by Leigh Walker
“Yeah, well.” Anthony sounded the tiniest bit nervous. “If you don’t get moving, maybe it won’t be an issue.”
Disgusted with Anthony and utterly petrified of Herman, I cleared my throat. “Stop right there,” I told the prisoner. It was meant to be a warning, but my voice quaked.
But the creature—I wasn’t sure if he was a human, a vampire, or some other sort of beast—did not listen. He took another hulking step forward, and I tried not to notice all the little details of him, like the fact that his shirt was shredded and filthy, and the large, gnarled scars that covered his face like bandages. I would’ve felt sorry for him, but his eyes were completely blank, as though whoever Herman used to be were long gone. But he stretched his arms out, and his fingers grabbed at me.
“N-No.” Frozen to the spot, I started shaking with fear. I could feel the adrenaline flooding my body as my heart thundered out of control. No. That was what it felt like when I was about to have an anxiety attack. No, no, no.
The prisoner reached for me again, his filthy fingertips inches from my body.
Anthony muttered a litany of curses. “Do something, Tor!”
But I stayed frozen, helpless. Cursing, Anthony pulled out a stake.
No. Herman reached for me, his fingers brushing my collarbone. Anthony raised the stake and took aim.
“Wait.” I didn’t even know if I’d said it out loud. Closing my eyes, as much to block the scene out as to gather my wits, my courage, my something, I remembered the last time, with the guard in Mr. Fitz’s cell, how my power had felt, the shape of it—sharp like a spear or a stake.
Herman’s hand pressed against my chest, fingertips digging in, trying to find purchase. No. Stop. Now.
As he sought to get ahold of me, I stood as still as a stone, but my mind fought back, doing what my body couldn’t. I felt my power again. Concentrating hard, I curled my hands into fists, and I felt energy undulating out of me. My body rocked from the force of launching it. I stumbled backward, into the wall, eyes flying open.
Anthony was still standing with his stake poised. But he didn’t dare move. The prisoner was swaying on his feet. He dropped his arms to his sides and looked at them as though he’d never seen them before and perhaps had no idea what arms were used for. Then he looked up and looked at me. My heart stopped as his gaze flicked over my face. But his eyes didn’t track me. It was as though he didn’t see me at all.
Herman stumbled back to his bench in the shadows and sank down then put his face in his hands.
“You all right?” Anthony asked him, still holding the stake above his head. The chicken.
Herman grunted in response but didn’t look up. Though I wasn’t sure how Anthony interpreted that, I took it as my cue to leave. I burst through the door, grateful for the dank, cool air of the corridor, and shakily leaned against the wall, my breath coming in wheezes. But I knew the danger of a panic attack had passed—I felt in control of myself, just drained, as though I’d sprinted half a mile.
I’d just gotten my breathing back under control when Anthony came out and locked the door behind him. “I knew you could do it.”
“You’re an ass, Anthony. We both could’ve been killed in there.”
“But we weren’t.” He put the stake back in his jacket. His tone was smug, but his hands were shaking.
“That was a terrible risk, and you know it.”
He raised his eyes to meet mine. “But it was a risk worth taking. C’mon, it’s not safe to talk here.”
We made our way slowly down the hall and back up the stairs to the castle. My strength returned as each minute passed—hopefully I would be strong enough to smack Anthony when I had the chance.
He pulled me into a small study on the way to my room. “That was fantastic.” His expression was smug.
“I’m not even talking to you right now,” I seethed, “let alone listening.” I stalk-paced the room. “I can’t believe you just let that man—that whatever he was—put his filthy hands on me! You gave me no warning, no chance to gather myself! I nearly had a panic attack!”
“But you didn’t. Your power worked. And you didn’t just vanish him, Tor.”
I was still thinking about Herman the Foul’s fingers on my chest. I desperately needed a bath. “What? What did you say?”
