At my side, Kole’s aura was pounding, but I was careful to stay turned away. I could only imagine what my anxiety was doing to my expression.
We passed an enchanted fountain on the House’s front lawn that sprayed water in streams of colorful hues that seemed to defy gravity.
The carpet glided up the wide drive to a stone staircase that led up to the House’s large double-door entry, then fluttered to a halt, and several wildling staff jogged down the steps to greet me.
“Princess Primelle.” The one on my right bowed. He was aramifin, just like Nivinity in Inisville. How long ago that time now seemed. The ramifin servant’s long head dipped in greeting, and hooves peeked out from the bottom of his trousers. “What a wonderful surprise. We just received your dillemsill not too long ago.”
I stood from the carpet and moved as liquidly as water thanks to my new vampiric joints. Rich satin in a stunning long-sleeved gold color cascaded around me, but since the cold no longer affected me, I hadn’t bothered with a shawl.
Betsee had twisted my hair up into a stylish knot, and at my throat, I wore an amethyst necklace that had the royal crest engraved into it. It was one of many pieces of jewelry I’d been given since rejoining the royal family, and I figured it served as a reminder of my birth. I was hoping it would also aid me in convincing the House leader to follow my uncle’s plan, because if I could convince him of my uncle’s plan to create another exchange between the kingdoms’ mines, then I wouldn’t have to force him with my magic.
“Good morning,” I said to both of the staff members. “Is Lordling Torleaf available?”
“He’s working in the study,” the wildling on the left replied. “We shall take you there. Please follow me.”
Kole stayed at my side as we walked up the staircase. His heavy steps pounded next to mine.
The morning sunshine continued to shine down on us, and a cool early winter breeze caressed my cheeks.
Garden-preserving magic filled the air, and the hint of sweet mint mixed with balsam wood flooded my nose. Atop the stair railing and around the spindles, flowers curled. The petals opened in the morning sunshine, oblivious to the cool weather thanks to the potent garden-preserving magic encasing them.
“This way, Princess Primelle.” The wildling at the door ushered me inside.
Kole and I followed the wildling down a wide marble hallway. Similar to the palace, the ceilings were tall, expensive artwork hung from the walls, and wildling staff bustled about the many chambers.
I didn’t know much about this House, other than what I’d learned in my studies when I’d first been introduced to royal life, but my uncle had a keen interest in Lordling Torleaf’s businesses.
I pumped my hands into fists. Dread filled me at what was to come, and it didn’t help that dozens of heartbeats echoed around me. Scents kept accosting me as well. Cleaning charms, the earthy aroma of wildlings, and Kole’s inherent and intoxicating fragrance.
The warrior’s aura pounded from him. He was so strong, virile,sexy...
A bolt of lust abruptly shot through me.Oh Gods, not now.Vampire need began to curl my insides, and the scent of Kole’s blood threatened to derail my focus. The scent of others’ blood interested me too. There were so many fae and wildlings within these walls. So many throats to drink from. So many fae to fuck.
I nearly gagged at my vile urges, a remnant of my former self rising up in protest. But it did little to halt my desires. Venom dripped in my mouth, and mortification filled me that my new nature was rearing at a time like this.
If what I was experiencing were how all vampires lived on a daily basis, I didn’t know how any of them kept going. It was torture. Always. Constant hounding from hearts and constant urges to drink blood and engage in carnal activities. Ihatedeverything about this.
Hands fisted tightly, I forced myself to place one foot in front of the other. We rounded a corner, and the wildling called over his shoulder, “Almost there.”
Behind me, Kole inched closer to my side. “Is everything all right, Princess?” Kole’s quiet question was asked in such a low tone that I doubted anyone else had heard him.
I gave him a forced smile. “Yes, everything’s fine.”
“Are you sure?” His comment was said dryly, but an edge filled it, and I had no idea what alerted him to my reactions since my uncle’s potions hid my scent that conveyed my desire.
But then I realized my fingers were curled into my palms so tightly that it was a miracle I hadn’t drawn blood.
I forced my hands to loosen.Keep it together. Just get this done, and then you can leave.
I did my best to act normal, but it didn’t help that Kole kept looking at me. He didn’t ask anything further, but his reproachful silence was almost worse. He didn’t need to speak for me to hear his concern. Already, he was suspicious, blazingly so. I’d only been with the warrior a few hours today, and once again, he knew something wasn’t right.
If only I could tell him.
But I brushed that thought off. Wishes were no longer in the cards for me. The sole wish the Stone had granted me all those weeks ago had been cast, and now I only had myself to turn to for answers.
“Here we are.” The wildling stopped at the entrance to a large study. Bookshelves lined the walls, and seated behind a large desk was Lordling Torleaf.
I’d seen the lordling several times before, the first being when I’d newly arrived at the palace and had been accosted by the six male House leaders on my walk to my new royal wing. Kole hadn’t let any of them touch me, but Lordling Torleaf had been present, listening in the back of the group as I’d conversedwith the Fillingmore, Crumpuff, and Messepire House leaders. And, of course, Lordling Torleaf had been at my introductory ball, but I hadn’t spoken with him long there, and the one other time I’d seen him had been at the king’s council meeting when fae had been called in as character witnesses. During all of those times, he’d been reserved, quiet, and had done more listening than speaking.
