by L B Keen
She crossed her arms, lifting her chin. “Our kingdom’s life’s blood, the metal.”
Hearing this, Talon smirked, his red eyes lighting. “The metal is only one source of importance. There is much more that I wish to have from your father’s country.”
“Oh, and what is that?” she asked, narrowing her suspicious eyes on him. “My father, King Alam, does not trust you foreigners. He says you bring corruption and cultural death.”
“If that is so, why does his precious princess sound more British than I?”
At his question, her lashes fluttered, before hiding her gaze from his. Talon cursed himself for his sarcastic words. He’d only meant to rid himself of her. Instead, her jaw had turned mulish and she lifted her chin in defiance of his judgement. Her bronze-purple eyes flashed up at him. “That, Prince Talon, is no business of yours. My father wishes his children to be educated so that your kind won’t take advantage of us, believing we are ignorant of your ways.”
Annoyed at her accusation, Talon took a step closer to her. “What I offer is an honorable arrangement. I tire of being accused of dishonorable acts I’ve yet to commit.”
“Then you plan to do so in the future?” she quickly rebutted. “King Alam the First suffered under the promise from a foreigner, and my mother was taken by your kind.”
Amused, Talon shook his head. “My kind? And what kind is that?”
“Vampires.”
Seeing him stiffen, Bird tilted her head, feeling triumphant in having wiped his knowing smirk away. “Vampires, cold ones… Your kind is known for being cruel, and lusting after nothing more than blood and feeding said hunger. Especially royals, known for luxuriating in cruelty. Is that why you avoid me and treat me coldly? Do you seek to prove to our people how cold you can truly be?”
Talon allowed Bird to finish speaking, for what some of what she said was true. His kind did enjoy pain in others, but she was mistaken if she could assign all that cruelty at his feet. He merely played along with the game his people had left him with. His father’s choice now burdened his son’s shoulders.
“You know nothing of love, or care for anyone but your self-interest—”
“No.”
It wasn’t loud, but something in the way he said the word caused her to choke on the rest of what she would have said. His face had screwed up into that of an expression of pain, and his eyes held a longing that was breathtaking. “No, despite what you may believe, Princess Kahlia, despite what you have been told, I will not allow it to be said that my people cannot feel, that we do not feel.”
He made another move towards her, his gaze capturing hers. “Those beyond our borders believe vampires to be cold and unfeeling and one minded in our goal to feed our greed. This misconception is understood, but…when a mother dies, a child will cry, and when one’s love is taken to a place unreachable, pain is felt. No vampire who walks this earth has no heart. It is merely that our hearts are not so easily given and when it is broken…there is no regaining it from such a state.”
She couldn’t speak, nor could she move. As he’d spoken, she’d slowly felt as if he was trying to impart something into her that she just couldn’t understand. She felt the urge to reach up and remove the hidden dark in his eyes. “I’ve loved and now, I know to never do so again…to never desire that which isn’t meant to be. So…if you do not mind, I am truly now late for my appointment.” He gave a short bow and walked around her towards his sedan that waited beyond the gates.
As soon as his gaze had broken with hers, she’d felt her ability to breathe once more. Placing a hand over her heart, she wondered at the ache. Her other hand rested fisted at her side. She truly wished to understand why he’d appeared so pained. Was what he said true? Did vampires feel beyond their need? She could only remember the Wellings and their cruel treatment of her. She could only remember desiring something, desiring something unspoken and only being denied it again and again.
She could feel the lashes upon her back still. Every strike of the whip that had torn flesh away from her to reveal the muscle and life’s blood that ran underneath. Her hand squeezed against her chest. She could still remember the coldness of the marble floor against the soles of her feet.
Bird wasn’t aware she started panting, finding it more and more difficult to draw in air. She was reaching for the memories that just wouldn’t come. Beyond that room where her blood dripped into the glass bowl, beyond the shackles that kept her hung above it.
She closed her eyes, spreading her mental fingers wide in order to extend the memory that fluttered like a butterfly just behind her eyes.
“Princess Kahlia!”
She felt a hand rest on her arms and tried to speak, but only released a choked gasp from her parted lips. She could feel her hearts panicked beating but couldn’t seem to focus enough to calm herself down Fi, who called her name over and over.
“Dua! We must take Mistress to her rooms.”
She wanted to say no. She wanted to demand them to put her down so she could find that which she’d lost, but her body was lifted easily by Dua, who quickly ran back towards the palace. She willingly melted into his hold, her mind swirling down into the darkness that was her memories.
Would she ever regain her lost memories?
***
Awakening from her deep sleep, Bird hadn’t any memory of her fainting, but now as she realized she was staring at the canopy of her bed, she wondered what had triggered her to fall. She stretched out, feeling the smooth silk of Indian cotton that was spread out beneath her. The sound of chatter beyond her chamber doors caused her to sit up. Glancing down, she realized she’d been changed into a simple nightgown. It was loose and white, outlining her body in the lowering sunlight.
It was odd her body felt tight with awareness and her skin felt warm. She shifted her legs over the side of the bed before coming to her feet. The sensation wasn’t one she had ever experienced. It was as if something had been awakened from within her.
