37. Jealousy Awakening
A drian stared, trying to grasp what the wolves clearly understood. The beasts were at an advantage. Again.
“Something has opened in me, Adrian,” Rose said. “I have connected with a part of myself I haven’t been able to reach since before I was kidnapped. It’s like . . . like part of me was locked away. But I have my magic back.” She looked to Ciel, still stroking his breast with her knuckle. “And just this morning I remembered my father teaching me about the familiar’s bond.”
Adrian could not wrap his head around what she was saying. It was . . . crazy, even though part of him felt the truth of it. It explained so much about Larkin and his hitherto inexplicable connection with her.
But it also meant his suspicions of her being someone powerful were true. Her family was blessed by her Sun God. She had great magic and a powerful familiar who was none other than his closest friend Larkin.
Ciel, he corrected again, so named for his love of flight.
He didn’t want it to be true. It changed so much. He didn’t want it to change. That was part of why he was so testy in the first place. It felt like things were changing day to day, moment to moment, especially since arriving here, and he didn’t like it.
Rose wanted things to change. She needed to know who she was. Discovering these pieces of herself only made her crave the whole. Though he understood her need for identity, he feared what would happen once they uncovered her origins.
Which he now realized was only a matter of time.
Things were moving so fast, he thought, so fast it felt like his head was spinning and there was no way to stop.
And it would only continue once they got back home. Neither his father nor the Council would like the report he brought back. He would have to fight to get them to hear him out. And getting them to pass at least a fraction of what Aldric demanded would be impossible.
But he had to make it work or face war.
And Rose, she wouldn’t be happy with the status quo. She was pressing her opinion more and more, wanting to be included in decisions, wanting to be seen as an equal. Aldric was obliging her there, which was even more undermining.
And it was pulling her to him. He felt it. He saw it. With their bond incomplete, his fear of losing her was almost painful. He felt like she was slipping away.
Even if they did complete the bond, it wouldn’t seal their future. Nothing would change for him once they got home. He was bound to his crown; it was his first obligation always.
He could fight for her, fight for them, but that would only cause dissent and have his approval rating dropping, not to mention pissing off the nobles. Royalty marrying nobility was a precedent, a law that had existed since the beginning of the vampire monarchy.
“None of this changes my feelings for you, my Prince,” Rose reassured him. “My friendship with Lord Aldric doesn’t change it, nor does unlocking my magic. I care for you, even when you are an insufferable ass.”
He caressed her face before sliding his hand into her hair, pulling her close, and setting his forehead to hers. “I am a jealous male, Rose, and don’t like seeing you with him.”
“Welcome to how I normally feel.”
He lifted his head, suddenly desperate for her to know, for her to understand. “You are the only one that matters.” He framed her face, holding her gaze. “Whatever my position dictates, you are the one I want, Rose.”
“You must be truly tired to make such declarations,” she teased. “And in front of the wolves, no less.”
Scoffing, hurt at her dismissal, he dropped his hands. She gripped them, keeping him from stepping away as he’d intended.
“Go rest and we will talk later, my Prince.”
“I am yours,” he said. “You make sure the alpha remembers you are mine .”
“I’m sure we have made it quite clear.” She gave him a little push toward his vampires. “Go. Hunt and rest so you can be in a more jovial mood for the feast.”
Gripping her chin, he gave her a searing kiss, claiming her for all to see. When some of the calls and cheers of his guards had calmed down, he strode away. The vampires followed. He met the challenge in the gaze of every werewolf who dared look at him and was satisfied when they looked away.
“I told you,” Timothy said as they stepped outside into the afternoon sun. “She only has eyes for you, sir. ”
“Oh, shut it,” Adrian ordered, but he couldn’t stop the tug of a small smile. She’d kissed him back, after all, even after he’d done nothing but piss her off all day. “Let’s sprint to the trees. I am not giving you lotion if you burn.”
Rose walked along beside Lord Aldric across the Keep lawns. They were on their way to the barns. Rose wanted to see the property and check on Adrian’s horses.
“I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation with the Prince.”
“I’m sure everyone in the Great Hall heard our conversation,” Rose replied amicably.
“As well as saw your open display of affection.”
Rose smiled at the teasing. “I am not embarrassed by my feelings for Prince Adrian.”
“Obviously. But I wonder how you can have such feelings if your memory is returning as you say.”
“Why? Regardless of where I come from, my heart will not change.”
Lord Aldric made a small sound, a disagreeable sound, Rose thought, as he looked over his Keep and the surrounding forest. “What do you know of the elves, Lady Rose?”
She sighed. “Not much, I’m afraid. I could find nothing in the library at the palace.”
“I imagine not. After the last war, all elfish books were banned. Everything in the libraries throughout the kingdom was burned. ”
“What? Why?”
