Page 78 of Of Shadows and Blood

Lonely days have passed since the words exchanged at the temple. I went back to my quarters immediately after, embarrassed and confused. There is something there between us, between Cedric and me, that I have no energy to dissect. I need to shelve it and focus on my future here.

From what Isadora said this morning in my dressing room, Sawyer has been in Krue territory with Cedric. I can breathe knowing I won’t have to interact with either today.

A knock sounds at the door. I close the book I am reading and open the oak door. Garreth and Avonde are waiting casually with some papers.

“Good afternoon,” I welcome their unreadable expressions into my space. Avonde looks around my room, eyeing the changes I’ve made, such as tearing the curtains down to let light in.

“I had to brighten the space a bit,” I say, taking a seat near the open window. “You all tend to keep things dark here at the castle.”

“It’s so interesting to hear how different your tastes are without your memory. Your whole life surrounds this castle and kingdom. Actually, you helped to decorate the cottage with Cedric’s mother.”

My mind tries to conjure up any of those memories but I can’t pull anything up. The cottage is quite charming. I particularly love the window wall, so maybe I can take credit for that.

“How have you been adjusting?” Garreth asks, crossing his legs. His boots are crusted with dirt. Most likely from apparating to and from Krue.

“It’s been an adjustment. To be fair, I haven’t done much with my days. I’d like to train again soon, though, if that’s an option.”

Garreth considers this. “If it pleases you, we can certainly arrange for it.”

My heart jumps. The taste of power I felt that morning was incredible. I nod, holding back too much excitement.

“Good.” Garreth smiles, looking to Avonde. She nods to him, her expression turning more serious.

“You obviously aren’t here for small talk,” I sigh.

“No, we’re not. The cess have made progress with the curse – the spell – that’s binding you. But we just need to clarify a few things about your life there.”

“What do you need to know?”

“You said others were with you. Who were they?”

Clearing my throat, I can so vividly picture young Haldon before me, his father a menacing shadow. “There was a house next to ours where a father, a drunk really, and his son lived.”

“That was the one that Sawyer lived in?” Garreth questions and I shake my head no, cringing at the memory, the truth that Sawyer was in my mind the entire time, entertaining the alternate reality I was locked in. He probably could have prevented my amnesia by helping me. Instead…

Avonde takes notes across from me. “I know that detail is hard. Do you understand how he was able to do that?” Garreth asks. I shake my head. It’s obvious that I wouldn’t.

“You and Cedric have gone through a Bloodrite. There are two stages of mating, so to speak, in vampyr tradition. Bonded are rare but beloved. You two were going to be married regardless of if it was a bonded match, your parents made sure of that. But fate took over on that part. The first event is the Bloodrite. They happen every year with the High Arch of Erees. Yours was months before the accident. So that mental bond we keep referencing…”

“I’ve felt it,” I cut in. After our encounter after the river, there is no mistaking that something deeper is keeping us connected.

“That is very odd,” Avonde murmurs.

“Well, that bond means that you two are able to speak and stay connected in many ways beyond the physical. You are mentally and spiritually one. If one suffers an injury, the other is alerted to it. Along with that, bloodrited vampyrs can mindwalk. It’s one of the many blessings given to us by the Gods. It’s not a very common thing, though. It just means one bonded could hypothetically go inside their partner’s mind. Some do it during illness, intimacy, to share memories, you understand what I’m saying.”

I shrug and mentally note that.

“Naturally, everyone is confused how Sawyer was able to do that in your mind for two years.”

The scowl on my face forms before I can think. “What, so everyone believes I was unfaithful?” My heart thuds in my chest. While Cedric and I are far from what we were before my mind was lost, I can’t imagine being framed as that.

“No, it is impossible. Only bloodrited can do this,” Avonde states, rubbing her beads.

Realization dawns on me.

“You can only be bloodrited once,” I say cooly, relief washing over me. Garreth and Avonde nod. “Which leaves us at square one,” I add.

“Sawyer’s admitted to simply trying to tap in, and try as he did, he succeeded. But trust that Cedric has taken care of that issue with his brother. We must believe, as hard as it is, that Sawyer was attempting an alternate way in and perhaps this curse allows for it,” Avonde offers, smiling sheepishly.