Chapter 10

CHAPTER10

“This is a bad idea.” I pulled on the brand-new pair of boots Thalia had brought to Evren’s room and ran my fingers over the supple leather.

“It’s just one night.” Thalia leaned against the wall as she watched me dress. “You’ve been training hard. It will be nice to take a little break.”

She was right. We had been training to the point my muscles felt like they were going to give out, and most nights I felt like doing nothing more than sleeping. But tonight, I had planned on laying down and reading the book she had given me. A book I hadn’t even turned a page on yet because she had kept me so busy.

But I couldn’t deny that I did feel stronger both physically and with my magic. Even now just standing here talking to Thalia, I felt more in control of my magic. Whatever Thalia was doing was working, and I was grateful for her because time seemed to be dragging by with every minute that Evren was gone. She knew it too, and she had been doing her best to keep me busy.

But guilt still plagued me as everyone went on with their lives while he was risking his.

“Fine. One night.” I held my finger up in her direction. “One drink, then I’m coming back to my room.”

“Evren’s room.” Thalia smirked.

I rolled my eyes and pulled Evren’s black shirt over my head and tucked it into my trousers. She knew it belonged to him, but she didn’t tease me about it. I wondered if she knew how badly I needed this small connection to him even when I shouldn’t. I turned away from her as I tucked the crescent moon necklace into my breasts and shook out my hair.

“Okay. Let’s get this over with.”

Thalia opened the door and waved me out. “Don’t ruin our fun. Sorin will be with us, and I promise we’ll have a good time.”

“What exactly is going on with you and Sorin anyway?” I looked over at her, and she fidgeted with her hair until it was partly shielding her face. “Are you two having sex?”

Thalia swatted my arm and shushed me.

“Ow!” I laughed as her eyes widened.

“Would you be quiet?” Thalia looked up and down the hall, but there was no one around us. “No. I am not fucking the captain.”

“So, what?” I rubbed at the spot where she had just hit. “You’re trying to tell me this is all just built-up tension between the two of you?”

Thalia snorted out a laugh. “Something like that.”

I grinned as we finally made our way to the entry. Sorin was standing near the door talking to a few of his guards, but his gaze landed on Thalia as soon as we came into view. She was wearing her normal trousers and shirt, but they fit to her body like a second skin. If that girl carried a weapon, I had no idea where she hid it.

A wicked smile appeared on Sorin’s face as he looked back and forth between us. “Are you two ready?”

“I’m not exactly sure what I should be ready for,” I said without meeting his gaze.

He laughed before dismissing his men with a small nod. “You’ve been in the Blood kingdom for almost a week, and you haven’t left your room unless it’s to train or eat. If you’re going to be a part of this kingdom, you need to actually experience it.”

My gut hardened and my magic flared inside of me, but I tried to focus on calming myself, pulling it back into the center of my chest just as Thalia had taught me. He spoke so easily about me becoming part of this kingdom. “I don’t know that I want to be a part of this kingdom.”

It was the truth. I didn’t know what I was doing. I couldn’t make sense of what I wanted. The thought of leaving hadn’t run through my mind because I couldn’t imagine surviving in a world where I didn’t know if Evren was okay.

Sorin’s smile fell as my words sobered him up for a moment, but he quickly recovered.

“You know Evren isn’t the only thing this kingdom has to offer.” He wrapped his arm around mine and pulled me to the door. “Not only do we have extraordinarily handsome captains, but we also make amazing wine.”

“You’re quite full of yourself, aren’t you?”

Thalia snorted from my other side, but Sorin only grinned.

“It’s not being full of yourself when it’s the truth.” He winked at me as we stepped through the door.

The sun was already sinking, and dusk was replacing its light.

“Come on.” Sorin tugged me forward, until I had no choice but to keep up with him. “What would you like to see first?”

Everything.The answer was on the tip of my tongue. I wanted to see all this kingdom had to offer. But at the same time, I wanted to see it with Evren. Even through my anger, I knew that this kingdom was his world. It was special to him, and I felt guilty for seeing any of it without him by my side.

“I don’t know.” I shook my head. “You two decide.”

Thalia and Sorin leaned forward and looked at one another, and both grinned at the same time. That should’ve worried me, but I couldn’t get the small thrill to leave my gut.

“The Olde Vine,” they both said at the exact same moment and laughed softly. I had no idea what The Olde Vine was, but I had a feeling for the two of them to like it so much, it probably wasn’t the most respectful place in the kingdom.

