by Sela Croft
I wasn’t scared of Logan. But I was worried about what I might tell him, because I had the urge to tell him everything. I wanted to trust him.
Yet, I didn’t know if he’d be too annoyed to forgive me for withholding the truth earlier. Or even if he’d believe me.
When the dragon soared over the city, and the lights grew brighter, my confidence waned.
Chapter 10
Logan
Waiting was driving me crazy. I’d received word of the pursuit of a vampire outside the city, but hadn’t heard any more.
My brother Florian watched me pace the floor. “Should I be troubled?”
“We should all be troubled,” I said, looking at him over my shoulder.
The wind outside had picked up, and rustled through my clothes. My shirt whipped about my chest, and my pants billowed out slightly. I wished that my worries could be swept away by the gusts, but such was not to be.
“There might be traitors among us, making it difficult to know whom to trust,” I said.
“I don’t mean about that,” Florian said. “I mean should I worry about you?”
“What do you mean?”
My first inclination was to assume he was asking about my reign, and my capacity to lead. My brothers, both older than me, had never doubted my ability to run our kingdom. They’d supported me when I rose to power, at the behest of our father. They’d believed in me. Yet perhaps I’d exhausted that confidence.
“You seem overly interested in this human,” Florian said.
So, it wasn’t my ability that worried him. But that didn’t come as a relief. He’d noticed my attachment to Callie. It wasn’t easy to hide, and I was worried about her.
“Natasha has seen—”
“I know what’s she’s seen,” Florian said. “But you don’t see me wearing holes in the floor, waiting for news of the human’s safety.”
I snapped at my brother. “Perhaps you should be worried then, just as I am.”
Florian raised an eyebrow, in the taunting way older brothers had. His teasing reminded me of earlier times, when things had been different. We’d been at war with the creatures of the darkness. But we were together as a family, and united in our efforts.
Yet we’d still found time laugh.
My brothers had given me a hard time about something petty—a race I had lost or a game of intellect I had yet to fully understand. It had been in good fun.
But in my current state, the attempt at humor didn’t have the same effect. And it seemed that my brother knew something that I didn’t—something I hadn’t yet figured out.
I didn’t seem to know my own feelings about the human girl with the violet eyes, except that she’d managed to consume my thoughts.
Then Henry inched the door to the sitting room open and poked his head in. “Your grace?”
“Henry,” I said, and motioned for him to join us.
I glanced back at Florian, who looked at me with his provoking grin. I would let him have his fun. I had other matters to attend to.
Henry stood with his hands clasped. “I bring word from your brother Valter.”
I tried to hide my excitement.
“They’ve found the girl,” Henry said. “She was in the woods with the vampire.”
“The traitor,” Florian said, and rose to his feet. “Do they have a name?”
“It was Noah Wingate.”
Henry stood nearby. I dismissed him, then waited until he was out of the room to address Florian. “We know Noah Wingate,” I said.
“Apparently we don’t know him as well as we thought.”
“He was a trusted vampire.”
“Not anymore.”
While we waited for Valter and Dequan to return, I considered what I would do when brought face-to-face with the traitor.
I could decree any punishment I wished. That was one of advantages of my position. I considered exile, death, or life in prison. I even considered torture, forcing him to confess every bit of what he’d done, then making him pay for his transgressions.
In the distance, I heard the swoosh of wings. Turning back toward the window, I saw the silhouette of two dragons, closing in on my home. The creatures drew closer, and my eyes fell on Callie. She was seated behind Dequan, her arms wrapped around his waist. She didn’t look hurt or distraught. Her hair flowed out behind her, dark black strands dancing in the wind.
Even from a distance, her eyes captivated me. Our gazes locked, and my chest tightened.
By the time the dragons reached the window, I could barely contain my excitement at seeing her again. Valter escorted Noah from the dragon they rode, holding his wrist tightly as he led him into the room. I was at the ledge and reached for Callie, before Dequan had the chance to dismount.
“You’re safe,” I said, and extended my hand to her.
The dragon beat its wings impatiently, not used to such a clumsy passenger. Dequan leaped down effortlessly, then Callie struggled to throw her legs over the side of the scaled beast. Her eyes locked on mine. Far below her, the ground waited. One misstep, and she would go plummet many feet.
I wouldn’t let that happen, though. And she seemed to know that.
When I helped her down, the room filled with an awkward silence. All eyes were on us. I resisted looking at Florian, knowing what expression would be on his face. I let my hand slip from hers and stepped forward to address the traitor, standing in the heart of my private residence.
Before I could speak, Valter stepped forward. “We need to talk.”
I nodded. Valter and Dequan escorted me to the edge of the room. There was no point keeping our conversation private, as everyone around us would be privy to the information, at some point or another.
“She went with him willingly, as we suspected,” Dequan said.
I raised my brows. “She went with him to the darkness?”
“They didn’t intend to go there,” Valter said.
“Where did they intend to go?”
“We haven’t gotten that far yet.”
