strangely smooth texture.
I hesitated a couple of minutes, not liking the idea of walking around in next to nothing. Especially with the mark on my arm. Something told me I should keep it hidden.
Spotting a white gown in the bag, I tugged it out and relaxed a little. Stripping off my clothes, I eyed the blade strapped to my leg with concern. I'd have to put it in the bag...but what if someone checked it?
Not having any choice in the matter, I loosened it from my leg and wrapped it in the scarf before tucking it at the bottom of the bag. Stuffing my clothes around it, I pulled on the bikini and looked down at myself.
This was...weird. What the hell did Miles have in mind for us to do?
Putting on the robe, I took the bag and headed back out into the hall, finding Miles there in nothing but tight blue briefs. Beside him, Warren was slightly more decent in a long pair of black shorts. Both of their bodies looked cut from glass, their abs firm and shining.
My mouth opened in surprise.
“You don't need that.” Miles strode toward me, snatching the bag from my hand.
He headed into the women's changing room and I gazed at Warren with an awkward expression.
“He's a little extroverted,” Warren commented. “You get used to it.”
I nodded, smiling a little as I scrunched up my toes. I supposed I didn't have anything to worry about if these men were only into each other. But I hoped I didn't have to take the robe off any time soon.
“So...doesn’t it bother you that Miles has to take wives?” I asked, slightly concerned I might offend him. But surely this was maddening for him? Why would any of the royals take wives if they didn’t want them? Erik didn’t, so why did Miles?
“I can handle it,” Warren muttered. “For the greater benefit.”
“Which is?” My eyes narrowed and my heart thumped frantically.
“It’s not my place to say.” He looked away, ending the conversation.
I sighed, sensing I wasn’t going to get anything more out of him. When the quiet became unbearable, I asked, “Why are we are wearing this underwear?”
“Because we're having a spa day!” Miles reappeared, pulling me along.
“A what?” I asked, my brow wrinkling as I jogged to keep up.
“Pampering,” he explained, but I was still a little confused.
I soon learned the entire building was designed to indulge in various treatments and Miles ensured I had all of them done. When all of my nails were painted red and my face had been scrubbed and moisturised, Miles led me along another corridor. He and Warren looked like plastic dolls since they'd been oiled up during something called a 'massage'.
“What's next?” I asked, unable to stop staring at their shiny bodies.
“Pool time,” Miles announced before leading the way through a set of double doors.
We emerged in a massive glass room with a bright blue pool at the heart of it. A fake arrangement of rocks sat at one end where a waterfall ran into it, causing the surface to bubble and foam.
Miles ran toward the edge of the pool, diving into the water and swimming under it in a graceful arc.
Warren followed, coming up for air beside Miles before they both turned their eyes on me.
My stomach twisted. My throat tightened.
I'd never been near water like this. The pools at the bathhouse had been cold and shallow. This was something else. And I wasn't able to swim. Not only that, but taking my robe off would expose the mark on my forearm.
“Come on, Snow White!” Miles urged. “Jump in.”
I shook my head, backing up from the edge of the pool. “I'll just watch.”
“Don't be ridiculous. Shed that robe and get in here,” Miles demanded.
I shook my head, but he swam forward, clearly intending to come after me. My heart rate spiked and I knew I had no choice but to get in.
Taking off the robe, I dropped it on a reclined plastic chair and moved to the edge of the pool. I clutched my hand over the mark on my arm, gazing down into the water.
“I can't, I...” I bit into my lower lip as the hot water lapped against my feet.
Fear took hold of me. What if I sank to the bottom like a stone?
Miles' playful expression shifted into concern. “Oh...” He swam to the edge, reaching out to me. “Here, I've got you. I won't let you drown. And if you do, Warren will give you mouth to mouth.” He chuckled and Warren rolled his eyes.
I lowered myself to sit on the edge, dunking my legs into the water. Miles took hold of my hands and I had to release my arm. Thankfully, his eyes didn't stray from mine.
“Promise you won't drop me,” I asked and his eyes lit up.
“Promise, Snow.”
