Chapter One
Talyria
“Well, Mrs. Andreev, here it is,” Victor says proudly with a grand wave of his hand.“The Sea’s Bountyplease forgive the name; it was my sister’s idea, and she was five years at the time. Honestly, I don’t know why father even let her name it.”
He turns to me, his brown eyes twinkling excitedly as the corner of his mouth turns up. “But I suppose you can just call it home.”
Surprisingly enough, Victor’s words actually cause me to feel a pinch of guilt rather than the usual smugness I feel when I’ve gotten the better of someone. As the queen of thieves, I’ve done many dark deeds and I’ve stolen many things, but never a heart.
And usually, I don’t have to look my mark in the eye afterward. I certainly don’t go home with them.
To Victor, I’m his wife, somehow, he has decided that I’m the great love of his life in such a short amount of time, and to me he is just an easy way out. Although it does help that he is fairly easy on the eyes.
Not to mention that he’s kind, his eagerness to share his home with me is endearing, even if it does make me feel emotions that I’d rather avoid, like guilt.
I glance toward the building that Victor gestured to. The inn does look like a fine building. It’s large and the exterior at least appears well put together. Ready to stand against the winds and storms that come from the sea here at this bustling port town.
Considering that just days ago, I was penniless, on the run, fearing for my life, and seething—I know that I could have done much worse.
Victor’s heart and my hand in marriage were a small price to pay to have a place to call home. I married the heir of a successful inn for security, stability, and anonymity which are all things I need desperately right now.
Fortunately for me, he was smitten enough to marry me immediately. Although I’m beginning to gather that's a human custom linked to their shorter lifespans.
“I hope you’ll find it to your liking,” Victor continues, blissfully oblivious to being used by me. “I know it looks quite large, but we don’t live in the whole building. Have to have room for the guests. And of course, we’ll be sharing with my dad and sister as well as my cousin. But we’ll have our own room.”
I reach out a hand resting it on his forearm. More to get him to cease his nervous prattling than anything. “I’m sure it will be lovely.”
He hesitates a second before he reaches up and awkwardly pats my hand. “Only the best for the Andreevs.”
I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to being called Mrs. Andreev. Especially since the passing on of a family name is a largely Lowlander custom. The Highlanders carry the name of their parents, and the elves either choose or earn their name.
I am Talyria Undying, but I suppose since I’m trying to not be discovered I’ll just have to accept the name Andreev as it is offered to me. Even if Talyria Andreev is a fairly lackluster name. At least I can keep my first name. With a last name like Andreev, no one will expect the Talyria to be me.
Not that there is anyone out there looking for me save for one.
The necromancer.
Creed Kotov. I’ve been his prisoner for nearly twenty years. I don’t know how I came under his control; I was trapped in a collapsed cavern for so long that I fell into a coma from not having anyone to satiate my vampiric thirst for blood. When I woke up, I was in his prison. Not only did he keep me locked away for so long, but he also somehow found a way to sap my vampirism out of me.
I hadn’t known that it was even a possibility for someone to no longer be a vampire. Such a blessing, or curse depending on who you asked, was believed to be irreversible.
One bite and then forever.
Without it, it feels as though I’m missing a part of myself. I’ve lost so much I don’t even know how to start rebuilding. All I know is that I must rebuild. To admit defeat is to allow men like Creed Kotov to win, and I could never let such a thing happen.
However, while I come to terms with my lack of vampirism, and this strange new world around me—much altered from how it was before I fell into my coma—I need a place to stay and someone to be.
And so, I’ll be Victor’s new wife, hiding in plain sight.
“Talyria?” he asks, his voice holding a small waver of uncertainty.
I blink, realizing that I have been staring at the inn wordlessly. I turn a smile to him. “My apologies, I was just thinking.”
“Happy thoughts I hope?” He raises his eyebrows as he smiles at me.
“Would you expect anything less?” I say, trying to match his hopeful, slightly shy, and yet eager expression. I’m not quite sure if I manage it.
Victor places a hand against the small of my back, a featherlight unsure sort of touch as he steps forward. With his other hand he gestures to the streets. “I grew up in this town. We are the last, largest port city before the spice islands. Many a guard passes through here.”
