Thrall

Chapter Fifteen

The next morning, after breakfast, Adalyn wanted to take a walk outside. Obsidian North sat on a plateau that had a breathtaking view into the canyons below. In her whole life, she had never left the city, so everything was big and new.

“Would you please walk with me?” she pleaded with Gabi.

“Really?” Gabi asked, shocked.

“Yes. You’re my best friend.”

Happiness lit up her face. “Really? Not Faye?”

Adalyn laughed. “No one can take your place. Come on, let’s get dressed.”

About twenty minutes later, they left the palace and stepped outside.

The cool April air had them burrowing down in their sweaters as they walked along the path.

They weren’t the only ones enjoying the day.

Adalyn received waves and greetings, which she returned.

Never had she thought she would enjoy being part of a collective in the vampire world. The scenery was breathtaking.

“This is really beautiful, isn’t it?” Gabi asked.

They stopped to gaze over the vast canyons stretching across the landscape.

“Very,” Adalyn replied. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“Oh, look over there!” Gabi said, pointing. “Elk. Look how big those horns are. Aren’t they fascinating?”

She rushed forward trying to get a better look, but Adalyn stayed where she was, staring in awe.

Breathing in the crisp air, contentment filled her.

She would become Gareth’s thrall. There was no more denying that her heart was now involved.

With that revelation, she allowed herself to finally admit how much she loved him.

Not because he gave her presents and clothing, but because he had given her a family.

Suddenly, a hand landed in the center of her back, and she was forcefully shoved.

Her hands flew out, and a small cry left her mouth as she desperately tried to windmill her arms in an effort to not fall over the cliff.

Gravity wasn’t listening, and yanked her forward.

She fell to her knees and she shoved her arms out, and only just managed to catch herself.

Pain scraped her palms and her heart pounded heavily, so loud it drowned out all other noise.

Then someone grabbed her, pulled her back, away from the edge, and she screamed.

“Adalyn! It’s me, Gabi! Adalyn, you’re okay. Did you trip?”

Finally, the terrified feeling that she was falling to her death left, flooding her with the aftermath of fear. Several people reached down to help her up, and Gabi wrapped arms around her shivering body. She couldn’t seem to stop shaking.

“Come on,” Gabi said soothingly. “Let’s get you back inside and clean you up.”

Adalyn surreptitiously glanced at the people around her, wondering if one of them had shoved her, but saw nothing on their faces except concern. She let herself be led away, keeping to herself that someone had definitely pushed her.

When she and Gabi finally entered her room, she went into the bathroom and sat on the closed toilet.

“Let me take a look at your hands,” Gabi said.

Adalyn held them out. “I didn’t fall.”

Gabi’s brow furrowed. “What?”

“I didn’t fall. I was pushed.”

Gabi’s eyes widened as she searched Adalyn’s face. “Someone pushed you. Tried to hurt you?”

“Tried to kill me,” she whispered, eyes flooding with tears. “If I had gone over the side, I don’t think I would’ve survived that.”

“Who?”

“There’s only one person who’s already threatened me.”

The unsaid name lingered between them.

“I didn’t see her,” Gabi said. “When I heard you, I turned but you had already fallen to the ground.”

“There’s no proof,” Adalyn muttered, bitterness seeping into her words.

“You have to tell Lord Huntley.”

“Do you think he’ll believe me?”

“Yes,” Gabi answered. “He loves you.”

“But if I accuse Elgene, he’ll go after her,” Adalyn said, thinking things through. “He’ll get in trouble. I don’t know much about vampire protocols, but if he attacks the thrall of another man, he’d be punished. That can’t happen.”

“But why would she risk getting caught?”

“Her desire to punish him, or to get back at me, outweighs her common sense.”

“That woman is pure selfish evilness.”

“Gabi, you can’t tell him.”

“But—”

“Please. This is between us. As far as anyone knows, I tripped.”

It took a moment for Gabi to agree, and when she did, Adalyn relaxed. She would not be the fuse that lit Gareth’s anger.