I took a breath, steeling myself as I slid over the edge and dropped into the water. The heated pool enveloped me and Miles seized my waist, keeping my head above the water. My legs flailed and my arms thrashed, but he never let go.
“You're alright, just stop jerking like a finless dolphin and let me guide you,” Miles laughed.
I relaxed my limbs and he tugged me to his chest. I curled my legs around him on instinct and he started chuckling. “That’s it, make Warren good and jealous.”
Warren barked a laugh then started swimming on his back, moving his arms over his head as he went, cutting a path through the water.
“Can you teach me?” I asked Miles and he smiled keenly.
“Course. Let's get you to the shallow bit.” He guided me over to the side of the pool where I could put my feet on the ground and I immediately relaxed. With the water up to my shoulders, I could still keep my arm concealed.
Miles demonstrated how to move in the pool, swimming in a style he called breaststroke. Thankfully, it allowed me to keep my arms under the surface. I practised for a while in the shallower depths until I actually started to get the hang of it. The movements grew more fluid as my body adjusted quicker than I'd expected.
“Wow, you're a natural,” Miles commented. “Wanna swim to the waterfall?” He pointed across the pool and I nodded quickly, feeling more confident in my movements.
As we arrived at the falls, Warren appeared from underneath it, the water streaming over his glossy skin. “There's a cave back here.”
“Go on in,” Miles said and Warren gestured for me to follow him.
Holding my breath, I swam under the flow of water, emerging in a plastic cave lit by blue lights.
Warren sat up on a bubbling pool that was cut into the fake rocks. I drifted closer, keeping my arms under the water but a second later he dragged me up to sit beside him.
With a jolt of horror, I tried to cover up the mark but Warren followed my gaze and in an instant, his expression turned to alarm. He snatched my arm, yanking it up to look at the mark and I tried to pull away from his vice-like grip.
He released me, his eyes whipping up to mine. “Holy shit,” he breathed.
My gut spiralled. “Don’t tell Miles,” I gasped just as Miles appeared under the falls.
“Don’t tell me what?” he asked, his eyes flicking between us.
I shook my head at Warren, begging him not to say anything, but he tugged Miles up beside us and lif
ted my arm beneath his nose.
Miles gawped at it for several long seconds and fear thrummed through my bones.
“Please don't hurt me,” I blurted.
Miles looked to Warren then back to me. “You've got five seconds to explain yourself,” he demanded, his light tone thoroughly abandoned.
“I don't know what it is,” I admitted. All I had was the truth and I prayed it would be enough. “It appeared yesterday.”
“Miles,” Warren growled. “We have to inform the others.”
“No, please don't,” I begged, certain that would put me at risk.
“She has slayer blood like all of them do,” Miles replied to Warren, acting like I wasn't there. “Hers must be stronger.”
I chewed on my lower lip, beginning to shake. They knew about this? What did that mean?
“This is not normal, Miles,” Warren pressed. “They are never this strong.”
“Please explain to me what you're talking about,” I pleaded and Miles finally looked at me again, taking in my shivering form.
He sighed, touching my arm. “Don't be afraid.”
“I'm trying,” I whispered.
His expression grew intense as he thought about something, then he turned to Warren again. “What if this is a good thing? If she's a true slayer, she could be the one.”
“Miles...” Warren shook his head. “Don't you dare say what you're thinking.”
Miles' expression grew calculated as he turned to me. “I won't tell anyone, Montana,” he promised. “But you must pick me at the ceremony.”
My heart thumped in my ears. My skin tingled all over with some feeling I couldn't unravel.
“Promise me.” Miles' hand gripped mine, his desperation obvious.
I didn't have a choice. I had to agree or he'd tell the others. And who knew what that would mean? Surely nothing good. A vampire had tried to kill me because she thought I was a slayer, maybe the other royals would do the same.
“Okay,” I breathed at last, knowing it could be the end of me. If I chose Miles, I'd break my promise to Erik. But if I didn't, he'd expose me.
I prayed Dad was already released from the blood bank. But if I chose Miles, would Erik have him imprisoned again?
My options were limited. I had no choice. I had to pick Miles.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 35