by L B Keen
Chapter Nine
Morosely, Bird watched the groomsman train the horses by pacing. She sat on a hill some ways from the stables. It was at the perfect angle to observe the stable and courtyard where the men trained in their weapons.
She couldn’t seem to regain her humor. Ever since her mother had warned her to stay away from the prince, her humor had started to darken. She couldn’t explain fully in words what she felt, just a longing, and nothing she did to fill the void would stem it.
She hadn’t spoken with him for nearly three weeks, and yet she wished to. She wanted to see the other expressions he was capable of making. She believed what she held wasn’t anything more than a mild curious interest.
Deep in thought, her fingers brushed over a bundle of grass, her eyes staring unseeingly below.
“Mistress! Your mother summons you!”
Sighing, Bird saw Fi racing up the side of the hill to meet her. She made her way down to meet her. “Did she speak to you of what she wished to speak?”
Fi avoided her gaze, giving a shake of her head. “No, Mistress. She merely urged me to hurry and bring you to her.”
Not wishing to speak aloud her annoyance at having her peace interrupted. Bird made her way back towards the palace. As she walked in silent thought, she felt more than saw the person she’d been unable to forget making his way towards her.
He walked with a somewhat arrogant swagger towards her. His hair was swept back, but his grim expression remained. He seemed to be deep in thought. As he was some ways away from her, she quickly moved out of his way into an alcove.
He was handsome. She knew many would have thought so in Britain. She curled her fingers into the stone wall, quelling her urge to brush his locks back into place. He lifted a hand and pressed it into his chest, pain flashing in his eyes before he lowered his hand, continuing towards the exit.
“Mistress, why are we hiding?” Fi asked from behind her where she’d hidden at the same time.
Exiting the alcove, Bird watched him disappear around the corner. “No reason, Fi.” Turning her gaze away from his retreating form, she gave the loyal servant a small smile. “Let’s hurry, we cannot keep Mother waiting.”
***
“I am to what?!” Bird exclaimed, staring at her mother incredulous.
Osis shifted her correspondence aside, meeting her daughter’s shocked gaze. “You are to be married.”
Unsure of what to say, Bird attempted to speak. “B-but, I thought I was to inherit your position. I do not wish to marry!”
Osis sighed, resting her right hand on her table. “You will still earn my position, but, my love, you are of age to be married. It is our way to be married at twenty suns. When you performed the maiden’s bow, you proved yourself adept and ready.”
“I-I…” She was at a loss for words. She didn’t want this! She wished to live her life tied only to the one she truly loved. Her mother’s return should have meant the end of such talk. Instead, she now stood in the center of her mother’s chambers feeling betrayed. Lowering her head, she felt her shoulders shaking. “To be saved to be sold once more,” she muttered, shooting her mother a look of betrayal before she turned, running from the chamber.
“Kahlia!” Osis stood, but it was too late. Bird had already left the chamber. “Fi, go after her!” she commanded before she tiredly plopped down. Brushing a tired hand over her forehead, she’d known her daughter wouldn’t be pleased by the news. No, not her dear Bird. The child had taken to her newfound freedom like a fish to water. She wasn’t willing to lose it anytime soon. But everything in this world had a price, even if that price was for her safety.
***
“Mistress!”
Bird ignored Fi’s call for her to stop. She raced through the hallway, not seeing where she was going. She ran from her newfound obligations. She ran from the memories she couldn’t find. She ran from the mist and hidden depths of her own heart that had been roped off by her mother.
She bypassed guards, and exiting the palace, she spotted Prince Talon mounting his horse. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Fi and palace guards coming towards her. Shaking her head, she ran over towards Talon.
Thinking about how he’d been successful at avoiding the princess since that night at the mine, Talon wasn’t prepared for her to come racing towards him, her eyes meeting his with unerring accuracy. She ran for him. He could see she was being chased by her retinue of palace soldiers, and a servant girl he’d often seen with her.