“She’s defending him,” Dequan said. “She’s fond of him, it would appear.”
I glanced at Callie. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her stomach, and her shoulders hunched forward slightly. She looked at me, but I couldn’t read her expression.
“So, she’s defending him?”
“She is.” Valter said.
“She said something about magic—some force taking control, while they were in his mist form,” Dequan said.
I didn’t like how this was shaping up. “Do you believe her?”
“Why would she lie?” Valter said.
“To protect a friend,” I said.
I looked at Callie again. I wanted to be alone with her, and discuss this with her, without the intrusion of others. But I couldn’t do that. This was a matter that affected my kingdom, so I couldn’t exclude my trusted advisors from the conversation.
Protecting a friend was something she would do. She was loyal and trusting of others, except me. “Noah,” I said, and summoned him forward. “Please, state your case.”
His eyes were wide, as if he hadn’t expected the chance to speak. I’d done it because of Callie. That’s what she would want.
“I didn’t mean to harm her, your grace,” Noah said. “I swear that I’m not a traitor. I’m loyal to you, to Crystal City, to the light. And I’m loyal to Callie. I wouldn’t do anything to bring harm to her.”
“He wouldn’t,” Callie spoke, her tone laced with fear.
It hurt me a little to hear her speak that way. She was afraid of what I would do. She was afraid of how I would react to her friend from home. He knew her, in a way I couldn’t. They had shared experiences I wouldn’t understand.
Again, I felt lost and confused, frustrated for words. I felt like a small boy, with no chance of gaining understanding.
“I would trust Noah with my life,” Callie said. “Please, Logan. You have to believe me.”
“You understand how thi
s looks?”
Callie nodded.
“Fine. I will take your word for it—for now. That does not mean that a crime wasn’t committed. And that cannot be overlooked. You had no right to enter my home, Noah. Especially, to take Callie away.”
Noah gazed down, not daring to disagree.
“Dequan,” I said. “You will deal with the punishment. I trust you will be fair.”
“I will,” Dequan said, then moved forward and took hold of Noah’s elbow.
He escorted him from the room. Callie tensed, watching them leave. Again, I wanted to be alone with her. I wanted to explain that what I’d chosen was for the best. I wanted to reassure her that Noah would be okay.
But I couldn’t. There were still other issues.
“Valter…Florian, a word? Callie, please, take a seat. I’m sure you’re in need of a rest.”
Callie didn’t look at me, but moved toward the couch. Her eyes remained glued on the door through which Dequan had taken her friend. I swallowed back the pain her expression caused me.
“What do you make of all of this?” I said, once my brothers had joined me.
“He was only doing as he’d been told,” Valter said, tracing my line of sight back to Callie.
“He was never told to take her from—”
“From?” Florian asked.
There was that taunting tone that so often accompanied the equally ridiculing look.
“From my residence,” I said abruptly.
“Logan,” Valter said, drawing my attention to him. “He isn’t a traitor.”
“You’re certain?”
“I am.”
I looked back at Callie. “Very well.”
“That’s all?” Valter asked.
Florian elbowed him and they exchanged a look. Valter’s face illuminated with understanding, then he adopted Florian’s mocking expression.
“I see,” Valter said, then lowered his voice and leaned in close. “You want us gone, don’t you?”
“She’s had a long day and needs to rest.”
Florian said, “Perhaps we should escort her to her room, before we leave.”
I glared at him, growing tired of games. “I need to hear her side of the story,” I said. “And I won’t have any more of your jeers. I am only doing what is best for all of us.”
They took heed of my tone and began to depart. Valter called the dragons, and in a flutter of leathery, scale-covered wings, my brothers and cousin were gone.
Finally…we were alone.
Chapter 11
Logan
Since the last time I’d seen Callie, I’d wanted to talk to her more. With a threat, I’d just stormed out, and there had been no excuse for my behavior. But apologies could wait.
There was much to discuss, and I could tell by the way she behaved that the reality of my world was beginning to sink in. She was aware that this was a dangerous, volatile place.
Callie stared up at me from the couch. Her hands were clasped together, and her eyes were filled with concern.
“You must be hungry,” I said.
She raised a brow. “Hungry?”
“You have to eat, do you not?”
Speaking of food reminded me that I was depleted, since it had been some time since I’d drank blood. But that moment was not the time for that. The last thing Callie needed was the sight of me ripping into a blood bag, then watching the chilled red liquid glide down my throat.
“I suppose I have to eat.” Callie appeared unsure of me, her situation, or what would come next.
“I was very worried about you.”
“Worried about or angry?”
“Worried,” I said, then moved toward the door and motioned for her to follow. “I will admit, I was upset when I received the news that you’d escaped. But my primary concern was for your safety.”
“Your brother mentioned that you were worried about me. And I have to admit that I was a little surprised.”
“Surprised?”
“Well, after the last time we spoke…”
It seemed avoiding that topic would be difficult. Unprepared for that conversation, I changed the subject. “You have to understand how dangerous what you did was. It was foolish and not well thought out.”
