Although she was drowsy and lethargic most of the time, she had been plagued with bouts of insomnia when she should be sleeping during the day. It was five o’clock in the evening, and with the sun still up at the moment, she decided to enjoy watching reruns of reality television. She couldn’t leave the house anyway, and she hoped the reruns would lull her back to sleep.
An hour into watching TV, Naya started to drift off, but then she heard Arianna pause in the entryway. She sensed Arianna’s hesitation. This surprised Naya because Arianna usually awoke closer to sunset, and at this time of year, that was over an hour away.
Naya smiled at Arianna to let her know that she wasn’t imposing.
“Hello, Naya. How are you?” Arianna said tentatively. She lingered inside the doorway as if she were anxious about entering.
“Hey, Arianna. I’m fine. Sleepy but fine. And you?”
“I am fine as well,” she said with a weak smile.
Naya raised her brow. “You don’t have to stand over there. You can come in and sit down.”
Arianna crept into the room and sat on the couch across from her.
The family room had a TV with two couches perpendicular to it and two recliners facing it. Arianna could have picked one of the chairs closer to Naya, but she’d chosen to sit farther away.
Hmm…
“What are you watching?” Arianna asked.
Naya knew something was off now. She sat up and felt instantly light-headed. That was probably the worst symptom. She closed her eyes and held her head in her hands, waiting for it to pass. After the stars cleared from her vision, she ignored Arianna’s look of concern.
“What’s going on?” Naya asked.
“Why would you ask that?”
“Arianna, I have lived with you for over fifteen years, and you’ve never cared about what I’m watching on TV. Also, I can tell you have something on your mind by the way you’re wringing your hands together. And you answered my question with a question.”
Arianna glanced down at her hands in her lap and immediately loosened them. She looked back up to Naya. “You see…”
“Does this have something to do with your visit to my room last night?”
Arianna’s eyes enlarged, and her face flushed.
Bingo. Naya’s curiosity sparked. “I forget what you needed,” she said. “You asked me how I was and if I should see a doctor. Then, you asked if I needed to feed. Hmm…” She tapped her finger on her chin. “You were going to say something else, but you had to leave.” Naya gasped and sat forward in her seat. “Oh my gosh, Arianna. You need to feed. How long has it been?” She quickly did the math in her head. “It’s been almost two months. Oh my gosh, I am a horrible cousin. I am sorry. I’ve been worried about myself and my problems, and here you are, wasting away. You need to feed right now.”
She rose from her seat and made her way over to Arianna.
“You see, Naya, that is what I came to talk to you about. I already fed from someone.”
Naya could smell Emerson’s hazelnut scent along with her cousin’s honey scent before she was halfway to the couch where Arianna was sitting. So, this was the reason Arianna was nervous. While it wasn’t against the rules to be unmated and feed from the opposite sex, it definitely wasn’t proper by their society’s standards, and Arianna most likely felt guilty. Naya wished she could tell Arianna that she was the last person to judge her. Not only had she fed from the opposite sex, but he was also a human.
Naya put one leg on the couch before sitting sideways to face her cousin. “So, Emerson fed you?”
Arianna turned her body to mirror Naya’s. Arianna’s eyes were full of worry as she pursed her lips and slowly nodded.
“Whew. Thank God. What would we do without Emerson?”
Arianna’s eyes filled with relief, and her shoulders sagged. “You are fine with this?”
“Yes.”
“You are truly okay with Emerson feeding me?”
“Um…yes. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Naya didn’t care. Emerson was just the man her parents had chosen as her mate.
Oh, right…
Naya understood Arianna’s concern now. “Ah, because he’s supposed to be my future mate? Well, Arianna, maybe you haven’t been in the same room as me for the last couple of months. Even though Emerson and I have been courting at our parents’ request, we don’t like each other in that way.”
“You have no romantic feelings for him?”
Naya grabbed Arianna’s hands and squeezed them. “None whatsoever.” She tilted her head. “But I bet you do.”
Arianna blushed.
“And Emerson?”
Arianna hung her head, embarrassed, but she had a smile on her face. “He says he feels the same.”
Naya snapped her fingers. “I knew it. I knew he had feelings for someone else. I just didn’t know it was you. But why did he always act aloof toward you when he visited?”
Arianna looked up. “He told me he kept his feelings for me hidden, and he did not want to encourage my feelings for him because he didn’t want to disappoint his mother, your parents, and the Council. It displeases me to say this, but your illness brought us together.”
Naya laughed. “It’s okay.” She pointed her finger at Arianna and gave her a stern look while keeping the humor in her eyes. “And I’m not sick.” She dropped her hand and shifted her weight in order to rest against the back of the couch. “At least something good came of my not feeling well. I’m happy for you. I know I don’t say it often, but I want you to know that I couldn’t have asked for a better sister than you. You are such a wonderful person, and you deserve to be happy.”
She grabbed Arianna in a hug. Naya’s thoughts immediately went to seeing Vaughn again, but she knew her parents would find a respectable vampire to replace Emerson.