Sorin continued to lead me through the street, and I smiled at all the people who were bustling down the cobblestone road. The Blood kingdom was alive with street sellers and performers and people falling in and out of pubs. There was a laughter that carried onto the streets, a vivaciousness that couldn’t be hidden, and my marks buzzed under my skin as I took it all in. They were all watching us as we walked, and I fidgeted with my shirt to try to hide my insecurity.

“Do they know who I am?” I said softly to Sorin, and he smiled down at me.

“Of course, they do.”

Just at that moment, an elderly man crossed our path, and when his gaze connected with mine, he faltered for a second. My gut turned, worry fueling me, but the man simply bowed his head as if he was showing me respect. This man, who I could only assume was a vampyre, was showing respect to the Starblessed girl who hadn’t earned it.

“Hi, Rhion.” Thalia stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the man, and he let out a small chuckle.

“Thalia, my girl. I thought they were never to let you out of that castle.” A smile beamed across his face.

“You know me.” She grinned at him before she pulled back an arm’s length to look over his aging face. “Work, work, work, then I play.”

The old man laughed, his chuckle aged and full of spirit. “If only I was about two hundred years younger.” His hands squeezed against her arms, and I could see the amusement lighting up her eyes. “I would’ve stolen you away from this captain back there.”

“The captain would have to manage to land me himself for that.”

The old man laughed hearty and full, and I couldn’t help joining him. Sorin scoffed, even as he fought a grin. “I’ll have you know, Rhion, that I’m the most charming guy in this kingdom. Thalia is just a hard one to crack.”

Thalia rolled her eyes, and the old man squeezed her tighter. “Maybe you aren’t as charming as you think.” He winked at her, and she let out a small laugh. “I seem to charm her more than you do, and I’m nothing but an old man.”

“You got that right.” Thalia leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against the man’s cheek, and he beamed with pride.

“We’re headed to The Olde Vine. Would you like to join us?” Thalia’s voice was soft as she squeezed his hand in hers, and a little bit of that hard exterior that she always held up cracked before me.

It was such an odd feeling to experience this man, this vampyre, interact so freely with Thalia. I had already seen it with those inside the castle, but this was different. This vampyre was the exact thing I had been taught to fear, but I didn’t feel an ounce of unease as I looked at him.

“No. No.” The man held up his hands in laughter. “You all go and have fun. This old man needs to get some sleep. Plus, handsome over there won’t stand a chance if I’m around.”

Thalia laughed as she placed another kiss on his cheek before we said our goodbyes and continued down the road.

“How old is he?” I asked Thalia, and she wrinkled her brow.

“Several hundred years. I don’t know exactly.”

Chill bumps ran along my arms. I had always been told of vampyre’s immortality, but I hadn’t given it much thought until that moment. “And how old is Evren?”

She swallowed hard, and she hesitated before finally answering me. “Just over a century.”

“Oh my gods.” I pressed my hand to my chest. I knew that Evren was older than me, but I didn’t think he was that much older. I never would have fathomed it.

“Don’t freak out.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to her. “Starblessed live a lot longer than normal humans.”

“What?” My chest tightened, but there was an edge of relief that I felt as well. Why did I care how long I would live in comparison to my mate when I wasn’t meant to care for him at all?

“Did you not read any of the book I gave you?” She rolled her eyes.

“I did, but I hadn’t got to that part.” I crossed my arms and searched her face. “Wait, how old are you?”

“A lot older than you.” She laughed and tightened her hand in mine.

People were watching us. Everywhere we went their eyes slid in our direction, but none of them were judging, calculating, or cruel. Everyone who looked upon Sorin and Thalia did so with admiration, and those who looked upon me did so with respect or maybe curiosity. They lowered their heads briefly, but their eyes never left me.

“These people”—Sorin nodded toward all the people that surrounded us—“love their prince. And as his mate, they will love you too.”

“They know I’m his mate?”

“I don’t know how much you know about vampyres, Adara. But we have a keen sense of smell, and my boy Evren made sure to mark you in every possible way before he left you here.”

I couldn’t stop the blush from creeping up my neck and into my face. Oh my gods.

“Having sex with someone does not make them your mate.”

Sorin snorted and his eyes widened at my words. “That’s not what I meant.” He looked me up and down, and my blush only worsened. “His scent is wrapped around you. His magic. Your mating bond is strong and pure and unmistakable. The fact that you two fucked before he left is news to me, Adara.”

My gaze swung to Thalia, and she held up her hands. “I told you your secrets were your own. I didn’t realize you were just going to tell them to everyone.”

