Chapter 67

67

Ella

Long hours later, I woke from a deep, dreamless sleep and stretched out my arms. The aches and pains of the night before were gone, replaced by vibrant energy and the peaceful feeling of being refreshed. A gift of Cassius's blood?

I sighed, rolling over and reaching for him. But the bed was cold, and he was gone. I felt his absence beyond the empty sheets, deep within me, as if he were pulling on me from a long way away. His scent lingered, and it prickled my senses, filling me with a need to be near him.

Was this also the bond of his blood?

My gaze landed on a single red rose on the edge of the mattress, and beside it, a handwritten note.

Rest, my beauty. I'm meeting with Aamon in the study. Come find us after breakfast, if you wish. –Cassius

There was no light coming from the balcony or windows, and I wondered how long I'd slept. Hours? Days? A year? I drifted in and out of a drowsy fog until a light knock sounded on the door, and I sat up with a start.

Still stark naked, I slipped out of bed and wrapped the fur coverlet around me. "Who is it?"

The door cracked open a smidge, revealing one of the royal servants. "I have your breakfast, my lady."

My lady? She was mistaken.

"Come in," I said, pulling the coverlet closer. "And it's just Ella. I'm not a lady."

"Of course, my lady. It's just that the prince insisted that you be addressed as such." The woman looked to be in her thirties, and I thought I recognized her. Louisa.

She brought a large tray of coffee, tea, and a selection of fresh pastries and fruits, and set it on a folding table. Blushing, she asked, "Is there anything I can bring you, my lady?"

Embarrassed by her deference, I wanted to correct her again, but I held my tongue. "No, this is lovely. You're very kind. Louisa, isn't it?"

"That's right, my lady. The prince asked me to inform you that there are fresh clothes for you in the wardrobe. Do you need assistance? I could help you bathe, brush your hair, or attend to your toilette."

I nearly choked on the sweet roll I'd dug into. Were the immortals incapable of doing anything themselves?

"No," I said, brushing the crumbs from my lips. "I can dress myself. Thank you, Louisa."

After she left, Pip appeared from beneath a chair cushion, sleepily rubbing his eyes.

"You're okay!" I cried, joy flaring within me.

Of course! He hopped down and nuzzled my ankle. You're the one I was worried about.

I lifted him up and set him on the table, and we demolished breakfast together. The prince's blood had satiated my hunger—and more—the night before, but it had returned with a vengeance.

I left him to gorge on the crumbs and headed into the bathroom to splash water on my face. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I stiffened. I was not the woman I had been the day before—and I had done things she'd barely imagined possible. I brushed my fingers across my lips. I could still feel, taste , Cassius's kisses. Passionate and filled with so much longing.

My stomach fluttered. Would what happened between us the night before mean anything today, or would our lives continue along their separate paths?

The weight of it pressed down on me as I faced the truth. One night was one night, and the prince still had to marry. At best, he might accept me as his mistress. But could I accept that? On the other hand, could I possibly say no? I loved him. I was certain of it, more than ever.

I let out a shaky breath. One thing at a time, Ella.

The woman the prince chose to marry was the least of my worries, and perhaps even his. So much more was at stake. My breakfast curdled as yesterday came rushing back. Horace's lifeless eyes. The corrupted heart's tainted hunger. The ravaged castle. I hadn't even seen the destruction in the ballroom. Would there still be bodies? I recoiled at the image of the prince painting the floor with the assassins' blood. How many of my kind had died before he'd stopped the slaughter with his command?

I shuddered. No more. Not if I could help it. Cassius had promised protection the night before, but I had to see it through. I had to protect my stepmother and the resistance.

Destroying the Triad was just the beginning of what it would take to change this place.

With renewed purpose, I opened the wardrobe and froze, stunned. A half-dozen dresses in various shades hung in front of me, each more beautiful than the next. Silken undergarments were folded on a lower shelf alongside a riding outfit made of the softest leather. The clothes were more elegant than any courtesan had a right to wear. They were a high lady's clothes—and to my chagrin, most seemed impossible to put on alone.

I pulled out a deep mauve dress with sleeves and no back laces and set to work slipping into it. Unlike the gown from last night, this one was loose and fitted exactly where it needed to be, and was more comfortable than my work uniform. Casting a quick glance in the mirror, I combed my fingers through my hair, then slid on a pair of slippers and headed for the study. I knew where it was located, but even if I hadn't, there was something drawing me forward like an invisible current sweeping me toward him.

His blood.