Vampire Girl (Vampire Girl #1)(20)

"I never lied to you. I just didn't tell you everything. For that matter, you didn't share all your secrets that day either, did you?" His blue eyes catch the light of the fire and seem to spark. He's dressed differently then last time I saw him. Brown leather pants and shirt, heavy fur boots.

"Well, no. But that's different. I didn't know you knew about this stuff. You knew I did."

"Fair enough," he says, still holding the goblet out to me. "But my job was to keep you safe. It was Asher's job to get you here of your own free will. I couldn't interfere. Now drink this before your headache hits."

I take the cup from him and sniff, then wrinkle my nose. "This is awful. What's in it?"

"You don't want to know, but you do want to drink it. It's the reason you don't feel like you've been drugged, but the dose you had earlier has nearly worn off."

I remember how long it took me to recover last time, and I plug my nose and gulp the vile liquid down, nearly gagging as I do. It doesn't taste as bad as it smells. It tastes worse.

I throw the goblet at Fen when I'm done, but he catches it one-handed with a chuckle. "Feeling feisty, I see."

"Still angry you lied to me. I trusted you."

He stands, shaking his head. "You shouldn't trust anyone here, Princess. Let that be your first lesson." He walks to the door, his wolf following him.

"Not even you?" I ask.

"Especially not me," he says, opening the door. "Now get dressed. Asher is waiting for you in the library. I'm to take you there and make sure no one else tries to kill you in the meantime."

"And who is trying to kill me?"

He pauses. "The Fae who dwell in the Outlands."

Fae? Are they the dangerous enemy Asher spoke of? The magic wielders. "And why are they after me?"

"I suspect it is because they know of your importance. If you were to be taken, then we would have no king, and our kingdom would remain disorganized. Now, hurry and change."

I look down at the silver nightgown someone dressed me in. "Where are my clothes? How did I end up in this?"

"You were covered in blood and mud. I thought you'd be more comfortable this way. There are clothes in the wardrobe that should fit you. This will be your room when you're at High Castle."

My face burns. "You changed me?" I'm trying to imagine how that went while I was unconscious, but my mind keeps freezing every time I imagine his hands on my body. Naked.

"Relax. I didn't touch anything I shouldn't. Your virtue is intact."

I snort. "I'm not worried about my virtue. What century do you think this is? I'm worried about consent."

He raises an eyebrow, then crosses the room in two long strides until he's leaning over me. "I assure you, Princess, if we ever consummate anything between us, it will be entirely mutual."

His presence, the sheer headiness of his scent, of his body so close to mine, makes me dizzy, but I pull myself together fast enough to respond before he walks away. "As it should be."

There's a pause between us that seems to linger beyond the confines of time, where only he and I exist. I have to fight the urge to lift my hand and run it against his jaw, to feel the stubble of his five o'clock shadow. To pull him closer to me.

His eyes are locked on mine, but then his wolf growls at the door and our moment is broken. Before I can blink Fen turns to the door and Asher approaches.

"Settle him down, Fen. It's just me." Asher enters the room and stands by the fire, leaving plenty of space between him and the wolf. "I see our girl is awake. Excellent. There are places to see, people to meet, things to do."

"I want to see my mother," I say, pulling myself out of bed. My legs are wobbly, but otherwise I feel fine. That medicine really does work well.

Asher frowns. "About that... "

"No. I'm not doing anything else until I confirm she is here and safe." I lock eyes with him, my arms crossed over my chest. I'm not backing down on this one.

Fen leans against the wall, grinning at Asher.

The Prince of Pride frowns back. "You think this is amusing, brother? Wait until it's your turn to deal with her."

Fen snickers. "I'm the one who keeps rescuing her, while she's supposed to be under your care." His wolf bares his teeth at Asher.

"All right, enough bickering," I say. "Both of you out. I need to change." I shoo them through the door and close it behind them, then take a deep breath. It's time to see what I've gotten myself into.

***

When I exit my room, both Asher and Fen are still there, looking mildly uncomfortable with each other. Asher frowns when he sees what I'm wearing, but Fen's lip twitches, and I can tell he's pleased.

"This is not an outfit suited for a princess!" says Asher. I swear he's about to wring his hands in distress, and I almost giggle.

There were dresses galore in the wardrobe, but in one of the drawers tucked into the back, I found something better. Black leather pants, boots, and a red corset with a black cloak. I feel pretty badass, to be honest. And though it's not the most comfortable outfit I've ever worn, I'm happy in it. My hair is tied into braids, and I put on red lipstick to match my corset. I just need a sword and I'll be set. Swords seem big here. Fen carries one at his hip. Yes, I definitely need my own sword. And I'll need to learn how to use it.