AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay.” He smiled.
They entered his chambers, and Primrose sat on the bed near the window. She stared out at the dark sky and deep green pine trees as Protego laid down. Primrose couldn’t believe she had gotten so close to death. She had grown up hearing stories of vampyres and how their victims were tortured as they were eaten alive. A few minutes went by, and she put her legs onto the bed, face resting on her knees. Protego could feel Primrose’s body nervously shake.
“I’m fine; just go to sleep,” she said as she felt him turn towards her.
“No, you aren’t,” Protego replied, wrapping his arms around her.
“I’m just afraid. That’s all.”
“I won’t allow anyone to hurt you, not while I’m here. I’ll kill every monster that crosses your path, I promise. You’re going to be okay, starling,” he said, brushing the blonde strands from her face and kissing her forehead.
She let the heat of his body radiate onto hers, relishing the touch of his skin. She was never previously touched in this way—so soft, so gentle. She nudged her head against his chest, welcoming his presence. To be held and feel safe was something Primrose had always wished for. She felt like they were meant to meet, that they were meant to be together, at least for this moment. They lay there in the darkness, curling into each other until Primrose’s eyelids could stay open no longer.
Chapter Nine
Primroseroseoutofbed to find an empty room. Loneliness filled her core as she remembered the impermanence of her current situation.Protego is handsome and kind; I like him, Primrose thought,but I still have to marry the old merchant before winter.
The curtains covered the window, concealing the morning sun. She crossed over to it, moving the soft material to reveal the light of day. Basking in the warmth, Primrose stood and stretched her arms out. She exited the threshold of the room and entered the adjacent door. There was no dead body, no blood, not even a stain. Everything was perfectly in place. Primrose was safe, and for that, she was grateful. She grabbed her most plain dress from the drawer, not wanting to ruin any of her fancy gowns. It was made with gray cotton fabric. The square neckline and short sleeves brought attention to her prominent collar bones. Placing it over her head, she shimmied herself into it and then walked down the staircase towards the dining hall for breakfast. She noticed the layer of dust had been removed, and the wooden rails were now shiny and clean.
Sera and her parents weren’t there to have breakfast, and her schoolmasters usually ate in their own quarters, but Primrose still found it strange that nobody was there to join her. A servant whipped her up some eggs, and Primrose consumed them in silence. She thought of Protego and considered if she should ask him to join her during her activities for the day, as she longed to spend more time with him. Primrose wanted to enjoy life as much as possible before she had to spend the next ten years trapped on a miserable boat. Tapping her fingers on the cherrywood table, she headed into the courtyard and castle gardens.
Outside in the gardens was Protego. His broad shoulders and sturdy figure were cut well by his clothing—all black. Smokey shadows wisped around him but simmered away as he turned to face her. She analyzed them, a curious expression on her face.
“Where do your shadows go when they leave you?”
He tilted his head and grinned, forehead creasing. “Good morning to you too.”
“I would have wished you a good morning earlier but you weren’t there when I awoke.…”
Protego nodded in understanding. “I’m sorry. I woke up early to clean up your bedroom. I thought it best not to leave a vampyre corpse for your servants to deal with.”
“Oh. That was very kind of you.” She blushed at his thoughtfulness.
“It was no problem. I also just… couldn’t sleep,” Protego stated, turning away from Primrose.
“Are you unable to sleep in this form?” she pondered.
“No, I am. My mind just has me a bit restless, that’s all. By the way, I spoke with Haruka this morning….” He turned back to face her.
“Oh?” Primrose squeaked. Protego looked into her lush green eyes. “There were only a few minutes of bickering, don’t worry. She has found some more spells related to the one Akil was looking for.”
“That’s great news!” Primrose smiled widely.
“I think so, too.” Protego smiled back. “Do you want to do something today?”
“Well… I won’t have servants anymore once I live on a ship, so I figured I could try to teach myself how to bake?”
“I don’t know how to bake either, so I’d like to join you, if you’ll have me.”
“Sure! Have you always had people bake for you?”
“No.” Protego let out a soft chuckle. “When I’m in Aeternus, I don’t need to eat. I’m not a, uh… a physical thing. We kind of materialize as… Shadow forms. And when we’re in Spirito, we look like glowing orbs. Anytime I’m on Terra, I’ve never really had time for dessert.”
“Oh wow. You’ve never had cake?” Primrose questioned with a hint of disbelief.
“I turn into a ball of light, but you’re concerned withcake?” he questioned curiously. “It must be important.”
“You’ve got shadows and magical weapons, so I’m no longer surprised by your antics.”
