Page 55 of Vows Forged in Blood

“You two are as bad as children, do you know that?” Nova says, stepping between the two, hands out to try to keep the peace.

“Well, I beat you when we were children and I’ll do it again!” Dahlia calls, trying to duck around Nova.

Wesley scoffs. “That wasonetime! And I was sick, if I might remind you.” He dances away and Dahlia chases him.

“Are they always like this?” I ask Nova.

“More often than not, sir,” she confirms, lips curling up slightly, and I find my own doing the same.

Chapter 27

DAHLIA

Lia,

YOU WERE ATTACKED AND YOU TOOK WEEKS TO TELL ME!?! I am so mad at you I could spit!! But I am also so glad you’re ok that I’m going to overlook my anger. I never thought you’d be in danger there in Alaric’s camp. How did this happen? How could the Revenants possibly have gotten through the pass so near the camp?

I’m shaking I’m so irritated with you. Da spent hours locked away in the shop after he read your letter, but seems to be ok now that he’s processed everything and knows you’re alright. You are alright, aren’t you? Do you swear?

I’ll admit that it’s a bit exciting that you’re getting to train now. Maybe you can teach me someday as well. The thought would probablyscandalize Leland, but that’s alright. No, he hasn’t given up. I think…no, I know, I’m going to accept his official courtship request soon. He’s very sweet and gentle, and gods knows he enjoys showering me with gifts. There are worse matches to be had, so I should be grateful for it.

Ifrown. She’s most certainlynotin love with Leland, that’s clear to see. I get the distinct feeling that she’s settling and if that’s what she wants, I will of course support her, but…Enid has always been the dreamer of the two of us, the one who reads those secret novels and believes in thelove storyof it all (whereas I mostly believed in the naughty bits where the dark prince took the princess up against a cave wall…). She’s always wanted the knight in shining armor to fight for her, to live in a world where great love conquers all. My heart twists a little at the idea of her settling for less than what she’s always dreamed of.

Moving on from my love life - Yes, it is too soon to joke about your blood being spilled…but I do love the jewelry, so I will forgive you. I love you so much, Dahlia. I don’t know what I would do if something had happened to you. But you’re stronger than even you know. Something as silly as a Revenant couldn’t take our firebrand from this world.

We’re hosting Leland’s family for dinner, so I better go and make sure da looks presentable and doesn’t have soot on his face or blood underhis nails. He already scares the poor folks being so big and brawny. The entire Dunlevee family is very…gentle and easily spooked, I’m afraid. The mere mention of the fact that my sister is the High General’s Consort makes them all turn the color of milk. It’s a bit ridiculous…but a tad funny, truth be told. I think da now tries to see just how far he can push them before they faint as a new favorite pastime.

He sends his love and told me to remind you of his gift to you, whatever that means. What gift? You two and your secrets, I swear…

Love,

Enid

I run my finger over the black stone on my finger. Of course, I’d completely forgotten about it when I needed to remember it most. I shake my head in frustration, but have decided I am not going to dwell on the past. I am looking forward from now on. I am doing well with my training and I’ve found that it isn’t only physical training, but mental as well. I think (after far more sessions, of course), that I wouldn’t freeze if the time came. I would be able to move past that fear that kept me in place during the Revenant attack. I suppose I hope it’s never put to the test, but it is still comforting knowledge to have.

While my days have become filled to the brim with training, working at the smithy with Braddock, and spending time with my friends, the nights in the study have gotten…heavy. That’s the best way I can describe them. There’s a thickness in the airaround Alaric and me now, like a summer storm cloud that’s just waiting to burst—and gods am I ready for the storm. Ever since the day he came to training, when he stood behind me and guided my body with his own, I can barely control the need to be near him again, to feel him so close. We haven’t touched again, save when I’m giving him blood, but we’re only inches away from each other on the couch now while we read or talk, each of us seemingly unable to keep the distance there once was. He’s showing me sides of himself that I’m not sure he’s ever shown anyone before and if I didn’t know any better, if I didn’t know that it was an impossibility…I might think that I was…his. There’s something about the way he looks at me, the way he seems to move and watch instinctively without even realizing he’s doing it. Even if that can’t be the case, I know that he cares about me now, more than just as a Consort or a friend.

