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A gentle smile crept against my lips as I followed after her, and the weight of my body dipped into the sheets. I quietly lay beside her, my gaze never leaving Val’s. When my head finally lay against the tower of pillows, I felt the heat rise up her cheeks, and she gave me her back. She didn’t leave the bed, but I could feel her stiffness beside me.

“Val,” I whispered, with a chuckle in my voice. I stayed on my side, but I turned my body to face her. It took her a moment to answer me, but I could smell the crimson rising to the surface. Valentina’s updo allowed me to see the red grow to her neck down the curve of her collarbone.

“Let’s get some rest,” She repeated my earlier phrase, and I couldn’t help the chuckle that shook my chest.

Nodding, I stared at her for a moment. I didn’t want to push her, but the way her body exuded anxiousness. The yellow dress was now a sign signaling me to go slower. Bending down, I gripped the comforter, wrapping it around both of us. When it swallowed our bodies, the bed dipped as she scooted closer, her back to me. I wasn’t sure if she had meant it at first, so I stayed still until I felt the silk of her dress brush my side.

The rational part of me said to be happy she was just staying with me…but the primal side, it was a clear sign. The sign was up for debate on what it meant, but as her silk brushed my fingers, I couldn’t help it. My body instinctively curled around hers as I turned on my side. I hesitated at first when my hands found the way to her waist, but as she felt my gentle grip, she leaned into my chest. I took it as an invitation to pull her a little closer. The same calm that I grew so used to enveloped us as my head settled against hers. It didn’t take long to fall asleep, given how comfortable I felt.

Nothing visited me this time. I finally rested with her in my arms. The night passed in a blur, the hours fading away, which felt like seconds. When I finally got up, the blue hue of morning slipped through the balcony. The heaviness in my eyelids lifted as they flickered open. My grip was still light against Valentina’s waist as she took in a shallow breath. The shift in my body stirred her in her sleep as she crinkled at the disturbance.

When my chuckle vibrated against the width of her back, it undid her. Her eyes squeezed tight before they fluttered open. A yawn broke free of her throat as she leaned back against me, her body pushing towards the mattress. Another chuckle slipped free as my head hit the cool pillow beneath me.

“Where is your grace?” I teased, as her snowy locks framed my vision.

Valentina’s arm stretched behind her so her finger could grip a fist full of locks for the insult. “I say that was quite graceful in sleep.” She giggled, releasing me from her grip. Valentina rolled over me, her weight pressing into me as she landed on her feet on the floor. “We have to get going.”

I rolled my eyes as my curls fell over my face, coloring my vision brown. Shaking them free of my face, I nodded, saying. “Before you go, can you help me with this.” I pointed to my locks that now outgrew my knowledge. I was out of depth on how to manage it.

One of her eyebrows shot up, looking confused by my request. “I can get you Head Maiden,” she offered almost too quickly. It was like she had never been asked to do something so simple. But I didn’t want Head Maiden Elaine to handle me.

Shaking my head, my gaze focused on hers. “No, you.” I countered. I didn’t want another person touching me. I didn’t trust Elaine, but I did somewhat trust her.

Valentina didn’t give much of a fight when she saw the intent in my eyes. She undid her own hair, letting the bundles of white fall free down her waist. I sat up against the end of the bed, bowing my head. There was ease to her touch through the locks of my hair, gathering it to the center of my head. I had to hold my breath as her touch sent tingles down my spine. With the elastic that held her own hair back, Valentina wrapped it around mine in a tight bun, no curl out of place. When she was finished, she patted her hands against my shoulders.

“I have to go see if it's okay for us to leave.” She whispered as I looked up. There was nervousness in her eyes as she glanced toward the door. “I’ll be back.” She quickly added. But I didn’t miss how her heart was stuttering as she looked down. As if she saw the observation in my eyes, Val backed away from me, not letting me catch her. “I’ll be back,” there was an edge to her voice that I hadn’t heard before. Panic. And before I could say more, she turned away from me and dashed out the door.