They released each other, and Arianna smiled at Naya with joyful tears in her eyes. “Thank you. I could not have asked for a better sister either. But what of you? Your parents will be home soon. What are we going to tell them? Do you think they will hate me?”
“Arianna, Mother and Father could never hate you. I won’t lie. They might be disappointed, but they would never hate you. They love you like their own daughter.” As much as they could love anyone, that is. She sometimes felt more like a political pawn than a daughter. “Don’t worry too much about me. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling the refusal of this betrothal will be nothing but a small hurdle in the near future. My instincts are telling me that something much bigger is going to come.”
“I hope you are right about your parents. Their approval is very important to me,” Arianna said. She studied Naya, and concern crossed her face.
“What?” Naya asked.
“Naya, I’ve noticed that you have not fed the whole time your parents have been gone. Actually, I do not remember the last time you fed. Do you need to feed now?”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but the thought of drinking your blood right now makes me sick to my stomach. Besides, I’ve fed three times from—”
Holy crap. She’d fed from Vaughn three times in almost three months, and she hadn’t felt the need for any vampire blood in between feedings from him. That meant his blood had been sustaining her the whole time. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t realized this before. This could explain why she hadn’t felt well lately. Maybe she’d caught a human disease from him, or maybe his blood had been missing a vitamin or nutrient she required. She should probably feed from Arianna, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it even if it meant possibly feeling better.
“Whom have you fed from?”
Arianna had confided in Naya, but she found she couldn’t do the same. Arianna was still a little old-fashioned, and most likely, she wouldn’t understand.
“I’d rather not talk about it.” She winced. “Sorry.”
“Naya, Emerson said you smell like someone after you go out for the night. He indicated it was a male scent. Is this the same person who fed y
ou?”
Naya sighed. “Yes.” She sat forward. “But I can’t tell you any more than that.”
She wanted to protect Vaughn, and more importantly, her memories of their time together. She didn’t want her precious feelings to be tainted by anyone who would make her feel like she’d done something wrong by being with him.
“Okay, I will respect your privacy.”
Grateful Arianna wouldn’t pursue the issue, Naya relaxed some.
“But are you in need? Do you want me to find him, so you can feed?”
“No.” Naya shook her head. “I’m not hungry right now. I fed two weeks ago.”
Remembering the taste of Vaughn’s blood calmed her stomach, and her nausea almost went away completely. The idea of drinking from anyone else immediately made her feel queasy again. She thought of Vaughn, and the feeling passed.
What in the world is happening to me?
“Naya, what is wrong? I can see you are troubled.”
Naya looked up into Arianna’s concerned eyes. “Honestly, Arianna, I don’t know.”
“Are you sure you do not want me to take you to a physician?” Arianna asked.
Naya waved her hand. “No. I’m sure it will pass. See? I’m already out of bed today.”
Naya gave Arianna a half-smile. Naya wasn’t sure who she was trying to convince more—Arianna or herself.
Two nights later, Celeste Kensington followed her mate into their house. It felt wonderful to be home after the long trip. She knew it was important for them to spend time in other parts of the world since not all vampires lived in the United States, but her favorite part of every trip was when they returned home.
She felt exhausted after the multiple flights, having had to stop for gas and to give the pilot a break. Now, all she desired was to lay her head on her own pillow. They had spent all day on their private jet with the blacked-out windows that gave them the opportunity to rest while flying. However, the sleep hadn’t been very good. She hoped to catch a long nap before facing the rest of the night.
Before she went to lie down, she first wanted to see her daughter and niece. She hoped to hear good news on what had happened while they had been out of the country. Anaya and Emerson would make a wonderful match. She had confidence that her daughter would do the right thing for everyone.
Marek was sitting at the table, going through some of his belongings, while Celeste hung up her coat and set down her purse. Hans was at the car, grabbing the luggage, so she decided to find Anaya and Arianna.
“Marek, I’m going to find the girls.”
“Okay, dear.”
The sun had set over an hour ago, so the girls should be awake.
Celeste found her niece in the kitchen. “Arianna.”
Arianna turned around, her mouth open and her eyes round. Her niece was clearly surprised to see her, but she quickly composed herself. “Hello, Aunt Celeste. How was your trip?”
Celeste gave Arianna a hug. “It went smoothly. How are you? You look very well…and happy. What have I missed while I was away?”
Arianna put her head down briefly and then looked back up at her. “It is a long story. You will have plenty of time to hear all about it.”
“Very well.” Celeste looked around. “Where is Anaya? Shouldn’t she be here?”
“I was checking on the cook. I told him to prepare lamb, your favorite, for your homecoming dinner. I hope this is acceptable.”
“Excellent choice. Thank you for your help. But again, where is Anaya?”
Arianna wrung her hands together.
Celeste spoke in stern voice, “Arianna, what are you not telling me?”
“I think you need to see for yourself.”
Celeste followed Arianna up the back stairs. When they reached the top, Arianna stopped her.
“Aunt Celeste, something is not right with Naya. She has not felt well for quite some time. She is weak and will not eat. I’ve insisted she go to the doctor, but she has refused. I was hoping you could convince her.”
