The Phoenix Prince

by Kristen Gupton

  The prince couldn’t help but feel like the situation was spinning out of control. He hadn’t even been crowned yet, and things were already a complete mess. He’d be damned if he could think of any other complications to heap onto the situation, his mind already working overtime to figure out what was going on.

  Then, Thana walked into the room carrying a bucket.

  Keiran drew in a long breath, still having his eyes closed. He knew it was her immediately. His cheeks burned, and he sat up straighter, turning to look.

  She came in and knelt down, taking a rag from the pail of water and starting to wipe up the wine on the floor. Since Keiran was being quiet, and she was preoccupied, the girl didn’t notice him sitting there right away.

  He watched on as she scrubbed the floor. She was trying to sweep all the glass bits into a pile with the rag as she worked. Every few passes, she’d dip the rag back into the bucket of water and then squeeze it out. On the fifth such act, a shard of glass had remained tangled in the rag and when she wrung it out, the glass stabbed right into the palm of her right hand.

  She yelped and dropped the rag, clutching her hand to her chest.

  Keiran stood up fast enough to tip his chair over, going to her side. “Thana, are you okay?”

  His presence startled her, but the reaction was muted by the pain. She whimpered a bit, afraid to look at her hand. Inspecting him, she saw the injuries he’d sustained from his bout with Athan. Her expression turned almost sad. “I… I don’t know.”

  “Let me see it,” he asked quietly, kneeling before her.

  Thana turned her head to the side and held out her trembling hand. The shard of glass was still embedded between the center of her palm and the base of her thumb. It hurt badly, the residue from the dried wine on the glass making it burn.

  Keiran felt a bit of unease at the sight, but knew that he needed to get the glass out if she wasn’t willing to do it herself. He asked her consent. Thana looked at him briefly with one eye, before turning her head away again and nodding. She bit her lower lip and tensed, having seen the glass sticking up.

  He steadied her hand with his right, carefully gripping the exposed end of the shard. Keiran pulled and removed it in a single, fluid motion. She winced as he did so, though it hadn’t hurt as much as she’d anticipated. Still, she started instantly to feel a little faint and wavered.

  Afraid that she was going to pass out, he moved to get an arm around her shoulders, keeping her up. He was still holding her injured hand, and felt something hot start to run down his wrist. Keiran looked, seeing that injury was welling up with blood now that the glass was removed. There was a stream of it coursing from the pool in her palm, over their clasped hands, and down both their wrists. Instinct was stirring again at the sight and scent.

  Thana looked up at him, wide eyed. His lips were parted, and she could see his broken but still noticeable left fang, and the intact right. Though she’d been willing to accept him at his word about being a vampire, seeing this drove it home as reality. “Keiran…”

  He forced himself to look at her eyes instead of the spilling blood. “What?”

  “You really are a vampire,” she said quietly.

  Keiran grew uncomfortable at once. He’d thought they’d already worked that out after his return earlier in the day. Why she was bringing it up again now baffled him. He was oblivious to the fact she could see his fangs for herself. He still had no concept how hard it was for some people to honestly grasp the reality of what he was.

  “It’s okay,” she whispered. “I don’t mind.”

  Keiran wasn’t sure if she meant that it was okay that he was a vampire, or if she was giving him permission to drink. Logical thought was a long, long way off for him. His thirst was now agonizingly strong, and he gently pulled her wounded hand toward his lips.

  The girl drew in a sharp breath. She’d meant that what he was didn’t bother her, but his closeness and touch threw her into confusion. Her feelings for him fought back what she figured would have been proper to do in that moment. The idea that she could give him the one thing he needed most was bitterly appealing. Keiran looked like it was what he wanted.

  Thana whimpered again and then gave consent. “Go on.”

  He knew it was wrong, that he should get the medic and have her injury treated. However, there was a feeling coming from her which, even in his weakened state, he could pick up easily enough. She wanted him to drink. Why she did he couldn’t fathom, but there it was.

