26. CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
I n a flurry of vibrant red feathers, Phoenix collided with the floor-to-ceiling windowpane, his beak tapping against the glass. Rowan hastened to the window and flung it open. Phoenix hopped onto the ledge with an impatient flutter and extended his slender leg toward her.
“Welcome back, my little friend.” She gently untied the letter. Phoenix cooed, puffing his chest out with pride.
The note felt heavy in her hands, the weight of the unknown pressing on her palm as she unfurled the parchment. This was no ordinary communication. It bore the seal of the Vampire Council.
“Marcus. Casimir,” she called out, her voice echoing through the stone corridors.
Simultaneously, one emerged from an alcove while the other descended the grand staircase with panther-like agility. Marcus, his auburn hair reflecting the hearth’s glow, approached with a purposeful stride, eyes glinting in anticipation. Casimir followed, his gaze fixing on Rowan with curiosity and a hint of concern.
“Phoenix’s back.” She held out the parchment. “And it seems the Council has sent a response.”
They gathered in Marcus’s study for privacy and stood around an ornate teak desk. The room was filled with the rich smells of leather-bound books and fresh ink. Casimir leaned in closer to Rowan, his muscular shoulder brushing against hers, sending a pleasant shiver through her body .
Marcus unfolded the parchment, his brow furrowing as he read the message aloud: “ By sword and by silence, so shall it be . Bloody cryptic bastards,” he grumbled, passing the parchment to Casimir.
Casimir studied it, his unreadable eyes flickering over the curling script. He scowled at the puzzling statement. “Your guess is as good as mine. Do you think we can trust them?”
“We don’t need to trust them,” Rowan said, her tone measured. “We only need to decipher their intentions and use whatever advantage we can gain.”
“Spoken like a true strategist.” Marcus’s gaze held the smolder of a different kind of appreciation. One that Rowan knew would only fuel Casimir’s possessive nature.
“By sword and by silence.” She stared at the phrase, her mind spinning with possibilities. “It could suggest a threat against us. Or possibly advice to keep quiet about our plans.”
“A sword can also symbolize protection.” Casimir clenched his fists on the desk, the veins on his muscular forearms standing out starkly.
Marcus ran a hand through his impeccably styled hair. “And silence can mean keeping secrets. A call for discretion, maybe? The wording is vague and ambiguous. It could mean several things.”
“Or it could mean nothing at all.” Casimir’s tone was heavy.
They lapsed into silence, passing the parchment between them, deep in thought. Amid this contemplative stillness, Phoenix let out a sharp chirp that demanded attention.
Rowan turned to her familiar, a small smile on her face as she watched him hop off his perch and take to the air. He circled once above their heads before landing gracefully on her outstretched arm.
“What is it you want to show me?”
Phoenix chirped again, his tiny body vibrating, and Rowan’s vision flooded with memories not her own. She saw through Phoenix’s eyes—the dark shapes of the Reaper’s army moving through the forest, the glint of armor, the flash of silver. They were closer than expected, perhaps only a night’s travel from the castle.
“Damn it,” Rowan cursed as the gravity of the situation crashed down on her. “They’re getting closer.”
“Which direction?” Marcus asked sharply, his eyes flaring with concern.
“They’re traveling quickly from the west.”
Casimir rubbed the back of his neck. “Then we have less time than we thought.”
“Much less.” Rowan’s stomach churned with unease .
She gently stroked Phoenix’s feathers, silently thanking him for his help. The cardinal trilled in response, puffing up his chest and dancing along the length of her arm, his bright plumage shimmering in the candlelight. His delight was a brief but welcome respite from the threat looming over them.
“Attention, everyone.” Marcus’s authoritative voice boomed through the stone corridors, rousing the household into immediate action. “Danger approaches. Pack only what you need. Food, blankets, anything that you can carry on horseback.”
The castle, usually so composed in its old-world grandeur, became a hive of frenzied activity. Human servants scurried about, their faces etched with worry as they dashed from room to room, gathering supplies and securing valuables. The clank of pots and the rustling of fabric filled the air, punctuated by the occasional shout or cry.
“Quickly, now,” urged one of the older maids, herding the younger ones as they bundled food and supplies for those fleeing.
“Make for the eastern villages,” Marcus instructed a young serving girl, her timid eyes wide with fear and her small body trembling. “The mountain pass will shelter you. Stay concealed until you receive word.”
“Thank you, m’lord.” The girl clutched a small bundle to her chest as tears brimmed in her eyes.
“Be safe,” Marcus added, more gently than his usual demeanor allowed. Despite being a vampire, he showed care for those who served him.
Rowan watched as the procession disappeared into the twilight, her heart heavy. There was no guarantee that they would return, or that there would be a home for them to return to. Despite the gloom, an idea flickered within her mind. Her eyes widened with sudden determination.
She turned to Marcus and Casimir. “We may be able to secure allies in time. We can’t fight the Reaper’s army alone.”
She ran back to the study, rifling through Marcus’s desk for a quill. Her hand shook as she dipped it into the inkwell, her thoughts racing. She pressed the tip to the parchment, scribbling hastily.
