[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
be. How would I make it through training to-
night? I didn t think I even had enough en-
ergy to shower. Blood would help though. I
just better make sure I drink a lot.
When I got near the Château I didn t
bother trying to sneak through the gardens.
It would take too much time and I was too
tired. So, I walked into the northeast en-
trance, my feet heavy and thick with mud.
252/396
A Blood Guard flashed to my side before I
even set one foot inside the Château.
Princess!
I m fine. I pushed him away.
You look injured. Are you injured? Panic
coursed through his voice.
I had to think of something to tell him. I
didn t need him tattling on me. I woke up
early to get some practice in before training
and got a little carried away. That s all. You
know Eli, he s a strict teacher. I forced a
smile and continued on down the hallway as
naturally as I could. The guard looked after
me, worry creasing his face. Do me a favor
though, would you?
Of course, Princess. Anything.
Have a servant bring me some blood. I m
starving. I figured giving him something to
do would not only keep him busy, but also
buy me some time. Chances are he would tell
253/396
someone about my appearance and word
would get around quickly. If I could clean
myself up fast enough and eat, then maybe I
could think up a good story for why I was
outside and looking like such a mess. I would
just have to hope no one noticed I wasn t in
bed all day.
I made my way up to my room as quick as
I could and tried to avoid all of the worried
and questioning glances. I didn t have time
to explain myself to anyone.
My room looked untouched and I sighed
in relief. I just might get away with this. I
hated to be sneaky but I didn t want anyone
worrying about me. I finally got them to take
me seriously. I didn t want to be coddled like
some delicate princess. I wanted to be the
warrior my father thought I was.
Last night, I just got a little ahead of my-
self. That s all. I won t push myself so hard
254/396
next time. Slow and steady wins the race,
right?
I walked to the bathroom and rested my
body against the counter. My legs were grow-
ing steadily heavier. I avoided the mirror as
best I could. I probably looked terrible. And
if I saw just how terrible, then maybe I would
realize how close I really came to the edge
last night. No, I wouldn t look. I didn t want
anything to stop me from trying again.
By the time I had undressed, there was a
knock at my door. Please let it be blood. I
pulled on a robe and headed for the door. A
young maid poked her head and smiled until
her eyes met my face. The platter in her
hands trembled. I ignored her reaction and
grabbed the glass greedily.
The warm blood gave instant relief. I
could feel it traveling through my body rap-
idly. Three swallows later, the tall glass was
empty and I licked my lips. The maid stared
255/396
at me, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging
open. Are you okay? Her voice was like the
squeak of a mouse. I set the glass back on the
tray. You weren t in your room all day.
Where did you sleep?
She knew I was gone. What could I say to
her? Would she even understand? No, I
couldn t explain it to her. She was so young,
probably a couple years younger than me.
Yet, her face was deep with concern and I
could sense she was truly worried. I had nev-
er said more than a few words to her, but her
feelings were strong.
Please don t tell anyone. I m okay. Could
you just bring me more?
I grabbed the tray with my fingers and
pushed it toward her, urging her to leave
without saying it. Her eyebrows narrowed
down to her eyes. She wasn t going to budge
and I didn t have the strength to force her.
Could I glamour her, like Dmitry had done to
256/396
me so long ago? No, I d never tried that be-
fore and I didn t want to use any abilities un-
til I could rest.
You shouldn t sneak off with him,
princess.
Sneak off with whom? What was she talk-
ing about? I m sorry? It might not have
been the best lie, but I d rather people think I
snuck off with a guy than the truth. Maybe.
I saw the two of you last night, talking in
the hallway. He tries to act, so innocent with
all the girls, but& he s not.
Who was she talking about? I racked my
brains as to who I d spoken to last night -
and then it came to me. Bennett? The maid
nodded. Okay, maybe people thinking I
snuck off with a guy wasn t a better option.
Especially when it was Bennett. The guy
made my skin crawl. I didn t sneak off with
him, I reassured her. Fortunately, I must
have said it strongly enough that she
257/396
believed me, because she let out a sigh of re-
lief and nodded. Could you bring me more
please? I was tired of talking to her and just
wanted to clean myself up.
When she finally nodded and walked
away I all but slammed the door behind her.