“Come on.” Sorin laughed and waved us forward. “We’re here.”

Here was a small pub that was covered in vines and ancient stones. The door was curved and carved beautifully, but it was the boisterous laughter from inside that drew me in.

We walked into the pub, and everyone cheered when they saw Sorin. “You come here often?”

Thalia laughed at my question. “He has to come somewhere to drown all his misery when his charms fail to get in my trousers.”

I laughed, and Sorin grinned. Despite what they said or how they acted, they looked at one another often and the smiles on their faces always reached their eyes.

“By the way she talks, you’d think she hates me. Truly, she’s just waiting to get courted properly.”

“In your dreams.” Thalia pulled out a chair at a small table, and the three of us sat down. The bartender, a young girl with beautiful curly hair and some of the darkest eyes I had ever seen, came to our table almost immediately, and she grinned at my two companions. “How are you?”

“Were good, Lis. How are you?”

“Busy.” The girl laughed and just as she did, another round of laughter rang out around us. The pub was packed to the brim with men and women, and every one of them seemed happy to be there.

“I can see that.” Sorin smiled as a man walked by and patted him on the shoulder. “Do you think we can get three glasses of wine?”

“Of course.” She nodded and wiped her hands on her cream apron. “Whose tab are we putting this on? Yours or Thalia’s?” She grinned as she looked back and forth between them, but they were too busy looking at each other with smirks on their faces to notice.

“Evren’s.” Sorin wrapped his arm around me and pulled my chair closer to him, the sound of wood scraping against the floor ringing out through the pub. “We are out with his mate. He might as well pay. Don’t you think?”

I opened my mouth in shock, but Lis only laughed as if this was the best idea she ever heard. “Of course, it’s nice to meet you, Starblessed. I’ve heard so much about you already.”

I was caught off guard by her, but I quickly recovered. “It’s nice to meet you as well, but please call me Adara and please don’t get any information from the wild ideas these two share with you.” I hiked my thumbs in the direction of my two companions and both of them started with laughter.

“Don’t worry, Adara.” She shook her head. “I haven’t trusted these two in years.”

I liked her instantly. She smiled one last time before she walked away from the table and back toward the bar to get our wine.

“I cannot believe you just did that.”

“Why not?” Thalia nodded and tapped her fingers against the table. “The prince owes me.”

They both smiled, and I wondered if Evren would have been the same if he were here. I wanted to see him like this, to see him carefree with his friends, to see him living life.

It was all I could think about. My desperation for him to be here, to see him alive and not in danger. How could I hate someone if I cared so deeply for their safety? When they were so willing to risk so much because they cared for my own?

“Here you go.” Lis set the wine down in front of us, and I reached out quickly for a glass.

I brought the deep amber liquid to my mouth, and a small moan left my lips at the taste. “Oh my gods. This is divine.”

“I told you.” Sorin lifted his own drink and brought it to his lips.

I watched the people around us. Each one of them were laughing and singing and enjoying their night. I slowly sipped my wine as I watched them and thought about how fearful I had been of this kingdom. I thought of all the histories I had been told and how none of them appeared to be true. That was a hard truth to face. Everything that I thought I knew was wrong.

Was everything my mother had ever told me a lie?

I was still contemplating that thought, thinking of how foolish I felt, when a large man stopped at our table. His beard was full and his smile even fuller, and he was staring straight at me.

“Come on, you.” He waved me up from the table. “You can’t just stay here with these two bores. Let me spin you around the floor.”

Sorin laughed, and I looked back and forth between them as a smile formed on my lips.

“Since when did you learn to dance? Last time I checked you had nothing but two left feet.” Sorin leaned back and rested his arm along the back of my chair.

The man rolled his eyes before winking at me. There was a softness to his smile, so I scooted out my chair and avoided looking at Sorin when his gaze flew to me. Instead, I put my hand to the man’s outstretched one. “Let’s prove him wrong.”

The man chuckled and pulled me into him, his grip strong, and I laughed and almost tripped over my own two feet. But he pulled me toward the dance floor and spun me around quickly until I had no choice but to stop overthinking and just enjoy dancing with this man.

“Two left feet.” He scoffed. “That boy doesn’t have a damn clue what he’s talking about.” He took my hand in his and spun me out from his body before spinning me back quickly. My head was dizzy and my smile full, and I busted out in laughter as my chest slammed back into his. He wasn’t a good dancer. Sorin was right about that, but gods he was fun.

“He does seem pretty full of it.” I laughed.

