by Paige, Bea
“If you want my honest opinion, I think you already know what it is you feel but you are afraid. Fear has its place, Accacia, of course it does. I would expect no less, given what you have come to understand, what you have been through. Ultimately you must do what you feel is right.”
“And what of them? I don’t like to feel as though any of this has been thrust upon them. Ezra and his wife, the love he had for her… Devin, Rhain. Love has to be reciprocated, at least where I grew up, that’s the way it is. That’s the way I need it to be.”
“Do they love you?” Nostra leans across the table and holds my hand. “I’ve known these men for a very long time, Accacia. They have been through a great deal of turmoil. They have lived under the rule of my sister who will do anything to extinguish such strong feelings of love whenever she is able to. I have seen her do it time and again. But love is stronger than her hate. To me it is obvious how they feel. Don’t give up on them yet.”
“I need time. Do I have that?”
Nostra pours me a glass of wine, sensing I need something to calm my frayed nerves. “The prophecy revealed itself some years ago. You have time,” he says.
“Then that’s what I wish for.” I take a sip of the wine. It is delicious.
“We can all work with that,” Nostra says, laying a key on the table. “I took it upon myself to build you a home whilst you were all in the Forbidden forest.”
“You built me a home in a couple of days?” I pick up the key, looking from it to Nostra.
“Well, when I say build, I mean…” Nostra flicks his wrist again as a tiny version of his house appears on the table in front of us. Except this one has a red door, with a rose engraved upon it. “Magic, of course. This is your home. Well, not literally. Yours is much larger than this and is located at the other side of the hamlet.”
I laugh. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“We haven’t scared you off then?” Nostra asks.
“You’ve scared me, sure. I’m terrified for different reasons, but I will not run. I want this curse lifted as much as anyone. I will stay,” I say.
Chapter Twenty
“Well, here we are,” Nostra says as we approach the real-life version of my new home. Just like the miniature version he showed me, my cottage does indeed have a bright red door with a rose engraved upon it. Either side of the door are two, small square windows. Through one window I can see a vase of wildflowers sitting on the sill. It is single story, built with grey stone. It has a red brick roof and there is strange purple smoke pouring out of the chimney. It’s like something out of a fairy tale.
“Is someone inside?” I ask, pointing to the smoke dispersing above us.
“No, that would be my magic. I have spelled a fire to warm the hearth. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Why would I mind?”
“Well, unless it’s for protection, the brothers don’t like my magic in their home. I can understand their wariness, given my sister used magic to curse them all.”
“Should I be worried. I mean, is there anything I need to do, or not do? I don’t want to set off some kind of magical alarm or anything.”
Nostra chuckles. “My magic is very… accommodating, shall we say. Come inside, let me show you around.”
I follow Nostra into the cottage. Inside it is not dissimilar to his own home. There’s an open plan kitchen with table and seating area, a double bedroom and bathroom to the back. I have running water but no mod-cons, which is understandable considering what I’ve seen of Ever Vale so far. Technology is most definitely not a concept here. Everything inside the cottage is run on Nostra’s magic, or so it would appear. It’s incredible, and completely baffling all at the same time.
“Do you like it?” Nostra asks.
“It’s lovely. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You just did,” Nostra winks.
“What do I do now?” I falter. “I mean, I don’t know any of the customs here. People will wonder who I am. I might do something wrong.”
“You needn’t worry about any of that. I will deal with any gossip. As far as the people are concerned, you are a member of Clan Lux who has escaped the Queen’s castle and has sought refuge here. It is, in part, the truth. They need know nothing more. At least, not yet anyway.”
“So they think I am a vampire?”
“Yes, it is better that way.”
“But I don’t drink blood. Won’t they wonder about that?”
“Drinking blood is a private business, it is not talked about amongst our people. They will just assume you are feeding like all the other vampires. Do not worry, Accacia, all will be well.”
“What are those?” I ask, pointing to several dresses hanging from a rail in the corner of the room. “I mean, I know what they are…”
“The women of Ever Vale do not wear clothes like yours,” Nostra says, pointing to my jeans and jacket. “I thought it better you had some dresses to wear. It will help you fit in.”
“Dresses?” I blow out a breath. “I don’t really wear dresses.”
“I’m afraid if you wish to remain as anonymous as possible, the dresses are a must. Women folk do not wear trousers such as those.”
I remember the dresses Ilana and the other women were wearing the first night I arrived in the hamlet. “Okay, I’ll take a look through them later,” I say, noticing that most seemed to be far too fancy for my simple tastes.
“What do I do about food? I mean, if they all think I feed on blood I can’t exactly go to the market and buy the things I need. Not to mention I don’t have any money.” I start to feel a little panicky about the practicalities of living in Ever Vale. Perhaps this is going to be harder than I first thought.
“We do not use money here. We work on the basis that if you want something you swap it with something else of use. Besides, I have thought about that.” Nostra twirls his hand in the air, and on the table more food appears. There are apples, berries, bread, cheese, milk and some other items I don’t recognise but look edible nonetheless.
