by Amber Lynn
Rya unexpectedly shut the door behind her. It seemed she wanted a little privacy for something, which confused Krinla. There were two guards outside who had heard all the weird half conversations that Rya was having with herself.
“They’re not my parents, and they have no clue about my ability.”
Chapter Twenty
Krinla should’ve backtracked to the part in the conversation when Rya had threatened to hurt Hunter, but the unexpected claim that the people she’d referred to as her parents weren’t was disturbing. Krinla’s secluded life meant she didn’t remember seeing anyone pregnant for the years it took to have a Dracul. She was sure she didn’t remember hearing about anyone dying, leaving a baby without parents. Gyla liked to gossip and that sounded like something she would’ve shared.
“What do you mean they aren’t your parents?”
Krinton didn’t seem concerned as Krinla let her attention be distracted from Hunter again. She wanted to learn more about the revelation concerning his health, but there was too much going on to focus on just one thing.
“Judging from what you’ve been thinking, I would’ve thought it more unbelievable that I kept the ability thing away from them. People don’t want to think I can do what I do, so they explain it away.” Rya seemed to backpedal away from the parents issue on the table.
“I believe that, but you said you’re ten, and I’m having trouble believing you’ve kept if from them that long.”
Rya shrugged. “I consider myself ten, but others would probably claim I’m younger. My real mother killed herself when she was pregnant with me and it sort of stunted my growth.”
Krinla instantly looked over to Krinton. Draculs didn’t kill themselves every day and she knew Gyla would have definitely gossiped about those juicy details.
“I told her it was up to her to tell you.” Krinton didn’t offer anything else, but it solidified what Krinla was thinking.
“But you’re not her father.”
Krinla turned her full body on the bed so she could face the other Draculs. She’d had the sense there were things they were keeping from her, but the news that Krinton hadn’t been joking when he introduced Rya as her sister wasn’t one of the things Krinla had considered.
When Krinla moved, Hunter moved with her to make sure they kept contact. Their hands had separated, but he was quick to relocate to the center of the bed with her.
Krinton’s head moved from side to side. “She’s the product of your mother’s affair, but I think of her as my own daughter.”
Her father reached over and put an arm around Rya to bring her close to his side. The child had no problem cuddling up with his leg. Krinla tried to remember any similar affection between the two of them, but couldn’t remember seeing a father and daughter connection.
“But you said you were one of Hulin’s friend’s kid and you overheard them talking about killing my father.”
If Krinla needed a few seconds to think about what was going on with Hunter, they’d done a good job of coming up with a topic to keep her mind occupied. It felt a little like her head was going to explode as she tried to make sense of things.
“I couldn’t very well tell you the truth. You would’ve freaked out, and there’s usually always someone watching you. I told you what you needed to hear to get you to come with me and potentially save your life. If Hulin would’ve found you trying to leave, he would’ve locked you up somewhere until the wedding.”
Being manipulative was a trait most Draculs shared, so it didn’t surprise Krinla that the girl hadn’t been truthful. She had to wonder if anything the girl had told her was true. It certainly seemed like someone was chasing them since Krinla ended up with a blade in her side before they traveled to the past.
“Maybe I should explain things a little more now that the news itself is out there.”
Krinla found herself nodding to Krinton’s words. Explanations were very much in order.
“If this is something you guys want to discuss in private, I can try to leave the room,” Hunter offered, emphasizing the word try.
There was no way Krinla was going to let him leave, so she wasn’t sure if he was foreseeing the fight she was going to put up or his own anxiety that came from thinking about them being separated. To make sure he knew her answer, she carefully squeezed his hand. Eventually, she wanted to examine his hand to see if there was any real damage, but since she didn’t feel any bones snapping, she thought it could wait.
“You’re practically family, which is why we didn’t ask you to leave,” Krinton said, causing Krinla to roll her eyes. Hunter had no idea what they were talking about, unless he was better at putting the pieces together than she was. “I think you understand that Rya’s existence is something I had to keep quiet. I couldn’t stop your mother from killing herself.”
Krinton stopped to close his eyes and sigh. He didn’t talk about his wife often. Krinla had always assumed it was because he was still furious about her cheating on him, but she was seeing something more from his reaction.
Rya reached up and grabbed Krinton’s hand. His larger hand totally engulfed the smaller one.
“No matter what happened, he cared about our mother. He knew what she was doing and kept quiet about it until others found out. It hurt that she chose someone else, but her happiness was more important to him.”
It was strange hearing about it from Rya and not Krinton. There was a big part of Krinla that was upset someone else knew the things being said. Knowing Krinton couldn’t hide his thoughts on the matter from Rya made it a little better, but not hearing the information from her father hurt.
“Don’t blame him. He couldn’t very well tell you some of what happened and not tell you everything. It’s not a situation a Dracul has been in before, and hopefully, it’s not one that has to be dealt with again. I’ve spent most of my life living underneath the castle to make sure no one saw me. I think today is the first day we’ve been seen together, and I’m sure someone will figure it out.”
