“Still—” Tristan leaned against the railing. “I’m not leaving. Not a chance. If the king dies, Xandra will fall with him. I won’t let that happen.”
Her heart skipped at the ferocity and concern in Tristan’s eyes, but even though she knew it was selfish, she wished that Tristan’s concern was for her, not just her kingdom.
Alex bared his fangs. “If you’re so concerned about Lucette, where have you been these past weeks?”
“I came as soon as I heard. News of Xandra’s predicament was slow to come to Judra.” Tristan touched her arm, sending a thrill through her body. “Your father is very grateful and relieved that I’ve come, and that you’re no longer alone.”
“She was never alone.” Alex grabbed her arm. “You need to tell your father how much I’ve helped you. He needs to know about me, if we’re going to get married.”
“Married?” Tristan grabbed her other arm, his eyes filled with shock. “You’re going to marry this monster?”
Lucette’s mouth dried and a million thoughts raced through her mind; she couldn’t make them come out as actual words.
Alex’s hand slipped down her arm to take her hand. He stepped backward and pulled. “Yes. Someday we will each be the reigning monarchs of our respective countries, and ruling together will bring about everlasting peace.”
“Your mother is Queen Natasha?” Tristan grabbed Lucette’s other hand so she was strung between them, and Tristan’s face was filled with horror and revulsion. “He’s a spy, Lucette. We can’t trust him. He’s probably the one leading the vampires here each night, telling them how to breach the palace barricades.”
“It doesn’t take inside information to break down doors.” Alex said. “Plus, you’ve got it backward.” Alex held firm to her other hand. If either pulled, she’d be torn apart. “I’ve been giving Lucette inside information. How do you think she knew about the roses?”
Tristan pulled. “Doesn’t mean you’re not a spy and it doesn’t mean she’ll marry you. She wouldn’t.” He turned to look at her. “Would you?”
“Enough!” She lifted her arms, wrenching her hands out of their grasps. “My entire life my parents fought about me as if I weren’t even in the room. I won’t have you two do it now.”
Her cheeks burned as she looked back and forth between Tristan and Alex. Both young men were so handsome, so concerned for her well-being.“I do need to find true love,” she said.“It’s my duty as future queen of Xandra, and as the one who brought the curse upon my kingdom.”
Both boys started to object, but she raised a palm toward each of them and they stopped.
“I am determined to do everything I can to break the curse, but”—she turned toward Alex—“I never agreed to marry you. You know that.” She turned back to Tristan. “Still, we can trust him. I’m sure of it. He and I have been through a lot.”
But a tiny part of Lucette doubted her statement. There was no way of being certain that Alex wasn’t spying for his mother. On the other hand, if he was on his mother’s side, why not just kill her? Or kill her parents? What was the point of making sure she never got bitten if he really wanted her dead? It didn’t make sense.
Alex paced down the hall and then turned, his long strides conveying his frustration. Glowering, he stopped directly in front of Lucette. “Get rid of him. Make him leave. We don’t need him. He’s just someone else to take care of. He let himself get bitten on his first night. Two more bites and he’ll be no help to us at all.”
“One bite,” Tristan said.“I only need one more bite.” He raised his chin. “I was bitten as a child. It’s the main reason I came to Xandra to train as a slayer.”
Lucette’s stomach dropped. It was so dangerous for Tristan to be here, yet he’d come, and dove through that hole in her mother’s door, even knowing the risks. Her admiration for him expanded, as did the flutter in her stomach. But she couldn’t get swept up in her fantasies. He didn’t have those same feelings for her. He was only protecting her out of a sense of duty. It wasn’t personal.
Alex tugged on her arm. “Send him away. Another human awake in the palace attracts vampires. He makes things more dangerous for you.”
“Really?”
Alex looked up and to the side, then said, “Yes. I’m a vampire. I should know how it works.” But his expression and body language made her wonder if he didn’t have other motives for wanting Tristan gone.
