Page 26 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

Why did that infuriate me?

“Did you miss me, Princess?” I heard in my ear. I turned just in time to see Bellamy as he wrapped an arm around me. I whipped my head towards Mia, who watched in horror and outrage as thick smoke swirled around me. I was prepared this time when we ripped through time and space, the pain nothing in comparison to last night.

When we landed, I stumbled back. The lack of food, the blood loss, little to no sleep, and the anxiety took hold of me. I felt myself tip before I realized I was fainting. Bellamy must have thought I was fighting his grip, because his arms let go of me. The last thing I saw was his concerned face as I fell backwards, and everything went black.

***

I awoke sometime later to find Bellamy sitting in a chair, watching me. I moved to sit up, realizing that I did not recognize the chair he was in. My eyes roamed the room. The walls were the same burgundy as his outfit from the ball, with black furniture placed accordingly throughout the space. I saw a pair of glass double doors shaped like an arch on the far wall that revealed a dark, star-filled night. On the table to my left was a plate of eggs, some sort of meat, and toast with jam, a steaming mug of what I assumed was tea beside it.

The sheets covering me were the same reddish hue, and I noted that the side to my right was not slept in. It was then that I realized I was in different clothing. I silently wondered who had seen me naked, cringing at the violation. I tapped my ears, finding them without the golden tips. I blanched as my hand shot to my neck, but the amethyst still lay there. Whoever had changed me had removed the ear cuffs and the dress, but somehow knew to leave my necklace.

“Where am I? What is happening?” I demanded, scooting back into the headboard of the bed in an attempt to put more distance between us. He seemed to scowl at my action.

“You are in my home. I had to get you out of the palace after I killed your fiancé,” he said nonchalantly, as if murder was a daily activity. Even his body seemed relaxed, comfortable. His voice was different. Still that deep and raspy tone, but now with a heavy and slow drawl.

“Why?” I asked, the panic settling in my stomach like a boulder. Fear rose through me as the memories of my wedding came flooding back. My wrist stung, but when I looked down, the blocker was gone. I gasped, tracing the large welt wrapping the circumference of my wrist.

It was off. How did he get it off? Why did he take it off?

“Why did I kill him? I was made aware of the state a Healer found you in, and was told you suggested your soon-to-be husband had done it. I would much rather have tortured a confession out of him, but we had very little time.” His casual shrug and even tone were unsettling, made worse by the fire blazing in his eyes. Did he feel no remorse for ending a life? I could not recall a time that I was not left useless by the pain and guilt of doing so.

“If you mean to ask why I took that disgraceful band off of your wrist, that is because it is an abhorrent practice, one made to weaken and even kill the wearer,” Bellamy hissed. On his face was a look of pure hatred, for the blocker or for those who put it on me I was unsure.

“Will you kill me next? Is that why you took me?” I asked, trying to make sense of why he brought me here.

His head tilted to the side like he was thinking through his answer, which further terrified me. Would he torture me? Did he save me only to take care of me himself? Subconsciously, I trapped my bottom lip between by teeth, tasting blood. A habit that used to anger Mia, but something I struggled to quit.

“No, I will not kill you. I have no reason to,” he said matter-of-factly. I did not believe him, but my powers seemed uneager to find out. Before I could even consider reading him, he said, “Nor do I want to.”

“Why am I here?” I asked again, stalling.

Killing him would be easy, but I had a feeling I would be unable to get out of wherever this place was. Sheer will could only get me so far. I tried to tap into my powers, but I sensed nothing from him. Did the severity of my injuries obstruct them? Was it due to aftereffects of the blocker?

“I told you, because I—”

“No, I am not asking why you are here. I understand that somewhere in your psychotic mind you thought murdering someone was the best option, so you had to run. I am a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them. I am asking you why you brought me here.” His eyes narrowed, body going rigid.

“You were not safe there,” he said, anger adding a clipped bite to his voice.

“Oh, and I am safe here? With a murderer who will probably slit my throat the second he finds I am not useful for whatever it is he needs from me?” I was growing angry too, the fear mixing with it to create a dangerous combination.

A rough gust of wind blew the doors open, but I ignored it. The power in my chest swelled, pulsing. Bellamy stood, as if he could sense what was happening and wanted to calm me.

“Do not come near me. You are a monster!” I shouted, fighting back my power before I killed the male.

Thick flurries of snow flew through the doorway, sticking to my skin. My head whipped to the side, staring at the clear night sky in confusion. Then I felt the earth shake below the bed, and I lost my balance, hitting the mattress with enough force to knock the breath out of a mortal.

I looked up to find Bellamy shaking, his rage having at long last won the battle. His arms were slowly catching fire, causing his tunic to burn and ash to flutter in the wind. The flame that was now past his elbow was not the red and orange hues I so often saw from Xavier. No, this was black fire. The angrier he grew, the more violently the elements around us reacted.

It was then that I recalled something Farai told me years ago, about a powerful half-fae.

“I am telling you Ash, he is hot!” Farai said. I rolled my eyes, finding the entire conversation absurd.

“Demons are some of the most notoriously hideous creatures alive. Being half fae does not fix that. There is no way he could be even remotely attractive,” I countered.

“Well Raven told me that she heard he looked fae. Not like just any fae either. Apparently, he is insanely gorgeous,” Farai gushed, twirling a piece of his pale hair, his equally white eyes alight with mischief. Raven was a notorious gossip, there was no way that anything she said held merit.

“Are you going to let your boyfriend fawn over a demon prince like this, Jasper?” I asked, hoping he would end the conversation. There were too many listening ears and vengeful hearts around to have such a reckless discussion.

---