Krinla found herself shaking her head. Her brain didn’t want to comprehend what was being shared. It was hard to decide which was more impossible, Rya was her sister or Krinla could be connected to Hunter in a way she didn’t understand. Add in the whole time traveling thing, and for the first time in her life, Krinla felt like she needed a nap just to give her head some relief.
“I know I have no idea what’s going on, but maybe we should think about slowing things down a little and taking a step back. I know she’s not meaning to do it, but my hand is getting squeezed again, and since the other one is still recovering, I’d prefer to not have two crippled hands.”
Krinla immediately loosened her hold on him, but didn’t let go. She needed something to ground her, and Hunter was it.
“Sorry, I got a little lost in my thoughts.”
“Totally understandable,” Hunter replied as he lifted their joined hands and kissed her knuckles. “I’m a sucker for soap operas, so let me see if I’m getting this story right. Your mom found someone she liked a little more than your dad and that sounds like a big no-no in your culture, like it is in mine. I’m guessing things are a little harder than just getting a divorce since you mentioned us not being able to get married until I kill the Hulin guy.”
Hunter stopped his synopsis for confirmation. Rya, who apparently was the mouthpiece of the Dracul faction, was the first to respond.
“My father was sentenced to death, which is the normal punishment for what you call adultery. The woman is spared, but usually marked in some way. It’s rare that it happens at all, but when it does, it’s not unheard of for her to kill herself.”
There was a soft hum next to Krinla. “I figured that was the case. I’m still sensing how this affected all of you, but I’m sorry for the loss it seems you share. Having lost my own mother recently, I know firsthand how painful it can be.”
“It was ten years ago, so we’ve had some time to recover.” Krinla remembered how confusing things were when i
t happened, but she’d tried to forget the exact emotions she felt.
“But we all think about her every cycle, or day as you’d say,” Rya added. She would know exactly how true that statement was.
“Didn’t you say she was pregnant with you when she died?” Hunter asked.
Krinla had heard that, but wasn’t sure what to make of it. She didn’t remember her mom being pregnant and it took a long time for a baby to grow.
The edges of Rya’s lips turned up slightly. “That’s why I mentioned people thinking I’m younger than I am. Krinton found our mother shortly after the life had drained from her body, but I was still fighting to live.”
“I didn’t think she’d survive,” Krinton picked up the conversation. “I had to try to save her, though. She was a part of Juni, and no matter what, I loved her as much as a Dracul can.”
Rya had already said as much, and even though Krinla had wondered over the years, she believed his words. The mystery of how Rya survived was something Krinla wanted to push off until she could process things.
“That’s a good idea,” Rya said before Krinla could formulate her reply. “I suggest we let you two get some rest and regroup when the sun comes up. Given what the humans know about our general habits, I suggest we go for a walk across the lawn to prove we won’t melt.”
There was something wicked about Rya. Krinla wasn’t sure whether she should be scared or happy she seemed to be on their side.
“Right this second, I’d go with the happy side. Krinton, what do you say we head back to the lovely accommodations we found in the other room and give them some more alone time. I figure the more time you spend together, the quicker we can move things along here.”
Krinton looked like he wanted to huff about Rya’s idea, judging by the sideways look he gave Rya, but he didn’t question her. It was odd for him to defer to anyone, let alone someone who was barely tall enough to make it to his hip.
“Rya’s right. The more time you two have together, the stronger your bond will grow. We need to get back, and no matter how interesting Hunter’s idea of taking us back to before Hulin decided he wanted to claim you is, we’ll be going back to where we left things.”
The comment about when they went back came a little out of the blue. Krinla wasn’t sure how that worked, but she assumed she couldn’t go back in time to when she was still a kid. Since she was already having issues with clarity, she didn’t bother trying to make sense of it.
Krinton and Rya left before the conversation could continue. Krinton didn’t mention anything about keeping their lips to each other, but Krinla hoped they could keep things from turning intense.
She saw one of the soldiers take a quick look in the room before following behind Rya and Krinton. The idea of them needing to be followed was funny. They clearly hadn’t been watching when Rya demonstrated how fast they moved.
“Are they really going to leave us alone the rest of the night?” Hunter asked as he looked over his shoulder.
Krinla followed where he was looking and saw that he seemed to be studying a small black object with numbers on it. “What’s that?”
Hunter had turned back around and was focused on Krinla, but she continued to stare. While she was watching it, one of the numbers changed.
“It’s how we tell time. The two numbers on the left are hours and the ones on the right are minutes. Right now it’s a little after ten at night, which is a reasonable time to sleep if you want to rest for a little bit.”
His concept of time sounded confusing, so Krinla ignored it and turned back to Hunter. She wasn’t sure if she could sleep, but she did need to try to shut her brain off and get it to reboot. It felt weird to be considering going to sleep when it was normal for her to be up and about. Not quite as weird as sleeping with someone else in the room with her, but that was something she should get used to.