“Take me!”
She reached out to him, her eyes desperate. The scarf she wore loosened its hold, as her hair whipped out long and dark-brown. She reached out to him. “Take me with you!”
Talon didn’t have to think twice. Jerking the reigns out of the guard’s hands, he shouted. Riding past the guards, he extended his hand. “Grab on!”
She nodded, taking his hand. Talon easily lifted her behind him, her body easily pressing against him as her arms wrapped around his waist. And with another yell, he raced past the guards who attempted to stop him.
“Mistress!”
Bird pressed into the prince’s back, her eyes squeeze shut against the thought of what she’d done. All she ever wanted was to be free of obligation, whether that had been bowing and scraping before noble vampires, or marrying the one your parents wished you to.
The reassuring beat of Talon’s heart forced her to open her eyes. As the wind whipped past, she watched as they passed through the city, people and sights blurring as he raced away. Her scarf was flying behind them like a bright red flag.
The sturdy mount beneath felt more real than anything else. She didn’t want to go back. How she missed her friend Stacia. How she wished for the comforting feel of cool grass beneath her bare feet and the assurance of the oak tree she’d rested against when the day had gone on for too long.
Her memories were not all of pain and misery. She missed the taste of berries fresh from being picked.
It was long before they stopped. Bird could see he’d brought them to the cliff side, a place that boasted a waterway that provided water to passersby. It was considered an oasis in the desert, though only so many knew of it…primarily traders.
He dismounted first, before he turned and reached up, and placing his large hands on her hips, he lifted her, but as he lowered her, he did it slowly. Bird’s breath caught and her heart thundered in her ears.
The distance hadn’t dimmed this longing she held for him. The mysterious need to understand the shadow that hid behind his eyes when he looked at her. She wanted to know him, she wanted to know his every dark secret. So, she spoke first. “I…do not wish to marry.” Her voice was soft, barely above a murmur. “I…I don’t want to be owned ever again.”
Talon met her grieved stare. He heard her words but wasn’t prepared. She would marry? Who? Was this happening because of him? He tightened his hold of her. Their closeness wasn’t appropriate, but he couldn’t force himself to release her, and as they continued to stare into each other’s eyes, each one trying to read one another, he grew less and less able.
The stabbing sensation in his chest lightened. Slowly, he cupped her chin. Searching her face, he searched for disgust or even hatred, but she didn’t even flinch, as he slowly brought his other hand up to feel the silky texture of her skin. Her eyes watched him, wide and open, revealing all her thoughts.
Releasing a shuddering breath, he let go of his restraint, and bending forward, he captured her lips. As if he’d finally gotten a taste of ambrosia, he drank her in, deepening the kiss. A moan escaped his mouth as he parted her lips with his tongue.
The sensation of the prince’s tongue searching her mouth didn’t repulse Bird. She instead pushed closer, her pulse thundering as his hands held her firmly but gently. She pushed closer, her body knowing better than she what it needed, what it craved. She wanted his calloused hands on her body. She pressed herself closer as his mouth continued to work against hers. His fingers moved from her cheeks to her ha
ir as he drew closer.
He suddenly drew back, panting. His eyes blazed with need, hunger and lust. As he stared at her, Bird felt her stomach heat. She felt his eyes rake her face with such need it was painful. She whimpered, her fingers reaching for him.
Not knowing what she was doing, not knowing what she craved as she drew close, his lips brushing along her throat, her body shivered in reaction. His tongue traced her pulse and her finger curled in his shirt. She wanted this. No, this is what she’d longed for for so long.
Talon couldn’t get enough of her taste. His hands roamed everywhere. He couldn’t think, in this moment he would even defy the gods himself. He would claim the woman before him.
“Stop, just…stop.”
His blood froze and his fingers stiffened as the heat in his blood cooled immediately as a memory of broken hearted brown eyes met his. He pulled away from Bird, and staggering, he moved away from her. Turning away abruptly, he rubbed a rough hand over his face.
