“Yes, John,” I said, making sure he heard the annoyance in my voice.
“These are for this morning. I apologize for the intrusion.” He put the flowers down at my fingers and turned to leave the room.
“Next time, please announce yourself before you enter,” I uttered, looking at them and giving him a smirk.
“As you wish.” I didn’t stop him as he left. I knew he wanted me to. He wanted me to throw my hands up and allow him to take me, however he had taken enough from me in another life.
I sat there for another hour, filling in every gap that I could think of, making sure that the journal in no way depicted that I was forming observations for an enemy camp. I had to maintain my composure. I was starting to feel out of sorts with myself in the hours that followed. I was being consumed by the want and need to help these men as opposed to finding a way to kill them. Nobody deserved to die on either side. Every life was fragile and each one had its worth. I was even confused about how I was feeling toward Miranda now. I knew I hated her with all my being, but something in me was fighting it. She truly did not seem as bad as I had envisioned her. Before I even agreed to the mission I imagined this place to be far worse than it was. I had no idea that she would care so deeply for her men. Her heart wasn’t all stone, it was odd to think of her as anything other than a cold-blooded thief. I was beginning to wonder if I could end this war before it even began.
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Needful Things
The bonfire that night was just as magnificent as the night before, even after blessing several barrels of water and several of wine. Everyone was dancing around in celebration of the cure. Those that had been hospitalized for the blood vomit were suddenly better and able to eat again. There was joy and excitement in the air. I was tired and drained, having used the last of my magical energy on the evening’s festivities. I knew I would need to rest soon to recharge.
Wesley was attached to Miranda every time I turned around. I was apprehensive of this, since tonight he would be delivered to me. How was I going to handle having him near me again? What was I going to have to do in order to keep my secret still a secret? I knew he had felt the electricity between us yesterday evening. He had looked at me with recognition.
She had cleaned him up and dressed him well. His hair was combed, his face freshly shaved. I knew we were nearing nineteen but he looked as if he had aged five years. Marshall was dancing in a circle with a young girl, I could only assume that she was his sister.
John appeared beside me and held out his hand. I thought about it for a second and then let him lead me out to the dancers and swing me in circles around the fire to the sounds of the fairy band. We danced for what felt like minutes but turned out to be hours. Out of breath and sweating, I took my seat on the log bench that I had claimed as my own.
“My Priestess,” Wesley said, his voice cracking. He had managed silently to come near me without me knowing. He had always been good at that, completely throwing my spidey senses off.
“Boy,” I said, acknowledging him. His closeness was making my heart pound. I wanted to throw myself into his arms and tell him it was me but I knew I couldn’t.
“Lilly tells me that I am to go with you tonight,” he said with remorse in his voice. It must have bothered him just a little to be handed over like a common concubine.
“Yes,” I said curtly. I stood up and took the boy’s hand in mine as I looked toward Miranda and her goblet of blood. She appeared content and nodded at me.
I led him through the tents to my own and took him inside. We were alone but not alone enough for me to tell him my intentions. I pulled him toward the back of the tent and sat on the bed, crossing my ankles. I had to play my cards right and I knew the only way he would know me was by physical touch.
He looked scared yet determined as he stood in front of me.
“Lilly tells me of your talent.” I smiled at him as coldly as I could muster. The demon blood in my body sang as it recognized the feeling running through my veins.
“I have dreamed of you, Priestess, for months now. My notebook is full of images of your face and things that you are here to do.” He looked at me, his eyes still dull yet oh so blue.
“I heard your calls and I am here now.” I stood up and hesitantly touched his face. His lips quivered as the electricity surged through us. “You tired?”
“I am always tired, Priestess,” he admitted as my hand ran down his throat and then his chest.
“Please lie down as if you are intending to sleep.” I stepped away so he had room to disrobe as most do before sleeping. I grabbed the folded nightgown from the top of the dresser and took to changing. I could feel his eyes on me as the shirt dropped to the ground, my lacey bra following suit. I put on the nightgown and it hugged every curve, the plunging neckline revealing the curves of my breasts.
I crawled beneath the covers and waited for him to join me. “I won’t bite … hard,” I said as my thoughts kept jumping to images of our past. The nights we spent in each other’s arms. Then the last evening in which he told me to run. Yet, the way I was acting confused me.
“I can’t do this,” he said, his voice shaking.
“Do what?” I asked, placing my hands on the smooth sheets.
“My Priestess I do apologize, I just cannot do this,” he said, his jaw clenched.
“And I shall ask you again. Do what?” I pushed my lips together in a narrow line.
“I would much rather die than be used as a common whore anymore,” he bit at me.
“So you wish to remain faithful to your mistress?” I asked. My heart was aching, I thought he knew it was me. All that electricity.
“I didn’t say that.” He shook his head, looking down at me from where he stood.
“So what are you saying, boy?” I asked, leaning back on the feather pillows. I just needed him in close proximity. He was fighting it.