And fuck me, I think I’m falling in love with him too. Not that I know he loves me, but…maybe he does?

But either way, I have no idea what in the seven hells to do about it. He can’t be with me. Or won’t, I suppose. Nova swears that all the princes fuck humans, but Alaric seems adamant that that’s not the case. Not that we’ve actually discussed it since that very first time at the inn, but he always stops himself from touching me, from doing anything that might lead us down a road we can’t come back from, no matter how much I know he wants to do otherwise. I wonder what would happen if I just threw myself at him, if I didn’t give him a choice. He could stop me, of course, but…maybe he wouldn’t. Maybe he would finally just give in.

We may just be finding out for sure one way or another soon. I’m going to lose this battle within myself soon enough, I just know it. I can feel it bubbling up within my chest, like a volcano waiting to erupt.

“Is there a reason you haven’t appointed new members of my guard?” I ask, taking a bite of chocolate as we walk. I received a letter from the apothecary in town, letting me know what is needed to be paid on our arrangement, and I realize how much I’ve missed going to the village over the last few months. It’s part of the reason I’m bringing up the guard question: I have no idea if Alaric will let me go back there again, especially with only half a guard.

We took a ride near the river tonight and seeing Alaric atop Xanthus, the two of them moving as if they were one soul in two bodies, left me speechless. When we ride, it’s like every bit of worry and stress leaves Alaric and, if only for a short time, he’s truly free and happy in ways he won’t allow himself to be when we’re back at the camp. I understand why, and don’t fault him for it. He’s the High General, for fuck’s sake. He’s responsible for countless lives, for the safety of theentirecontinent. He has to be focused and stoic and determined. And honestly, it makes me love our time together that much more. It’s like a secret between the two of us, a private world that no one else is privy to, something special shared only with each other.

Xerxes bumps my shoulder roughly with his big nose now, demanding his share of the chocolate. I laugh and give him a nibble, breaking another bit off and handing it to Alaric for Xanthus without a word. He shoots me a half smirk, one of my favorites, and gives the treat to the horse.

His shirt gapes just over his chest and his hair is windswept after the ride, leaving him looking too handsome for words and making my mouth practically water. I clench my thighs and my teeth and try to keep a rein on those particular emotions.

He contemplates my question for a long minute before answering.

“Mostly because I didn’t think you wouldwantme to.” My brow furrows. “I know that they were not just your guardians,they were your friends, Dahlia. I…” He runs a hand through his hair and sighs. “I didn’t want you to think I was being callous simply replacing them, as if I didn’t know what they meant to you. You are completely safe within the camp, I have no doubts of this, despite what happened on the road. You haven’t needed the extra protection of three more swords watching over you.”

I stop walking and blink in surprise. He’d actually thought about how this would make me feel? My chest twists and I feel myself slip that much further towards the edge. Soon, I’ll be over it completely, free falling into the unknown of loving Alaric Montclare. The sun is starting to set in the distance and for this moment, the two of us on the grassy rise behind our cabin, alone in a world no one else can touch, loving him seems like the most logical thing in the world, like the one thing I was born to do.

“Thank you,” I say softly, looking up to meet his gaze. He holds mine for a long minute, too many things flashing in that molten gold to keep track. Slowly, he reaches towards my face and I barely stop a gasp. My heart seems to stop beating completely for an endless moment before it slams into my chest double time as he lightly brushes his thumb across my cheek. He’s closer than I realized, so close that I can reach out and touch him. Without thought, I drop Xerxes’ reins and place my hand on Alaric’s stomach instead, steadying myself. He inhales sharply, a low, rumbling sound echoing through his chest. Something hot and powerful slams through me, through the connection between us, but I can’t find the words to explain what it is.Mine, it seems to say.Mine, mine, mine.

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