Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
KYELLA
Dakath refused to let me carry my bag despite my insistence to do so. I didn’t want them to feel like they had to baby me, or make any special exceptions, but I couldn’t deny the fact that I loved the way they doted on me.
My biggest insecurity lay in the fact that I didn’t want to be a burden.
They’d already done so much for us, and I’d never be able to repay their kindness and bravery for getting the four of us out of the Thaician Empire.
It was becoming clear that they hadn’t helped us out of the desire to receive a reward or anything along those lines; if anything, they had put themselves in danger.
As we made our way through the market near the docks, heading towards the towering white castle, I felt my stomach clench in anticipation of the reaction we would receive.
Dakath had reassured me that their ruler wouldn’t be angry at them for bringing back the four of us. I wanted to believe him…but I’d never met a kind ruler, so it was incomprehensible to think of.
What if they sent me back? That possibility sent a spasm of anxiety through me.
The squeals of children brought me out of my state of fear, and I let myself look around and focus on the booming population of vampyres and humans mingling like it was nothing.
Like it was so normal. I suppose it was for them.
I tilted my head, realizing that vampyres were merchants as well.
My mind spun at the simple change of reality.
It didn’t seem the majority were valued or placed in positions over humans at all.
My eyes drifted over the sign that said “blood supply,” and I came to a halt. Vampyres were exchanging coins with the humans at the stall for blood bags.
What the hell?
Humans…being paid…for providing vampyres with blood?
A large hand rested on my back, and I glanced up to find Dakath looking at me with concern. “Are you okay?”
I was too stunned to speak at first, continuing to glance back between the booth and him in confusion before I finally blurted out, “Humans are paid when they donate their blood here?”
This earned me a few wary looks that I ignored, because seriously, if they had spent any amount of time in the Thaician Empire, they would be equally as shocked as I was.
Two cute little dimples indented beneath the light scruff on his face appeared along with a flash of a smile, before disappearing completely. “Yes. No one here is forced to give us blood.”
My brain still wasn’t comprehending, slightly distracted by his beautiful smile and wanting it back. “Then how do all of the vampyres get enough blood to survive?”
I mean, there couldn’t be that much blood donated every day, right?
Dakath gently propelled me forward, easing his hand from my back and intertwining his fingers with mine as I began to walk again.
My cheeks flushed at the open display of affection, and I glanced behind me at Kolvar and Elijah to see if they were upset about it.
Elijah looked up at the sky at the exact moment I looked at him, making me smirk at how predictable he was becoming.
But Kolvar gave me a warm smile that I returned.
I was happy to see Dakath softening toward me in such a natural way, and it made my heart swell to see Kolvar smiling at it as well.
Dakath’s voice brought my head back around as he answered my previous questions.
“Well, in this empire, vampyres and humans often have willing romantic relationships that provide many vampyres with the sustenance they need. And those who don’t have a romantic partner are more than happy to pay for what they need.
No one is forced to provide, and it isn’t taboo for the humans to sell their blood.
It’s the same as them buying food from each other.
We all pay for what we need, creating an ideal economy for both species. ”
My brain effectively detonated. My gaze darted back to the booth, continuing to watch it being played out in real time.
We fell into companionable silence, holding hands all the way up to the doors of the stunning white castle that was the focal point of the empire. Upon closer inspection, it had thin black lines running through it like a network of veins. It was gorgeous.
“What material is this? It’s beautiful.”
“Marble,” Elijah answered, directly behind me now.
Chills ran along my spine, and I swore I could feel the energy crackling between our bodies with this tension that had been building.
Kolvar’s conversation with him had been eye-opening, and ever since I hadn’t been as offended by his silence or aversion to meeting my eyes.
Instead, I was intrigued. It was clear I affected him, and call me crazy, but I didn’t want to give up on finding out the extent of how much.
Guards moved to open the doors, bowing their heads at the three Lords as we all entered.