****

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Gabi asked as she brushed Adalyn’s hair.

Adalyn looked at her in the mirror. “I’m okay.”

“Really?”

“I will be okay.” She took a deep breath. “I wish the ceremony wasn’t tonight.”

Gabi stopped brushing. “Do you want to call it off?”

Adalyn turned her palms over and studied the scrapes. “No,” she said firmly. “I just wish I wasn’t this shaky.”

“Are you ever going to tell Lord Huntley?”

“I don’t know. He’ll want revenge and that’s exactly what she wants him to do. She wants to make him pay for discarding her.”

“Well, I have an idea for your hands.”

Adalyn raised an eyebrow. Gabi entered the huge closet and came out a moment later with elbow-high white gloves.

“You have to wear blue tonight,” Gabi said “Apparently, it symbolizes trust, security and loyalty. But you can use these with it.”

“That’s a good idea,” Adalyn said. She sat on the bed in a robe watching Gabi discard one garment after another. “Faye told me that after my vows, I will be handed the chalice from Gareth and I’ll drink some of his blood.”

“Not enough to turn you but enough to help your body regenerate when it’s damaged, so that you’ll live longer. That’s cool. What about this one?” Gabi pulled out a dress and immediately shook her head before sticking it back. “No. Too short. What about this one? No. The thigh slit is too high.”

She found fault with every one until she pulled out a simplistic, yet beautiful, dress. Navy blue tulle lace, V-neck with spaghetti straps. It was a simple garment and Adalyn loved it immediately.

“Yes,” she said. “It’s perfect.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Gabi asked with a smile. “Okay! Let’s beautify you. Lord Huntley is going to flip when he sees you.”

The next hour was devoted to getting ready.

Gabi blow dried her hair and then braided it into an elegant up-do, leaving wisps framing her face.

Her makeup was minimal, highlighting her natural attributes without anything harsh or garish.

She had just slipped on the gloves when a knock sounded on the door. Gabi went to answer it.

Adalyn stood in front of the mirror, eyes wide as she caressed her hand over the beautiful dress.

She’d never felt more lovely, which all brides were supposed to feel.

Although the upcoming ceremony might not be a true wedding, it was the biggest commitment she’d ever make.

Instead of scaring her, however, she looked forward to the rest of her life with Gareth.

They hadn’t known each other long, but she already cared deeply for him and knew it was just a matter of time before she fell in love. If she wasn’t already there.

“Lord Huntley had this sent for you,” Gabi said, holding out a bag with a famous jewelry store name printed on it.

Adalyn turned from the mirror and took the bag. She withdrew an obvious jewelry box, and when she opened it, she gasped at the gorgeous sapphire necklace nestled inside.

“Oh, my God,” she breathed. “This is too much.”

“Wow,” Gabi said.

“I can’t accept this,” Adalyn told her. “Gareth has already spent too much money on my clothes.”

“It’s custom.”

Adalyn blinked. “What?”

“It’s custom for a gift to be given and worn.”

“But he did give me a gift and I’m wearing it.”

Gabi smiled and placed a hand on Adalyn’s shoulder. “Lord Huntley is expecting you to wear this. If you don’t, it could be perceived as an insult.”

“All right,” she said. “I just hope I don’t lose it.”

“Let’s get this necklace on you.”

The Y-shape design nestled elegantly in the V-shape of the gown’s bodice. Oval-cut blue sapphires radiated a deep royal hue and were surrounded by diamonds that added a brilliant sparkle. It was the prettiest piece of jewelry she’d ever seen, and she loved it.

“How do I look?” she asked Gabi.

“Like a princess.”

Adalyn smiled. For a moment, she wished Marilisa was there with her and had to remember that her spirit was. Her friend would always be with her.

“Let’s get you to the ceremony,” Gabi said softly.

Beyond happy, Adalyn nodded.

****

Dressed in his traditional native tartan, Gareth was the handsomest man she’d ever seen.

His kilt was blue and black plaid that signified the clan he came from.