Upon arriving home, Celeste had been irritated that her daughter wasn’t waiting downstairs to greet her. Now worried, she walked past Arianna into Anaya’s bedroom, and Arianna followed.
Her daughter lay in bed, deep in sleep. When she neared Anaya, a smell overwhelmed her, and she was immediately alarmed. Anaya’s scent had changed tremendously since Celeste had last seen her daughter. To Arianna, the change had probably been gradual, but for someone who hadn’t seen Anaya in quite a while, it was significantly obvious. Arianna wouldn’t know what Anaya’s scent indicated because Arianna had never been around someone in Anaya’s condition. But Celeste knew what the scent meant, and she was also pretty sure she knew who—or what—was responsible. This was very bad news.
Celeste turned and asked Arianna, “How long has she been in bed like this?”
“A little over two weeks, but she was not feeling well even before then. What is wrong?”
Celeste ignored Arianna and shook her daughter awake. Anaya rolled over as she awoke, and she was instantly embarrassed to be caught in bed. This was the least of what her daughter should be ashamed about.
“Mother.” Anaya lifted her head off the pillow and looked down at herself. “I’m sorry. I should have been up to see you arrive.”
“It’s not important now. Anaya, when was the last time you fed?”
Her daughter immediately paled. “About two-and-a-half weeks ago.”
Celeste felt a tiny bit of relief with her answer. They had some time. “It wasn’t from Emerson, was it?” she asked, praying her sense of smell was mistaken.
Her daughter looked confused. “No, Mother.”
“I was afraid of that. You need to get up—now. We are going to the clinic.”
“Mother, truly, I will be fine. I’m just tired.”
“Anaya Kensington, you will get up, shower, and be ready to leave for the clinic in forty-five minutes.” She turned her back on her daughter, signifying there was no room for discussion. She addressed Arianna, “Will you make sure she is ready to go?”
“Yes, of course.”
Celeste nodded. “Thank you.”
She left her daughter’s room and hurried down the stairs.
When she spoke to Marek, he became as panicked as she was, and he was justifiably angry. He quickly called the clinic, demanding they be ready for their daughter’s arrival within the hour. Nevertheless, it didn’t matter what the outcome was, it would not be good.
THE HOUSE WAS abuzz, and Naya didn’t understand why everyone was in a state of panic. She knew she wasn’t dying, so she couldn’t figure out what had her mother worried and her father tense.
Knowing it was pointless to argue with her mother, Naya summoned the motivation to get out of bed. She showered and combed her hair without drying it, and she didn’t bother with putting on makeup. Naya left her room to head downstairs but stopped when she found Arianna standing outside her door.
“What do you think is going on?” she asked.
Arianna shook her head. “I do not know. They have not told me anything.”
Naya took a deep breath. “Well, we’d better go.”
Arianna walked with Naya downstairs where they found her parents waiting by the door. They didn’t say anything, but her mother was pacing and clenching her hands so hard that her knuckles were white. Her father frowned and wouldn’t look Naya in the eye.
Her mother had asked her if she’d fed from Emerson. Did they know I fed from a human male? Am I in trouble? Would they tell the Vampire Council? Will I be punished? If so, what will my punishment be?
Arianna and Naya followed her parents out to the car. Her father got behind the wheel, which was unusual because he didn’t drive. Typically, their chauffeur drove. She knew the chauffeur had picked her parents up from the airport earlier tonight. It was odd that he wasn’t there now and that her parents had dismissed him from duty.
The vampire clinic was about twenty minutes away, and the time passed in an un
comfortable silence. Naya’s only solace was Arianna leaning over and squeezing her hand. Once they arrived, they all exited the car without speaking to one another and then entered the building.
A female in scrubs was behind the reception desk in the otherwise empty waiting room. “Anaya?”
“Yes, that’s me.” Naya smiled politely.
The female frowned in response. “Follow me, please.” She turned and walked down the hall.
Naya glanced over her shoulder at her family. Her mother waved her along, her father still wouldn’t meet her eyes, and Arianna smiled supportively. Naya hurried to catch up with the unfriendly woman. They stopped at the lab, and the woman pointed to a chair, indicating that Naya should take a seat. Naya was finally close enough to read the female’s badge for a second. Naya saw she was a RN, and her name was Tina.
Tina then approached another woman in scrubs who Naya assumed was the phlebotomist, and they whispered a few words back and forth. The phlebotomist peeked at Naya every few seconds, so it was no secret who they were talking about. Obviously, Naya was the subject of the conversation, but she pretended not to care.
When they finished their gossip, Tina left without giving Naya a glance.
The phlebotomist plastered on a fake smile as she walked up to Naya. “I’m Nancy. You can come back and have a seat at my station. We’re just going to run some routine tests.”
Nancy tied a tourniquet around her upper arm and then proceeded to fill five vials with blood, leaving Naya to wonder if she had any blood left in her body. Next, Nancy directed her toward a restroom and handed her a cup to pee in. After Naya used the restroom and obtained the sample, she emerged to find the phlebotomist was absent, and Tina was back. The nurse’s expression was still sour, and she turned around and walked away without speaking to Naya.
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