My awe continued as they swept us through a foyer with vaulted ceilings that echoed with conversation.
I was trying to soak in every detail, loving the gold accents of the wall sconces paired with black candles.
Behind me, I heard Rina asking Bailey questions about where we were going, and with that, my fear returned. We were being brought to the Tridian ruler. If Tristan and his family returned, there was no doubt in my mind he would kill them to make an example of what happened to traitors.
I would fight for them to stay here, even if I was sent back.
Dakath squeezed my hand, which I’m sure he thought would reassure me, but my fear was wholly overwhelming. The panic I felt towards the possibility of being sent back was like a toxic acidic mixture in my gut. My palms began to sweat as I swallowed the emotion thick in my throat.
Suddenly, I found myself between Kolvar and Dakath, both peering down at me.
“It’ll be okay, darling,” my gentle giant reassured me. I so badly wanted to believe him… I could believe him. I had to believe him in order to push through this.
Dakath lowered his face to press a kiss to the top of my head that had an exhale whooshing out of me.
It was such a sweet and unexpected gesture.
I was almost positive that Kolvar made a sound of surprise at the action, but no teasing comment followed so it was possible I imagined it.
It sounded a bit greedy but I hoped that Dakath and Kolvar didn’t normally act like this with others, I liked the idea of them treating me differently, treating me like I was special to them.
After a moment of savoring their closeness, I looked back at Elijah, finding that I wanted his support as well. I inhaled sharply as I found his green eyes pinned to me. I waited, expecting him to look away, but he didn’t.
“We brought you here, Kyella,” Elijah said as he walked forward to stand at my back. Looking over my head at the guards, he nodded, and they opened the doors to the throne room. “We will take the fall for this if there is any issue.”
I knew his words should’ve made me feel better. I knew that he was attempting to provide comfort and surety that we wouldn’t suffer their ruler’s wrath. Still, my heart sank because it wasn’t the reassurance I was looking for. It seemed so formal and unemotional.
Accepting the small win that he hadn’t turned his gaze from me, I nodded and stepped through the doors behind Dakath and Kolvar.
The contrast between Malakai’s throne room and this one was stark.
In fact, they were exact opposites. While Malakai’s throne room was constructed of dark stone bricks with no windows, giving an oppressive feeling of darkness, this room was light and airy, natural light streaming in from the many windows at the tops of the white walls.
Rows of guards in black and gold armor lined either side of the room, with two on either side of the ruler sitting on the throne atop three steps. I tried to hide my shock as I realized the person was wearing a gold-plated mask beneath a black robe.
Chills littered my arms at the sight, and the silence that stretched within the large room following our arrival grew ominous.
“Leave us,” the guard to the left of the throne called out, his tone brooking no room for argument. It shocked me that the command hadn’t come from their ruler.
I looked back at Tristan as the guards filed out of the door we came through. He had a grimace on his face as Rina hugged his leg tightly, trembling. Bailey dropped to her knees, running her fingers through her daughter’s hair and murmuring reassuring words to her.
Tristan’s silver eyes clashed with mine, and I nodded my head in understanding. This was arguably the biggest moment of our lives. We had fled Thaicia, but it meant nothing unless this ruler allowed us to stay here in Tridia.
As the heavy doors shut behind us, I faced front and followed the three Lords as they approached the throne and dropped to a knee, bowing their heads.
Awkwardly realizing I should probably do the same, I stumbled, my long skirt getting caught under my feet. Just as I kicked it out of the way and began to drop to the floor, a voice barked out, “Stop.”
I froze, not straightening and not yet bowing on a knee. My legs strained with the odd half-squat position.
“Approach.”
Glancing around, I saw the Lords staring at me expectantly from their spots, and I realized the voice was speaking to me. Lifting my head fully, I smoothed my hair behind my ears and gulped as I walked around the Lords and found my place at the bottom of the first step.
