Black Knight

by Ingrid Seymour

  I stared down the hole, my mouth dry, my heart hammering. A thud sounded a long moment later, followed by a cry of pain and its echoes.

  Unceremoniously, Bishop Dragoslav took a step forward and dropped into the pit, his cloak fluttering behind him as he fell.

  What followed were the ravaged sounds of pain as Skullflare begged for his life. After a few short minutes, utter silence reigned.

  CHAPTER 7

  I backed away from the silent pit, my gaze fixed on its darkness. No sounds came from it, though Skullflare’s screams still seemed to echo in the confined space.

  I wanted to turn and run down the dark corridor and lock myself in the cell. I should have been thinking of escape, of finding Timotei and taking him far away from this place, but I knew the endeavor would be useless. There was no escape.

  A large shape shot out of the pit with a loud whoosh. I staggered backward. My throat tight with dread, my fists raised and ready to punch anything that got too close.

  The shape sat suspended in midair for an instant, then alighted gently on the stone floor, a cloak billowing behind it.

  Bishop Dragoslav.

  The hood of his cloak was pushed back enough to reveal a full, heart-shaped mouth, it was smeared with blood, sharp fangs unsheathed. His eyes were glowing bright enough to illuminate the inside of his hood and cast his mouth in a ghastly sight of horror that spoke of Skullflare’s fate.

  Something about his dimly-revealed features didn’t sit well with me, but I was too taken aback to give it much thought.

  Dragoslav licked his lips with relish, leaving a clean line in the middle of all the gore. “Don’t look so squeamish,” he said. “You had your fill of blood when Maximus made you a Rook, and you liked it.”

  I shook my head. “No, that’s not true, I... I...”

  I had no idea what had happened. I didn’t even remember drinking the King’s blood, but there was no doubt I had.

  A smile stretched across the Bishop’s mouth. “Don’t fight it, Nyro.”

  My name sounded strange in his whisper-like voice. He’d never used it before.

  “Embrace the power because, whether or not you want it,” he added, “it will embrace you.”

  AN HOUR LATER, I LEFT the palace and was greeted by a thick blanket of snow. The weather had changed since the last time I’d been out.

  Followed by King Maximus and Bishop Dragoslav, I walked toward the dining hall, snow crunching under our boots. The temperature was below freezing, but to my amazement, it didn’t bother me one bit.

  After the short walk, we entered the common dining hall. It was dinner time, and everyone from each Quadrant, including Knight Traian, Knight Arcos, and Rook Datcu.

  The smell of grilled mutton and stewed vegetables made my stomach growl, stirring that insistent hunger that never seemed to leave me no matter what I ate. I still crave food, but nothing seemed to satiate me. The wooden benches along the tables scraped the stone floor as the Board Members stood to attention and saluted the Black King.

  Each pair of eyes finally settled on me and my new uniform: a Rook’s uniform. Faces filled with incredulity, which turned to ill-disguised anger when the King spoke.

  “Rook Skullflare is dead,” Maximus said. “But we have a new Rook. The Board must be complete, after all.”

  I had no business being a Rook, not even if Horasiu Skullflare was dead. I hadn’t earned the spot. I should have fought the Second Quadrant’s new First Pawn for the spot, but the King had decided to appoint me without following the rules. He was the King, after all. He could do whatever he wanted. No one would or could challenge him.

  Everyone regarded me with hatred, except for Marin, the only Board Member who didn’t seem to belong in this place and had helped me and been friendly to me. What I found in his gaze was much worse, though.

  It was pity.

  Unlike the others, he seemed to understand the true nature of my situation. He knew I didn’t want this, that I would have rather kept my humanity. Moreover, with me gone, he was now the First Pawn of our Quadrant. If anything else changed in the Board’s high ranks, he would be forced to move up, and I had the feeling he shared my sentiments in that respect.

  The King stepped next to me, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Rook Stonehelm is more than glad to join the high ranks, isn’t that so?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” I said with a bow.