Closing in on her vanity table, Bird leaned forward to assess her appearance. Her eyes were glowing brighter than usual. She tilted her head, confused at her bodies reaction to her recent attack, something that always happened when she attempted to remember beyond the thick fog that hid her memories.
“Princess, are you awake?”
The door behind her opened, revealing Fi, who was holding herself stiff. She moved hesitantly in the room, a man followed her, his eyes downcast. “King Alma requested the royal physician assess your health.”
Turning around, Bird reached for the shawl that hung over the back of her vanity table chair. Drawing it around her shoulders, she greeted the physician, shooting Fi a quick look. “I don’t believe there is any reason for such visit.” She motioned to the open door. “It must have been the morning heat. I’m still growing used to the temperature here.” She hoped the physician would simply take her word for it, but she wasn’t so lucky.
“Princess, it is best to be checked so the king will feel assured,” the physician spoke, bowing at the waist. Bird couldn’t think of a way to refute him.
Taking a seat, she acceded to his wishes. “If you must.” As the physician entered the room, Fi observed her mistress as the physician set his small bag of tools on the short table next to her chair. Kahlia’s eyes were far off, she seemed to be thinking deeply about something. Was it her memories? Had the princess regained them?
If there were a sliver of a chance that she had, Fi would have to alert her mother of it. Osis had made it clear she wished to be alerted of any shift in Kahlia. Despite her daughter’s wishes, Osis had kept an eye on her daughter. Fi bowed to the physician when he approached her with a written list of ingredients for a medicinal tonic.
When the physician had finally left the room, Fi wasn’t prepared for her now standing mistress to announce that she wished to go for a ride. Fi blinked, unsure of what to say. It wasn’t likely the king would allow the princess such a boon after her fainting earlier in the day.
Turning around, she pulled off her shawl and tossed it onto the bed. “Fi, I wish to ride before the sun fully sets.”
“But mistress, you’ve just awoken. Maybe it would be best if you remained abed.” Fi worried that her mistress would have another attack. It was bad enough she would be writing a letter to Mistress Osis about the first one. She didn’t wish to write another letter describing her daughter’s fall from a horse. “I do not wish to inform the mistress that you’ve fallen from a horse, again.”
Bird sent her a disbelieving look. “I only fell from Aamir once, and that was because Dua appeared from nowhere and scared him,” she huffed, sending Fi an annoyed look. “And you would write my mother over a toothache.” Bird frowned. “I wish she did not have me watched so closely.”
Knowing her mistress’ dislike of being reported, Fi didn’t bother speaking out in defense of the second consort. It wasn’t her place, and she frankly wondered if the second consort didn’t wish for Kahlia’s memories to return.
“Now, enough. I wish to ride before it is night.” Walking over to the door, Bird jerked it open, calling to the servants. “Call for Dua as well if you feel the need. I do not wish to waste a second.”
With that, she turned from the door and made her way to her dressing room.
***
Chapter Six
Talon rode hard. The horse he’d borrowed from the royal stables stretched out its forelegs as she raced along the back paths. He needed something, anything to distract him from the memory of Bird’s defiant gaze. He’d allowed her to push him too far. He could only blame himself, as he’d entertained her. The minute she’d touched his arm, he’d been trapped by her demanding gaze. There was no reason for him to speak with her, and in truth, he could have simply walked away, ignoring her insulting assumption of his people. Though, if she remembered some of her past, it would be based on her life with the Wellings. Though he claimed friendship with the family, he very rarely attended any of their functions. But now as he thought about them, he remembered a rumor about their treatment of their damphir. Everything stemming from the wife who was jealous of her husband’s desire for his lovely food.
Letting out a shout, Talon pushed his mount harder. To think there had been a chance for him to claim Bird before she’d landed in his brother’s hands.
The sound of thundering hooves didn’t soothe his emotions. Instead, he thundered around a bend of stones that appeared to have been stacked atop one another, and seeing another pile of stones and sticks ahead, he raced for it, pushing himself and his mount. Leaning forward, he pressed himself closer to the mounts back in an effort to become one with the moving beast.
His eyes narrowed as he drew closer; he was almost there. Talon betted on his life to make it, and if he didn’t… A picture of his broken body appeared in his mind, but he brushed it aside. No one cared truly whether he lived or died. Just like the sun that was quickly being eaten by the horizon in the distance, another would come and another, yet no one cared for the one that had died the day before.
Talon was so focused on the obstacle in the distance he didn’t notice at first the added sound of thundering come from behind him. He only noticed when a high shriek broke the steady beat of the mount’s hooves beneath him. Surprised by the sudden noise, he pulled on the reigns, jerking his horse to a stop.
Another mount pulled up alongside his, and after his sudden halt, it sped passed him, heading for the obstacle. The white mount lifted and flew over the obstacle. Landing elegantly, its body rippled from the force. The rider turned their mount so that it faced him. Familiar eyes of dark brown and mesmerizing purple bordered by thick lashes met his gaze. She smiled. “Are you scared, vampire!”