Chapter Twenty-one
It was hard to believe, but after a little idle chit-chat, Krinla had no problem falling asleep with Hunter next to her in bed. As her eyes got heavier, Krinla became more convinced it was the warmth coming from Hunter causing it. Crazy cycle and headache aside, she shouldn’t have been so tired.
“I guess I’m not surprised to find you don’t snore. Thankfully, you fell asleep before I did, so my snoring didn’t keep you up.” Hunter’s body was wrapped around Krinla, so it was surprising she’d been able to wake up if her heat theory was correct.
After brushing some strands of hair out of the way, he leaned down and kissed her temple. Krinla tried to make sense of whether she was comfortable or still too tired to be freaked out that she had another person that close to her, presumably for a while.
“I’m not exactly sure what a snore is, but you don’t seem to be painting it in a good light.”
“Hmm,” Hunter chuckled. “It’s a noise I’d say most humans make when they sleep. I’ve been told mine aren’t extremely loud, but my brother was known to shake the house with his.”
There was a hint of sadness in his voice when he spoke of his brother. Krinla hadn’t asked when his family had died, but she assumed it had been relatively recent. Eventually, she wanted to know more about them and what they meant to Hunter, but that was talk for a little later.
“Well, I didn’t hear anything, so maybe you stopped making the noises.”
Krinla didn’t remember falling asleep, so she really had nothing to base her statement on. She didn’t think of herself as a heavy sleeper, but that was mainly based on years of not sleeping.
“Maybe. So, what’s on your mind now that a new day has started?”
That was a question best answered in a position Krinla could see Hunter’s eyes. She wanted to try to gauge his mood and see how well it meshed with hers. As far as she knew, Draculs didn’t usually dream, since sleeping wasn’t a priority, but she’d had a very vivid one that she was trying to wire into her memory, so she didn’t forget a second of it.
“Well,” Krinla said as she wiggled in his arms and got herself rolled over. “I’m still trying to figure out what to think about everything. I assume you slept last night. Do humans dream?”
The dream she remembered seemed real and featured Hunter, so she had to wonder if he somehow had a similar experience. There wasn’t a lot of action in the dream. It was more a continuation of the talk they’d been having. They’d barely scratched the surface as far as getting to know each other while they were awake, but if any of what she’d dreamt was true, she knew a lot more about Hunter than she had before falling asleep.
“You’re wondering if you told me about the diary you keep that’s in the top drawer of your dresser or about your friend Gyla, who you’re sure is beside herself with worry.”
Krinla shook her head. Part of her expected the answer, but it was still a surprise.
“How is that possible?”
Krinla didn’t expect him to be able to answer her, but she had to ask the question. Hunter smiled at her before he leaned down and kissed the edge of her lips. It was a brief brush, but she found herself trying to follow his lips as he moved away. Krinla had briefly wondered about going in the other room and giving Hunter some time alone. Every time she told herself to get up, her body refused to follow directions.
“Like I told you in the dream, I have no idea. It’s got to be a part of that duo sanguine business you guys were talking about yesterday. That’s the one subject you refused to talk about in the dream. Now that we’re awake, do you think maybe it’s time to at least acknowledge there’s a chance we could be the mythical couple?”
Krinla sighed and tried to roll over on her back. Hunter wasn’t ready for her to pull away and tightened the arm he had wrapped around her. It would’ve been nothing for Krinla to fight him to get what she wanted, but it wasn’t time to fight. She was pretty sure that would come later in the day, so for the time being, she let him have his way.
“I was just thinking about how I should’ve gone into the other room to sleep, but my body wouldn’t let
me.”
“And you would’ve had to deal with me grabbing hold of your ankle so you dragged me along with you,” Hunter added before Krinla could complete her thought.
“I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t attempt to leave because that would’ve looked silly. What I was going to say was that it’s hard to deny we could be the duo sanguine, but there’s the very big issue that you are not a Dracul.”
Krinla didn’t want to believe it was possible, but there was too much going on to not give it some credence. As soon as she mentioned the problem with them being part of the story, the smile on Hunter’s face faltered a little.
“Why don’t you want me to be like you? I don’t see how it’d be that much different.”
“Maybe that’s why. You don’t understand what you’re asking me to do.”
Krinla knew that wasn’t the reason, but they needed to go over the logic behind it being a bad idea again. If he could only understand what was at stake, the begging she sometimes caught in his eyes would maybe go away. It was painful to know there was something she could do that would make him happy, but it wasn’t quite as painful as the idea of him dying because things went wrong.
“After spending all night talking, you still don’t think I understand.” There was a hint of disbelief in his voice to go along with a minor headshake.
“No, I don’t. I’m not even talking about what could happen when Hulin finds out about you.”
It was awkward to have the conversation with his arms wrapped around her and their faces so close to each other. Krinla fought the little pressure Hunter applied as she tried to move again and sat up in the bed, with Hunter following her movements. She didn’t have plans of going any farther, just the need for a little space.
Not at all unexpected, Hunter made sure their hands were interlocked. Krinla thought it might be best if they just sew them together. It’d ease some of the fear they both seemed to have about being separated.
