Fierce eyes were trained on me as I bent down slowly. A horse behind Dommik’s frame stomped and neighed as I reached for his boot and removed the blade.
“Very good,” he purred. His praise warmed my blood as he helped me to stand.
“Can we go now?” I wasn’t in a rush to get to the Hive, or even leave Illica. I just needed him to stop looking at me like a prize he’d won.
“Yes.” Dommik’s outstretched hand beckoned for me to return the dagger.
I scoffed as the metal left my palm. I wouldn’t know how to use it anyway.
Buckles clattered as the last of the supplies were secured. I didn’t need assistance, but Dommik helped me mount my russet mare. I patted her mane and whispered a thank you for carrying me—a habit I’d picked up from Beau. My heart twinged with the small reminder.
“It’s two nights to the Hive,” Dommik informed me as he effortlessly swung a leg over his gray steed. “I don’t want to delay our travels too long with breaks, but tell me if you get uncomfortable.”
“I’ll be fine,” I said. Despite the slight dizziness from calling in a vision, my nerves settled with my comfort in a saddle, a little reminder of who I was.
Our small travelling party headed North, through the Eckwood. Known for its tall pines and picturesque waterways, the breathtaking expanse was home to many dangerous inhabitants. Boulder-sized bears nestled into deep caves, mountain lions traversed overlooks with claws as long as Dommik’s dagger, and of course, Illica’s outcasts—thieves tucked into the shadows.
After an hour of trotting beneath the stars, Dommik broke away from the casual conversation with another Traveler and said, "It’s a beautiful night. Aren't you happy you’re alive to see it?”
“Mmm.” I schooled my expression, not willing to admit my renewed appreciation for the glittering orbs scattered across the black blanket of evening sky.
“Fine. Don’t admit it.”
I scoffed, annoyed that he was right. And that heknewhe was right. I turned from Dommik to the dark creeping tendrils along the spindle-like trees, mirroring my warring thoughts between cautious optimism and dismal reality. As if nature knew I needed a deep breath, a breeze fluttered through the forest, rustling the pine needles in its caress. I tilted my face to the night sky in an effort to revel in what little peace it would offer.
“You can give me the silent treatment all you want, but it won’t stop me from being able to read you like a book.”
The irony of his declaration was lost only on him. If he had a talent for deduction as he so claimed, it didn’t hold a candle to my abilities. I’d rummaged around in his head, not just living his memories through his eyes but in his body. It was more than noticing and cataloging small details. The specters of his feelings echoed through my mind and goosebumps prickled across my arms. Restless impatience. Cautious hope. A whicker from my mount shook her body and pulled me back to my present.
I blew out a steady breath, banishing Dommik’s residual emotions from my mind. “Well, you’ve got me all wrong.”
Dommik cocked his head and cued for his mount to drop back in pace with mine. His dove-gray stallion nickered happily at the company of my russet mare, and the two leaned into each other, putting the Traveler close enough to touch. Or punch if he insisted on this pestering.
“There’s too much life in you to wish for death, Lady Bergmont.” His tone was low.
“Maybe I’ve seen enough.” I sighed, taking a sudden interest in the smooth leather reins.
“Apparently not. You were curious enough to relinquish yourself to the Hive’s custody.”
“I’m not here because of some childish curiosity. You threatened my family!” I shouted. The caravan’s casual chatter went silent as the night around us, leaving only the steady rhythm of hooves.
Dommik cleared his throat and adjusted himself in his saddle. “I’ll admit, that was an undesirable tactic. But—let me finish—I’ll also admit, I’m relieved you decided to join us. The alternative could have been…messy.”
The way he accentuated ‘messy’ made my throat tighten, although I wasn’t sure I was in for a tidy future amongst the vampires of the Hive.
My knuckles blanched around the reins. I needed to change the subject. "What will my quarters be like?”
“The human quarters vary,” he explained.
I thought of the pamphlets and posters requesting volunteers for the Hive with absurd amounts of royal gold as an incentive. Many struggling families couldn’t resist the coin. And I wondered, with nothing but their blood and servitude to offer, what were their quarters like?
“By theirtalents?” Sarcasm dripped from every word.
He looked forward and chuckled through a sly smile. “Mmm, indeed.”
“Well, can I expect them to be…comfortable?” I asked with a wince.
I wasn’t themostpretentious high-born lady. My sister’s tastes were finer with exceedingly higher expectations than mine could ever entertain. She’d never admit it, but I’d suspected she was jealous I’d been married off to a much more elevated man than her husband. The station had afforded me a standard of living most nobles of Atoris could only hope their grandchildren would achieve as long as their fortunes held. The Illica keep had been a violent adjustment. Little could be worse than that dank, stale cell…except perhaps, as Dommik called it, a headless funeral.
