Page 46 of Vows Forged in Blood

“I’m very sorry that happened. That…that you were hurt. The Revenants never should have gotten within the borders.We should have stopped them, my Lady.” He looks upset and I wonder if perhaps he was one of the men on duty that day at one of the many guard stations along the road and surrounding the camp. Does he feel guilty for not seeing the Revenants, like the attack was his fault somehow?

“It’s no one’s fault,” I tell him gently, stepping forward and laying a hand on his shoulder. He meets my gaze, his big eyes making him seem so, so young. He nods his head and says a quick goodbye before retreating from the cabin.

I make my way back down the hallway to Alaric’s door and this time, I knock.

“Come in,” he calls, sounding tired and annoyed. I take a quick, settling breath and push the door open. Alaric sits behind his massive desk, a stack of letters beside him. I let out a low, soft breath as I take him in. He looks more handsome than I’d ever seen him. He’s in a simple black shirt, the top few buttons undone to reveal the smooth, tempting skin of his chest and throat. His hair is its usual mess, but now I can see that some of the strands are so black they look almost blue. He meets my gaze, the gold burning and beautiful and…I’ve suddenly forgotten how to speak. I was still so out of sorts at the funerals that I hadn’t trulyseenhim, but now, he is all I can see.

Are my keener senses making him more attractive, letting my weak, human eyes see him more clearly? Dear gods, is this how he looks to other vampires? No wonder there are rumors of him fighting females off with a stick, of him entertaining too many companions to name…there’s even one that claims he made a female vampire come so hard her knees gave out just bywinkingat her across the room. That…that couldn’t be true…could it? I swallow hard as a shiver skates over my skin and my stomach dips at the mere thought.

“Dahlia,” he says in greeting, voice low. His eyes drop to my lips and then lower. A sharp stab of desire flares through mycore, but…I’m not completely sure it’smydesire. My eyes fly wide. Could I be feelingAlaric’semotions? No, surely not…but he’d said that I might be able to after the binding ceremony, and that had only been a tiny sip of blood. This time he’d given memouthfuls…

But there’s no way he’s feeling…desirous of me. Perhaps it’s just the lust forbloodthat I’m feeling, not anything else. His gaze meets mine again and I force all other thoughts away. I have things I need to say and I won’t be deterred.My little firebrand, my father’s voice echoes in my mind as I run a finger over the ring on my right hand. I push my shoulders back.

“I want to learn to fight,” I say without preamble. His brow furrows, clearly surprised by this outburst.

“What?”

“I want to learn to fight,” I repeat. “I’ve always thought that I was strong, that I could take care of myself. But I realized on that road how wrong I was. I…I juststoodthere,” I say closing my eyes, remembering. “I stood there, completely frozen and useless. I couldn’t protect myself—or anyone else—even the tiniest bit.” Fury pulses hot and jagged in my chest.Not all my own?I open my eyes to find Alaric’s blazing, though he keeps his expression passive. “I didn’t like feeling helpless. I know I have a guard and I appreciate the protection they give me, but I just…” I trail off, exhaling roughly, not knowing how to explain to someone who is so damned strong and brave and resilient, what it feels likenotto be.

“Alright,” he says and I blink in surprise.

“Alright?”

He nods. “It is a general rule that everyone who enters this camp knows the basics of self-defense and swordplay. Every human member of the staff here could raise arms against a threat, should they need to. I did not realize you might want to be afforded the same opportunity.”

“Yes. Yes, I do. Thank you.” I add hastily, “I know you’re far too busy to do it yourself, but Wesley and Nova have offered to teach me. I promise it won’t interfere with their training schedules or any of their duties. We’ll only do lessons when they don’t have other obligations.”

He stares at me for a long moment and then inclines his head.

“I think that’s…an excellent plan,” he says, though his voice is a little stiff. Perhaps he doesn’t actually want me to learn, but knows it’s a good idea anyway. Either way, he’s said yes, and that’s all that matters.

“Oh. Uh, thank you.” I hesitate, not sure that I need to remain, but not quite wanting to leave. “Do you need blood?” He inhales quietly but shakes his head.

“Not yet. You need more time to recover from your loss before I take again.” After a moment he adds, “I’ll send for you when I am in need, though.” So, he doesn’t plan to go back to ignoring me then? What on earth had happened up in the wilds that had caused this change? Whatever it is, I’m happy for it, even knowing how foolish that is. I smile and his own features soften slightly in return.

“Alright then,” I say, inclining my head and turning to leave.

“Dahlia,” he calls and I turn at the door. I would swear there’s amusement dancing in his golden eyes now, a quirk of his lips ever so slightly as he says, “enjoy your training.”

Chapter 23

DAHLIA

“How…in all the gods’ fucking names…does running around the entire damned camp…help me protect myself?” I demand as I fight to breathe, my side feeling as if it’s being stabbed repeatedly by a very sharp stick. I lean over, hands on my knees, and curse when sweat drips into my eyes, stinging like the devil. Even with Alaric’s blood giving me increased strength and speed and everything else, I’m still all but dying with these “exercises” Nova and Wesley are putting me through. I’m not wholly convinced that they aren’t actually torture tactics or just plain practical jokes.

“We need to build up your strength and endurance before you can learn the rest,” Nova says matter-of-factly. “You’re not as bad off as I thought you might be though, being a noble from your high castle on a hill and all,” she mocks with a wink. I glare at her and Wesley laughs, the sound echoing oddly through the low fog all around us. Autumn has officially arrived at the camp, with crisp, cool mornings usually accompanied by heavy fog that gives the mountains and surrounding forests a sinister air. Other than these early morning runs, the Northlands are trulystunning and I find myself falling more in love with them each day.

Butnotbefore the sun rises every fucking day.

The morning after Alaric had agreed to my training, the two vampires who were formerly my closest friends, but have now turned traitors, woke me before dawn, making me scream in my bed like a banshee.

“Rise and shine, my Lady,” Wesley had said with a crooked grin as he lit the chemical lamps. I winced at the sudden flare of light, pulling my blanket over my head

“What in the fuck are you doing?” I’d yelled from below my toasty warm fortress.

The blanket was yanked away and thrown across the room, and I’d yelped before scowling. Nova only grinned.

“Training you, of course.”

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