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“I don’t trust him,” he said through his teeth.
“Who?” I frowned.
“The vampire,” he replied. I figured he refused to say his name on purpose although he very well knew it.
“Why not?” I asked, continuing to pack.
Luke kept shaking his head. “Something doesn’t add up.”
I was on the verge of tears again, because of Father, because of Cass.
“I trust Father’s judgment,” I told him boldly, refusing to bow down to his will or pamper his emotions any longer. “I also trust Adrian.” I made sure to accentuate his name. “He’s saved me more than once before.”
“Maybe it was all staged so you would think he saved you, so you and more importantly, the king would trust him,” he pointed out.
I inhaled deeply. “Possibly.” I didn’t want to agree, but what he was saying could have been true. I had no way of knowing. “But still. Father said Adrian came highly recommended. He is a man… a vampire of his word.”
“A vampire, nonetheless,” Luke wouldn’t let me forget that.
“Some vampires are more human than some humans I know,” I snarled back, having had enough of him attacking Adrian for no other reason than mere jealousy.
He looked at me, ready to snap himself, but then, he spoke calmly, trying to diffuse the situation.
“I’m sorry,” he said again, raking his fingers through his hair nervously. “I’m just worried about what might happen. Just look what happened to…”
“I know what happened to my sister,” I managed to muster. “I’ve also seen what it has done to my father. If he thinks I will be safer with the witch than here, then that is where I need to be, with whomever he thinks I need to go with.”
“Of course,” Luke nodded apologetically. “I’m sorry I acted like this. I’m just… nervous and scared.”
He turned away from me, and for a moment, I thought he was crying. I felt bad. We were all affected by what had happened. Putting myself in his shoes, I could imagine that he would be worried about me.
I walked over to him and placed my hand on his shoulder. This made him turn around. His eyes were slightly reddened and swollen. But he wasn’t crying.
“I’m sorry, too,” I said. “I’m filled with rage and fear, and these two mixed together are the worst emotional combination I’ve ever felt. I honestly don’t know what is the best course ofaction here. I’m afraid. I’m petrified, to tell you honestly. But I know that if Cass wasn’t safe here, I’m not safe here either.”
“You’re right,” he nodded.
I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him. He hugged me back, and we both stayed like that for a while.
“I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you,” he confessed. “I love you so much.”
I looked at him sorrowfully, not knowing what to say to that. “You mean a lot to me, Luke. You know that. Hopefully, when I get back, we will talk about… us. And we’ll see what will happen.”
His eyes widened in shock, in surprise, but he didn’t ask for clarification. In a way, I figured he understood everything.
“Alright,” that was all he managed to muster. “Do you need help packing?”
“No, I’m fine, thank you,” I shook my head. “I’ll grab just the basics. I hope not to have to stay there too long, honestly.”
“Me, too,” he smiled sadly, as he turned around and lingered in the doorway. He waved goodbye, then closed the door behind him.
I quickly packed the rest of my stuff and headed for the stables. I remembered that Adrian traveled on horseback last time, and I figured we’d do the same again. Just as I thought, he was already there. He looked restless, just like me. Even the horses could feel it.
“Ready?” he asked.
I shrugged. “As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”
He offered me a weak smile, his best effort. I appreciated it. He got his horse out and I walked over to mine. I smiled, petting her muzzle.
