“Do you recall what hesaid?”
“Of course, I do. That day will forever be burned into my memory. Everything changed. He told me that he felt that something was different, but he did not knowwhat.”
“I specifically remember him touching and rubbing the ring in the carriage,” I recalled. “Do you believe the legend about the Darick Ring,Klyn?”
Klyn leaned back in his seat and looked me in the eye andnodded.
“I do. Without a doubt, Ibelieve.”
“Why? A whole town was lost. How can you believe in it,Klyn?”
“Because. Moments before the attack, your father summoned for me. You remember? I had been outside talking with you when he sent for me. He pulled me aside and told me that he did not know what was going to happen, but he had a terrible feeling. He reminded me of my oath to protect you. He knew something was coming moments before it happened, Octavia. I tried to usher him and your mother to safety, but your father said his place was among hispeople.”
I stared at him,stunned.
“He knew, Octavia. The only way would have been with thering.”
I definitely needed to pay attention to the ring, though, in over two hundred years, I had not had any indication of anywarnings.
“Klyn, do you think that since I am a vampirenow—”
“You are not a complete vampire, Octavia. You have a heart,” Klyninterrupted.
I was not going to start the heart talk with him yetagain.
“Fine, part vampire. Do you think that there is something now that will prevent me from feeling a warning from the ring? I know shortly after my parent’s death that Lochlann Mortas and his Carpe Noctem gang had made many attempts to breach the castle. But in those instances, I do not believe that I had any indication they werecoming.”
Klyn squinted and tilted his head up as if he were considering what I had said. Then he looked out over the balcony to the townbelow.
“Perhaps there is something in you now, that would interfere with the ring’s ability to warn you. After all, the ring was meant to warn others of what you are now.” Klyn took a sip of his tea and then quickly pulled the charger away from his lips. “Well, what you partially are now,” he quicklyadded.
I sipped more tea and turned my head to look at the town below. I no longer wanted to drone on about old things. Today was the annual festival, and I was excited about selecting a newgentleman.
“So, are you going to get some new books in town today, Klyn?” Iteased.
“Of course. I will also get some sugaredbread.”
“You and your bread and books,” Icommented.
“And you and your young men,” he teased back. “Any more thoughts on your selection,Octavia?”
“I have been thinking a lot about it. All of the candidates are handsome, but there is something that draws me to River. I know how you feel about him,though.”
“Octavia, it is not how I feel about him, but rather that I have no read on him at all. That is what concernsme.”
“I have been trying to think of which young man would fit in the best among my current gentlemen,” Iadmitted.
“Ha!” Klyn laughed out loud and almost spit his teaout.
“Why is that funny toyou?”
“I find it rather amusing that you are concerned about which young man will fit in with Liam, Ethan, Michan, andSean.”
“Why? I want peace and harmony. I prefer the boys do not fight. If they are to receive bruises, I want them to come from my paddle orcrop.”
“If you truly did not have a heart, you would not care,” Klyn grinned and looked toward the inside as my gentlemen appeared forbreakfast.
“For God’s sake, Klyn. Drop the hearttalk.”
