by Rachel Jonas
“I’ll stand right outside the door,” she asserted. “That’s the best I can do.”
I knew that was about as far as I’d be able to break her down. “Fair enough.”
We continued down the corridor, toward the parlor where I’d seen Silas head in to brief the other princes upon our return this evening. While I was certain he’d fill them in on whatever progress he and Felix had made tonight, they had no idea what side of things I’d seen. There were other important updates to be given, and that responsibility fell on me.
Three sets of eyes darted in my direction when I entered the room, and as I turned to close the door behind me, I didn’t miss Paige’s concerned expression. I tried to convey with a look that I’d be fine, but she didn’t seem to catch the hint.
Sealing the only exit from the room, I faced the princes again.
“Good evening, gentlemen,” I greeted them, hoping they sensed that I came in peace.
“Is something wrong?” It was Silas who asked, the only one of the trio who no longer seemed completely convinced I was the enemy. Perhaps that was because of his intuitive abilities, or maybe the answer was simpler than that. He’d seen the natural interaction between Corina and I tonight, felt the genuineness of it, and just … knew.
“No,” I rushed to say, but quickly amended. “Well, nothing is immediately wrong.”
“Meaning?” Julian grumbled.
“It’s Corina,” I revealed. “There was an incident while we were out this evening.”
I paused and drew in a deep breath, accepting that what I was about to say might be breaking her confidence, but it needed to be said.
“I believe she’ll be transitioning a bit sooner than everyone has anticipated.”
The statement earned me a curious glare from Silas. “What incident?”
“Things had settled down by the time you and Felix returned from the lab, but it got tense for a bit,” I continued after releasing a deep breath. “Liv managed to cut herself with a knife, and at the first hint of blood, Corina experienced a bit of a meltdown. I’ve seen several transitions in my lifetime, and such a powerful sensitivity to blood doesn’t usually come into play until the end of the phase.”
“She’s transitioning in a little over a week. So, that makes sense,” Levi cut in with a sharp edge to his tone.
Clearly, he still wasn’t too keen on the idea of me. And for good reason, I admit.
“I understand, but you’re missing my point,” I replied. “When I say it’s an ‘end phase’, I mean like a day or two out from the final transition.”
“But that doesn’t make sense,” Silas chimed in. “She should have six weeks from the first bite.”
“It’s not an exact science. That timeline depends on several factors from what I’ve seen,” I explained.
Julian—who’d been propped against the mantle when I entered the parlor—took a seat on the sofa.
“She’s not ready yet,” he said mostly to himself as he thought.
“I can agree with that. I saw how tonight’s incident affected her,” I shared.
Silas inched toward the edge of his seat. “Then what do you suggest?”
“She’s strong, reasonable,” I remarked. “We need to be honest with her and let her be a part of whatever plans we make. She deserves that.”
No one disagreed.
“Then we’ll have a talk with her tomorrow evening,” Julian concluded. “She has a meeting with Mother and the members of the Black Key Society in the morning. We’ll let her get that out of the way, and then break the news to her over dinner.”
I nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
And so, it was settled.
Paige would be pleased to hear that the three had been civil. Actually, I imagined they always were when it came to Corina’s wellbeing. It was my hope that, soon, they’d realize our interests were aligned and the tension between us would eventually fade.
I’d been devoted to Blackbird for many years. Long before there was a face to put with the name. Long before the blood bond made that devotion unfathomably deeper. This head-start where loyalty to Corina was concerned meant that, like the princes, I had no interest in separating myself from her. Therefore, the only option for me and the others was to learn how to get along.
After all, we were bound to her for life. So, in turn, we were bound to one another, slaves to the same unshakeable link that would forever seal our connection to one woman.
The same woman.
Corina.
Chapter Twenty
Corina
“Red will make a statement.”
Every perfectly styled head in the room bobbed, agreeing with Empress Westower’s suggestion. However, she passed a look toward me, as if awaiting my seal of approval as well.
“Corina?” she said expectantly.
Caught off guard, I hesitated a moment before nodding. “Uh … sure. Sounds good to me.”
She offered a faint smile before speaking. “Well, the lady of the hour has given her blessing, so red it is.”
A round of applause filled the room, accompanied by chipper laughter. This was the first time I’d been invited to join a meeting of the Black Key Society, conducted by Empress Westower herself, no less. There was a small part of me that craved her approval and it had nothing to do with her title within this group, nor the one she bore within the Dynasty.
Instead, the need to be liked by this woman—one with whom I had a tumultuous first meeting—was based solely on her son. Being fond of Julian made me want to be in his mother’s good graces.
Stupid, right?
Yet, here I was, pretending to care about the fine details of a gala that was little more than a farce. I awoke feeling a bit ill but pushed myself to attend anyway. It helped that we were gathering in the parlor, so I only needed to be decently dressed before walking down to the first floor. I was promised it wouldn’t last more than an hour and I’d been eyeing the clock, counting down the minutes until I could return to my bed and rest.