Actually, she knew he did. “Alex,” she said, keeping her voice soft and reassuring, “we’re stronger as a team of three. He just got here. Give it some time. I’m sure we’ll learn to work together.” She turned to Tristan. “Given the risks, you probably should leave, but it’s your choice.” She turned back to Alex.“I won’t ask him to go. I can’t.”
“Yes, you can,” Alex said. “And if you don’t, then ...” He pulled her forward until she could see every yellow fleck in his green eyes, “I’ll leave and never come back.”
She shook her head and her throat pinched. “Don’t say that! Don’t even joke. You wouldn’t.” As angry as she felt that Alex was applying this pressure, he’d been her only lifeline through so many nights of darkness and loneliness. Even with Tristan here, she couldn’t imagine him gone. She might not get that tingly feeling when she looked into Alex’s eyes, but they had a connection, a deep one, one that would rip her apart if she lost it.
“Lucette,” Alex said, “it’s him or me. You have to choose.”
Oh, no! After all those years of being torn between her parents, Lucette now has two boys demanding she choose between them.
If you were Lucette, what would you do?
OPTION A: Lucette should tell Tristan to leave. Alex has been so much help and so loyal. She can’t survive this curse without him. Her childhood crush on Tristan hasn’t faded, but he rejected her and didn’t even recognize her when he showed up last night. Clearly, he hasn’t been dreaming of her as she’s been dreaming of him. Alex is right. Tristan will just distract her, and with two bites, it’s too dangerous for him to be here anyway. Maybe in time her feelings for Alex will grow to true love. If you think Lucette should choose option A, turn to section 7: Friendship Transformed (page 225).
OPTION B: Lucette should refuse to tell Tristan to leave. He was so brave to come here when no one else would. He’s especially brave to stay given he’d suffered through two vampire bites. Lucette’s childhood crush hasn’t faded, and even if he didn’t remember her, he called her beautiful the night he arrived. She’s not a kid anymore, and although she hates to hurt Alex’s feelings, at least she has a chance of finding true love with Tristan. If you think Lucette should choose option B, turn to section 8: A Leap of Faith (page 261).
Section 7
FRIENDSHIP TRANSFORMED
Lucette closed her eyes, not wanting to look at either Tristan or Alex. She tried to be strong, but it was hard to hide her breaking heart. She opened her eyes and said, “Tristan, can I speak to you in private?”
Alex put his arm possessively around her shoulders. “Anything you want to say to him, you can say in front of me.”
Her mouth suddenly felt dry. Alex shouldn’t be putting her in this position, even though she knew his motives were based on affection and truly believing he could help her break the curse. She glared at the young vampire—no one told her what to do, not anymore—but perhaps not talking to Tristan alone was for the best. Alone with Tristan, she might cave in and blurt out that her childish infatuation had morphed into a full-blown crush.
Another rejection from Tristan would be so humiliating, and at least Alex claimed to have feelings for her. Thinking too much about Tristan would just confuse her and hamper her chances of developing a romantic relationship with Alex, or one of the sleeping suitors in the tower.
Even if true love never came to be, as she suspected it wouldn’t, she needed Alex’s help and inside information on the vampire queen’s plans. Tristan wouldn’t stick around forever, spending so many waking hours in the dark. Alex might.
>
“Tristan,” she said, forcing herself to look into his eyes, even if it made what she’d decided to say so much harder, “Alex and I have been working together for over four weeks, and, well, we’ve grown close and become really great friends. I couldn’t survive if he left.”
Tristan’s shoulders shifted sharply back and his expression flickered with hurt, but then hardened so quickly she wasn’t sure she’d read it correctly.
“I’ll always appreciate your role in training me to slay,” she told him, “but things are different for me now. I’ve learned more about vampires.” She looked up to Alex, who beamed down at her, his eyes flashing with the happiness of triumph.
