I sensed Shildreth was sending me a veiled message, but I couldn’t see through to its heart. “I already do trust her. With my life.”
She patted my arm. “If that is true, then we have nothing to fear and everything to gain.”
“Is there something I should know?”
“My king, it’s time,” Faren said.
Faren and Shildreth shared a look that was a mix of passion and determination. I stepped back so they could say their good-byes, but there were no words exchanged between them. Faren ran a hand down her cheek. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. I turned my back, feeling as though I’d watched a stolen moment.
The boy who had led us to our quarters last night came into the crowd, leading the amaranths behind him. He bowed low and handed a set of reins to me. He did the same with Elena but then continued down the line as normal, assigning each vampire a beast. I would have preferred that Elena ride with me, but I didn’t protest. She was more than capable of handling herself. We mounted up and headed for the entrance to the village. As we cantered down the cobblestone street, the villagers bowed and said, “Askenith.”
I nodded to each of them, acknowledging the vampires who put so much faith in me. Still, their reverence was disconcerting, given the fact that I knew none of them. How did they know I was worthy of any sort of deference? Surely they’d heard the tales about me at Troy, the rumors about my cowardice. Though false, they persisted. Perhaps they’d even heard of my debauchery in the centuries since. Was I capable of rewarding their blind faith with action, with victory?
I looked back at Elena, who smiled easily at the vampires. She seemed born to be royalty. I, on the other hand, would have to work at it. When we were almost to the wooden gate, the little girl with the braids ran up to Elena and handed her a necklace made of dark flowers.
Elena reached down and took it, placing it around her neck with an exaggerated show of pride. The girl, beaming at Elena, ran back to her mother and hid in her skirts, now shy after her big moment. I caught Elena’s eye as I turned, and she gave me a smile in return.
We entered the forest, and the gates receded behind us. The woods were quiet—too quiet.
Foreboding took hold in me. Something wasn’t right. I turned to Elena, but Faren rode beside her down the slope, the two of them deep in hushed conversation. Her confidence hadn’t wavered, her shoulders back and a sense of purpose in every movement. I re-settled in my saddle. Perhaps my misgivings were nothing more than nerves.
One of the scouts passed me and led the front of the column away from the village, farther still into the Darkwood.
“How far is the keep?” I asked the soldier.
“It’s a three-hour ride. Should be there at noon or shortly after.” The scout turned back ahead and guided the amaranths through the trees. I settled in for the long plod, unease accompanying me on the trip.
We didn’t stop until the suns were high overhead and tipping into their downhill journey toward night. The trees had been thinning for the past hour, sunlight filtering down to the ground.
We dismounted in a thicket and tethered the amaranths to a fallen trunk. Trees still blocked the view, but I could sense the immensity of the keep wall not far ahead.
Faren gave orders to his soldiers in the old language. Half dispersed into the woods and underbrush while the rest stayed.
Elena petted her amaranth and looped her flower necklace around its crown before turning to join me. She took a deep breath as if to steady herself. I’d wanted to speak with her on the trip, but she spent most of the ride talking with Faren. I didn’t appreciate that I wasn’t included, but continued along, watching through the trees for any trouble. She could chat, but I would be on guard and keep her safe.
“Everything all right?” I knew my tone verged on jealous, and I hated myself for it, but damned if I knew why Elena didn’t talk to me on the way here. I glanced at Faren, envious of the time they’d spent together.
“Everything is fine.” She ran her hand down my arm, smoothing my ruffled feathers.
“Well, stay close to me. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” We were accompanied by fierce vampire warriors, but she was mine to protect, to watch over, not theirs.
“Don’t worry. There won’t be any spider bites in your future.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Elena—”
She cut off my words with a kiss. It was desperate and long—the taste of her lips was honey on my tongue. I drew her closer to me, crushing her against me. Her mouth was proof of the link between us, binding our fates together.