This was important, though. Empress Westower’s opening speech helped me realize that. Those ‘fine details’ I mentioned were the key to pulling this off. The key to convincing the world that this Coming Out event would be an authentic Ianite gathering. So, in true Ianite-fashion, it needed to be grand.
Empress Westower had called in a favor from one of her most beloved orchestras from the West Quadrant. Then, she booked the catering crew that served at Lord Marshall’s wedding last spring. The invitation samples spread out on the table before me were elegant, adorned with real crystals and embossed with gold.
No expense would be spared.
My head swam and I placed a hand there, briefly questioning whether I was warmer than usual. It was hard to tell with how clammy my palms were, too.
“Feeling all right, dear?”
I turned to face the Black Key Doll who asked in a whisper, and then I forced a smile to pretend all was well.
“I’m fine,” I lied.
Her face brightened with a grin, and then she turned to face Empress Westower once again.
“Next on the agenda is to choose suitable dresses for you lovely ladies,” the Empress continued. “We want them to be exquisite, but not so exquisite that you outshine Mistress Corina, of course.”
Empress Westower smiled my way again, which meant I had to force another one of my own in response. However, my stomach turned with the gesture, as a sharp headache came over me.
This’ll be over soon. And when it is, you can go back to Aaric’s room and sleep it off.
I hoped the pep talk I’d given myself would help, but it was becoming harder and harder to pretend sitting there wasn’t excruciating.
“I’ve chosen these two options,” a Doll announced, opening a folder she’d been clutching in her lap since the meeting first began. Empress Westower scanned the photos it contained slowly, taking in the details.
“This one should do,” she agreed. “But we’ll put it to a vote.”
Holding both images, she raised them high. “Ladies, all in favor of this gown, raise your hands.”
She paused to take count, but even without doing so, it was clearly just shy of being unanimous.
“Well, that was simple,” she chuckled, placing the dress image into her binder. “Since you’ve all provided me with your measurements ahead of time, I’ll get my team of seamstresses on this right away.”
“It’s so kind of you to cover this expense for us,” a Doll spoke up. “You really didn’t have to. We’re given clothing allowances by our Masters.”
“Yes,” the Empress cut in, “But we’re making a statement. Your … ‘Masters’ will soon learn you all are no one’s property. Their filthy money will be no good at this event.”
There was a prideful look on her face that warmed my heart. She had every reason to oppose the revolution, but she was as deeply invested in this cause as everyone else. Possibly more.
Another sharp jolt in the front of my skull forced my eyes closed and, this time, I was unable to hide it.
“Do you need to lie down?”
I hadn’t even been able to make out who asked, because another pain followed closely behind the first.
It felt as though the room tipped sideways, but when my eyes fluttered open, I realized it was me who’d been unsteady. I’d fallen to the floor without even realizing, and a huddle of Dolls surrounded me, with the Empress hovering above them all. Her expression showed her concern.
“Move away,” she urged the others. “I believe she’s begun her transition. It isn’t safe for you to be so close.”
Her warning seemed to fall on deaf ears amidst the panic, and a flurry of cool hands pressed to my forehead, neck, and face. Their concern for me was apparent, but that didn’t quite register inside my thoughts. Instead, a storm of frustration brewed within me, increasing as the anxious squeals of the Dolls accompanied being made a fuss over.
“Stop.” My voice was barely a whisper, but I needed them to hear me, needed them to back away, like the Empress had warned.
More hands on me, trying to lift my head.
“Stop,” I said with a bit more strength this time. Still, no one listened.
“We need to get her back on the couch,” one suggested, which only annoyed me further when my own request had gone ignored.
“I’ll help,” another offered, and at the feel of her hands slipping beneath my arms, my heart spiked with rage.
“Please, stop!”
The voice that left my mouth was mine, but I’d never heard such strength in it.
The room went completely silent and, one by one, those who’d gathered around backed away, giving me the space I’d been begging for. They stared as I turned onto my side and managed to rest on all fours. When I stood with a grunt, there were no other signs of life in the room as all waited in silence. Glancing around the parlor, I took in the sight of several frightened faces as the edges of my vision tinted with a pulsating red glow.
“I need to rest,” I panted.
“Elizabeth, fetch Julian to help Mistress Corina up to bed.” Empress Westower’s command startled the Doll she addressed into action.
“Right away, Ma’am.”
Holding the skirt of her expensive gown in both hands, Elizabeth scampered off in search of Julian.
I stood by my own strength, but barely. It felt like I’d fall to the rug again any second, which was why I breathed a sigh of relief when a tall frame darkened the doorway a moment later.
Julian’s silver gaze was filled with worry, but he didn’t bother with questions. Instead, he just sprang into action, rushing to my side to toss my arm around his shoulder before sweeping my feet from the floor.
“I’ve got you,” he said quietly, as my head fell against his chest. “We’ve all got you.”
***
Julian
“How is she?” It wasn’t often that Mother worried, but there was no mistaking the traces of it present in her expression then, while awaiting my answer.
“Fine,” I replied. “She’s been in and out of consciousness the last few hours. Aaric seems to think it won’t be much longer now.”