Finally. Peace and quiet. The shower was ec-
stasy. The hot water soothed my aching body
and warmed my muscles. I was still shower-
ing when the maid returned with a second,
larger, glass and I snatched it from around
the shower curtain. I didn t want to get out.
Are you sure you re okay?
I m fine. It was nice she was worried,
but I really didn t feel like talking. She left si-
lently, shutting the door behind her, and a
twinge of guilt hit me. I was kind of being a
bitch. She was just trying to be nice. I d have
to apologize later, but right now I just
wanted to lie in bed.
258/396
I knew training would come all too
quickly, so I didn t even bother getting
dressed. I stayed wrapped up in my robe and
curled into a ball on my bed. The thick com-
forter felt like a giant pillow and I fell to
sleep almost instantly.
Light flickered on my face, waking me.
The candle on my bedside table had been lit,
but I distinctly remember it being completely
dark in my room when I had climbed into
bed. Fear swiftly flew through me.
It s okay, Claire. It was my mother s
voice. Fear transformed into relief. I hadn t
even noticed her sitting there. I came to
check on you. It is very unusual for a vam-
pire to sleep so late.
I looked away. I knew I couldn t hide the
guilt on my face and if she asked I wouldn t
be able to lie to her. I jumped out of bed and
apologized for being lazy. Maybe I could
259/396
avoid the subject altogether if I got her talk-
ing about something else.
I ve got to get ready for training, I called
back over my shoulder as I grabbed clothes
and rushed to the bathroom. I felt like I
could sleep for days, but I felt better than I
did earlier.
How was your night? Her voice was
closer now. She was standing by the bath-
room door.
It was good. Eli had me training with
Bennett. I didn t make it easy for him. I was
still proud of the fact even though I did lose
in the end.
Is everything alright, Claire?
Geez, was it mother s intuition or could
she just sense I was hiding something?
Yeah. I pulled shirt over my head, my voice
muffled.
260/396
I heard my mother sigh loudly. It was
more sad than anything. I know you are
worried about Arrick, but he will be fine. He
is a strong and brave warrior. You should
have faith in his abilities.
I hadn t been worried about Arrick, but
now I was. Had news arrived about him? I
opened the door and leaned against the
frame. When will he be back? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl fopke.keep.pl
be. How would I make it through training to-
night? I didn t think I even had enough en-
ergy to shower. Blood would help though. I
just better make sure I drink a lot.
When I got near the Château I didn t
bother trying to sneak through the gardens.
It would take too much time and I was too
tired. So, I walked into the northeast en-
trance, my feet heavy and thick with mud.
252/396
A Blood Guard flashed to my side before I
even set one foot inside the Château.
Princess!
I m fine. I pushed him away.
You look injured. Are you injured? Panic
coursed through his voice.
I had to think of something to tell him. I
didn t need him tattling on me. I woke up
early to get some practice in before training
and got a little carried away. That s all. You
know Eli, he s a strict teacher. I forced a
smile and continued on down the hallway as
naturally as I could. The guard looked after
me, worry creasing his face. Do me a favor
though, would you?
Of course, Princess. Anything.
Have a servant bring me some blood. I m
starving. I figured giving him something to
do would not only keep him busy, but also
buy me some time. Chances are he would tell
253/396
someone about my appearance and word
would get around quickly. If I could clean
myself up fast enough and eat, then maybe I
could think up a good story for why I was
outside and looking like such a mess. I would
just have to hope no one noticed I wasn t in
bed all day.
I made my way up to my room as quick as
I could and tried to avoid all of the worried
and questioning glances. I didn t have time
to explain myself to anyone.
My room looked untouched and I sighed
in relief. I just might get away with this. I
hated to be sneaky but I didn t want anyone
worrying about me. I finally got them to take
me seriously. I didn t want to be coddled like
some delicate princess. I wanted to be the
warrior my father thought I was.
Last night, I just got a little ahead of my-
self. That s all. I won t push myself so hard
254/396
next time. Slow and steady wins the race,
right?
I walked to the bathroom and rested my
body against the counter. My legs were grow-
ing steadily heavier. I avoided the mirror as
best I could. I probably looked terrible. And
if I saw just how terrible, then maybe I would
realize how close I really came to the edge
last night. No, I wouldn t look. I didn t want
anything to stop me from trying again.