  Keiran’s eyes were drawn to her hand again, held before his lips. According to his studies, the chances of infecting another without actually biting them were said to be none. At least, there were no accounts of it. It should be safe enough, he thought.

  Thana’s eyes closed slowly, and she leaned more heavily against his side. The thoughts and feelings Keiran had been picking up from her ceased. He shook his head slightly, and looked down at her.

  The poor girl had passed out.

  The prince felt a spike of panic, wondering for a moment if she’d bled to death. It was a silly notion, though. For as bad as it looked, the total amount of blood that she’d lost wasn’t more than an ounce or so. He cursed himself for what he’d almost done, trying to shove aside his thirst. He’d never fought an instinct like the one drilling away in the center of his brain. It was still urging him to drink, despite Thana’s condition. Keiran opted to deny himself. Her well being was more important to him than his own gratification.

  Standing, he took her up into his arms and walked out the doorway and into the hall. The sentry snapped to attention and looked on, wide eyed. Keiran paid him no attention, however, and hurried down toward the medic’s quarters and kicked the unlocked door open.

  Inside, Corina and the medic were standing and talking. When they saw Keiran with the unconscious girl in his arms, they went silent.

  Keiran moved past them and placed her down on one of the two empty cots in the medic’s room. “She was cleaning up some glass in the dining hall and cut herself. She passed out after I pulled the glass from her hand.”

  The medic hurried over and took up her bloodied hand, looking it over. He moved away to grab a basin of water and some rags.

  The prince stepped back to let him work, looking over at Corina. She could see that he was visibly upset and put a hand on his shoulder. “Keiran?”

  His shoulders slumped and he looked utterly depressed.

  Corina met his gaze silently, debating on whether or not to bother with the question she’d almost asked. She completely believed that Thana had cut herself on accident as there was glass on the floor. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder if Keiran had taken advantage of the situation and took some of the blood that was spilled. By looking at him close, however, she could see that his condition wasn’t improved from a short time before.

  Laron got Thana’s hand cleaned up in short order and examined the wound. Keiran had gotten the only piece of glass out from what he could tell, and the cut looked like it would heal without too much trouble. He wrapped her hand up carefully as they watched on, Thana coming around before too long.

  She was disoriented from having passed out and being moved. She tried to sit up quickly in her confusion, but that instantly made her light headed again. Thana rested back, looking between those in the room. Her gaze landed on Keiran, and she instantly felt self-conscious about what had happened. She couldn’t help but wonder if he’d taken her blood as well, but felt that she shouldn’t ask in front of Corina and the medic. The whole incident made her feel embarrassed. She knew her mother would have been ashamed and would most likely give her a serious lecture about what had happened when she found out.

  Laron was the one that finally asked for all of them. He turned after her bandage was placed. “My Lord, you didn’t take any of her blood did you? I need to know if there is any chance she could have been exposed to infection.”

  Keiran’s eyes widened and his brows rose. The medic made it sound like he was carrying
the plague. “No, of course I didn’t. I just removed the glass and then she passed out. I brought her straight here. I was worried.”

  Thana had been looking at him, but quickly averted her gaze to the side, already fidgeting with her bandage. There was instantly a feeling that drifted from her.

  The prince picked up an utterly confusing mix of relief and disappointment.

  The medic nodded and stood up from the bedside, seemingly appeased with the prince’s answer. He moved a little closer toward Corina and the vampire, out of Thana’s earshot.

  “I was telling Corina before you arrived that I don’t have any bloodlettings scheduled. I apologize, but I’ve got nothing that I can give you right now,” the medic said.

  Keiran gave a nod, feeling his throat burn and the desire to have some well back up. It had been temporarily moved aside due to his concern for Thana, but now that she was all right, it was back.

  “No worries. I’ll be okay. I’m sure it won’t hurt me to wait until tomorrow or whenever,” Keiran replied, trying to come off sincere.