  Dragoslav had warned me to be respectful, to remember what the King had offered me—unless I wanted Maximus to change his mind about Timotei’s freedom.

  I did not.

  I would play his game and win.

  Even if the King ordered me to break into the White Place and steal the Queen herself, Timotei and I would get free from this place.

  CHAPTER 8

  As I rode Jigsaw down the snow-covered streets of Acedrex, guilt settled on my chest like a stain. The feeling of release and relief that coursed through my veins had no right to exist.

  This timely freedom had cost someone their life.

  Still, I was free of the cell just in time to keep my appointment with Bianca.

  I was nervous and angry, a combination I hated. I desperately wanted to see her, but what would she think of me? I was a Rook now. Not fully human. The vampire blood had even stolen my ability to have children.

  I’d avoided the thought so far, unsure of how to face it, of how much it should matter. I was perhaps too young to understand the full meaning of such a loss. Would I pine for a family of my own one day? I shook my head. Any worries on the matter were utter foolishness. I would never be anyone’s husband or father. The moment I’d joined the Board, I’d relinquished that right.

  Still, the thought of Bianca’s tender body in my arms tended to give me foolish hopes and dreams.

  Once more, I left Jigsaw in the care of a boy at a nearby inn and walked the rest of the way to Alfil Park. It wasn’t until I passed through its gates that a thought occurred to me. I stopped in my tracks. What if I was a danger to Bianca? What if I hurt her? She was a Trove. If I got too close, her sweet scent would flood my senses. It was why I always made sure to stand a few paces away from Talyssa and Timotei.

  I rubbed the back of my neck, considering, noticing the fresh boot prints on the snow, a clear indication that she was here. For an instant, I thought of turning back, but who was I kidding?

  Mere dreams of her seemed to give me life, the reality of her felt like a necessity. I had to see her.

  Light snow drifted from the wintry sky onto the empty park. I was grateful we would have privacy. I wanted to kiss her, hold her in my arms, and much more than that.

  A pang of desire heated my blood. It was intense and different from anything I’d ever felt before. I stopped again and gathered my wits.

  Don’t be stupid, Nyro.

  She would be disgusted by what I’d become. There was no way she would ever let me touch her that way, no matter how I ached for her.

  I took a deep breath and told myself this would likely be the last time I would ever see her. The thought renewed my anger, the fury that always seemed to ride the surface of all my other emotions.

  Headed toward the gazebo in the back of the park, I counted my steps and tried to keep my mind from sabotaging itself.

  And then, there she was. Wearing a white cloak with the hood over her head. She was but a silhouette that almost got lost against the snow.

  When she heard my steps crunching on the snow, she glanced back. I lowered my eyes, refusing to let her see their red and shining proof of failure. Could I hide the truth long enough to touch her, to feel her sweet breath on my lips?

  I stopped a few paces from her, my gaze on her boots. They were black, like mine, with snow clinging to them. I breaths grew ragged as my blood filled with desire for her.

  “Hello, Bianca,” I managed.

  “Hello, Nyro.”

  Like a coward, I continued to stare at her boots for a moment longer. Finally, I glanced up, my chest tight with a
mixture of anger and desire.

  I stared into her face and gasped. “Are you alright?” Before I could stop myself, I stepped forward and seized her hands.

  Her irises were not the same dark shade of brown I’d grown to love. They were red-tinted, like mine.

  “I am, and you?” she responded, her voice small and hesitant.

  “Not you, too.” Despair tore at my insides.

  What had they done to her?

  I touched her smooth, tan face, gently brushing her cheek with my thumb. I inspected her features to make sure she was fine. It was stupid—she was here, looking strong and determined—but I felt very protective of her.

  “Oh, Bianca,” the words broke out of my lips in a whisper, “how could they do this to you?”

  She frowned slightly, looking confused.

  Her expression made me pause. I took a step back, breaking contact as understanding dawned on me. No one had done this to her. She’d chosen it. She’d willingly become a Rook.

