Page 132 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood
When he doesn’t speak, she turns to face us all.
“You see, Karius here was offered a deal by my father to secure my house’s allegiance.”
“What deal is she talking about, Karius?” Kaia asks, her voice coated in anger, but he says nothing.
“He was offered my hand in marriage, but he has yet to accept.”
The air seems to drain from the room at her words.
“So, I will extend the offer one last time. Accept the proposal, and I will remain at the court by your side, ensuring that the shadows in the sky stay exactly where they are and your secrets remain hidden. Or don’t accept, and my magic and I will leave. It’s up to you.”
“You can’t be serious,” Kaia says.
“I accept.”
Karius’s words hit me like a ton of bricks, and the world around me spins. My ears ring, and the voices that are raised fade into the background.Betrothed.He accepted her offer. That’s what Lissian was trying to blackmail him with back at the bloodhouse.His own daughter.And she is every bit as cruel as he was.Karius keeps his head down, not even daring to make eye contact with me, and somehow that hurts even more. I back away from them all. I don’t hear the rest of the conversation because I slam out of the door before another word can be spoken.
I imagine Celeste’s stupidly beautiful face every time I try to hit Ajax. Apparently, it makes no difference since my mind is so distracted that I haven’t even managed to hit him once yet. This seems to be happening a lot lately, and it all leads back to a frustrating vampire with dark eyes. I hate that I still think about him. He is planning to marry another woman, so there is nothing left to think about.
Interesting,Athriel says.
What?
It is just the first time I have heard you refer to a vampire like that.
Confusion fills me.
I don’t understand.
He chuckles darkly.
You called her awoman…not a female vampire but an actual woman.A person.You see them as more now.
Surprise fills me at his words. I’ve not noticed that before, and the acknowledgment of it stuns me. Have I truly changed my views on vampires? Do I see them as people now and not just violent creatures who kill and destroy? I sigh. I’m not even sure when that happened.
I take a swing at Ajax, but he ducks. My senses are coming together well. Piper pointed out that I no longer moan about my eyes blurring, and yet I hadn’t even realized. I’m getting better at focusing in loud spaces, too, just like Ajax taught me, tuning everything out until only one sound remains.
“I can’t watch this anymore. Get out of the way.” Kaia’s voice fills the room as my attention is drawn to her.
“What?” I ask, and she rolls her eyes.
“Really? You’re too busy sulking over Karius's marriage to land even one hit. My brother is good, but your technique is unique, so I think you need to be challenged.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ajax interjects.
“It means that all of our lives are bound to her, and if she doesn’t get her shit together, then we all die.”
He pauses for a moment to take in her words. “True. Take it away.”
“You need to learn how to stop letting your emotions control you.”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are, and it’s going to get you killed. You must learn to feel it and then channel it. And for the love of the gods, stop moving around.”
I take her advice and stand still.
“Take a deep breath.” Before I can even inhale, she lands a punch in my stomach. I double over.