Her arm encompassed the cavernous surroundings, with its high cliffs. “The valley of R’or isn’t for inexperienced riders.” She lifted her chin, her eyes glinting with challenge. “Are you sure you can maneuver it before the sun sets?”
Instead of answering, Talon tightened his hold on his reigns and forced his mount forward. With a grunt, the horse pushed up and over the obstacle and landing hard, he whistled, settling the mount. Glancing over his shoulder at Bird, he smirked. “Didn’t you know, princess, my kind are known to be the children of the night.”
Scoffing at that, Bird rolled her eyes before giving a sharp shout and taking off. Talon didn’t hesitate in chasing after her.
Soon, they were racing through the cavernous pathway the ancients had used years ago to attack those who’d dared to invade. The sound of the thundering hooves became one as the two of them pushed harder and harder. Currently, she was in the lead, her teasing laughter floating back to Talon, who couldn’t hold back the smile that worked at his lips.
The more he heard it, the more he desired it, like water to a thirsty man. Talon wondered if he could share in her joy. Was he allowed to bathe in the warmth of her laughter, knowing he was a sinner to her? Knowing that if she for a moment remembered him that she would not so eagerly allow herself to enjoy this moment.
Following closely behind her, he kept his pace just so that he could continue to watch her. It wasn’t long before they broke beyond the high hills to a clearing where there was nothing but a high altar, and a larger opening to the cave before them. Blinking, he was surprised at the sight of high torches made of stone standing before it. The caves walls had female warriors carved one it. Each one holding long swords and bows, they’re eyes staring fiercely into the fire of the high torches. A vine of flowers wrapped around a chain that was drawn across the opening. His attention had been so caught by the whimsical sight, he hadn’t been aware she’d moved to his side. He turned his gaze to her when she spoke.
“This is where the metal resides.” She met his gaze. “The life’s blood of my people isn’t something my father will give up so easily.” She lifted her leg over the other side and dismounted. Looking up at Talon, she continued to speak. “The metal was a blessing given when those who oppressed sirens and magic users were defeated.”
She grabbed her horse’s reigns. “Come.” She led her horse over to the cave opening.
Talon, watching her, hesitated for a mere second before he too dismounted and followed her. He convinced himself it was to learn more about Katari and its people, and not to stay by her side. He was surprised she hadn’t bothered with covering her face.
She stopped at a wood railing near the cave outer wall that he hadn’t noticed when he’d initially laid his eyes on it. He followed her example by tying his own mount’s reigns to the wood railing. “Where is this?”
“This is the temple where we lay candles of wishes before R’or’s wife’s feet,” Bird said. She reached up and pulled a piece of her scarf down. Crossing it over her lower face, she secured it to the other side, leaving only her eyes glowing at him. “As apology for my words this afternoon, I will show you the night sky.”
Talon gestured upwards. The sun had already lowered and the night sky was above them, though there were no stars to speak of, just a lonely moon. “Am I not seeing it now?”
Not answering him, Bird simply smiled and reaching out, she took his glove covered hand in her own. She led him away from their horses, over to the entryway. Raising her loose hand, she laid it upon the chain rope of flower and pressed a hand against it. Her hand landed against an unseen wall and a ripple of light emanated from that spot, rippling out as it became brighter and brighter. Talon’s eyes widened as the chain slowly lifted and with its rising came a large stone door that broke from an unseen space. Magic. Talon knew it existed, but hadn’t ever seen it in action. Magic users kept their secrets and kept to the human realm as they were caught between the world of myth and reality.
“No Gahiji could come here without the gift,” Bird said,
watching the door slowly appear. “Only those of royal blood, or from the temple, could open the entranceway.” Once the door had fully risen, she moved forward, and placing a soft hand against it, she pushed it open. A dark space lay beyond it.
Unsure, Talon tightened his hold on her hand. She glanced back at him and offered him a reassuring smile. “Trust me, nothing will harm you where I am taking you.”
He observed her for a moment. She should not fear for him; she should fear for herself. She was leading a beast with her into the very darkness he was used to. Talon had done well fighting against his natural urge to claim her so far, but at each sound she made and every soft smile she offered, his hunger grew.
Even now, the warm feel of her hand holding his was pushing beyond the boundaries of his control. Turning his eyes to the opened stone door, he gave a short nod. If he could prevent himself from harming here, claiming here, then he could do so outside and in front of others.
Bird wasn’t sure what the vampire prince was thinking, but she’d noticed the grim set of his jaw and the dark cast to his eyes. He had observed as if he was choosing between life and death. She was curious of his thoughts but dared not to interrupt. When he gave his assent, she was unsure of why she felt happiness at this.
Turning, she led him into the cave. The door slowly shut behind them as they wandered deeper into the cave. Bird decided to explain the tale her mother had told her when she’d been brought here. “R’or is the hero of our people, a man of strength in magic that caused even the mountains to bow. Long before the great ocean came to rest here, sirens were seen as nothing more than beings of desire. We were sold and bought amongst the richest and poorest, treated as whores. R’or was the son of a siren and magic user. His father was so desperate for an heir he hid the siren side of his son and raised him strictly as a magic user, and R’or lived this way for years.”