Mother breathed a sigh of relief as her gaze slipped to the floor. “Has he mentioned whether this is the normal course of a transition? I’ve never witnessed one myself.” Her voice trailed off with the statement.
I could only shrug. “He hasn’t said, nor have I asked. However, even if I had, Corina was turned under very different circumstances,” I pointed out. “Circumstances no other human before her has experienced. So, we’re playing a waiting game.”
A waiting game that was killing me with worry on the inside, but I kept that part to myself. The fact of the matter was anything could happen.
Mother wrung her hands together. “We need her, Julian. And not just to pull off this farce of a gala. She’s important for far greater reasons than that. People look to her for hope, inspiration,” Mother admitted. “I fear what would become of the resistance should she not pull through this.”
I winced at those words, unable to even imagine it.
“She’s fine for now.” I felt the heaviness in my heart when I couldn’t give a firmer answer than that. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back in there. I’ll update you again when there’s more to share.”
Mother sighed, still sounding anxious. “I’ll put in a call to her team. They’ve been worried as well.”
I nodded as she turned to leave, and my hand was on the knob to the bedroom the next moment. I stepped in and immediately laid eyes on Corina. Lying there, helpless in bed, she wheezed. A sheen of sweat coated her skin, glistening beneath the sunlight that filtered through the sheer curtains. Surrounding her were my brothers, Elle and of course, Aaric.
At this point, it didn’t surprise me that his concern for her seemed just as deeply rooted and genuine as the rest of us. He’d succumbed to the effects of the bond, yes, but his devotion to her came across more organic than that at times. Like, when he entered the parlor to address me and the other princes the night before. There was no mistaking that he cared for her, even if that hadn’t been so easy a concept for me to grasp at the start.
The picture that had been painted of him was sinister—a monster who’d forced my mate into a bond after holding her and Levi against their will. Now, here he knelt by her bedside, staring at her with the same agony paining his expression that I held in mine.
“No change?” I asked, despite only having stepped out for the brief moment it took to update Mother.
Silas shook his head, removing the two fingers he held pressed to Corina’s wrist. “No. Just an uptick in her heartrate. That’s pretty standard based on what little information I’ve been able to find concerning this matter.”
A sharp breath passed between my lips. Waiting was torture. Being helpless was torture. Instead of sitting, I paced back and forth near the window. Corina continued to struggle for breath and as badly as I wanted to leave the room, as badly as I wanted to shield myself from her suffering, I wouldn’t dare.
I’d done this to her. Yes, turning her had been a knee-jerk reaction to seeing her near death after seizing, but … this was on me.
My gaze shifted her way, noting how pale she’d become. It wouldn’t be much longer. Soon, her heart would cease to beat inside her chest, and she’d awaken as a new creature.
She’d awaken as one of us.
Levi hadn’t taken his eyes off her since first entering this room three long hours ago. He clung to her hand as it burned in his. Her last temperature reading came in at one-hundred-five degrees, and I imagined he felt every single change as it soared.
“Should we have called someone?” he asked, still not tearing his eyes from her face.
“I wondered the same thing,” Elle agreed, her voice reflecting her grave concern.
Silas placed a hand on Levi’s shoulder. “She’ll come through this,” he said with only a small measure of confidence, but it seemed enough to
somewhat pacify Levi.
The room fell silent again, and there was nothing more to discuss, nothing more to do. Our only role in this process was to offer support, and to wait.
So, wait we did.
Every slight change in Corina’s breathing, every movement she made set our nerves on edge. So, needless to say, when she abruptly sat upright in bed, clutching her chest, the five of us who had been by her side went into a sudden panic.
“What is it? Tell me what to do!” Elle pleaded, and then cast a look up toward me.
I had no answer. No quick remedy to fix any of this.
When Corina’s hands moved up to her throat, tearing at her own skin when it seemed she could no longer catch her breath, the already overwhelming sense of helplessness practically consumed us all.
There was no time to think. Every action was pure instinct as I climbed into bed behind her, holding her as she writhed in agony a few more seconds, as she gasped for air and then … stopped.
Her body was still, and slowly, her head dropped back against my shoulder. I caught her empty stare. Her body was here, yes, but she was gone, her essence.
Quick, sharp breaths puffed from my nostrils as my brothers, Elle, and Aaric all stared at the lifeless body in my arms.
“Is she…” Levi began.
“Quiet,” Aaric cut in with a whisper. “If this goes like I’ve seen in the past, she should be back with us in a few seconds.”
If … this goes like he’s seen in the past.
If.
His gaze narrowed with an intense stare focused solely on Corina. He lifted an unsteady hand to brush damp, brunette strands from her forehead and I wondered if he was counting internally like I was. It was when I got to twenty that panic flared within me again. That was more than a few seconds. Not to mention, the growing concern in his eyes confirmed he thought she should have shown signs of life by then, too.
“Something’s wrong.” There was no panic in Aaric’s tone when he spoke. Only vigilance. I knew as much when he stood from where he knelt beside Corina and scooped her from my arms, right off the bed.