Page 67 of Of Shadows and Blood

“Oh, never mind.” I laugh and take both of them in. While they look young, I’ve come to understand that the vampyr have long lifespans, so any of these women could be centuries old. I smell no human blood coursing their veins, a recent skill development. The idea that my biology is crafted to determine prey from friend is terrifying.

Jett fits her name perfectly with long jet-black hair woven into two braids on either side of her head. Elys blooms have been plaited through as well and my heart warms at the look. Her overall appearance is incredibly friendly with her wide grin, freckled face and short stature. However, she has the presence to command a room.

Reminds me of Ma.

Lastly, Isadora is pale with mousy hair. Her facial features are aquiline and she stands above both me and Jett. Her hands are folded behind her back; she’s avoiding my gaze.

“I am excited to get to know you both,” I say, looking at each of their faces. I hope we have not met before. Cedric would not set me up for failure. On that note, I glance around and find no members of court idling around. No judging stares or uncomfortable introductions.

Jett smiles wildly, dimples forming, and steps out the line to grab both of my hands. “Shall we?”

We tour the castle fully after settling my things in my quarters. The room had been freshened since I last visited. Fresh elys in each vase, the windows propped open. The layout of the castle is best understood in four sections: main rooms, courtyards, quarters and working rooms. The main rooms are the Chalice and Throne Room. There are three courtyards on the second floor, each with a different theme of gardening. Cedric and I share a common hallway, chambers at opposite ends with a private staircase to the back of the castle where the training field is. Some members of the court hold permanent residency here just as their families did before them. Other quarters are reserved for visiting courtiers and emissaries. Finally, the workrooms are places such as the healing quarters and servant areas. Since many humans work and live at Demis or nearby, a fully staffed kitchen is always bustling.

And in the middle of it all, is me.

It may be a decadent castle – a far cry from anything at the village – but another question remains: could it ever be a home?

Aside from visiting Avonde and her group in the Healers’ Quarters, the next week is filled with wandering the halls and hidden nooks of what is to be my new residency. The entire castle is more ornate than I originally noticed. So far, I have discovered large bathrooms, a room full of sheet-covered statues and a massive collection of tomes in an abandoned space. Some in languages I do not recognize. Old me, if that is even a valid statement, had exquisite taste in reading. Perhaps me and Elivienne do share common traits after all.

Some mornings I feel I have to escape my ladies before they wake. They are so attentive and eager to help me, but I truly want time to myself most days. The loneliness feels better than forced companionship with people I do not know. It’s not fair to Jett or Isadora, as they have done nothing wrong, but kingdom-assigned-friendship feels cold.

Jett found me one morning with my nose deep in A Charred History of Duresden. She noticed me behind a curtain on the main floor. Only pausing to nod in greeting, she continued walking along. In a way, it felt like our little secret.

Cedric hasn’t come to see me since he left me in the foyer a week ago. I’m not sure if this bothers me or not but considering our agreement is for us to rekindle, he’s doing a poor job on his own request.

Henry, Percy and Grenn came to my quarters this morning with a test. I was supposed to touch a feather and cause it to float with my magic. After, oh maybe three hundred attempts, the only lift the ivory tendril got was from my sighs of exhaustion.

“We’ll keep testing this skill.” Henry smiled and Grenn took notes. Percy seemed preoccupied. They left little puzzles or word games in the meantime to continue testing my mental capacity.

Well, my mental capacity must be low because boredom finds me often.

I’m walking around the larger courtyard across from the Chalice Room where I watched the two brothers brawl. Cedric is coming out of the room when he notices me noticing him. I slightly step behind a large screen, hoping to remain unseen. Members of the court pass by and pay me small attention, smiles and gentle curtsies. My presence is that of a phantom or wraith.

Cedric bids farewell to some nobles before pausing and waiting for me to emerge once more. He stands awkwardly for a moment and waves before folding his hands behind his back to continue walking.

“Wait!” I call, picking up my skirts to jog over to him. Why did they make this so gaudy? “Where are you headed?”

Cedric smiles and looks me up and down, as if he can’t believe I’m speaking to him. He slows his pace to meet mine.

“Just a day off. I’m shirking duties, if you can believe it. I’m headed to the stables.” He puts his arm out. “Care to join?”

I laugh. “Me? Horses? No.” Seriously, last time I tried riding a horse, I ended up with a splint.

“No?” he asks surprised. “No horses on the farm, I take it?” Cedric laughs and I realize he rarely does that. Happiness looks good upon his sharp features. His smile compliments his jaw perfectly.

“That is a long story,” I drawl, trying to suppress my shock at his change in behavior. Cedric is looking at me with such curiosity, I can’t help but hide a nervous blush.

He puts his arm further out. “Do tell.”

“I’m not getting on that.”

“That is a horse, Liv.”

“If a horse bred with a boulder, I would agree with you. He’s huge!”

Cedric walks over to the steed and pats the saddle. Somewhere along our walk to the stables Cedric was able to convince me to ride.

The king makes a pouty face. An actual pouty face!