“Sorry, Tristan,” I called out, feeling bad but not embarrassed for my protective nature. “I lost myself there for a moment. I promise that’s not like me.”
He mumbled something that carried on the wind to me, and I could’ve sworn he said, “It’s crazy what love will do to you.”
ChapterTwelve
Kyella
Dakath refused to let me carry my bag despite my insistence to do so. I didn’t want them to feel like they had to baby me, or make any special exceptions, but I couldn’t deny the fact that I loved the way they doted on me.
My biggest insecurity lay in the fact that I didn’t want to be a burden. They’d already done so much for us, and I’d never be able to repay their kindness and bravery for getting the four of us out of the Thaician Empire. It was becoming clear that they hadn’t helped us out of the desire to receive a reward or anything along those lines; if anything, they had put themselves in danger.
As we made our way through the market near the docks, heading towards the towering white castle, I felt my stomach clench in anticipation of the reaction we would receive.
Dakath had reassured me that their ruler wouldn’t be angry at them for bringing back the four of us. I wanted to believe him…but I’d never met a kind ruler, so it was incomprehensible to think of.
What if they sent me back? That possibility sent a spasm of anxiety through me.
The squeals of children brought me out of my state of fear, and I let myself look around and focus on the booming population of vampyres and humans mingling like it was nothing. Like it was so normal. I suppose it was for them. I tilted my head, realizing that vampyres were merchants as well. My mind spun at the simple change of reality. It didn’t seem the majority were valued or placed in positions over humans at all.
My eyes drifted over the sign that said “blood supply,” and I came to a halt. Vampyres were exchanging coins with the humans at the stall for blood bags.
What the hell?
Humans…being paid…for providing vampyres with blood?
A large hand rested on my back, and I glanced up to find Dakath looking at me with concern. “Are you okay?”
I was too stunned to speak at first, continuing to glance back between the booth and him in confusion before I finally blurted out, “Humans are paid when they donate their blood here?”
This earned me a few wary looks that I ignored, because seriously, if they had spent any amount of time in the Thaician Empire, they would be equally as shocked as I was.
Two cute little dimples indented beneath the light scruff on his face appeared along with a flash of a smile, before disappearing completely. “Yes. No one here is forced to give us blood.”
My brain still wasn’t comprehending, slightly distracted by his beautiful smile and wanting it back. “Then how do all of the vampyres get enough blood to survive?”
I mean, there couldn’t be that much blood donated every day, right?
Dakath gently propelled me forward, easing his hand from my back and intertwining his fingers with mine as I began to walk again. My cheeks flushed at the open display of affection, and I glanced behind me at Kolvar and Elijah to see if they were upset about it. Elijah looked up at the sky at the exact moment I looked at him, making me smirk at how predictable he was becoming. But Kolvar gave me a warm smile that I returned.
I was happy to see Dakath softening toward me in such a natural way, and it made my heart swell to see Kolvar smiling at it as well.
Dakath’s voice brought my head back around as he answered my previous questions. “Well, in this empire, vampyres and humans often have willing romantic relationships that provide many vampyres with the sustenance they need. And those who don’t have a romantic partner are more than happy to pay for what they need. No one is forced to provide, and it isn’t taboo for the humans to sell their blood. It’s the same as them buying food from each other. We all pay for what we need, creating an ideal economy for both species.”
My brain effectively detonated. My gaze darted back to the booth, continuing to watch it being played out in real time.
We fell into companionable silence, holding hands all the way up to the doors of the stunning white castle that was the focal point of the empire. Upon closer inspection, it had thin black lines running through it like a network of veins. It was gorgeous.
“What material is this? It’s beautiful.”
“Marble,” Elijah answered, directly behind me now.
Chills ran along my spine, and I swore I could feel the energy crackling between our bodies with this tension that had been building. Kolvar’s conversation with him had been eye-opening, and ever since I hadn’t been as offended by his silence or aversion to meeting my eyes. Instead, I was intrigued. It was clear I affected him, and call me crazy, but I didn’t want to give up on finding out the extent of how much.
Guards moved to open the doors, bowing their heads at the three Lords as we all entered. My awe continued as they swept us through a foyer with vaulted ceilings that echoed with conversation. I was trying to soak in every detail, loving the gold accents of the wall sconces paired with black candles.
Behind me, I heard Rina asking Bailey questions about where we were going, and with that, my fear returned. We were being brought to the Tridian ruler. If Tristan and his family returned, there was no doubt in my mind he would kill them to make an example of what happened to traitors.
I would fight for them to stay here, even if I was sent back.