Lord Aldric shrugged. “King’s order.”
Rose frowned as they stepped into the largest of the barns. All the horses were out at pasture, but the stalls were roomy, clean, and full of fresh bedding. Evening rations were being measured and water buckets filled as she and Lord Aldric meandered down the aisle. Grooms bowed their heads in respect.
“Alpha,” several greeted.
Rose had read about the wolves’ hierarchy but seeing such loyalty was humbling. It permeated every aspect of this place. Lord Aldric’s desire to be a good leader and protect his people was apparent in everything he did. And his pack loved him for it.
The foundation of Silvershade was respect. Lord Aldric respected those beneath him and called on them to follow, which they did because he looked out for their best interests.
It was so completely different from the way the vampires ran things. King Florian ruled by fear and intimidation. Anyone who opposed him was quietly silenced, usually with a blade.
Adrian had learned those ways well, and he’d developed the same superiority complex, thinking he was above everyone else and all should bow to him simply because of the position he’d been born to.
He had the potential to be so much more. He saw his compassion, his empathy, his heart as a weakness. Rose hoped he’d eventually realize it could be his biggest asset.
“What do you know of the elves?” she asked.
“They were always enemies to the vampires,” Lord Aldric answered. “But they were allies to we wolves. My father was a good friend to the King and Queen of Constalaysia until the war caused them to retreat behind their Mists. I was only a lad, but I remember he was upset when we lost their help keeping the vampires at bay. Many smaller packs went into hiding when the elves withdrew, knowing the tyranny would only get worse.”
Rose thought about that as they exited into the bright afternoon.
“It did,” Lord Aldric went on. “The vampire’s power has only grown. King Florian asserts more restrictions and slowly drains us. Soon we will have nothing while those in power prosper and pretend everything is perfect.”
Rose knew he was right. As a slave, she’d seen the way the working class struggled while the wealthy and those favored by the crown flourished and only grew wealthier. It was even more apparent in the palace, in the way the nobility showed off their excess while the slaves suffered at the lowest levels.
“Hopefully Prince Adrian will—”
Lord Aldric’s sardonic laugh cut her off. “I do not expect anything from our meeting today, Lady Rose. I am not na?ve enough to think that one discussion will change the King’s mind, nor do I think the Prince of liars will champion us well. I am surprised you do.” He shook his head. “Nay, I expect to get notice, or more likely read in the papers in a few weeks, that everything failed.”
“That is really what you believe?”
“It is what history has taught me. I hope for change, as do all the oppressed, but I believe it will be hard fought. Even if Prince Adrian were, by some miracle, to become sympathetic, his father will never change his stance. And the councilors he relies on for lawmaking . . .” He shook his head again. “Why would they agree to anything when it does nothing to benefit them?”
Stopping at a pasture, Rose leaned on the rails. “I hope you are wrong, Lord Aldric.” And she did, but dread sat heavy in her stomach as she looked out over Adrian’s horses grazing. After a moment, she found the alpha’s blue eyes watching her. “I would fight for you.”
“As I would for you.”
Turning her attention to Martinet trotting over, she lifted a hand to stroke his velvety muzzle. Ciel the hawk on her shoulder ruffled his feathers, enjoying the breeze.
“Not many would,” she said softly.
“That is because you do not yet know who you are.”
Rose sighed. “I am a female who will never conform. I will forever fight the restraints placed on me by those in power. I am a bastard, an oddity with magic who will always struggle to be accepted and who will forever find repression. I will forever be alone because my destiny is to be different.”
“Nay.” The simple word was fierce, carrying a gravity that stopped Rose’s breath and scared Martinet away. Lord Aldric’s sapphire eyes burned into hers with an intensity that made her heart race. His voice was deep, full of authority, and heavily accented as he continued, “You are elf. You’re bloody made o’ magic. You’re good and bright and powerful beyond what those bloodsucking motherfeckers can imagine.”
Ciel dropped to become the lion at her side. His growl was a warning to Lord Aldric as the werewolf’s eyes bled black.
“You’re awakening, Princess Ambrosia. I feel it.” He thumped a fist on his chest. “Embrace who you are. Like us, you’ll rise. Be fierce; be free. You’re stronger than you know.”
Rose swallowed, goosebumps arising on her skin as his words moved in her. They stirred and inspired her, but also scared her because she was afraid to be the person she felt she should be, the person her power called her to be .
It was rising in her, rising as she stared into his black eyes, as his wolf stared out at her, urging her to believe . She set a hand on his arm, a point of connection as her chest heaved with emotion. Her magic burned like wildfire, searing her from the inside, igniting and threatening to destroy her old self in a fury of ashes.