“You didn’t just vanish him. Now I understand it better. I think I’m getting a handle on how this really works. You vanished yourself.”
I stopped pacing and stared at Anthony. “You are out of your mind. You know that? I have no idea what you’re talking about!”
“Herman the Foul’s memory of you is gone. But he also didn’t see you just now. It was as though you never existed.”
“Anthony.” I sensed a headache coming on. “Can you please say something that makes sense?”
Deep in thought, he drummed his fingers on a wooden table, his face screwed up,. “I’ve been trying to piece it together. Your blood and your mental powers are similar, and I knew they had to be intertwined somehow. Your blood has an impact on those who ingest it, right? They can’t remember you. It’s similar to what we vampires can do, but when we perform a vanishment, it’s much clunkier. We replace the bad memory with a happy one, then everyone moves on. Our victim has a patchwork quilt of memories—some real, some fake.”
“Right…” I had no idea where he was going with that.
“When your blood is ingested by vampires—not when they bite you and you kill them, of course—their memory of you dissolves. It is as though you never existed, all the times you came through before.”
“Right. I’ve at least got that part down.”
“What you did to the prisoner just now operates on the same level. It’s not just that you did something to his memory. You performed magic on his brain. You changed him. Not just smoke and mirrors, like when we do vanishments. What you can do is a subtle, more elegant variation. We can block and obfuscate a memory. It’s still in there, but it’s like we’ve bleached it or colored over it.”
I shook my head, still not understanding.
“You can change what exists inside another being’s brain. The prisoner could no longer see you just now. Instead of blocking the memory, you blocked yourself.”
“I don’t see that there’s much of a difference.”
“Ah, but there is. What you can do is much more polished. When you use your power, it’s a mark of you. Whereas when I do it, it is merely manipulating the other person.”
“Okay? I still don’t fully understand it, but I’m sure I’ll catch on eventually.” I sighed. “Can I go take a shower now? I’m feeling a bit…violated.”
Anthony nodded, but he rubbed his chin, looking as though his thoughts were far away. “Go on, then. But we need to do this again and soon. You might not understand the importance, but live for another couple hundred years—you’ll see the significance then.”
“Sure.” But I didn’t feel sure—I just wanted to wash Herman the Foul and Infernal Pilates off me.
I was having dinner with the prince. Secret powers were great and all, but nothing compared to the rush of anticipation I already had running through me, just at the thought of seeing Dominic again. Trouble was all around me, but my heart didn’t seem to care about any of that. My heart only wanted him. Eager to get ready, I hustled down the hall.
I had a very important date.
12
Candlelight
I had a bath, and Mistress Olivia did my hair and makeup then carefully zipped me into the gorgeous orange gown. “You look lovely.” Mistress Olivia put a hand over her heart. “I am very happy for you, my lady.”
“Oh. Ha. Thank you.” I didn’t know why I was embarrassed, except that I felt as though I were playing dress up in that world, a child sneaking into a fancy woman’s gown. “It’s a beautiful dress. I should thank the seamstress.”
“You’re meeting with her again tomorrow morning for another round with your wedding dress. So you can thank her then.”
A knock came at the door. “Yes?” Mistress Olivia called formally, though we both knew who it was.
“His Royal Highness, Prince Dominic Allard,” a guard announced.
“Yes, yes, come in.” Mistress Olivia straightened her shoulders, and I did the same.
Two guards opened the door and lined either side of the entrance. The prince swept in, dressed in a black ceremonial tunic, a black cape trailing behind him. Who knew a cape was a hot look? I wanted to fan myself, but instead, I just smiled at him stupidly.
He bowed then gave me a smug smile. My feelings must be written all over my face. “Lady Victoria. You are stunning. I am very fond of that dress.”
I curtsied to the best of my ability. “Your Highness. You look quite dashing. I especially like your cape.”
We grinned at each other as the guards and Mistress Olivia watched us, clearly amused. Dominic held out his hand for me. “Shall we?”