  “I can get you some of the blood-wine from the kitchen,” Corina volunteered.

  The prince gave a shake of his head, looking at Thana. The truth was that the mere thought of the blood-wine he’d used to drink made him feel downright nauseated. There was only one thing that would sate him now, and that wasn’t it.

  “I’ll be fine. I’ll wait,” Keiran said, before turning and moving toward the door. Inwardly, he was feeling more than a little uneasy about his encounter with Thana. Being alone for a while seemed like a good idea to him. He needed a chance to clear his thoughts.

  The other three in the medic’s quarters simply watched him go. The prince was stressed, and they were all helpless to do anything about it.

  * * *

  As soon as Keiran left the medic’s quarters, Jerris appeared and dismissed the sentry. They walked to the throne room, where the prince landed heavily.

  Jerris had remained quiet while they’d walked, seeing that something was wrong. Finally, he cracked and asked, “Why were you coming out of the medic’s quarters?”

  “I took Thana there. She cut herself,” he replied.

  “Oh, poor thing.” Had circumstances been different, Jerris would have found some way to tease the prince about it. He knew how Keiran felt, however, and decided to play nice. “She’s all right?”

  “Aye.” Keiran shrugged and slouched down into the seat. He didn’t want to think about it anymore. “She’s all right. It looked worse than I guess it is. The medic honestly asked me if I’d taken her blood from the wound.”

  “You wouldn’t do that, though,” Jerris replied. “Right?”

  Keiran got up again and moved over closer to his friend, standing shoulder to shoulder with him. He lowered his voice, even though no one else was in the room with them. “I didn’t, no. I wanted to, though, and I damn near did.”

  “Only thing that matters is that you didn’t.”

  “I wish I was that certain about it,” Keiran said.

  Jerris looked at him for a few silent moments. “What do we do now?”

  “Don’t leave me alone around others. I don’t trust myself anymore. I was afraid that having human blood even once would change me, Jerris, and it has.”

  “You’re not dangerous.”

  Keiran started to say something to that, but Corina entered the room with a chalice in her hands.

  The old woman neared the two of them, wondering what they’d been discussing. She knew that if she asked, however, that they wouldn’t tell her. They’d always been that way and tended to keep secrets between them.

  She stopped, staring down into the cup she held. “I got Sorna to come and take Thana back to their quarters in the servants’ wing. She sends her thanks to you for taking the girl to the medic.”

  There was something in the way she said it that made Keiran think Sorna might not have been exactly gracious about it. He didn’t even need to make the effort to try and sense what she was feeling. It was obvious. The last thing he needed were rumors amongst the staff that he’d somehow either harmed the girl himself or had taken her blood against her will. He gave a quiet groan and closed his eyes.

  Corina knew Keiran suspected she’d sugar coated the exchange with Thana’s mother. Feeling guilty, she held the cup in her hands out toward the prince. “I brought you something. I know what you said earlier, but I’d really like it if you tried.”

  Keiran moved away from Jerris and accepted the chalice. He’d already picked up the faint scent of blood in the air since Corina had appeared, so he wasn’t surprised to see that’s what the cup held. He fought back another groan, the idea of drinking it made him feel unwell. His body wanted human blood, and it seemed in complete revolt toward anything but that. He’d not eaten regular food at all since his return and wasn’t remotely hungry. Still, he opted to put forth the effort to try for her.

  Corina clasped her hands together before her chest, watching him tip the cup up to his lips. Jerris suddenly found something very interesting to look at closer to the wall, not wanting to be around. The whole ability to drink blood was beyond the guard. Best friend or not, he thought Keiran was utterly gross.

  The prince closed his eyes and drank. One small sip and he lowered the cup, shuddering. It was animal blood mixed with the usual bitter herbal anticoagulants the servants had been providing him all of his life. While he’d been acclimated to it over the years, just one drink from a human had ruined it. Even though he couldn’t remember his only human drink, his body clearly did. He fought back the urge to gag, holding the cup out toward Corina, shaking his head. “I can’t drink this. I’m sorry.”