Yes, she was sure she had made the right decision. “Alex is right,” she told Tristan. “The two of us were doing fine before you got here. I really appreciate you bringing the roses, but I need to concentrate on falling in love and, well, you’re a distraction.”
Tristan took a step forward. “That’s crazy, Lucette. If you’re really in love with this—this vampire—then me being around shouldn’t matter.”
She knew he was right and secretly hoped Alex would cave on his demand and let Tristan stay.“But you’ve already been bitten twice,” she said to Tristan.“It’s such a huge risk for you to be here. You should go back to Judra to keep safe.”
Tristan lifted his chin. “Whether or not I go to Judra isn’t your decision, Lucette. This isn’t just about you. If you die, the curse might never lift, and if your father dies or leaves, Xandra will fall. You need my help. Your kingdom needs my help. I promised your father I’d stay, and I’ve accepted the risks.”
Lucette’s throat caught. The truth of his words hurt, and although she selfishly wished his reasons for wanting to stay had more to do with her, she needed Alex’s help more. And at least he claimed to love her, even if she had the sneaking suspicion that his ultimatum and love declarations were more about besting Tristan than they were about winning her heart.
“It’s all well and good that you’re willing to risk a third bite,” she told Tristan. “But have you thought about it from my side? What happens if you’re bitten? How much help will you be to me then?”
His head snapped back, and she couldn’t believe she’d said that herself, but she had to convince him to go. An ache rose in her throat, threatening to close it off and bring tears. But she could not let him see how horrible she felt. What she’d said was true: the thought of him being bitten a third time terrified her. He had to leave. “Tristan, I’ve made my choice. Please leave.”
Tristan looked stricken, but he bowed. “As you wish, Princess.” He kept his eyes on her as he backed toward the staircase. It was time for Lucette to let go of her childhood fantasy.
“Keep safe,” Tristan said as he disappeared from view.
She stepped toward the balcony to watch him leave, but Alex pulled her back.
“That’s better,” Alex said. He leaned down to kiss her, but she turned and his lips hit her cheek. Kissing Alex somehow didn’t feel right, no matter how much she wished it did.
“We should keep guard,” she said as she broke free from his hold, not wanting him near right now. “Which wing do you want to guard tonight, my mother’s or my father’s?”
“I need a rose!” Lucette shouted to Alex as a vampire appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. She’d just staked another one in the shoulder, but he’d managed to escape by running away from outside her father’s bedroom.
Alex, holding extra weapons and his hood pulled down over his eyes, tossed her a rose and she forced it into the vampire’s face. He staggered back and collapsed, clutching his throat.
“Leave and I’ll let you live.” She hoped her threat sounded genuine. It usually worked. The vast majority of the vampires breaking in each night weren’t motivated enough to stay in the palace once they realized they faced live opposition.
Lucette heaved a sigh of relief when the vampire ran out, a terrified look on his face.
“That one played rough.” She rubbed her arm. The vampire she’d staked had shoved her against a large table at the side of the corridor during their battle.
Alex raced to her side. “Are you okay?”
She still had trouble comprehending how quickly vampires could move, especially since, in so many other ways, Alex seemed perfectly normal—in human terms, anyway.
“I’m fine,” she told him, and felt comforted by his concern.
Gathering up her weapons, she realized she also felt something more, but not for Alex—for Tristan. Ever since he’d left, she’d experienced persistent pangs of sadness and longing.
Lucette and Alex looked over the railing as they crossed the center point in the long balconied corridor between her two parents’ wings to make sure no vampires were in the entry hall and that the barricades on the main doors were holding tight.
“Let’s go check on my mom,” she said. Every night they paced back and forth between her parents’ two bedchambers.
“Why don’t your parents sleep in the same room?” Alex asked.
She shot him a raised eyebrow and stepped away from him. “I don’t want to talk about it.” It was too sad and too embarrassing to talk about her family’s problems.