A black sporran rested in front. Its metal cantle engraved with entwined roots and his family crest. A fly plaid rested over his right shoulder and was pinned with a large silver brooch.

“Are you nervous?” he asked.

Adalyn nodded. “Of course. Aren’t you?”

“No,” he replied. “Because I have you beside me.”

“And you’re sure you want me?”

He cupped her face. “Of course. Now and forever.”

“Well, you’ll live a lot longer than me.”

“Sh,” he murmured. “No talk of that. Okay?”

“Okay.”

He took hold of her hand, and it took everything in her not to wince.

She refused to allow Elgene to ruin this moment.

Refused to allow her poison into her psyche.

Pushing her far, far away, Gareth led her to the second floor where they joined a few other couples.

All the women were dressed like her in dark blue.

They stopped at a pair of gothic-looking doors. The dramatic black ogival arch was overlaid with heavy metal ribbing, set against a deep carmine tint.

“This is where I leave you,” he murmured.

“You’re not coming inside with me?”

“I’ll be in there shortly.”

He bent and placed a warm, lingering kiss on her lips that filled her with happiness. Then he left with the other vampires.

“Are you nervous?” asked one woman.

Adalyn nodded. “I hope I don’t make a mistake.”

The group giggled, agreeing.

“I hope I don’t fall down,” one said.

“I hope I don’t throw up.”

They all giggled again.

All humor ceased when the thick doors opened and they were brought into a large temple like room. Red and black stained glass decorated the walls, back-lit to illuminate the depicted art. A large altar rested on a raised dais, adorned with a red runner. It reminded her of a church.

The women were led to the center of the room, and there seemed an undercurrent of excitement buzzing through everyone.

From the opposite side of where the thralls entered, the vampires arrived, and each held a golden goblet.

Gareth stopped a few feet in front of her with his warm smile that made her heart melt.

Then the doors behind the ambo opened and a vampire in black robes with red braiding walked up the steps and raised his hands, just like a priest would do to give a sermon.

“Sanguis amoris,” the deep voice of the officiant boomed across the room.

He held up his hands and each held identical athames.

“Blood is the link between the physical and spiritual world. It is power. It is life. Blood is a sacred gift that connects us together, and we surrender as it entwines our life forces.”

The tone of his voice rose with every declaration.

“The blood of love demands the sacrifice of life.”

The officiant’s acolyte came from the shadows to systematically pour something into each cup.

Perhaps the oil that Faye had mentioned.

When he was finished, he returned to his station.

Then the officiant left the dais, clutching the athames and followed by his acolyte.

He stopped in front of the first couple, and each held up their wrist. First, he sliced the vampire, who collected the blood in the chalice.

The shallow cut coagulated almost instantly.

When he sliced the thrall’s, she winced, and her blood seemed to flow a little more.

The acolyte handed her a small towel and she placed it over the wound.

Then he wiped the blood from the blades and the officiant stepped up to the next couple.

The ritual repeated down the line until he came to her and Gareth.

With an inward sigh, she peeled off the glove.

Keeping her hand curled like a fist so he wouldn’t see the scrapes.

Like the others, she flinched from the heated slice as her blood mingled with Gareth’s.

After the last couple, the officiant handed the athames to the acolyte and turned to face them.

“Repeat after me. My blood. My passion. My life.”

The vows echoed through the chamber.

Gareth drank from the chalice then handed it to her.

Without hesitation, Adalyn consumed the contents.

The warm syrupy liquid slid easily down her throat.

When she gave it back, her wrist tingled and without thinking, she removed the towel and unfurled her hand.

Right before her eyes, the wounds sealed shut.

Gareth took her hand and ran the pad of his thumb over the disappearing scratches.

“Blood of my blood. Life of my life.”

The last vows were said, then she willingly bared her throat and Gareth sank his fangs into her skin to feast. Euphoria filled her. Gareth settled deep in her soul. Their heartbeats merged into one tempo.

She was now and forever, his.