“I’d say, but he’s got that face and all that hair.” He waved his hand in Sorin’s direction. “It gets him away with far too much.”

“I’d say that he and Prince Evren have that in common.”

He chuckled and almost stepped on my toes. “Our poor prince. He’s going to have his hands full with you.”

“You don’t think the prince can handle me?”

The man spun me around again, and I couldn’t tell if it was the wine or the dancing that was getting to my head.

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll handle you just fine. But I have a feeling it’ll be fun watching you test him every step of the way.”

I smiled, but this was foolish. Talking to these people like my presence in their kingdom was permanent. He spoke like I belonged to Evren, like I belonged to him and no one else.

That was foolish.

The pressure to make a choice about my future was heavier than ever. What was I going to do? I knew that I would never return to Gavril. No matter what they did or threatened. I would never go back to the fae kingdom, but would I so willingly become a part of Evren’s?

I had barely seen Queen Veda since we had arrived, but I didn’t trust her. She had given me every reason not to.

When her men attacked us in the woods, any chance of me trusting her was lost, and I didn’t know how controlled Evren was by his mother. I knew he was nothing like Gavril, I knew that deep in my gut, but I would be a fool to blindly believe that he would have chosen me had I not been the perfect pawn in his game. Evren had already proved to me that he was capable of betraying me, and I wouldn’t be foolish enough not to remember that.

“Oh no.” The man pulled me back into him and wrapped his large hand around my back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You didn’t.” I shook my head quickly, and I hoped to reassure him. “I was just thinking.”

“Well, if it helps at all, I want you to know that our prince can take care of you because he was born to do so. He is your mate, and he is our savior. Don’t underestimate the boy.”

I let his words sink in, to fill me with everything I needed to hear, and I grinned as I tried to drown out the intrusive thoughts that I wanted to stop.

I didn’t have to worry about this tonight. To make decisions. All I could do was have fun with these people and let my fear for Evren hide in my gut as I pushed it down. He was my mate, and I didn’t know how harshly that truth would affect my life.

“All right. It’s my turn to cut in.”

The man swung me back into him and tugged me against his chest as I laughed. Sorin reached out his hand, but he hardly seemed to notice.

“Can’t you see me and the girl are having fun?” He winked down at me, and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing.

“Take turns before I’m forced to go over there and ask your wife for a dance.”

The man laughed, and I looked around trying to figure out who his wife was. Whoever she was, I imagined her life was full of love and laughter, and for a small moment, I was envious of her.

“Fine.” He slipped my hand out to his and motioned me toward Sorin. “She’s all yours for now.”

I let my hands slip into Sorin’s, and he pulled me close to him as the music rang out around the pub.

“You’ve got some big shoes to fill.” I laughed as I watched the man walk away. “I can’t remember having that much fun while dancing ever.”

“Well, that’s because you haven’t danced with me before.” Sorin grinned, and he was so handsome. His brown hair was pushed back out of his face and tied at the back of his head with a small leather strap. Even in the middle of this pub, holding me in his arms with that grin on his face, he still looked every bit the warrior that he was.

Sorin moved us around the floor quickly, spinning our bodies in time with the music, and I laughed when my head felt so dizzy that I thought I was going to fall.

“I wish Evren were here.” The words slipped past my lips, and my smile faltered.

Sorin slowed us down only minutely, but he lifted his hand and pushed my wild hair out of my face. “Me too.” He studied me with a soft smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You have no idea how much.”

He spun me around again, and I tried not to let myself think about it. Think about how Evren would spin me around the floor. How he would drive me crazy with want just by the simple touch of his fingers. But it was impossible not to. Even from miles away, he invaded every part of me.

“He’ll come back.” His words were soft and meant for me alone. But they rang inside of me, sinking deep in my bones, and my magic spurred me to life at the promise. A promise that I was desperate to come true.

And that desperation made me feel more vulnerable than ever. Because I couldn’t deny he was all I wanted in that moment.

Because I was alone in this kingdom, and I had been alone in the kingdom before this, and all I ever had was Evren. Even before I realized it, it was always him. Even through his betrayal, it was him.

“Are you two going to make me drink all this wine alone?” Thalia called out to us as she held a bottle of wine in her hands. I laughed and pulled myself away from Sorin as I made my way back to the table. Wine was exactly what I needed. I needed it to help drown my thoughts and the feelings that were invading me.

“I’ll have another glass.”

Thalia smiled before popping the cork and filling my glass to the brim.

“Tonight, we have fun. Then tomorrow we’ll work.”