  “Did they force you?” she asked.

  “You wanted this?” I asked at the same time.

  We stood silent for a moment, processing what we’d learn, then spoke in unison once more.

  “How could they?” she said.

  “Why would you?” I said.

  At my question, she turned away and faced the snow-covered gazebo.

  “I joined the White Court with a purpose,” she said firmly. “I plan to become more than just a Rook.”

  What? No, she couldn’t possibly...

  I plan to become more than just a Rook. The words echoed in my head with finality. Did she mean she wanted to be queen?

  “Oh,” was all I managed to say. The utterance felt empty even to my ears. My insides seemed to shrink as sadness descended upon me. How could she want that? Why? Who would want to be this?

  “I’m sorry this happened to you,” she said, turning to face me again, her chin held high.

  Was she proud of her choice? Well, at least she’d had one.

  “All I wanted was to rescue my brother,” I said around the knot in my throat. “And now... I’m this.”

  I gestured toward my face unable to hold back my disgust, then regretting it as I watched her mouth twitch and her gaze fill with injury. She was what I was. As I insulted myself, I insulted her.

  “It must have been terrible,” she said, holding her chin even higher. “My... condolences on losing part of your humanity.” She walked forward, preparing to leave. “I wanted to keep our appointment. I don’t like to leave anyone waiting. But I suppose our circumstances have changed, and we may not be in the best position to help each other anymore.”

  I was overwhelmed by the moment, by her choice, but I didn’t want her to leave. I wanted to understand. I grabbed her hand as she passed next to me.

  “Don’t leave,” I said.

  “It’s better if I go.” She didn’t meet my gaze, though she left her hand in mine. “Us, talking, it’s not a good idea.”

  I caressed the top of her hand. She blinked in surprise, and her vulnerability did something to me. I bit my tongue not to crush her into me and confess that she unleashed a reckless fire in me, that this didn’t matter, that, despite it all, she still made me feel the same way.

  Instead, I simply said, “Please. Stay.”

  She nodded, and I almost sagged in relief. Hand in hand, we crossed the small bridge that led over the pond toward the gazebo. Maybe our desire to help each other could still be salvaged.

  CHAPTER 9

  We talked quietly, sitting in the gazebo while snow fell around us. At first, I was afraid she would be cold, then realized she was as unaffected by the temperature as I was.

  I had many questions for her. I wanted to know what had happened since the Sentries had taken her after Rook Neculai’s death.

  Calmly, she told me everything, her luscious lips tempting me as she spoke, making it hard to concentrate on the words. Inevitably, the conversation turned to her lady-help.

  “Have you seen Talyssa... or your brother?” she asked.

  I looked away. I didn’t have the courage to tell her I’d seen both of them several times. How could I explain that I’d been unable to do anything to help Talyssa? How could I admit I hadn’t even told Talyssa that I’d met her mistress?

  “I saw my brother,” I said, hiding my embarrassment by averting my gaze. “King Maximus delights himself by bringing him to my challenges.”

  Bianca’s breath caught. “He can’t possibly...”

  I nodded.

  “He’s truly a monster. He deserves to die,” she spat, hatred burning in her eyes.

  I turned the conversation back to her. She talked willingly about her life at the White Palace, slowly easing my apprehension about what had happened with White Rook Neculai. My relief was short lived, however.

  “The Queen’s only Trove has died,” Bianca said. “The man was her blood slave for fifteen years.”

  “Then he finally rests,” I said with satisfaction. This was not good news for a Rook, but it pleased me to know the vampire Queen was confined to darkness.

  “Lovina is angry,” Bianca said, glancing down at her hands. “She has threatened to put me in a pit of some kind if I don’t find another Trove to replace the one she’s lost. She’ll charge the Bishops with my torture.”

  Oh, gods!

  They also had a pit. The symmetry of this city disgusted me. It couldn’t hide the chaos and turmoil Bianca and I had to endure.

