Page 206 of Disillusioned
“There’s no guarantee he’ll be the same person after he’s realized what happened to him.” Garin’s gaze was distant, focused on Lilac’s hand resting protectively on Gwendal’s shoulder. “Anysiring must be handled responsibly. Vampirism is not an out for anything, especially with how destructive a fledgling can be in the wrong company.”
“Don’t look at me that way,” said Lilac. “I’ve been handling yoursmorethan responsibly. Piper spends most of her day reading books and strolling the grounds. She eats grapes and croissants and chases the ducks in the courtyard pond. She’s revolted by blood, especially mine.”
“She’s—” Garin pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “Nevermind. I don’t want to know.”
“My point is that she has been just fine with us. And so will he.”
“Piper?” said Yanna. “Piper, as in, Piper Krenn? The banished handmaiden?”
Lilac shifted onto her heels, brushing off the stab of irritation. “You know of her?”
“We all heard what happened. Years ago, news of it made rounds. Even in the orphanage and brothel. Some said it was a rumor meant to detract from the shifter who was executed.” It seemed Yanna wanted to say more, but at the look on Lilac’s paling face, she quieted.
“She’s real. Both of them were. Phoebe Allard is Piper—ourPiper. Her appearance was altered a bit when Garin sired her weeks ago. Before then, she was imprisoned by the vampires after my parents exiled her, leaving her to travel home without a carriage or protection. On the way, she was taken by Garin’s Second-in-Command, Bastion, and his men.”
“Do your parents know?” Garin already looked doubtful, lost in thought. “Have they suspected she’s returned?”
Lilac thought back to Henri’s reaction the first night Piper had arrived, and her mother’s abrasive irritation with her. “No,” she lied.
Garin’s brows rose, but all he said was, “I’m not surprised.”
“Iwill say, Mademoiselle Krenn’s will is quite free for a recently sired Sanguinarian,” Myrddin added. “Lilac has not been so lucky.”
“I am histhrall. Not his sire.”
Garin glowered at her and Yanna. “Neither of you will house a newborn vampire in that castle.”
Myrddin had righted himself as they’d argued. He stood with his arms crossed, watching the steaming pile of smoke and carnage that was the Trevelyan farmhouse, his fingers moving minutely in the air, drawing odd shapes.
“Stop your prayers and spells, warlock,” snapped Yanna. “He’s not dying. Not tonight.” She lashed out and grabbed Garin by the shirt. “Save my fiance.”
He looked down at her fist, nostrils flaring. “You don’t know what you’re asking for. You could never imagine the life you’re demanding of him. For yourself.”
“I don’t have to imagine. I see what the two of you have.” Yanna glared at Lilac, then back at Garin. “You fooled no one at the castle. You hide your vampirism more skillfully than what you feel for her. Everyone saw it at the feast, even before you went mad. Did Piper tell either of you?”
“Tell us what?” Lilac looked to exchange a nervous glance with Garin, but his eyes were turned toward the floor.
“The things he said as he made his way across the floor? Snarling, seeking his wife.”
Lilac’s chest flushed. “No, she hadn’t.”
“No one said anything. Conveniently.” Garin’s seething glare rose to Myrddin.
“It isherblood Gwendal is willing to die for,” Yanna insisted. “He cares for Lilac and her cause, even her family—even those of them who deserve the gallows. And now that I know she is your thrall, vampire, I know you’renothingwithout her.”
Garin fell silent as he gently plucked Yanna’s fingers from his collar, grimacing and eyeing the crusting blood upon her throat.
“Save him,” Lilac urged. “For her. Please.”
He exhaled—but dragged himself over, plopping down on the other side of Gwendal’s head. “For you, and only you,” he said softly, his breath a sharpened blade across her flesh. “Her blood is on your hands if he losescontrol. Her heartbreak is yours to bear if he turns her. Youwillbe there to comfort your friend when she is sorely disappointed in what comes of this. ”
“Gladly,” Lilac replied. “Especially since she has generously comforted my tears over you.”
Wordlessly, Garin lifted Gwendal’s head onto his lap. The guard’s amber eyes widened with the movement, a rich flicker of life behind them even as tears leaked from the corners. Garin slid a short knife from the baldric that sat at Gwendal’s waist, and Lilac and Yanna watched in horror as he swiftly slit his wrist and hovered it over Gwendal’s partially open lips.
He dropped the blade and propped Gwendal’s mouth open wider with his thumb. “Welcome to the Lasting Night, my brother. Apologies in advance for, well, everything.”
Gwendal began to sputter and choke on the amount of blood dripping into his mouth.