“I’m saying that if I am to perform as a gesture of goodwill toward Miranda then I would much rather you rip my heart out.” He sighed and sat down on the side of the bed. “Excuse my muttering, Priestess. I just do not feel that I am the proper gift for someone of your stature. I would prefer to remain true to myself.”
“I can respect that,” I said, sitting up and crossing my legs.
“You can?” He looked at me, shocked.
“I’m not as heartless as everyone wants you to believe,” I said, laughing and touching his arm. The electric current surged through us and he took a shallow breath.
“I do not believe you to be heartless at all,” he said, looking into my eyes, searching.
“Please. I came here with one plan only to do another.” I shook my head and glanced toward the tent opening.
“I cannot hurt her anymore,” he said quietly. I turned back toward him as his eyes began to glisten. Were these tears?
“Hurt who?” I felt a sputter in my heart. I found myself praying it was me.
“I don’t even know if she loves me anymore.” He put his head in his hands.
“Who?” I asked curiously.
“The girl I hurt.” He shook his head from side to side.
“You know, if you just come out and say it I will know what you are talking about,” I suggested.
“I left her behind. Just walked away from her.” His voice shook.
I sat up and put my hands on his back. He tensed at my touch. I ignored the electricity surging through me and wrapped my arms around the boy’s shoulders. It took him a moment but he placed his hands on mine and squeezed them.
“Why do you comfort me?” he asked, keeping his face turned away from me.
“I was in love once,” I started. “I thought he was going to give me the world.”
“What happened?” he asked, sniffing.
“He thought he was saving me from a fate like no other. He didn’t realize that I was able to take care of the situation on my own. He traded his own life for mine,” I said softly
.
“Da …” His head shot around and looked at me. The word didn’t make it out of his mouth.
“Shhh.” I put my finger up to his lips and pointed to the outside of the tent. I knew something was there. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end.
“Darling Priestess. How are you able to make me feel so much better?” He tried to make it sound better and I smiled.
“Lay down, boy,” I said, softly pulling him onto the mattress with me. I listened to the sound of the beings outside my tent move away from the entrance.
“How is it possible that you came here?” he asked me. It was going to be difficult to keep my wits on this one as the conversation had to be held in code.
“I received a calling of sorts. A pull to find a way to get here. Mona sent a vision to the Queen and her daughter in hopes that they would accept me and my powers. I had no idea what I was going to be stepping into.” He touched my hand and I felt comfort.
“Can I ask you another question?” He leaned on his side and looked down at me. Every memory of him lying next to me flooded my vision.
“Of course, boy,” I laughed softly
“This man who sacrificed himself for you. Do you still love him?” His eyes were wild and my heart raced.
“I would be lying if I said that I haven’t felt for others in the time we have been apart. I have lost one to darkness and changed the memories of another. Everything that I have done since he left has been to make sure that I keep everyone else safe. That is why I am here. To keep these people safe.” I yawned. As much as I wanted to have a conversation with him at this time I felt it best if we were silent.
“So you do still love him?” He smiled.
“I will always love him.” I frowned and looked at my ringed fingers.
I felt his lips brush mine and I gasped. It felt as if it had been the longest time since I had felt his kiss. The kiss was sweet and long as I twined my hands into his hair and pulled him closer to me.
Kissing Wesley was nothing like kissing Adam. With Wesley it was a dark need, a deep pull. Animalistic if you want to call it that. I had to fight a need to possess him. With Adam it was emotion. I could feel the beach on my feet. Smell the country air. Everything felt as if it was going to turn into rainbows if I touched it. Two different boys, two different feelings. I fell asleep at some point with him watching over me. Come morning I would have to find other ways to gain Miranda’s trust in hopes of getting Wesley out of there.
Then I had to figure out how to get the others out as well.
***
It was Marshall’s voice that woke me the next morning. “Miss Prudence?” He touched my shoulder lightly and my eyes shot open. He jumped back and looked at me with wide eyes.
“What is it, Marshall?” I asked, sitting up. Wesley was still sleeping beside me, his breathing shallow. I had a feeling this was the most sleep the boy had received in a long time.
“Ms. Lilly is requesting your presence in her tent,” he said, his voice stressed.
“Is everything OK?” I asked as I pushed the comforter to the side and grabbed my robe.
“I think so. She wasn’t mad or anything. Said she needed to speak with you.” He fidgeted nervously.
“OK. I will go now.” I put on my slippers and walked out of the sheer sleeping room. “Marshall?”
“Yes ma’am,” he said.
“Keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn’t leave.” I pointed at the sleeping boy.
“Yes ma’am,” he replied as I left.
The sun was up and the wind smelled of smoke and ash. I walked across the campsite with my slippered feet until I came upon Miranda’s tent. Stepping inside I was stunned to see her sitting on her couch with a smile on her face.
“Marshall said you needed to see me. I thought it was important so I came straight over.” I wrapped my arms around my shoulders.