I accepted it, and relief flooded as me as soon as we were touching again. “Yes, we shall.” I felt positively giddy as we headed down the hall, the guards following us. “I missed you,” I whispered.
He leaned close to my ear. “Not as much as I’ve missed you.”
I squeezed his hand, not forgetting how cross he’d been with me. “Can you forgive me, then? Are we all right?”
The prince stopped and leaned down over me, his dark, endlessly deep eyes trained on mine. “There’s no reason for me to forgive you. As you said, under the circumstances, nerves are to be expected. But my lady…can you forgive me? I was very short with you. I’m afraid my temper got the better of me when I stormed off like that.”
I shook my head. “There’s no reason for me to forgive you, either. You were only protecting me, as usual. I am lucky, Your Highness. Your biggest flaw is that you are too kind and too careful of my feelings.”
“And that is very kind of you.” He bent down and gave me a chaste kiss on the cheek, careful of my makeup. “Now, let’s enjoy our evening. I am very glad that we’ve kissed and made up. Perhaps we can do more of it later.”
“Yes.” My heart rate kicked up. “I’d like that.”
The king, the queen, and the council were all assembled in the lobby. My giddiness subsided, but Dominic seemed to have been expecting them.
He didn’t miss a beat as he bowed, never taking his hand from mine. “Good evening. Mother, Father, esteemed members of the council.”
The council members bowed in return. The king and queen only nodded in response, but they both looked pleased.
King Declan stepped forward. “We’ve word from the guard that the villagers are extremely grateful for the opportunity to host Prince Dominic and Lady Victoria tonight. We should all give praise to my wife, Queen Danica, for her thoughtful execution of this event.”
We all clapped politely, but I couldn’t help but shiver at the word execution.
The queen smiled and thanked her husband then turned to the council. “We’ve learned that the villagers have taken every care to prepare the village and the restaurant for tonight’s event. They are truly excited to be included in the preparations for the ceremony, which brings my family great joy. Please join me in wishing my son and his fiancée an enjoyable evening. I remember my courtship and engagement fondly. I can see that my son and his bride-to-be are experiencing the same joy and excitement.”
The council clapped politely, and the queen dismissed them then headed our way. Uh-oh. There was no way she’d just used the word “fondly” with any sincerity. As usual, she was clearly up to something. Queen Danica smiled at Dominic. “The fools on the council have no idea what I’m up to.”
“What are you up to, Mother?”
She winked at him. “All in due time, my son. Tonight, you are charged with enjoying yourself, nothing more.”
She turned to me. “I approve of that gown. Much more alluring than the silly peach frock you wore to the church.”
I cleared my throat. “T-Thank you,” I said, though it wasn’t exactly a compliment.
Looking back and forth at each of us, she took in our entwined hands and how Dom stood near me protectively. “I meant what I said, you know. Your excitement is palpable. I can see your relationship growing before my very eyes.” She leaned closer to Dom. “I told you biting her was a good idea.”
She turned to me. “Drink some wine tonight. Live a little, relax, and let my son take advantage of you.”
I felt my face turn crimson. “Yes, Your—”
“Mother,” Dom said through clenched teeth. “That’s quite enough.”
Queen Danica tossed her hair over her shoulder as she looked at us appraisingly. “All I’m saying is enjoy yourselves while you can. When you get older, things change. It’ll take more than a little virgin blood to excite you.”
Dom closed his eyes tight, as though he wished he could make his mother disappear.
Of course, she didn’t seem bothered in the least. “Have fun, you two. And remember you represent the crown.” Both her tone and her walk were jaunty as she sauntered off.
The prince finally opened his eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. She’s got nothing to do with you.”
“Thank you,” he said softly. “It helps to hear that.”
“Then I’ll keep saying it.”
He held my hand firmly as the guards opened the front doors for us. “Are you ready for this?” he asked.
