29. Anevae

Maeyve and I spent the next week inside, talking, watching movies, and enjoying each other"s company. I still refused to go outside, fearful the vampire would show up and attempt to take me again. Every day, I questioned why my dad wanted to keep Eiri and me from knowing about our heritage— their heritage. The only thing besides Maeyve that made this process any easier was the stories my mom told my sister and me as children.

Eiri checked in with me every morning, but I got concerned when I didn"t hear from her on the morning of the seventh day. When Maeyve and I sat down for lunch, I messaged Eiri. When she didn"t answer by that evening, I tried to call her, but it went straight to voicemail.

When I expressed my concern to Maeyve, she reminded me that my sister and I would go days without speaking to each other. While I knew she was right, I had a feeling in my gut that something wasn"t right. What if the vampire had gotten her?

Maeyve explained that vampires didn"t like this realm and would likely stay away from the city, so my sister was safer there. When I relented, she assured me we would check on Eiri the next day if we couldn"t get ahold of her. Then, we headed for bed.

As soon as I woke up the next morning, I tried to call Eiri. It went straight to voicemail again. Anxious about Eiri"s silence, I texted my mom to see if she"d heard from her before I freaked out completely.

Good morning! Have you heard from Eiri?

Good morning. I haven"t. Is everything okay?

I haven"t heard from her in a couple of days now, so I just thought I"d see if you had. I wasn"t sure what she had planned for the last few days.

Maybe you can check on her? She was supposed to have an interview yesterday, but that"s all I know about.

Strange. She would have told me how the interview went.

As I sent the message, my heart sunk deep in my chest. Eiri wouldn"t have missed one of her interviews unless something had happened, and if something had happened, she would have told me about it. I should have listened to my gut. Something is absolutely wrong.

I"ll have to see if I can make it down there sometime today. Hope everything is going well over there. I"ll check in with you in a bit. I love you, Momma.

Please be careful and let me know what"s happening with your sister after you check on her. I love you, too.

As I set my phone down, my heart began to race, and my thoughts spiraled. If the vampire got her, I"d never forgive myself. I couldn"t stay in this cabin if that were the case, but the idea of going outside had my anxiety heightened again.

Maeyve must have sensed my panic as she darted out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel and still soaking wet. She kneeled next to the bed and asked, "What"s wrong? Did your sister answer you?"

A lump was stuck in my throat, but I managed to answer her, "I texted my mom to see if she had heard from Eiri, and she hadn"t heard from her either. I"m really concerned, but I still don"t think I can bring myself to leave the house right now." Meeting her gaze, I continued, "I"m sorry to ask, but can you help me check on her?"

Still holding her towel with one hand, she reached up with the other and caressed my cheek. "I will always be here to help if you need it, and you never need to feel bad about asking for my help. Let me get dressed, and I"ll head out to check on your sister. I know how much she means to you and how devastated you"d be if something happened to her."

After kissing my forehead, she lifted my eyes to meet hers and gave me a soft smile before retrieving clothes from the closet. She"d hung the few outfits she brought from her home there. As I"d guessed, her wardrobe consisted mainly of black with occasional specks of color.

Hurrying back to where I sat, she pulled me in for a tight embrace. I wrapped my arms around her neck and squeezed, nuzzling my face into her neck.

"I"ll be back as soon as possible. Everything will be okay," she murmured before kissing my neck. After a few moments, she drew back. "Don"t worry about me. No matter what, I"ll always return to you."

Offering her a half smile, I nodded and closed my eyes. "Okay. Please be careful. I wouldn"t forgive myself if something happened to you. I promise I"m working on making myself go outside." Squeezing my eyes tightly, a tear streamed down my cheek. But, before I could reach up and clear it, Maeyve was wiping it away with a quick flick of her thumb.

I felt her warm breath as she brought her forehead to mine. "Everything will be okay, I promise. I"ll be quicker than you know, okay?"

I grabbed one of her wrists, pulled her palm to my lips, and kissed it gently. "Thank you."

She kissed my forehead again and brushed her thumb over my cheek before retreating downstairs. Shortly after, I heard the door shut. Feeling frustrated, I rubbed my eyes and took a deep breath. I needed to go downstairs and lock the door. It wasn"t like the vampire could get in, but who knew what else was out there and the rules they followed? I scoffed at the thought before stomping down the stairs.

After I locked the door, I forced myself to watch Forensic Files, one of my comfort shows. A knock at the front door startled me. Did Maeyve forget something? I crept toward the door, trying not to make any sound.

A window at the front of the house gave me a full view of the porch. With trembling hands, I reached toward the curtain and pulled it back only as far as I needed to see who was there. To my surprise, there was no one. My SUV was the only vehicle in the driveway. Am I being paranoid? Was there actually a knock?

As I returned to my TV show, I came up with explanations for the sound. Maybe a bird flew into the window, or a nut fell onto my car. That had to be it. I simply misheard. Any explanations I had talked myself into were shattered when another knock sounded at the door.

