Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Kole trailed behind me on the walk back to my chambers. He didn’t say a word, and he hadn’t since my uncle had left.
I made myself move steadily, but my mind was racing. I kept looking for some way in which I could defy Arnel, because the absolute last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt my parents. However, if I couldn’t find a way out of it, tonight I would be forced to manipulate my father’s mind.
I was so lost in thought that I didn’t realize Kole was standing right in front of me, just down the hall from my chambers.
“Oh!” I stopped myself from walking right into him.
Xaven glanced toward us, but he was far enough away that I doubted he could hear us.
Kole’s eyes alighted, and his gaze drifted over my face. “Did you hear my question, Princess?” His tone was soft, and it felt like a caress to my soul.
I shivered slightly. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t.”
His brow furrowed, and he raised a hand to cup my cheek.
I instantly reared back, too afraid that he’d comment on my skin temperature again, but he cupped it anyway and stopped me from retreating farther.
His warm palm settled over me, and it felt like bliss.
He was so hot and inviting. Slowly, his hand trailed down the side of my neck, his thumb gliding along my skin.
A stirring began in my core that was both mine and from my horrific vampire urges.
Kole inhaled, and a pulse of light flickered in his eyes. “Are you afraid of me?”
My head reared back and broke our contact. “What? No.” I ran a hand through my hair. “Why in the realm would you ask that?”
His head tilted, and his aura strummed steadily upward. “Are you afraid of someone else?”
My eyes widened because Kole had just asked me a question that didn’t necessarily implicate my uncle, so Arnel’s commanding magic stayed quiet.
My throat grew dry, but I couldn’t help my entirely honest reply. “Yes.”
The second I admitted that, I slapped a hand to my mouth. What are you doing, Primelle? I couldn’t tell Kole anything. I couldn’t even allude to it. If the warrior began to suspect Arnel, I would be forced to mind-rape Kole, and the thought of hurting him was even worse than hurting my parents.
“I have to go.” I abruptly whirled away. “I need to talk to Ree. She was expecting to meet me in the library today, but I’m not sure if I feel up to it.”
“Primelle.” Kole reached for me, but I yanked my arm away and raced to my door.
“Please stay in the hall again!” I called to him and fumbled with the door handle, nearly tripping in my haste to get away, and when Xaven tried to help, I pushed him away too.
Once inside my chambers, I locked the door and sagged to the floor.
That’d been close.
Too close.
It was imperative I didn’t let Kole begin to suspect my uncle. I would not hurt Kole. I couldn’t. Just the thought . . .
I drew my knees up under my dress and wrapped my arms around them. Just as fast, I shot my magic out to contact Ree.
I knew we’d planned to meet today, but after the close call with Kole . . .
It was best I distanced myself from those I loved. At least, until I figured out a way to ensure I never hurt them.
Since I didn’t trust myself around Kole or my best friend, I spent the afternoon lounging in my wing’s sitting chambers trying to think of a way to continue my research without hurting anyone.
I ended up sending a dillemsill to Master Fistideeous, asking him if he could also search the history books for a cure from vampire affliction. But beyond that, I didn’t know how to continue my research without putting my loved ones at risk.
When evening arrived, I went out into my courtyard to get some fresh air since it was growing tiresome to always be inside.
Callahan was there, but he kept himself on the opposite side, which gave me a moment’s reprieve since there was enough bird song and howling wind to drown out his heartbeat.
Feeling as if I was going to jump out of my skin, I lay on the outdoor stone bench and closed my eyes, then flung my magic out to connect with Ree again.
A part of me was scared to. The absolute last thing I wanted to do was lie to her, but I needed to speak to her. Needed someone to just be there. More than ever, I needed a distraction, and I had a feeling my best friend would be able to do just that if I asked her to.
As if on cue, Ree opened to me immediately.
Hello, Your Highness. How are you feeling? Do you still have a headache?
I winced. I lied about having a horrible headache earlier in the day in order to avoid our meeting. It’s finally gone, thankfully.
That’s good. Did you want to meet tomorrow instead?
I swallowed the dry feeling in my throat but couldn’t think of an excuse to get out of seeing her. I would just have to play it safe and feign unwellness again if she began to suspect anything. Yes, let’s do that.
We arranged to meet at the Whiteolf Academic Library at nine tomorrow, then Ree asked, Has there been any news from the Isle of Song or Nathaniel’s friend?