Dearest Cora. Darkness gathers its forces, and we stand on the brink of war. We are in dire need of your aid. Bring any supernatural allies you can muster to the castle of Count Marcus de Beaumont, east of the village of Stonehaven. Time is against us .
She sealed the message with a wax emblem, pressing the de Beaumont crest into the red seal. She tied the scroll to Phoenix, and her familiar nuzzled against her palm before taking flight and disappearing into the night sky.
No sooner had the window shut than Casimir appeared beside her. “Rowan, I need to speak with you privately—”
“Wait,” Marcus cut in as he stepped into view. “There is something I must ask of Rowan, before the battle steals our time.”
Casimir’s jaw clenched, a low growl escaping his lips as he glared at Marcus.
“Marcus, this isn’t the time,” Rowan said, but he held up a hand, silencing her objections.
“Please listen. My castle, my protection, my life—I offer it all to you. Join me. Become my wife, my countess.”
“You think to bind her to you with pretty words and promises of treasure?” Casimir took a menacing step closer to Marcus.
“Stand down,” she said, her voice filled with steel. The surrounding air vibrated with magic, a clear display of her growing power. Her command demanded obedience, and despite his nature, Casimir’s body relaxed marginally under her gaze. She turned toward the count with an expectant look. “Finish what you were saying, Marcus.”
Marcus, unfazed by Casimir’s hostility, stepped forward with fluid grace. “Rowan,” he said, his voice smooth as silk, “I offer you more than just my castle and wealth.” He gestured dramatically as if painting a picture only she could see. “Imagine a life where you would want for nothing. Where every supernatural in the kingdom celebrates our union. A partnership of equals, in power and passion. I can give you eternity—an eternity filled with love and adoration.”
She felt hypnotized by his penetrating gaze, which promised a world where her every wish could be fulfilled. The allure of such a life glittered before her eyes, tempting her with its radiance.
“Think of it.” Marcus reached out to brush her hair back from her face. “Everything I am, everything I possess, could be yours.”
Rowan felt the significance of his proposal, the seduction of power and security, the promise of affection that sought to encase her in gold. Yet amid the splendor of his offer, her heart whispered a different name, a different path—one that was fraught with danger, but genuine and true .
She grasped Marcus’s hands, her voice steady despite her whirling emotions. “Your words are generous, and they honor me. I can see how happy you could make me. Growing up without wealth or power has taught me the true value of what you’re offering . . .”
She trailed off, trying to find the words to articulate her tangled mess of thoughts and feelings. The desire to never again be without food or comfort was there, yes, but not at the expense of what she truly wanted—a love that consumed her, filled her with such a fevered intensity she feared she might burn from its flame.
Before she could finish her sentence, she heard Casimir’s heavy footsteps storming off. With a loud bang, he slammed the door shut behind him, causing the walls to shake and the picture frames to rattle on their hooks.
She turned her attention back to Marcus. “As I was saying. I appreciate your offer, but my heart already belongs to another.”
Marcus studied her. The depths of his amber eyes held a hint of sorrow before he masked it with a courteous bow. A nobleman to the end.
“As you wish.” He stepped back, the air cooling as the space between them widened. “Know this. My offer stands, regardless of the outcome of the battle. My castle, my heart—they remain open to you.”
With a final, lingering look of hope and longing, Marcus turned and strode from the room, disappearing into the shadows of the corridor beyond.
Rowan stood alone, wiping her damp palms down her dress. Marcus’s proposal echoed in her mind, a tempting yet hollow call that could never compare to the depth of her feelings for Casimir.
With anticipation surging in her chest, she turned and made for the grand staircase that led to Casimir’s private quarters.
She reached his room in record time, her breath coming in short bursts from her sprint through the corridors. The heavy wooden door loomed before her. After a moment of hesitation, she rapped sharply on the aged oak.
“Go away,” came Casimir’s strained voice from within, muffled by the thick door but cutting through her like a blade. “If you seek congratulations on your engagement, I . . . I just can’t.”
“Open the door. We need to talk.” Her tone allowed for no argument .
After a moment, the door creaked open. Casimir stood before her, lines of tension forming around his eyes. His strong jaw was set firm, but the sight of her seemed to fracture his resolve.
“I thought—” His voice was thick with emotion.
“Stop being an idiot,” she interrupted. “I didn’t accept his proposal. You should know better.”
Casimir blinked, stunned into silence. “Then why—”
“Because my heart is infuriatingly yours, you stubborn, brooding vampire. And if we survive this battle, I want to explore what that means with no doubts hanging over us.”
For a moment, time seemed to pause, suspended on the edge of her bold declaration. As if released from a spell, Casimir’s features transformed from disbelief to elation. The sight of his elusive dimple made it hard for Rowan to form coherent thoughts.
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them in a stride, and swept her up into his arms. Rowan gasped as she found herself lifted from the ground, encircled by his fierce embrace. He held her tight against his broad chest and twirled her around.
“Rowan.” His breath caressed her ear delicately. “You’re the most exasperating and enchanting creature I’ve ever known.”
“And you’re the dark and mysterious vampire who drives me wild. So, we’re even.” Her lips curved into a teasing smile as she let out a laugh of pure joy.