Brows furrowed, I stomped to the window again and peered out. Again, no one stood on the porch; my vehicle was the only one in the drive. There was no way I was imagining the knock. Just as I was about to sit back down, I saw something fluttering on the door. What the hell?

Turning around, I tried to find something to arm myself with. If there were someone, or something, waiting for me on the other side just out of view, I wouldn"t be caught completely off guard again. I hurried into the kitchen and found the biggest knife possible. Would this even hurt a vampire if I stabbed them? For fuck"s sake, what is wrong with me?

Stomping to the door, I cracked it open and saw a piece of paper taped to it. Reaching out, I ripped it off and slammed the door shut.

Leaning my back against the door, I read the letter. On the thick cream-colored parchment, in scrawling black letters, it read:

If you ever want to see your sister again, come to Castle Rilvara. Your pet can bring you here but do not involve your parents. If you do, the consequences will be dire. Your grandfather, King Casimir, is looking forward to your arrival, and I"ve been dying to get my hands on you again. We will be waiting, albeit impatiently, but we look forward to you joining us.

You have three days, Princess.

-Emrhys

I was too late. He took her. Dropping to the floor, I went into a full-blown panic attack. I couldn"t focus, and I could hear my heart beating in my ears. My breathing grew ragged, and I began to feel dizzy. I had to find a way to get myself out of this house and to my sister.

Trying to calm down, I skimmed the note again. Emrhys—so that was the name of the vampire actively trying to ruin my life. He was right; Maeyve could help me get to Caellaias and save Eiri. But how could I possibly ask that of her after everything she had told me? There had to be another way.

As my breathing returned to normal, rapid footsteps ascended the porch steps. I scrambled to my feet and rushed to the window to see who it was. Maeyve was already at the door, pounding on it and looking frantic.

Clenching the note, I hurried to open the door for her. Relief washed over Maeyve"s face when she saw me, but I started crying again as soon as my gaze met hers. She hurried in, slammed the door shut, and pulled me into her arms. She carried me over to the couch, sat, and held me tight.

"What happened?" she whispered.

Pulling back, I handed her the note that was now crumpled and damp from my clammy hands. "He took her. She"s in Caellaias! I have to get her back, but I don"t know how to get there, and you"re the only person who can help me. How could I ever ask you to return to that terrible place?"

"Take some deep breaths. We"ll find a way to bring her back, even if that means we have to go to Caellais and get her. I will do anything to bring her back to you, even if it means going back there," Maeyve whispered into my hair as she rocked me.

Taking deep breaths, as she suggested, I sat up and looked at Maeyve, who was waiting patiently. As she looked over my face, she had a deep sadness in her eyes.

"You weren"t gone very long. What happened?" I asked, not sure I wanted to know the answer.

She hesitated for a moment before answering. "I found your sister"s car, abandoned, down by my house and immediately knew something was wrong, so I came right back."

Tears welled in my eyes again. Eiri"s car was abandoned. By Maeyve"s house. Was she coming to check on me when she encountered the vampire? None of that really mattered. He had taken her, and I needed to bring her back home.

"We will get her back. Can I see the note?"

When I handed her the note, I climbed out of her lap. I paced in front of her while she studied it. As she finished reading, she growled and threw the note on the couch beside her.

She stood, walked over to me, and pulled me into her arms. "This vampire—Emrhys—seems like a fucking asshole. I will do everything in my power to make sure he never touches you again. Never. Again." Huffing out a breath, she nuzzled into my hair and took a deep breath.

"You said there"s a portal in these woods?" I asked.

Maeyve stepped back and gave me a sad look. "Yes. There is."

"Can we go into Maiviraea and make our way to the castle from there?" I asked, hopeful for the first time since I found the note.

"I think that"s the only way we"ll get to Eirvanna without traveling elsewhere. Caellaias has many outlets in the Earth realm, but they are spread far and wide. We would risk time going elsewhere. My biggest concern is that Emrhys is likely using that route to get to Eirvanna. He could try to intercept us on our way to the castle."

"I don"t want you to go to Caellaias just because you want to protect me. I can try –"

Maeyve leaned in close, making sure I met her gaze. With furrowed brows, she spoke, "All you have to do is say the word, and I"m right there. I don"t care what I went through in Caellaias. If you need me, I"ll always be there. We"ve only known each other for a short time, but being with you brings so much happiness into my life; I cannot imagine a life without you anymore."

Tears welled in my eyes as I whispered, "You bring about feelings in me that I"ve never experienced before. I"ve never been this connected to someone. I get this sense of peace and unending happiness when I"m around you; you calm every storm that has been wreaking havoc in my mind for so many years. I don"t ever want you to leave because I"m afraid of how I"ll feel if you do. But I don"t want you to feel obligated to go to Caellaias with me and regret it."

She tilted my chin up lightly and softly kissed my lips. Then, she placed her forehead against mine and murmured, "I will never leave your side unless I am forced to or you tell me to. I will never regret anything I do as long as you"re by my side."

Smiling, I pulled back from her hold. A tear rolled down her cheek, and I wiped it away. "I think I"m beginning to fall in love with you," I admitted softly.