I welcomed the change of subject, anything to keep it off me and how I was feeling. Not yet. Nathaniel said he should have more information this week, but nothing yet from Master Fistideeous.
And what about the creatures? Have any more shown up?
A shrill laugh wanted to escape me. Because even if vamfeers had shown up, they wouldn’t have been anything to fear, not with my uncle controlling them and not with what I’d turned into. Since I was technically a version of one, I doubted their bites or scratches could infect me.
Automatically, I replied, No, the sightings have diminished. Nobody’s seen one in a week.
I wished I could tell her the vamfeers were gone for good, especially since my uncle had hinted at wanting Kole out of my life.
Without an Imperial Warrior at my side, it would be very easy for him to get me alone whenever he wanted, which meant the vamfeers had to disappear entirely for the crown to believe the threat was over.
That realization caused ice to flood my veins, and I barely registered that Ree was talking again.
Sorry, what? I said.
She told me again about a milestone Siam had made that morning, and I soaked up the exciting news. What else has he been doing? Has he learned any more new words?
Laughing, she replied, Yes, one. His newest favorite is mox. He’s in love with our neighbor’s pet vox.
I laughed too and nearly melted. I could just picture my galaxy-nephew mispronouncing the common pet’s name. He’s so adorable.
Isn’t he? Ree gushed. She continued telling me anecdotes of what Siam had been up to lately, and I allowed myself to get lost in her stories and pretend that just for a moment, everything was okay.
After our conversation finished, I found myself in an unexpected good mood and sailed back into my chambers, waving to Callahan with a wide grin along the way.
Talking with Ree had been just like old times, and I reminded myself I could do this.
Becoming a vampire wasn’t the end of my life.
Things were just different now. And tomorrow, I was determined to act normal so our research could continue.
Back inside, I didn’t even realize where I was headed until my hand closed around the door handle, and I was pulling it open.
Kole still stood in the hall beside Xaven. The Imperial Warriors were silent but alert.
“Can you come in here?” I said softly to him.
Kole was in my chambers, closing the door behind him before I could blink.
“I was just speaking with Ree.” I clasped my hands together and grinned.
“We’re planning to go to the library again tomorrow to see what we can learn of vampires, and I was thinking that perhaps we should see Nathaniel too, to see if he’s heard anything from his colleague in Ironcrest. And with any luck, Master Fistideeous will also be in contact again soon. ”
Kole moved closer, filling my space with his scent and undulating aura.
If I’d been alive, I had no doubt my heart would’ve begun galloping at his close proximity, but now, my silent chest didn’t thump. Instead, my hearing focused on Kole’s whooshing blood and heartbeat.
Venom coated my fangs, and the familiar ache began in my jaw again. I licked my lips and forced my fangs to stay retracted.
Kole’s eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze zeroing in on my mouth. At last, he replied, “Would you like to visit Nathaniel now? We have another hour of daylight, and then tomorrow, the three of us could focus entirely on what the library has.”
I cocked my head and glanced out the window. He was right. There was still at least an hour, possibly two, of daylight left, plenty of time before my curfew began, and that would indeed give us more time to search the books. “That’s actually a good idea. Should we go now?”
“I don’t see why not.”
Surprise momentarily rendered me blank. Kole wasn’t Nathaniel’s biggest fan since the lordling had made it rather obvious that he was attracted to me. I cocked my head. “Does the fact that you came up with this plan mean you no longer hate Nathaniel?”
Kole smirked. “I never said that. I can still hate someone who has answers we need.”
A genuine laugh bubbled out of me. “Well, I promise not to flirt with him. Would that help?”
“Immensely.” Amusement danced in his eyes. “Do you want to mistphase us? Or should I?”
I held out my hand, and when our skin connected, even though I knew he had to feel how cold I was, he didn’t comment. But the slightest furrow hit his brow.
“I’ll do it.” Magic rose inside me, and in a flash of mist and shadows, air and wind, we disappeared.
Thankfully, Nathaniel was in residence, and there was no sign of Lady Ryderdim as the staff showed us to the same receiving room that we’d met him in last time.
Still, it didn’t stop me from constantly being on the lookout for the elderly House leader. She’d made her feelings for me quite clear, all due to some innocent comments I’d made when I’d initially met her, that just so happened to be untrue. Following that, she’d labeled me as a liar.