The sound of their happiness blended together, brightening the dark hallway. Casimir carried her back into his bedroom, kicking the door closed behind them with a decisive thud. He set her down tenderly, but his hands refused to release her entirely, lingering on her waist as he studied her, making her blood heat.
“I’ve been a fool—a damn fool.” The silver specks in his eyes glimmered like shards of ice.
Her breath caught under his ardent gaze. She could feel the electricity building between them, charged and undeniable.
“For too long, I believed that allowing myself to love would be my undoing.” His thumb traced small circles on the fabric at her waist. “That your mortality, your human fragility, would weaken me. But you . . .” He paused, his eyes searching hers as if memorizing every fleck of color. “You make me stronger. You challenge me, infuriate me, and inspire me. It’s in your stubbornness, your wit, your fierce loyalty. In every way that counts, you’re my equal.”
She swallowed past the lump in her throat, each word he spoke carving itself into her memory.
“Being apart from you, even for a moment, has become unbearable.” His raw honesty struck her to the core. “I love you, Rowan, and whether we have only minutes or decades, I want all of them to be with you. No conditions, no requirements, just you. In any way you’ll have me.”
The air seemed to vibrate with the force of his words, wrapping around her like a promise. Her hands found their way to his chest, feeling the solid muscle beneath her palms, the unnatural stillness where a heartbeat should reside.
“Then don’t be apart from me.” She tilted her face up to his. The plea was there, unspoken but understood, as they stood on the precipice of something profound and life-altering.
Casimir didn’t need a second invitation. He captured her lips with his own, the kiss a frenzy of pent-up longing. His hands roamed over her back, pulling her closer. Rowan responded in kind, her fingers tangling in his hair, holding him to her as though she could merge their souls through their embrace.
His deep growl rumbled like thunder, his chest vibrating against hers as he carried her toward the massive canopy bed. Luxurious blue velvet curtains draped the structure, and nearby sconces bathed the room in the soft glow of candlelight.
Gently setting her on the bed, he followed her down, their kisses intensifying with each passing second. As they broke apart for air, Rowan felt his hand snake beneath her dress. His fingers grazed her skin, sending a throbbing pulse between her legs. He trailed his fingers across her bare thighs, dipping lower until he cupped her heat through her pantalettes. Rowan moaned in response, arching into his touch, unable to resist the pull of his dark allure.
“Impatient,” he whispered against her neck, nipping the sensitive skin there.
Casimir moved to unlace her corset, his long fingers nimble yet firm against the fabric. He took his time, each tug of the laces sending a jolt of anticipation through her body. His touch left a trail of tingling sensations in its wake.
Finally, with a whispered promise against her collarbone, he loosened the last lace, and the corset fell away from her body, exposing her breasts to the cool air.
His gaze seared her newly exposed skin. “Let me look at you. ”
Rowan felt a thrilling mix of vulnerability and excitement under his heated gaze. She shivered, but not from the cold. His hands smoothed over her exposed flesh, moving up from her waist to cradle her breasts.
“You’re so beautiful,” he groaned.
With a snarl, he captured her mouth with his once more. They were lost in each other as their tongues intertwined. She felt his eagerness grow as he pulled away to trace kisses and licks down her body. When he stopped at her pantalettes to rip them away, she gasped, trembling with desire.
“Yes,” she breathed.
His breath fanned over her core and shivers erupted all over her skin. “The smell of your arousal is driving me wild,” he said before he leaned forward to taste her.
Her body bucked and twitched in response to his every touch. His lips and tongue worked in perfect harmony, making her ache with the growing need for him. He continued to tease her with his tongue while his other hand gripped one of her legs, pulling it up to his chest.
With a devilish smirk that revealed his fangs, he looked up at her from between her thighs.
She inhaled sharply. “Casimir, I want you to bite me. To mark me, and bond us together permanently.”
His dark eyes flashed with something akin to triumph. “You’re playing with fire, little necromancer.”
Then he let out a low growl, just before he sank his fangs into her creamy skin.
He drank hungrily, making her every nerve-ending tingle. She was lost in sensation, biting her lip to refrain from screaming out in pleasure.
Warmth spread through her veins, igniting every cell as he teased and plunged into her with his fingers while he drank. She could feel the tension coiling tighter inside her, driving her ever closer to the edge of climax. He was everything she’d ever wanted and more: fierce, protective, and passionate all at once.
Rowan’s eyes squeezed shut as she felt herself falling, losing touch with the room and the world around them. A wave of heat washed over her, starting deep in her core and moving outward in rippling waves until the tension inside her exploded. Her entire body vibrated and shook in response, a cry tearing free from her lips.
The room spun and the candles flickered, casting shadows in a hypnotic rhythm. She grinned down at Casimir, her breathing labored as she tried to regain her bearings.
“That was incredible,” she confessed with a small laugh.
He smiled cockily and lifted himself off of her, peering down at the healing bite marks on her thigh. “You’re my everything.”
Rowan’s heart stuttered at his words. A secret smile crossed her lips as she reached out to touch the flawless features on his gorgeous face. “And you’re mine.”