“Absolutely.” Back by his side, I felt rejuvenated. The wear and tear from the day had slipped away from me.
As we crossed the gardens, I inhaled the early evening air; it smelled like spring, that freshness of the earth as it awakened. I spotted one tiny star twinkling above us and pointed at it. “Make a wish.”
Dominic chuckled. “Do you actually believe in that?”
“Vampires are real, and so is time travel. Why wouldn’t I wish on the first star? It can’t hurt.”
“Fine.” Dom stopped walking and closed his eyes again. After a moment, he opened them. “There.”
“What did you wish for?”
He scoffed. “I can’t tell you.”
“I thought you didn’t believe in silly superstitions!”
“I don’t. But if you’re going to do something, might as well commit.”
“Right.” We came to the bridge across the moat, and I spotted something in the water, two beady yellow eyes staring up at me. “I’ve been meaning to ask—what sort of creatures live in the moat? I keep seeing something.”
“Don’t make eye contact with them. It’s the greedles. They’re quite slimy, and they love to trick the humans. Especially the pretty ones.”
“Are you playing with me?”
But Dom looked quite serious as he ushered me over the drawbridge. “Not at all. They try to mesmerize humans with their eyes. They want to get them into the water. We have them as protection, of course.”
I gaped at him. “Because you vampires, with a hundred or so guards, definitely need to be protected from the half-vanished villagers.”
“I didn’t put them in the moat. I’m just trying to explain.”
“These greedles, are they a new species? We don’t have them in New Jersey.”
He looked thoughtful. “I think they evolved from something—freshwater eels, perhaps? But greedles are cunning. They’re larger. And much more muscular.”
“Great.” I glanced back at the moat, vowing to never look down into the water again.
The guards stopped in front of us as we reached the village square. Hundreds of citizens were lined up around the edges, holding candles. The energy in the square was different that night; it was hushed and calm. Quiet reverence filled the square. The villagers seemed thrilled to be included in our date, excited to see the prince and me in our finest.
Dominic held me close as we entered the middle of the square. It was
twilight, but the glow of the candles cast a warm light on all of us beneath the darkening sky. “Good evening,” the prince called. He bowed deeply, and I dropped into a curtsy beside him. “Thank you for hosting Lady Victoria and me tonight for our special night out. We are thrilled to be able to dine in your finest restaurant. Once the lady and I are married, I hope to make more of these visits. It is one of my many dreams for my marriage—to spend more time with our people, to unite the kingdom with the crown. One crown, one cause.” He bowed his head again, and the crowd erupted.
“Long live the prince!”
“Long live the princess!”
We smiled and waved as the guards led us through the crowd, down a small street, and into another area of the village I’d never seen. The town looked beautiful, bedecked with flowers and tiny, twinkling candles strung between the posts that lined the streets. The villagers had taken every care to make the town look lovely and festive. In spite of everything—my encounter with Herman, the queen’s smug expression, all of it—my heart soared. Dominic and I smiled and thanked every villager we passed. Before we knew it, we were at the entrance to the small restaurant. Like the buildings on either side of it, it was made of dark stone. But the window trim and the door were painted a bright, gay yellow.
One of the guards opened the door for us. He bowed his head to me. “After you, my lady.”
Inside, the restaurant was warm and romantic. A large fire was crackling in the fireplace, and each of the tables was bedecked with a white linen tablecloth and a vase of gorgeous wildflowers. Unlike the austere beauty of the castle and its grounds, it was warm and homey. A server and a chef came out, both nervously smiling at us.
“Good evening, Your Highness. Good evening, Lady Victoria,” the server, an attractive woman in her forties, said. “You do us a great honor by dining with us tonight. We hope this is a meal you won’t soon forget.”
The prince beamed at them. “It’s our pleasure, really. Thank you for having us. If it’s all right with you, I’ll dismiss my guards so that Victoria and I can dine in privacy. We would be happy to have you as company, of course.”