Alex stepped in front of her and followed her down the hall. “Hey, it’s not like I had a model family growing up, either. Mom killed Dad, remember?”
She cast him an empathetic look. “Neither of us had perfect family lives, did we?” Maybe that was why she felt close to Alex, in spite of their differences.
“It would sure make things easier for us if they at least stayed in the same wing,” he said.
“Drop it!” She hated how harsh her voice sounded. “Do you think I haven’t asked them? They can’t even stand to be around each other anymore!” Lucette’s attempts to get them to share a room via suggestions in her letters had been met with terse replies, telling her to give up her childish dreams—the marriage was over. Her mother made it clear she was living in the palace for Lucette’s sake, not her father’s.
Rounding the corner to her mother’s corridor, Lucette saw a flash of blond hair as someone ran from her mother’s door. “Tristan?” She called after the fleeing figure and then rushed forward, but whoever she’d seen was gone. Had it been a vampire? Her eyes were playing tricks on her.
“Why did you call out ‘Tristan’?” Alex asked. His face hardened, and he turned to the hall, stomping in front of her.
“I thought I saw him.” Although she knew it was wishful thinking, it had been nice, even for that brief moment, to believe he’d been guarding her mother’s door while she and Alex took care of the vampires attacking her father.
“Looks like we’re clear here.” Alex’s voice was gruff. “Shall we go back to the balcony or each take a door?”
“Balcony.” She did not want to be alone.
Silence deepened the uncomfortable chill between them, and once at the balcony, Lucette looked over the railing. Alex sat on the floor against the opposite wall and pulled his knees into his chest, a stark contrast to his normally jovial self. She felt bad that she’d been short with him. Her hallucination of Tristan wasn’t his fault, nor was the fact that she missed him. Alex had made the ultimatum to ask Tristan to go, but it had been her decision and she had to live with the consequences.
She took the weapons off her back and slid down the wall to sit beside Alex. “Before all this started, my parents were getting a divorce.”
“I’m sorry.” Alex kept his eyes ahead. “But at least they’re both alive.”
She put her hand on his forearm. “How did you find out your mom had killed your dad?”
He stretched his legs out. “I heard stuff. I couldn’t ask her, of course, so I talked to one of the generals. I figured he’d reassure me that it was all rumors.” Alex looked down. “He didn’t.”
She squeezed his arm. “How old were you when you found out?”
“About nine.”
She winced. “That must have be
en horrible.” It was time to stop feeling sorry for herself, or at least to stop complaining about her family to Alex. “How did you face your mother after that? Did you ever confront her?”
He shook his head. “I couldn’t. Not without endangering General Adanthas’s life and probably my own. He took a huge risk to tell me what he knew, the circumstantial evidence they’d found.” He shivered. “The general also told me what my mother did to the vampires who had the guts to accuse her.”
She cringed, not wanting the gory details. “I’m so sorry, Alex.” She leaned over to wrap an arm over his shoulder. At least her parents weren’t murderers.
The next night, Lucette started down the stairs to see if Alex had made it through the dog door yet, and was shocked to find him coming up, a rose in his hand.
He really was so generous and thoughtful, and as he handed the rose to her, she asked, “Did you pick this outside in the garden?” The bushes Tristan brought when he first came were now planted and yielding fresh blooms each day.
Alex looked disappointed. “It was downstairs. I thought you left it for me.”
She shook her head, wondering who had left a rose sitting around. It might have been left by anyone, but made her think of Tristan. She missed him so much, she expected to see him around every corner.
As soon as they reached the top of the stairs, Alex leaned over to kiss her on the cheek, but she pulled back.
“You look beautiful this evening, as usual,” he said, undeterred.
“Thanks.” She smiled, but felt slightly awkward. “You look nice, too.”
“Really?” He beamed and ran his hands down his linen shirt.
She nodded.
“Better than Tristan?”
She swallowed, but said nothing.
Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer Page 18
