Magic tightened its rein on me, and I dipped my head in acquiescence, then grasped Royden’s hand as mistphasing magic swirled up inside me. “Yes, Uncle.”
Roydenand I reappeared in Whiteolf in a blast of my magic. I’d transported us to my wing’s private chambers within the palace, and a moment of shock hit me.
The wards had allowed me to enter.
My shoulders sagged in relief. A part of me had dreaded this moment. Because if my vampire magic had changed me so much that the wards no longer recognized me asPrimelle Manafold, third daughter to the king and queen of Mistvale, then my clearance would be denied. And then I would know for certain that I was no longermebut something else entirely.
Yet the wards had given me no resistance. My relief grew. I was stillme. I might have been turned into a monster, but the inherent essence of who I was remained.
At my side, Royden shook his head, a frown unfolding upon his face. He brought a hand up and scratched his scalp. “I, uh, I should probably report to the Council. A replacement will be sent now that we’re back.”
I peered up at him, searching for any sign that he understood or recognized that something horrific had happened to both of us.
But he just gazed around, his initially confused expression evaporating as my preprogrammed magic sank in and altered his memories. His mind only showed him being bored for the past day as he guarded me at my uncle’s while Arnel and I spent all of our time in the library.
“It looks like a lovely day in the capital,” Royden commented.
He wasn’t wrong. Bright sunshine streamed through the windows, and my private courtyard was awash in blooming petals and twisting vines. Outside, Callahan was stationed by the courtyard doors, his back to us. Given that he’d glanced over his shoulder when we’d reappeared, I knew he’d felt our arrival.
I could only surmise that Xaven was also on duty in the hallway, even though their guarding me was now for naught. My uncle had won. I’d been changed into a vampire. And thethings, or rather the vamfeers, that had been coming for me would now cease since my uncle had gotten what he wanted.
I knew the Imperial Warriors would be guarding me until my parents realized on their own that the threat was over. Or perhaps their focus would change sinceIwas now the threat. After all, this was exactly what Lady Ryderdim had been warning them of.
Dread rising, I scanned my room entirely, searching for Kole.
But he was nowhere to be found.
Reflexively, I swallowed. I hadn’t contacted him mentally again, not since my uncle’s command forbade it while I was at his estate. But now that I’d returned home, that command fizzled away.
Still . . .
I couldn’t. Shame filled me so potently at the thought of lying to Kole, of gushing about my wonderful trip to my uncle’s...
But since I hadn’t contacted Kole, he was probably wondering what was going on.
My mind burned with the desire to locate him right now, to spiral my magic to him across the realm, to confesseverythingthat had happened to me.
But as soon as that thought hit me, my uncle’s commanding magic caged my power. I could have no more told Kole what happened to me than I could have grown wings and taken flight.
Spirits plummeting, I asked Royden, “Do you know who will be sent back to guard me?”
He shrugged. “That would be up to your parents.”
I wrung my hands, and even though a part of me dreaded seeing Kole, I also needed to. “Please tell the Council to send Kole back if it’s allowed.”
A sickening feeling swept over me. My skin was cool now, my heart silent. It would take Kole all of two seconds to realize that I’d changed the moment he got close to me. But he was my mate. My love. My life. I couldn’tnotsee him. Never seeing him again would kill me.Never mind that I’m already dead, I thought bitterly. I would simply have to do everything in my power to keep my new nature hidden.
And remembering that I needed to hide made me realize that Royden, who likely had enhanced Ironcrest hearing and sensory abilities, was bound to detect my lack of heartbeat the longer he stayed in my company.
Stars Above.
I took a huge step away from the warrior and hurried to the door. I made myself take deep breaths, even though the urge to breathe was now absent, but if Royden detected that something was amiss, I would be forced to use my magic on him again.
“Thank you for traveling with me to my uncle’s, Royden!” I called with fake cheer. “I know it was probably dreadfully boring for you, but I do appreciate it.”
At my door, I gave him a beaming smile, something the old Primelle would have done. With any luck, my forced cheer would deter him from sensing the anxiety clawing up my throat. “Since it’s already late morning, I imagine my parents are about to sit down for lunch, so I’m going to join them. Please have your replacement sent to their private dining chambers. I can have Xaven walk me there since I’m sure you’re looking forward to your time off.”
I didn’t give him a chance to reply. I flung the door open and almost barreled into Xaven in the hallway. The warrior’s eyes widened, and his hands lifted to stop me from planting myself on his chest.