He couldn’t do this. Talon knew everything of her past and he was sorely pressed to ruining her future. He groaned recollecting that there was more than just her memory that stood between him giving in to his desires.
“I am sorry.” He paused in lamenting their shared kiss, and half-turned to find Bird not looking at him, but at the ground. She stood small against the side of his mount. She held her wrist close to her chest.
“I shouldn’t have run to you, but…” She lifted her gaze to him and sighed. “I spent my youth being owned, and I…I just wished to live out the rest of my days not being owned by anyone.”
Her somber gaze tore away his last barrier, and Talon gave up, at least for a moment, his battle with himself and asked, “Have they engaged you to someone?” He prayed they hadn’t, but it was expected of the princess, with her obvious beauty and intelligence, to be attached to someone.
“No,” she answered solemnly. She laughed, though it held little humor. “It isn’t an engagement, but more akin to a preview. They will inspect me to see if I am worthy of their sons.” She released a low laugh and stepped away from his mount, closer towards him, smiling at some unknown joke. “I’ve been avoiding it, and I had originally hoped my mother would be there to support my choice, but it seems that I was wrong. I am to be chattel and sold to the worthiest prince.”
Talon observed her silently before he finally spoke, lowering his arms to his side, giving her an amused look. “And what does your family deem as a ‘worthy’ prince?”
Hearing his question, Bird blinked, giving him a blank look before she chuckled, motioning towards the horse. “I will gladly explain what is considered ‘worthy’ if you’d be so kind as to escort me to the palace.”
Talon gave a short bow before returning to his horse’s side, taking up the reigns. He turned his mount and together they made their way back towards the city, the golden domes rose above the rolling sand dunes.
As they walked back, Bird contently strolled alongside him. She hadn’t forgotten the kiss, but in order to distract herself, she asked instead, “Do most vampires lose control as you did last night?”
Talon glanced at her, then looked forward again. He didn’t answer immediately because frankly, he hadn’t lost control in many years. “I’m not sure about others, but most in the royal family don’t believe it to be civilized to reveal one’s true nature.”
“Why is that? I thought all vampires enjoyed their nature.”
As they neared the city gate, Talon frowned, his red eyes becoming a rosier color as they deepened in thought. “I cannot tell you the reason; it has simply become that way. After eons of savagery and conquering, there came a time when vampires no longer wished to live or die by a single drop of blood. The discovery of the damphirs also ensured order and ability to function as a regular society.”
Bird hummed, not realizing she’d moved closer to him, their steps slowing as if both secretly wished to spend more time with the other. “I always assumed that vampires lived to the fullest of their nature. She shot him a glance and smiled. “I still wonder why I do not fear you as I believe I should.”
Stopping right before the gate, Talon turned, forcing Bird to meet his gaze. In a low voice, he softly warned, “You should.” His eyes darkened, something moving behind his gaze she couldn’t quite catch. “I have no qualms in taking what I desire.”
“And you desire the metal.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement. Talon smiled.
It was odd how handsome he appeared as the day grew closer to noon. His red eyes blazing like glowing embers, and blonde hair escaping the leather thong that held it back. His sharp features could seduce any woman easily. Yet, Bird did not feel seduced. She felt more attracted to his dark gaze. Mocking, yet appealing… She wondered to herself why she sought him, and even now desired to become closer to him.
In this city of sand and heat, she was slowly craving more of his time and wished he would stay longer.
“What I desire, pigeon, is something that would earn me the dead men’s jig,” he said, humor entering his voice. He motioned his chin towards the gates, “Shall we?”
Reluctantly, she nodded, and together, they moved past the guards and entered the bustling city with sounds of the last prayers being sung and the smell of incense and buttery fried bread in the air. Bird tried to recollect all she’d heard about the prince who walked beside her.
She was so lost in thought that when they maneuvered around the bend of a tavern, she could only widen her eyes in horror as a cart came tumbling towards her. The horse’s nose flared and the forelegs hit the ground in a blur of speed.