“That silly boy. You had more than enough time to get dressed,” she said, laughing. “I wanted to talk to you about something that has come up.”
“OK,” I said slowly, sitting down on the couch near her and wrapping the robe tighter around me.
“My mother has requested I come and see her this evening.” She rolled her eyes.
“That’s good, isn’t it?” I tried to smile but the look on her face told me it wasn’t a smart move.
“When my mother calls me to see her it usually means she is upset about something. Do I not provide her with enough prisoners? Are my men not trained enough?” She put her hands to her head.
“Maybe it isn’t something bad.” I have no idea why I decided to console her.
“The thing is this. I have to go. I usually leave John in charge when I’m out but I have to take him with me.” She groaned. “I need someone I trust to watch things while I’m gone.”
“Who do you have in mind?” I asked.
“For a telepath, I figured you would know this by now,” she said, laughing.
“I try not to meddle in people’s heads for too long. If I push it too far I wind up feeling things that I don’t want to feel,” I said as a cold chill ran up my back.
“I’ve heard that before. It has potential of weakening your skills. How horrible that must be.” She shook her head back and forth, her red ponytail bobbing.
“Quite.” I looked at my nails and then back at her.
“Well I was wondering if you would be so kind as to watch over the camp while I’m gone. You know—make sure that the guys don’t get into anything they shouldn’t.” She smiled.
“You trust me enough to allow me to be in charge?” I asked, putting my hand over my chest.
“Yes. You seem shocked,” she said, laughing.
“Well I must admit, on some levels, yes I am. I have been on my own so long that I wonder if I can handle taking care of others,” I stated, a rush of excitement running through me.
“It’s not like you have to feed and change them. They know how to take care of themselves. I just need a set of eyes to watch out for other things.” She motioned in the air.
“Other things?” I asked.
“There are reports that a band of about one hundred pure-blooded creatures are heading this way. If they were to stumble upon the camp I would need someone to assist in making them disappear.” She cracked an odd smile. Her statement was followed by several seconds of awkward silence. “I am famished. What about you?”
“Yeah, I could eat.” I looked at her while the thoughts were running through my head. Who were these purebloods of whom she spoke? Mona never said anything about there being a group of anything heading this way. The only idea that came to mind was that the plan had changed. They must have had Shawn homing in on all my thoughts and actions without as much as a word.
“I almost forgot Wesley is in your tent. I suppose I will have to get things myself this time.” She winked at me.
“He was quite tired.” I stood to assist her.
“Marshall told me you two were up pretty late,” she said, grinning.
“Oh my, I hope we didn’t keep the boy up.” I placed my hand over my mouth in mock horror.
“He said he fell asleep around 2 a.m. to the sound of your squeaking mattress,” she said, laughing. “I told you he was talented.”
I blushed instantly at the thought that anyone had heard anything.
Wait a minute. There was no squeaking mattress.
Marshall had lied to Miranda. But why?
“So will you do it?” she asked, pouring some of the leftover blood water into a glass.
“Of course,” I said as she offered it to me. I looked at it and realized I had no choice. “Do you mind terribly if I run into town for a few hours this afternoon before you leave? I don’t mind the wilderness and all but I’m a city girl and I so desperately miss my heels.”
She looked at my feet and laughed.
“My mother said you were going to be an odd one. I will have Marshall escor
t you to your car. Same precautions as before, he will drive you into town.” She put her glass up in front of her. “Here’s to us.”
“Here’s to us,” I repeated. This was turning out to be far easier than I had anticipated.
***
“Hurry up, Miss Prudence,” Marshall said as he helped me over a large stump.
“I would love to hurry, Marshall, I just wish that I knew where I was going.” I laughed as I felt his arms tight around my waist.
“You are in good hands. I promise not to drop you.” He led me another few feet and I felt the smooth body of my Bentley. I ran my hands up the sides of the car. I could feel dirt on my fingers.
“Remind me to stop at a car wash once we head back,” I stated, rubbing the dirt off on my jeans.
I heard the passenger door open and Marshall helped me inside. He walked around and got in on the driver’s side of the car and turned on the ignition.
“I don’t get to do this often,” he said, laughing as he pulled out of the awkward parking spot.
“What do you mean?” I asked, wishing I could pull the blindfold off my face.
“I have not left the camp since I got here. To get to leave twice in one week, this is wonderful,” he said joyfully.
“Can I take this off yet?” I asked, reaching for the black cloth covering my eyes.
“Yeah, of course.” He put his foot on the gas and we took off.
“Thank you,” I replied, blinking at the brightness of the sun.
“Miss Prudence, can I ask you something?” he asked as the road began to curve.
“Of course, Marshall, anything.” I closed my eyes. This boy’s driving was going to scare the piss out of me.
“When will they get here?” he asked me and I was taken by surprise.
“Who?” I looked over at him.
“The group of purebloods.” He smiled at me.
“How did you know about that?” I asked him, raising my eyebrows.
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