Chapter 30 #3
I briefly consider the fact that Sabine’s husband has a lower status than her but choose not to pursue that thought.
“I suppose I don’t want him to think I’m neglecting him.
He’s so romantic, and sweet, and I worried he might be feeling ignored if I don’t also shower him with gifts and stuff like that.
But I’m guessing that he wouldn’t expect that?
Since he is royalty?” I say, pulling on the silver crab attached to my heavy necklace.
Luke stands in front of one of the giant cages with a thoughtful expression in his kohl-rimmed eyes.
“Unless it bothers you, you shouldn’t do anything just because you worry it might be expected.
As far as I know Tristan, he is… very giving.
He almost lost his life protecting Kyran while he was still his guard.
I might be wrong, but I think he misses that kind of responsibility in some way and has gladly focused on you.
As his promised, you are expected to be the apple of his eye, so if you worry you’ve misstepped, I’ve heard no gossip about that. ”
His promised.
Such a beautiful word has been so stained in my mind I can’t wait to have the shadow thread cut.
Or do I?
Because what if it changes things? What if my skin stops pulsing in anticipation whenever Tristan’s close? “He saved Kyran? I was only told about him… not saving the other Lord, who ruled before your husband.”
Luke scoffs. “Prince Kyranis was a rake and an asshole who deserved what happened to him. But yes, Tristan put himself between my Lord and an assassin’s arrow.
He almost died from the poison. It was extremely brave on his part, and he will always have my gratitude.
Though I also think he loves to be the hero, so if he wants to?
Let him. Nothing wrong with getting pampered and courted by an elven prince.
” He winks at me. “And I know Tristan. If he’s so smitten by you already, it won’t change once you’re his Dark Companion. ”
Having to lie to everyone about where Tristan and I stand on the shadow bond is such an unpleasant weight, but dark thoughts disperse the moment I spot a bat as white as snow.
I immediately know he’s the one Luke is worried about, because its fur appears patchy, eyes dull, and I notice how thin he is despite the wings wrapped around its body like a cape.
“Oh, he definitely is unwell,” I say, cocking my head, watching the sleeping animal. “Have you noticed any growths on its body?”
“No, but he’s not happy for me to come near, and always tries to retreat to the darkest part of the cage.
He’s a Frost bat. They’re supposed to love the moon, just like the mice I told you about, because it’s cold where he’s from.
And they mostly feed on oils and fatty meat, but he’s not touched any.
How do you feel about going in? I’ve got gloves for handling him, and he’s not been aggressive.
" There’s so much hope in Luke’s eyes, I can see he’s a true animal lover.
“Of course. Do they carry any diseases I should worry about?” I ask, but as I wait for Luke’s answer, the bat blinks, and I spot a sliver of bright red under the eyelid.
I cock my head. In the human world, red eyes would be normally associated with albinism, but this isn’t necessarily the case in the Nightmare Realm.
Even the cows have eyes like stoplights.
Luke hands me a long garment reminiscent of a surgical gown, then a mask to protect my face, then finally helps me pull on the thick gloves.
I help him to get into a similar outfit, and I’m glad that most of the nobles don’t seem interested in the zoological exhibition, because we both look like goth beekeepers.
The bat peeks at us again when we enter, but it remains still as we close the cage door behind us and drift toward it.
Its paws are blue, which might be normal for this species but might also signal severe deficiencies.
I’m so out of my depth it’s annoying. I want to know more about all these strange animals.
“Hello, what is your name?” I ask, advancing very slowly to avoid spooking the poor creature.
It hisses at me, showing off very sharp teeth with two long, prominent fangs.
“I called him Snowflake, because he’s so fussy and has the white fur.
” Luke laughs but then trips and falls over before I can catch him.
I guess the alcohol has gotten to him. “Fuck, not my jacket,” he groans and assesses the rip in his sleeve, while I’m more worried about the blood dripping out of it.
Snowflake, who so far has been a grumpy little guy hiding in the shadows, perks up instantly, and the long ears that have laid flat, now stand tall. He screeches, eyes wide, and lets go of the branch he’s been hanging from to drop to the ground.
I barely restrain myself from catching him, but he starts crawling toward Luke almost immediately, despite this new position revealing his emaciated form. And yet despite being very weak, he is willing to spend precious energy on movement.
And the cause was blood.
“He’s a different species, Luke,” I say, following the animal, in case it needs to be restrained.
Tristan might be willing to offer an arm for me, but Lord Kyran would not react kindly if his husband got hurt any further on my watch.
“You said you identified him by fur color. What if it was different?”
I scoot next to Luke, but I’m not sure what I’d do if this creature decided to rip my face off with the sharp teeth and tiny claws.
I get an unpleasant, sinking feeling in my stomach as I watch Snowflake desperately lick the blood in the dirt, making the saddest whimpers.
His ribs are as prominent as mine were after my time in the dungeon, and suddenly all I want to do is hug the little thing, and feed it blood, even if it’s my own.
Luke seems to feel the same, because when the bat paws at him helplessly, he holds up his arm and lets the droplets of blood fall right into the needy mouth.
“Hm. I guess I didn’t ‘identify’ him. Kyran got these bats from different sellers, and that’s what he was told.
Now that I look at his fangs and see this desperation for blood…
I’d say he could be a wyrm bat. But they’re all black, with red inner wings. ”
“His eyes are red. Might be an albino,” I say, daring to stroke the bat’s head with the tip of my gloved finger. In its desperation to feed, the animal ignores me, so I meet Luke’s gaze. “I assume it has favorite prey? Not sure if letting it feed on humans is such a good idea.”
“Hm. You might have a point. I just don’t have the heart to say no.
Look at it. So hungry!” He coos to the bat but does pull his arm away.
“If he’s an albino wyrm bat, he’d drink the blood of small prey animals, like rabbits, rodents, and the like.
He’s not going anywhere until I nurse him to health.
God, what a relief. I hadn’t considered that we might have misidentified what he is. ”
Luke is so excited I instantly feel a connection with him. It’s unexpected. I’ve worried the Lord’s husband and Dark Companion would be stuck-up, or even dangerous, but he’s such a nice person. Just a normal guy I’d gladly be friends with even back in the human world.
“I hope you’ll allow me to assist,” I say as we retreat from the cage. Hopefully, soon enough, Snowflake will be able to hunt on his own and return to health.
Luke pats his dirty knees and laughs as we take off the safety gear. “You’ll have to. You’re the royal vet now. The full moon is what… in two days? Or tomorrow? If Snowflake feels better, maybe he could be a guest at your wedding.”
I drop the protective glove when my hands twitch, but I quickly pick it up to hide how nervous this comment makes me.
“It seems a bit early. We only reconnected not long ago,” I say, imagining Tristan waiting for me at the altar.
Would there even be an altar? Would my grandparents lead me to him? Would they be allowed to attend?
Luke grins. “Sure. Why not, actually? You can exchange your Dark Companion vows and have the wedding later. Why not have two parties, right? They can afford it.” He shrugs and discreetly points with his head outside the tent where Tristan stands with Kyran, talking about something as they clink glasses.
And as those golden eyes meet mine from afar, I find myself smiling, because why couldn’t I have this? After the shadow bond is severed, we’ll get to explore our relationship under new conditions, and if feelings prevail, I will be certain it’s true love.