Another small laugh burst through my chest as I watched her flustered form go. I hadn’t even done anything really, and she was sprinting away in shock. Finally getting out of bed, I put on the same cloak from before. It hadn’t been twenty minutes, and Valentina returned. We didn’t waste any time slipping free from the apartment down toward the back of the estate. Behind the manor was a shed with a few old travel carriages. We picked the most discreet one—just a single horse to pull it. Just as we were about to leave, the man who called himself my father appeared at the shed’s opening.

Kleitos stood there in a long coat, his blond hair tied back in a tousled bun. The same one that now crowns my head. I didn’t know how I felt about matching him. His features were clearer now. Every time I looked, it was like staring at a version of myself. He wasted no time approaching the cart as we were loading a few blood bags into the back.

Kleitos’ demeanor was calm with a grin etched on his lips. It was as if he was trying to convey he meant no harm. His hands came up effortlessly in my imagination in surrender. I held my breath as he spoke. There was no greeting just a straight strategy. “You’ll both need a driver,” he said. “If you’ll have me, I’ll take you. It’s safer with me along.” His eyes flicked to Valentina with worry. There was no distaste, just certainty. “She’s barely out of adolescence. She couldn’t protect you. Not yet, that is.”

The insult earned a sharp hiss from Valentina. The way he held her stare, he didn’t care about her response or reaction. “I can hold myself quite well, thank you,” she rolled her eyes hard before glancing at me for backup.

I myself wasn’t sure about Kleitos coming along. This wasn’t supposed to be about him, or whatever relationship this was supposed to be between us. I still wasn’t sure how I felt about him. But the way Valentina’s eyes burned through my neck, I knew she was looking for a response. “She’s proven she can fight.” It was true that Val was more than capable. If it came down to it, I knew she would be capable of protecting us both. My eyes took Kleitos’ form in. He was a tower of a person with strength I could only dream of. Even though I had a complicated relationship with him, it was a good idea. “But if he wants to add extra protection for the trip, I don’t mind.” Valentina scoffed at my side, annoyed by my willingness. But she didn’t realize it wasn’t just that. I wanted her out of the direct line of fire. She pushed past me to climb into the back of the cart without saying another word.

“That’s a good choice,” Kleitos smiled, watching Valentina.

Ignoring the spike in her emotions, I glanced at Kleitos and stepped closer. “Won’t this be just as dangerous for you to be out here?” I hadn’t forgotten our conversation about his brother. He’d be the first person who would be on that murder list.

“My brother knows I’m alive. I told you. He didn’t manage to kill me. So if one of his little soldiers spots me…” He grinned sharply. “I wouldn’t care. Now relax, my son.” He placed both hands on my shoulders. “Go sit with your mate. We’ll be there soon.”

“Do you even know where we’re going?” I questioned.

“To the demon’s hut, right?” he said casually.

“How did you know that?” I asked, frowning. “Did Valentina tell you?”

He smiled again. “I have my ways. Now go on.” He hopped into the driver’s seat.

I climbed in beside Valentina, and we set off through the woods. It couldn’t have been more than an eight-hour ride through the woods, and thankfully, we faced no delays along the way. As Valentina predicted, most of the creatures were tucked in their beds when dawn came.

The early light cast a piercing reflection across the snow, so bright it was almost painful to look at. The biting winter air nipped at every patch of uncovered skin. By the time the ride ended, my nose and fingers were stiff with cold.

Valentina had fallen asleep, curled tightly between my legs, her head nestled against my chest and wrapped in folds of her elegant dress.

The carriage halted, and Kleitos opened the passenger door before I could reach for it. I gently woke Val, and she rose sleepily to her feet, standing beside me while we waited for Kleitos to lead the way. We strolled toward the cottage, the force opening for us both, but Kleitos stopped short. He was unable to cross into Arianna’s territory.