Bowing my head, my voice trembled as I felt my plea for their protection spewing from my lips.
“Your Majesty, please don’t send us back to Thaicia.
I was a blood slave to the Emperor there, and my companions’ lives were constantly in danger.
Tristan was forced to work for the Emperor upon threat of his family’s slaughter. We can’t go—”
My words were cut off as the robed figure pushed from the throne and descended the steps to stand directly before me. Shit, had I angered them by speaking out of turn?
“Raise your head,” the ruler said, and I finally realized that the voice belonged to a woman.
The Tridian Empire had an Empress, not an Emperor.
Slowly lifting my head, I gasped as I found a kind face—not a gold mask—looking down at me.
Not only that, but she was beautiful with curly black hair, bronzed skin, and hazel eyes.
Her face was all sharp angles, and I found myself wishing I had an ounce of her beauty.
I also couldn’t fathom why she would hide her face behind a mask.
The Empress’s gaze was locked onto my own, and I felt the heavy weight of her stare for what felt like an eternity before she asked, “Have your eyes always been gold?”
My head reared back, confused by her question. “Uhm, I’d consider them more of a light brown,” I mumbled.
“Oh, child, your eyes are as pure as a brick of gold,” she said, offering me an amused look before cocking her head sideways.
“Barnabus!” she called out.
Barnabus?
A bat came gliding through the air to land on her shoulder. It was possibly the largest bat I’d ever seen, with cream fur covering its body outside of its leathery black wings.
“This is Barnabus, my most loyal companion,” the Empress explained as she kissed the side of his face. His beady black eyes were staring so intently into my own that I felt he was examining my soul. It was quite unnerving.
Until I heard Dakath make an underhanded sarcastic comment about Elijah always being second to a bat. I loved when his personality shone through and it seemed to be happening more and more.
I tried to hold back a fit of laughter, worried I would make the Empress mad, by slapping a hand over my mouth. I relaxed as she rolled her eyes and let out a long-suffering sigh, as if she was amused and unsurprised by their antics.
“Please stand. All of you.”
The Empress turned, returning to her seat upon her throne. I took the opportunity to fall back to stand in line with everyone else. As she crossed one leg over the other, relaxing into her seat, she asked the two guards to fetch refreshments.
As they left, her focus once more fell on me.
Kolvar and Dakath were quick to grab each of my hands in a show of support, which made the Empress’s brows raise.
I fought the desire to avert my gaze from hers, not wanting her to think me weak.
For some reason, I wanted to prove my worth so that she wouldn’t be so quick to send us back.
I was positive that I could find a place, a purpose here, in the Tridian Empire. All we needed was a chance.
“So, Elijah,” she began, moving her gaze to him. “You were sent for reconnaissance and returned with four civilians. To say I’m surprised by this deviation of the plan is an understatement. Do you care to explain?”
The vampyre in question took a few steps forward and bowed his head.
It was clear that all of them had respect for their Empress, and a small part of me, because of her beauty and her confidence in the power she wielded, felt a bit lacking in comparison.
The other two Lords were holding my hands, which reassured me greatly, and when Elijah lifted his head to speak, I only saw respect in his eyes.
It wasn’t the same way he watched me, and the contrast only made the conversation I’d overheard earlier that much more enlightening.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I know that this is unexpected, but I found myself unable to leave them after what we experienced in those lands.
It is as horrid as you described, perhaps even worse.
If we are to be reprimanded, place it all on me.
I was the point of this mission, and its deviation falls to me. ”
I didn’t like that. I wanted to run forward and defend him, but Kolvar and Dakath’s grips on my hands tightened the second I tried to step forward.
The Empress was quiet, examining his expression before moving towards me once more. She nodded to herself while reaching up to scratch Barnabus’s chin. “Very interesting, this turn of events.”
Interesting was completely an apt word to describe all of this.
Her next question caused the room to still. “Is she worth going to war for?”