By the time I had undressed, there was a
knock at my door. Please let it be blood. I
pulled on a robe and headed for the door. A
young maid poked her head and smiled until
her eyes met my face. The platter in her
hands trembled. I ignored her reaction and
grabbed the glass greedily.
The warm blood gave instant relief. I
could feel it traveling through my body rap-
idly. Three swallows later, the tall glass was
empty and I licked my lips. The maid stared
255/396
at me, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging
open. Are you okay? Her voice was like the
squeak of a mouse. I set the glass back on the
tray. You weren t in your room all day.
Where did you sleep?
She knew I was gone. What could I say to
her? Would she even understand? No, I
couldn t explain it to her. She was so young,
probably a couple years younger than me.
Yet, her face was deep with concern and I
could sense she was truly worried. I had nev-
er said more than a few words to her, but her
feelings were strong.
Please don t tell anyone. I m okay. Could
you just bring me more?
I grabbed the tray with my fingers and
pushed it toward her, urging her to leave
without saying it. Her eyebrows narrowed
down to her eyes. She wasn t going to budge
and I didn t have the strength to force her.
Could I glamour her, like Dmitry had done to
256/396
me so long ago? No, I d never tried that be-
fore and I didn t want to use any abilities un-
til I could rest.
You shouldn t sneak off with him,
princess.
Sneak off with whom? What was she talk-
ing about? I m sorry? It might not have
been the best lie, but I d rather people think I
snuck off with a guy than the truth. Maybe.
I saw the two of you last night, talking in
the hallway. He tries to act, so innocent with
all the girls, but& he s not.
Who was she talking about? I racked my
brains as to who I d spoken to last night -
and then it came to me. Bennett? The maid
nodded. Okay, maybe people thinking I
snuck off with a guy wasn t a better option.
Especially when it was Bennett. The guy
made my skin crawl. I didn t sneak off with
him, I reassured her. Fortunately, I must
have said it strongly enough that she
257/396
believed me, because she let out a sigh of re-
lief and nodded. Could you bring me more
please? I was tired of talking to her and just
wanted to clean myself up.
When she finally nodded and walked
away I all but slammed the door behind her.
Finally. Peace and quiet. The shower was ec-
stasy. The hot water soothed my aching body
and warmed my muscles. I was still shower-
ing when the maid returned with a second,
larger, glass and I snatched it from around
the shower curtain. I didn t want to get out.
Are you sure you re okay?
I m fine. It was nice she was worried,
but I really didn t feel like talking. She left si-
lently, shutting the door behind her, and a
twinge of guilt hit me. I was kind of being a
bitch. She was just trying to be nice. I d have
to apologize later, but right now I just
wanted to lie in bed.
258/396
I knew training would come all too
quickly, so I didn t even bother getting
dressed. I stayed wrapped up in my robe and
curled into a ball on my bed. The thick com-
forter felt like a giant pillow and I fell to
sleep almost instantly.
Light flickered on my face, waking me.
The candle on my bedside table had been lit,
but I distinctly remember it being completely
dark in my room when I had climbed into
bed. Fear swiftly flew through me.
It s okay, Claire. It was my mother s
voice. Fear transformed into relief. I hadn t
even noticed her sitting there. I came to
check on you. It is very unusual for a vam-
pire to sleep so late.
I looked away. I knew I couldn t hide the
guilt on my face and if she asked I wouldn t
be able to lie to her. I jumped out of bed and
apologized for being lazy. Maybe I could
259/396
avoid the subject altogether if I got her talk-
ing about something else.
I ve got to get ready for training, I called
back over my shoulder as I grabbed clothes
and rushed to the bathroom. I felt like I
could sleep for days, but I felt better than I
did earlier.
How was your night? Her voice was
closer now. She was standing by the bath-
room door.
It was good. Eli had me training with
Bennett. I didn t make it easy for him. I was
still proud of the fact even though I did lose
in the end.
Is everything alright, Claire?
Geez, was it mother s intuition or could
she just sense I was hiding something?
Yeah. I pulled shirt over my head, my voice
muffled.
260/396
I heard my mother sigh loudly. It was
more sad than anything. I know you are
worried about Arrick, but he will be fine. He
is a strong and brave warrior. You should
have faith in his abilities.
I hadn t been worried about Arrick, but
now I was. Had news arrived about him? I
opened the door and leaned against the
frame. When will he be back? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]