People screamed as they jumped out of the way of the runaway cart.
Feeling strong arms wrap around her, Bird cried out as she was forced sideways as the cart flew past her, the clattering of its wheels so close she could feel the wind that rushed right behind.
In shock, she heard Talon release a curse. She could see a person jumping from the seat of the cart and taking off. She was lifted by a set of hands she was familiar with. Looking up, she met Dua’s gaze. He helped her up.
“Watch over her!” Talon snapped before he took off after the villain. He wasn’t sure why someone would try to harm Bird, but he wouldn’t allow him to get away.
Running past the broken cart and its neighing horses, he ran around the corner in time to see the black-clad figure run towards the alley.
“Stop!” he shouted, running. Making his way through the crowd was difficult as people had rushed forward in order to see what had happened. Finally making it out of the crowd, he cursed, his eyes flashing with fury. He couldn’t release his gift here; too many people could suffer.
Whipping his head side to side, he searched the crowd but found no one. He headed back, only to see Bird’s personal guard running towards him. The same man from the previous night met Talon’s stare.
“Did you see him?!”
Talon shook his head, catching his breath. He soon realized Dua didn’t have Bird with him. “Where is your princess?” he said, feeling a slight panic.
“I’ve sent her back to the palace with a retinue of the palace guards.” Dua straightened, seeming affronted by Talons accusation. “We are capable of protecting our own, vampire,” he spat.
Talon’s expression turned cold as he faced the prideful personal guard of the princess. “And yet, she seems to continue to find herself alone with the one person who’d have no trouble taking her life.”
Dua scoffed, crossing his arms. “She has never been alone.” The clear amusement in his voice caused Talon’s hackles to rise. “Vampire, you know little of our ways, and even less of how we guard our royals. Kahlia is the precious daughter of King Alma. There is no subject of this kingdom who wouldn’t lay down their lives for her.”
“Then explain why in two days’ time we’ve been accosted by thieves and she’s nearly been run over by a cart?!” Talon nearly roared. His nostrils flared in anger as his skin paled significantly. Fury pumped through his veins at
the mere thought of anyone daring to harm his Bird. Her very life belonged to him and no one, no one else was going to dare take it from him.
Releasing a deep breath, he jerked his head away from Dua. Turning away from the man and closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply, trying to control himself. He couldn’t release his aura here. He’d already lost too much of himself. Especially when his job was to make a good impression upon the royal family here.
Not saying anything else, he stomped away. Talon decided he would return to his lodgings, and he would have Dubh look into the family workings of King Alma. It didn’t seem normal. Sure, the attempted robbery could be seen as coincidental, but the cart had been an obvious attempt on Kahlia’s life.
As Talon had dealt with his own family for many years, he knew that blood meant little to nothing in a family of possible kings and queens. The throne didn’t encourage friendly family ties.
Chapter Ten
England…
London was lit up from the moving crowds below. The spring air had brought about the birth of merriment and desire, and anyone who was in with the ton knew to be at Lady Chase’s ball. It was a tight crush filled with dignitaries and ambassadors from foreign countries. The wall was lined with sweet perfumed debutantes who’d already had their coming out. Their giggles of glee and interest were completely ignored by the roués who stood on the other side of the ballroom. Their hungry, lust-filled eyes focused on the seductive widows who fanned themselves leisurely in the corner, feigning no interest, despite their fans telling a different story.
Fitzwilliam barely spared a glance for any of them. Bending over the hand of the well-aged Lady Chase, he continued giving a short bow to her eldest son. Despite Lord Chase’s place in society, he had as of yet chosen a bride and was known for switching out damphirs like his cravats.
He was a handsome bloke of chiseled jaw and deep-seated blue eyes. His sharp eyes noticed Fitzwilliam’s antsy movements immediately. He silently observed Fitz as he searched the crowd.