“This is lovely, but I can’t keep expecting you to turn up every time I am hungry or in need of something.”
“I won’t need to. My magic will sense when you need sustenance, and will supply food to you when you require it,” Nostra says with a shrug, as though it’s nothing out of the ordinary.
“I see.” I drop onto a chair, feeling overwhelmed again.
Nostra sits down next to me. “It will take some getting used to, but you will be okay. Rhain, Ezra, Devin, they will look after you. You need only ask, and they will be here in an instant.”
“It will take a lot of getting used to. I know I will never be able to return home…” I am interrupted by a scratching at the front door and a muffled meow.
“Looks like you have a visitor,” Nostra says, getting back up. He strides over to the door, pulling it open. Mr Tickle strolls in.
“It looks like Mr Tickle has no problem with his new environment,” I say with a laugh as he saunters in and plonks himself by the fire.
“No, indeed he does not.” Nostra hovers by the door, and I get the distinct impression he needs to be elsewhere. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“I don’t think so. Thank you, Nostra.”
He dips his head. “Remember, if you need any of us, you know where we are.”
“Thanks,” I repeat, as he closes the door behind him.
* * *
After spending the day settling in to my new home and sleeping a little, I decide to head out into the hamlet once darkness has fallen to take a look around. This time I am wearing one of the dresses Nostra left me. The one I have on is the least fussy of the lot. It is a light grey colour with a sweetheart neckline, long sleeves and skirt, and a fitted bodice. I feel completely overdressed.
My cottage is on the edge of the hamlet, still within the walls of Nostra’s magic but far enough away from the centre to feel private, so it takes me a few minutes to get to the hubbub tha
t is the central marketplace. Immediately, I am accosted with the smell of the goods available to swap. There are leather skins on one stall, fruit and vegetables on another, items of clothing, freshly baked bread and all manner of tools available. I get the occasional questioning look, but mostly I am treated no differently to everyone else. Stopping at one stall, I pick up a hand-woven basket. The woman behind it gives me a friendly smile.
“You are Accacia, are you not?”
“Yes,” I respond, taken aback that she knows my name.
“This is a small hamlet. We all know each other here. I am Florence, it is good to meet you.”
“And you.” I smile, not sure what else to say.
“I hear you left the castle.”
“That’s right. I couldn’t take living there anymore…” I stutter.
“You are one of Clan Lux born of the curse? Who are your parents? I might know of them,” Florence asks. She seems friendly enough, but there is a hint of steel behind her eyes that warns me to be careful.
“I am,” I say. It is not a lie, just not quite the truth as she perceives it. “My parents are dead. I doubt you know them.”
“I’m sorry,” she says, and this time her eyes soften a little. “Why don’t you take that basket? My gift to you.”
“I couldn’t possibly,” I say immediately, placing the basket back down on the table.
“You should take it as offered, Cia.”
Florence’s eyes widen, before she bows her head slightly. I look over my shoulder. Behind me is Rhain.
“If Florence wishes to gift you a basket, you should take it as is the custom of our community,” he says, picking it up and handing it to me. I take it from his hands.
“Yes, you must. Please, take it,” Florence insists. She is looking at Rhain warily. He nods in her direction, places his hand on the small of my back and guides me away from the stall. I glance back at Florence, who is watching us both with interest. Once we are out of earshot and in a quieter section of the hamlet, Rhain pulls me over to a bench where we take a seat.
“If you wanted to take a look around the hamlet, I would have gladly escorted you,” he says.
“I didn’t need an escort…” My voice trails off as I fiddle with the fabric of my skirt.
“I meant what I said before,” Rhain starts. “I cannot deny I am already finding it difficult to be apart from you, but I will stay away if that is what you wish.”
I glance at Rhain, at the frown that creases his forehead, and at the tension in his jaw. “I just need time. A little space.”
“I understand. Then I shall leave you in peace,” he says. I grab his hand before he is able to walk away.
“This is no reflection on you, or Ezra and Devin. All of this is hard to deal with, not just you three vampires,” I say with a small smile so he knows I mean no disrespect.
“I have waited a thousand years, I can wait a few more weeks, I suppose,” Rhain says, returning my smile. He places a soft kiss against my lips, then stands.
“Goodnight to you, Cia.”
“Goodnight, Rhain,” I whisper back.
As I watch him walk away, I feel the importance of my situation keenly. This isn’t just about me anymore, this is as much about the people of Clan Lux, of Ever Vale. The weight of that responsibility sits heavy on my shoulders.
Chapter Twenty-One
For two weeks the brothers have kept their word and left me to settle into my new home. Giving me the time to acclimatise, allowing me the space to breathe, to think, to consider what I truly want. Time has told me one thing that is abundantly clear, I miss all of them.
This evening, I hear a light knock at the door. It is Devin. I know this already, because we are still connected through the Binding. For some reason, this time the Binding has lasted far longer than either of us expected. It doesn’t worry me, I like Devin being there, hovering inside my head. Although over the last few days I haven’t felt him as often as I’d have liked.