  I reached for her hand and interlaced my fingers with hers. I didn’t tell her I knew about the pit for fear of scaring her further. She had to find a Trove. The pit could mean her death. Bishop Dragoslav’s bloody mouth flashed before my eyes. What if Bianca and the other White Rook couldn’t give Lovina what she wanted? What if the White Bishops killed Bianca the way Dragoslav had killed Skullflare?

  “That’s terrible, Bianca,” I said. “She can’t do that.”

  My mind reeled, trying to think of a way to protect her.

  “It’s inevitable,” she said, a sick resignation shaping her features. “I couldn’t possibly condemn anyone to the life of a blood slave—not when I feared it so much for myself. She could have discovered me up until the last moment. I was so afraid when I went to her. I thought she might be able to sense it in me, but the bloodshade did its work. And now, I don’t need it anymore. And even though I’m this, at least I don’t have to worry about becoming her blood slave. I’m not free, by any means.” She laughed wryly. “But I’m not anyone’s daily meal.”

  I had never stopped to think what vampire blood would do to someone like Bianca, to Timotei.

  “You’re not a Trove anymore,” I said. It was a half question and half statement.

  She shook her head. “The Queen’s blood cured me.”

  “That means Timotei could...” I trailed off, my mind reeling. Why hadn’t I thought of this?

  That night when I’d tried to rescue Timotei, and he ended up hurt, Maximus had healed my brother with his blood, but he’d made sure not to give him too much.

  “We wouldn’t want your delicious blood to turn sour,” Maximus had said.

  I should have realized this truth then, but it had escaped me. I thought for a moment, my thoughts unfurling in different directions. I would never be able to take blood from Maximus, but what if I gave Timotei my blood? Would that work?

  No. I shook my head. Contemplating this type of idea was a waste of time. The King had offered me a way to save Timotei. I had to focus on that.

  “I’m starting to think there is no way to save my brother.” I don’t know what made me say that, but I went on with the lie, never mentioning the King’s offer. “Everything I do makes things worse.”

  My own behavior confused me. Why was I keeping the truth from Bianca? I trusted her, didn’t I? She might even help me find the item Maximus wanted from the White Palace, and yet...

  “The only way is to kill Maximus,” Bianca said hesitantly as if afraid
of my reaction. “There is no escape.”

  I would love nothing more than to kill Maximus, but I knew better.

  “He’s too powerful,” I said. “He can’t be killed unless...”

  Unless another vampire did it. I didn’t say the words out loud, but they hung in the air nevertheless.

  Bianca nodded, her gaze locked with mine. “I intend to kill him for what he did to me and my family. Once I’m Queen, I will be powerful enough to do it.”

  I shook my head. “You can’t possibly want to do that. Bianca, you would... become someone else.”

  “I’ve taken the first step. There’s no turning back,” she said, pulling her hand from mine.

  “There has to be another way,” I whispered.

  “You know there isn’t.”

  “Bianca.” I placed a finger under her chin and forced her to look me in the eye. “What if you lose yourself?”

  “It’s a risk I’m willing to take. I’m lost anyway. Only the thought of killing Maximus keeps me going.”

  “What about... me?” I don’t know what made me ask this, but there it was. “I know it’s pretentious of me, but I...” I glanced down, realizing my foolishness. “I’m sorry. It’s stupid. We are members of opposite Boards. There’s nothing—”

  She silenced me with a kiss.

  My breath caught for a moment, but then I matched her kiss, taking her tender face in my hands and deepening the kiss. Daringly, my tongue brushed her lower lip. She pulled back, her breaths ragged, her eyes incredulous.

  “I’m sorry I—” I started, but she silenced me with another kiss.

  She wanted more.

  My tongue issued forth again and slipped into her mouth, brushed hers. Desire burst in me like a raging fire. I wanted her.

  To my surprise, she pulled me to my feet and pressed her body against mine. I practically went blind with lust. I pulled her closer, possessively—one hand around her waist, the other at the back of her neck.