Previously, Callie had taken offense to things I said, but she didn’t argue on this point. She didn’t comment about her bad decision.
Seeing her feel badly made me want to comfort her, but I needed to ensure that she fully understood the reality of her situation.
She had begun to see things more clearly. But more than understanding, I needed her to accept this battle as her own. She was caught in the middle of the realm’s turmoil, and needed to acknowledge that.
It was vital for her to see that I was her ally. Perhaps she’d be willing to enter the fight, once she realized that she wasn’t alone.
“If you needed help, you could have come to me,” I said. “All I’ve wanted is protect you, Callie.”
Callie glanced up at me, and I sensed her doubt—which wasn’t so unexpected, since I hadn’t told her that before. I hadn’t let her know that I would help her. I’d only asked her to share information, because I needed it. Yet I hadn’t considered what she needed from me.
When we entered the dining room, the cook rushed up to us. “Callie, thank heavens you’re safe.”
“Hello, Bernadette,” Callie said, and wrapped her arms around the cook’s plump frame.
It was strange for me to watch humans interact. The exchange was more emotional than I was used to with vampires. The physical contact seemed foreign to me, but I imagined what it would be like if I hugged Callie.
There was warmth that the humans possessed that vampires had abandoned long ago. It wasn’t only physical, but was emotional and sentimental.
In that instant, I was jealous of the cook. I longed to comfort Callie the way she did. I doubted my ability to do so.
“I’ve just finished preparing dinner,” Bernadette said and pulled back from Callie. “Sit right down, and I’ll have it out in a hurry.”
Callie took her seat at the table, then I sat across from her. Before I had the chance to speak, Bernadette was back with the meal. The smell made my stomach turn, but it was clear that it was very alluring to the human girl in front of me.
Callie sat back in her chair, appearing to savor the plate of roasted meat with vegetables and a fresh loaf of bread. Bernadette looked pleased, then glanced at me.
I wondered if she was being protective of Callie, almost like a mother.
I refocused on Callie who was eating with abandon, which gave me comfort. It was good to see her eat.
“I’m sorry,” Callie said, then dabbed her mouth with the napkin. “I’m being rude.”
“Not at all.”
“Aren’t you… hungry?”
“No,” I lied. “Please eat.”
“It’s weird sitting here eating with you watching me,” Callie said. “Can we at least talk or something? Lighten the mood a little bit?”
“Of course, I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”
“I don’t know what the Fae want with me,” she said. “Do you?”
“I didn’t mean we should talk about that. We can discuss the dark beings once you’ve eaten and settled in. What I meant was that I’ve been wanting to talk to you about your background. I want to know more about your life.”
Calle looked down at her plate, and scooped a bite of food. She chewed for a moment, then her brow wrinkled. “I’m not sure what to say.”
“It doesn’t have to be anything big. Let’s start small. Food, for example. Tell me about the food in your realm.”
“It’s a lot like this. Although, something about the food here seems fresher. It tastes better. Or, maybe it’s just because I’m always so hungry when I eat. I’m not sure.”
“What is your favorite meal?”
“My mother’s chicken dumplings. The flavors and textures are just heavenly.”
I nod
ded to encourage her to continue.
“You don’t care about food, though, do you? I mean, why would you?” She giggled. “How long has it been since you’ve eaten, anyway?”
If I could blush, I would have. “We were talking about you.”
“Then tell me what it is you really want to know?”
“Honestly, I just want to know you.”
Callie stopped with her fork held in the air. “I’m so boring,” she said, “honestly.”
“Then tell me about your boring life.”
“School, homework, friends—well, friend, really. I only had one close friend back home…Noah.”
“Noah?”
“Does he still count as a friend, even though he was only spending time with me because he had to?”
“You tell me.”
“I think he does. He feels awful about this whole thing. When I found out, I was so mad at him. I’ve never seen him look so broken before. I’m not going to lie; I felt bad.”
I settled back in my seat and listened to her talk. I couldn’t help but smile. There was something different about the way she was talking, than how she had spoken to me before. It was as if her guard was down. Maybe it was the familiar food, or the table setting that the humans seemed to love so much. Or maybe it was speaking of her home.
Or maybe it was speaking of Noah.
That thought irked me. Yet seeing her more relaxed gave me comfort.
“Back home, Noah was one of the only people I trusted. He always looked out for me. I understand the real reason for that. But earlier today, he was genuinely concerned for my safety. He fought off those Cat Sid things as best he could, and tried to keep them from getting at me.”
“Cat Sid?”
“Big Fae cats.”
“Oh, you mean Caith Sidhe.”
“Right, that. Sorry. I’m still learning all the words.”
She blushed then pushed herself back from the table. The way color flooded her cheeks added to her endearing charm.
“Noah told me all about the Caith Sidhe,” she said, “and the Redcaps. And, I swear that he really wanted to protect me. He didn’t mean to hurt me at all.”