“Come in,” I say, feeling nervous. He’d reached out to me earlier in the day, explaining that the three of them wanted to see me, that there were things they needed to say. For better or worse, I decided it was time I heard them.
“Hello, Red,” Devin says, smiling that easy smile of his. “Ezra is waiting with Rhain at the Light Fields. Are you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” I say, gathering my leather coat and pulling it over my long dress.
Devin looks me over, a sparkle in his dark eyes. Nice outfit, Red. You certainly have a unique style.
I roll my eyes. “Dresses aren’t really my thing, but I get that I need to blend in a bit better.”
“And you think that jacket worn with that dress will help you blend in?”
“Perhaps not,” I grin, “but it’s the best I can do.”
“I warn you now though, I’m not sure how Rhain and Ezra will react when they see you looking so beautiful,” Devin says, taking my hand and pressing a gentle kiss against my knuckles.
“I’m sure they’ll cope,” I say, flustered. Compliments make me uncomfortable, to say the least.
Devin laughs. “It’s been two weeks. I think Rhain is about to combust and you look good enough to eat.” Devin steps forward, his eyes suddenly darkening. The expression on his face changes from friendly to… dangerous.
“Devin?” I say, frowning. “Devin, are you okay?” He doesn’t answer, but continues to move towards me. His teeth drop from his mouth, and this time the sight of them scares me.
“Devin, why are you looking at me like that?” Devin! I shout through our connection.
He blinks, shaking his head. His teeth pull back up into his gums. “Apologies, Red, I don’t know what came over me.”
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, of course. I am sorry.” He breathes out slowly. “How Rhain managed to control himself, I’ll never know. You look so damn beautiful.”
“Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
“Shall we?” Devin asks. He holds his hand out and I take it, shaking the feeling of disquiet free.
We leave my cottage. Outside, Phantom is waiting patiently. Devin climbs up onto the horse’s back, pulling me up behind him. I settle behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist as Phantom starts to trot through the hamlet. For obvious reasons, night-time is the busiest period. Over the past few days I have got to know some of the members of Clan Lux who live here. When Queen Adrielle cast the spell, some members of Clan Lux were caught outside. Fortunately for them, Nostra was around to assist. He protected them with his magic and they have lived in the hamlet ever since that day. Queen Adrielle had given them up as casualties of the curse the day it was cast. Most have accepted that I am a member of Clan Lux who has escaped from Queen Adrielle’s castle and left it at that. Nostra holds much sway in the hamlet, given he has protected all the occupants for a thousand years, so when a few started asking questions he was able to squash them before any rumours began.
We pass by Ilana, the same woman who offered Rhain her services the first time I entered the hamlet. According to Nostra, she comes from a long line of one of a handful of trusted families that reside in the village alongside Clan Lux. They feed the vampires their blood willingly, and in return get protection from the rest of Clan Lux who reside at the castle and are, perhaps, not so civilised. Not to mention protection from the queen.
She looks up at me and Devin. “My lord, my lady,” she says, curtseying. It feels strange to be treated like I’m some kind of royalty, but it is the same for all the vampires who live here. Devin pulls on the reins so Phantom stops walking.
“Ilana, good evening to you,” he says politely.
“Shall I call upon you later so you can receive your blood?”
What? You take blood from Ilana too? Do you all share food? I can’t help the note of sarcasm in my voice. Ilana is attractive and I’m pretty certain that she enjoys being bitten by the vampires, given the way she is looking at Devin. A streak of j
ealousy carves through me. Devin’s chuckle reaches me through our connection, although he is perfectly straight-faced on the outside.
“Not this night.”
“I see, my lord.” Her cheeks are flushing. She narrows her eyes at me, anger lighting behind her eyes before she quickly covers it with a polite smile. “As you wish.”
“Good night to you,” Devin says, gently pressing his feet into Phantom’s flank. I look over my shoulder at Ilana and the anger is back this time. There is no mistaking it. I frown, turning around.
“You’re not taking blood from Ilana?” I ask, once we are out of earshot.
“No. I haven’t since our return from the Forbidden forest.”
“But you must take blood. Won’t you get sick if you don’t?” I am equally happy at his response and worried. I know to survive they must feed regularly.
“I am feeding. Just not directly from anyone. Ilana brings me blood in a bottle,” Devin says.
“I think she’d rather give you blood from her vein, though.”
“I have no desire to take blood from her. I haven’t for some time now.”
My heart lifts a little at that. I know the members of Clan Lux have to feed, that it is a necessity. I also know that none of the vampires within the hamlet will ever take blood without consent from the person they feed from. I suspect that many of the common folk get a thrill out of it. I certainly remember how it felt when Ezra had taken mine. The thought makes me tremble. Devin places a hand over mine.
“The feeling people get when we feed off them is simply a side-effect of the bloodletting. A fortunate one, if you ask me. It would be much harder for our people to feed if it hurt the common folk we fed from.”
“I suppose.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore. I do not wish to feed from anyone that way ever again. Rhain and Ezra have decided the same.”
“They have?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” I ask.
“Because we know how much it troubles you. The only blood that passes our lips comes from a bottle and not directly from a vein.”