“I’ve told you for the last time—you aren’t leaving me behind. If I’ve ever needed you, it’s right now. I know I can’t see Gwyneth. I will sequester myself and ask to be put in your old chambers. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep everyone around me safe. Hopefully, the king will allow it.” I couldn’t imagine King Black would cast me out now. It wouldn’t exactly be good PR to have a newly turned vampire on the loose—one who happened to be a Goodwill Ambassador of the royal court.
“But Blake—”
“I won’t hear your objections.” I met Eve’s glare with my own. “You can’t just abandon me and leave me here. It’s my hour of need.”
Eve’s shoulders slumped. “You’re certainly not afraid of a low blow.”
“Is it working?”
She shook her head. “Of course, I don’t want to leave you here, but His Highness won’t hear of it.”
I hopped out of bed. I felt a bit woozy, but I conducted myself well and was careful not to stumble. “His Highness doesn’t need to hear anything about it. What I do is none of his business.”
“Blake, please. You need to talk to him first—”
“Talk to me about what?” Austin was suddenly inside the room. His crossed his arms against his chest, frowning as I grabbed some pants and put them on under my nightgown. “What is it that you think you’re doing?”
“Whatever I want.” I haughtily zipped my pants.
Eve mumbled something behind me that sounded like “Bloody hell.”
“You need to be in bed. You need to rest.” Austin’s eyes glinted in the early-evening light.
“Oh, really? That’s what you think I need, is it?” I huffed and sat down, digging through the clothes on my beside table until I found a shirt to wear.
“It’s not what I think. It’s what I know.” He took a step closer.
“Don’t you dare. Don’t come near me.” My voice shook with a level of emotion I didn’t even know I was still capable of.
A look crossed his face so quickly I might have imagined it. Is that satisfaction? “As you wish.” He retreated a step.
“What is this—some game you win by pushing me away?” I cried.
Austin rubbed his temples. “I should know better than to try to help.” He turned on his heel and was gone, his dark cape sailing out behind him.
“Oh, he’s a child—I swear it.” Eve stood up, muttering colorfully strung-together curse words. “I’ve had it with him!”
“Not as much as I have.” I pulled on my top. “But no more arguments, Eve. I can’t stay here anymore. He clearly doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“But that’s not true. It’s guilt that’s eating him up inside.” Her curls bounced as she shook her head. “I’ll go talk to him.”
“No.” I shook my head. “Guilt or no guilt, there’s nothing left to talk about. I will not be treated this way for a moment longer. Please ask my maids to pack my bags. I want to leave as soon as I can.”
Eve looked crushed. “He’s never going to sanction this.”
I stood up straight. I was weak but determined. “He is no longer my prince. He has no say over what I do—I rule myself. When I cared about his feelings, I consulted him. That is no longer the case. Now, go tell Isabella what I need. And tell her I send love to her and her sister and thank them for everything.”
I couldn’t bear to go to my room and say goodbye to my maids. I was forbidden from finding Shaye and Tamara, so I left them each a note. I explained that they were safe in the North for as long as they wanted to stay but that I was leaving for the settlements. I also explained that it wasn’t safe for me to speak to them in person yet. Tears in my eyes, I finished Tamara’s letter by asking her to look after Beast. I would send for him when I could.
But of course, I had no idea when that would be. I didn’t even know what I was going to do after I left the North. Everything had changed. Perhaps I would fight against the rebels to help protect the Blacks. Perhaps I would just leave and go off on my own. I had no idea where, of course. I had no idea how I would live. I just knew I couldn’t return home—not like this.
Pain lit up my chest when I thought of my father and my brother, Everett. How long until it was safe for me to see them again? When I got to the castle, I would send them a letter explaining that I was embarking on travels as a Goodwill Ambassador. That would at least buy me some time to adjust to my transformation. They didn’t need to know the truth—at least, not yet…
Eve had assigned a sentinel to protect me from others and from myself. He stayed close as we headed toward the castle entrance, passing several other guards on our way. They bowed to me, keeping their heads down in a show of respect.
I refused to think about the last time I’d addressed the Northerners. I’d been so full of hope about the future. Now I wasn’t even sure what the next few days would bring.
We reached the library, and I paused. The door was closed, but I could hear voices from inside. Tamara said something to Shaye, the fire crackling in the background. I put the palm of my hand on the door, wishing I could see my friends one last time. I didn’t want to leave them.
I couldn’t even say goodbye. I could smell them through the door, rich and intriguing and mouthwatering. Not caring if I looked like a loon, I pinched my nose shut.
I wondered if Beast was in there with them. I yearned to see him again. Austin had been disgusted by gnome blood, but who knew what a wild new vampire might do? I couldn’t put my furry friend at risk.
“My lady.” The sentinel bowed his head. “We should go.”
I nodded and released my nose, but I didn’t inhale until we were far from the door. My limbs felt heavy as we hustled through the hall to the lobby. Even the short distance from the medical ward was too much, or perhaps grief was making me so sluggish. But my spirits lifted when I got outside: a line of SUVs were parked in the drive, waiting to take me to the settlements. Soon, I would be free.
Of course, the prince and his entourage were also traveling. But I didn’t need to think about that. I had no idea if he even knew of my plan. I would keep to myself and slip out of the way as soon as we got to the castle. As far as I was concerned, we never needed to speak again. If he is done with me, so be it.
Eve had said that he felt guilty. Of course, I could understand and forgive that. Turning me was never what he’d wanted to do. But the way he’d abandoned me, the way he couldn’t even bear to look at me…
There was no getting over that.