  She frowned and accepted the chalice. “It’s all right. It was worth a shot. Laron thinks he’ll have a bloodletting tomorrow in all likelihood. You will be provided for then. Will you hold out all right?”

  Keiran managed up a smile he wasn’t feeling. “I’ll be fine. I’ll be too worried about all the other things going on tomorrow to give my thirst too much thought.”

  She gave him a dubious look, before turning and retreating. “I’ll check on you later. Jerris, don’t you leave his side.”

  Jerris gestured and mocked her silently once her back was turned. When she was out of the room, he looked to the vampire. “She hates you so much. You’re such a pain in the ass.”

  “You’re one to talk,” Keiran replied, narrowing his eyes. “I’m the love of her life. You’re just jealous. Regardless, I need to do something. Even though I’m exhausted, I’m restless.”

  “Well, if you’re thinking you’re going to go out and join the search for Peirte, don’t bother. My father wouldn’t allow it. You’re supposed to be on lockdown, so we have to entertain ourselves inside the castle.”

  Keiran nodded and stared down at the floor. He thought about Peirte, and the madman’s room. While he had no desire to go in there again, there was another bedroom in the castle that he’d not been into in years.

  “Jerris, I think I should go have a look in my father’s quarters. See if there’s anything of interest inside,” Keiran said.

  The guard grinned wide. He loved getting into other people’s things.

  The prince caught the guard’s expression clearly, and he knew what was on his mind. “I don’t honestly need company to do that, but I know you’re going to be on some mission now so let’s go. And don’t be offended if I demand to see your pockets turned inside out after we’re done. I know you.”

  Jerris gave a lax salute, and then trotted right alongside the prince up the stairs, and to the dead king’s quarters. The doors were locked, but Keiran had a key. The lock had been made identical to the one on his room, as the king always insisted on being able to get into the prince’s quarters whenever he so desired. Turis Lee had always figured that one key was easier to carry, and he knew Keiran wouldn’t have dared go into his room in return.

  Keiran pushed the door open before them. It creaked as it swung inward,
giving him the first glimpse into the space he’d had in ages. The setting sun was casting an orange light through the large balcony doors on the far end of the room. In the center sat his father’s bed. Its massive gilt frame seemed ridiculously gaudy to Keiran’s tastes. The blankets and sheets had never been made up and were a tangled mess. The king rarely allowed servants into his room, fearing they’d touch things. The room was in a dire state due to this, as the old man had surely not taken care of the upkeep himself. Discarded clothes littered the floor. Several goblets and plates lined the tops of the dressers and cabinets within. Keiran decided that he wouldn’t be looking in the king’s bathroom, certain he’d be terrified with whatever he found.

  Jerris elbowed the prince out of the way and strode in. “Your father was a brilliant interior decorator. Just look at this!”

  “Having seen your own house, Jerris, I’m not sure if you’re joking or dead serious.”

  The guard looked back over his shoulder and rolled his eyes. A rude gesture with his right hand soon followed.

  Keiran shrugged and moved into the room, going toward two dressers that rested side by side. Tuning out Jerris’ continued running commentary, he started to pull open drawers. He wasn’t sure what he was hunting for, but he did wonder if he’d find anything to implicate his father’s involvement in Peirte’s magic. Keiran didn’t honestly think his father had been. The old man didn’t have the intelligence or patience to be involved in those sorts of things. Besides, Peirte was too much of a control freak to let anyone else in on his dealings.

  Mostly, Keiran was just trying to keep his mind engaged, to help him ignore the growing void in his core and the pain in his head.

  The first several drawers were stuffed with clothes, and the occasional dirty dish. Keiran sighed and shook his head before moving on. The second dresser looked like the drawers hadn’t been touched in ages. While there were dishes and clothes piled haphazardly on top, the handles on the front were all layered heavily with dust.