I headed toward the SUVs. Eve planned to ride with Balkyn and Austin to discuss strategy. As I could in no way withstand sitting in such close quarters with a human, I was on my own for the journey. Figuring Austin would be in front, I ducked into the back of the third car. The driver seemed startled. “Lady Kensington? I didn’t know you were joining us.”
I lifted my chin. “I’m getting a ride with you back to the castle. My time in the North has come to an end.”
The sentinel glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “I’m very sorry to hear it, my lady. We thought you would stay with us for a long while yet.”
“Things have changed, I’m afraid.” I watched as Eve and Balkyn came out and headed down the front steps of the castle. Even from where I sat, ensconced in the back of the car, I could smell Balkyn’s blood. It was heavenly, like angel kisses and fettuccine Alfredo and the plumpest chocolate croissant of my dreams all mixed together.
“Holy hell.” I locked the car doors.
The driver glanced at me, but I studiously ignored him. No use making a scene. I clamped my hands over my nose and mouth just in case. Even if I looked crazy, it was better than the alternative.
“Are you quite all right?” the driver asked.
I took my hand off my face long enough to answer him. “Y-Yes.” Balkyn and Eve got into the first car, and I breathed a sigh of relief—his smell was muffled at least. How on earth did Eve bear it?
A dozen sentinels came out of the castle with luggage and weapons. They packed everything carefully, talking to the guards who were staying behind, getting everything settled. Finally, it was time to go.
Then the prince himself came out. He descended the stairs and headed straight toward our vehicle. The driver unlocked the doors.
“Bloody hell.”
The driver blinked at me in the rearview mirror. “Are you quite sure you’re all right, my lady?”
“I’m just bloody great.” I wanted to curse some more, but Austin opened the door. He stuck his head in, gaping at me. “Blake, what on earth?”
“I thought you were driving with Eve.”
He glowered at me. “And I thought you were in the medical ward, resting.”
I lifted my chin. “I need a ride to the settlements, not a lecture or yet another cold shoulder, my lord.”
“Fine.” He winced as he climbed in. “I suppose it’s the least I can do.”
I opened my door—I couldn’t bear to be near him, to hear him say things that made it sound as though what we had was already in the past. “I will take another vehicle. There’s no need for us to carpool.” But as I stepped out of the car, the first SUV pulled out of the drive, followed by the second. We were next.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll avoid speaking to you if you wish.” Austin tugged on my sleeve.
I glared at him. “That’s the first time you’ve touched me in days.”
Austin cursed under his breath.
Boy, this driver’s getting an earful!
“Get in the car, Blake. We need to leave. My father is waiting for us.”
I bit back a retort, staring straight ahead as I sat down. Austin rolled up the privacy screen.
“You don’t need to do that,” I said. “We’ve nothing to talk about.”
He raked a hand through his hair. “Blake—”
“I mean it, Austin.”
He sighed. “One thing. Do you have any provisions? You will need to keep your strength up on our journey.”
I gave him a small nod. “Eve packed a cooler for me. It’s in the trunk. So I am fine, thank you very much.”
Austin got out of the car without another word. When he climbed back in, he had the cooler. He prepared a drink and handed it to me without looking in my direction.
I didn’t thank him. He didn’t say anything else. We both stared straight ahead.
This is going to be a long ride.
We’d only driven for an hour when I heard a howl.
Austin put the screen down. “Stop the car. I need to speak to Rhys.” The driver pulled over to the side of the road, which was overgrown with brush. He contacted the other drivers, and they also slowly pulled their SUVs to the shoulder.
Austin climbed out of the car without a word. Because I no longer feared my mortal frailty, I hopped out, too.
“What are you doing?” he hissed.
“Making sure you don’t get snuck up on.” But sentinels approached from the nearest cars, forming a protective shield around the prince.
“I’ll be fine.” Austin’s face softened. “Please get back in the car. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Fine.” But I slammed the door behind me. The pleading tone in his voice wasn’t the reason I obeyed—I just didn’t want to start a fight in front of his army.
I concentrated on listening to Austin as he traveled a short way into the forest. We vampires were supposed to be able to hear things a good distance away. I was eager to test this new power. I closed my eyes and opened my ears.
“Rhys,” the prince said, “I thought you were going to stay back.”
“I’ve left a good team, Your Highness. But if you are going to fight to protect the settlements, so are we.”
Austin went quiet for a moment. “I appreciate the offer—more than you know. But I don’t know if it’s safe for you in the settlements. My father has been resistant to sharing Northern secrets with the settlers.”
“We’ll stick to the woods,” Rhys said. “The rebels have done enough damage. It’s time we work together to end this once and for all.”
“That means a lot.”
Rhys clapped him on the shoulder. “It meant everything to me that you deeded us land. That was what I’ve waited for, what I’ve wanted for so long. You have my loyalty, Your Highness. I’ll never stray again.”
“Then take your pack, and follow the trails through the woods. Wait until I send word from the castle. I will speak with my father then send for you.”
“One last thing,” Rhys said. “You haven’t spoken about her—the girl. Does she live?” He sniffed the air. “I can’t smell her.”
“She was hurt quite badly. I… I turned her. She took to it. She’s going to be fine.”
“Well, that’s good news, isn’t it?”
“She lives.” Austin’s voice was flat. “She will not speak to me, but she lives.”
“Not the reaction I was expecting, but I suppose these things take a bit of adjusting.”
Austin didn’t say anything more, and Rhys strode off. I could hear his bare feet padding across the underbrush of the forest. “See you in the settlements.”
“See you in the settlements,” Austin answered.
But like most things at the moment, Austin didn’t sound too happy about it.