Chapter Twenty-Three 4 page

“What do you think?”

That was unnerving.

I pushed the hair out of my face. “What will the challenges be like?”

“Difficult,” she said. “I cannot make it any other way.”

“What are they?”

“You will see.”

“Why can’t you tell me?”

She touched my brow. “It would be unfair and it would displease the Elders.”

“You are their Queen.”

“Even a queen has rules to abide by.” Her fingers traced the line of my jaw. She stood in a fluid motion, her velvet skirts like dark water. My eyes followed the line of her body, the paleness of her shoulders beyond the sheer sleeves.

“There is a way to avoid all of this,” she murmured thoughtfully.

“How?”

“Come back to me.”

Her words pierced me.

The proposition was sweet, so sweet, and bitter. Why did a part of me enjoy that bitterness?

I lightly shook my head. “No,” I said, “you cast me aside. I am not your pet anymore, nor do I wish to be. I will not voluntarily remain an Underling merely to be cast aside again.”

“You do not realize what I risk by asking you to return to me.”

“Oh?” I said snidely, “Pray tell, what great risk are you taking?”

“You think I simply tossed you aside, but your selfishness blinds you, Epiphany.”

“I don’t understand.”

“No,” she said, “you do not.”

“Then tell me.”

“I do not comprehend it myself, my Queen,” Vasco said smoothly.

Renata moved fast, burying her hand deep within the tresses of my hair. She pulled my head back. Her lips were dangerously close to my cheek as she said, “Have you not wondered why Lucrezia wanted to torment you?”

“I thought she was a sadistic psychopath.”

“There are those Elders that believe I played favorites.”

“You are still their Queen,” I said. “Our Queen. To harm you is a death sentence.”

“A queen is not invincible,” she said, hand traveling down the back of my neck, “just as neither you nor Vasco are invincible.”

Her hand slid distractingly across my shoulder, fingers light and tickling. She touched my cheek again, and this time I turned my head so that my lips brushed her palm.

“You are our creator,” I said against her skin. “You are more powerful.”

Her thumb traced the line of my brow and I shuddered. It wasn’t a sexual gesture, but the sensuality in the way she touched me brought goose bumps to my flesh.

I felt the loss of her.

I had felt it since the day she cast me out.

“Creator. Queen. Siren. I am but one vampire.”

There was a wary knowledge in her eyes that made the breath catch in my throat, not from arousal, but fear.

“What haven’t you told me?”

She looked away, withdrawing her hand. “I have told you nothing that is not of your concern.”

I moved with her as she stood, catching her wrist. “Renata.”

“Epiphany,” she said, but she wasn’t looking at me. Her voice was soft. “Release me.”

I didn’t and she said my name again.

“Bellezza,” Vasco warned.

I shook my head. “No. I have spent the last two hundred years obeying orders. I have spent the last two hundred years huddling beneath the mantle of someone else’s power, afraid that if I did not, someone would break me to their will.”

Renata gave me a considering look. “I broke your will once.”

I smiled sadly. “No, I gave you my will. There is a difference between what one freely offers and what is taken by force. I have huddled like a child for too long. I have been afraid to test my limits, afraid to embrace my abilities, afraid that they would not be enough. My greatest folly is that I have underestimated myself. I see that now.”

She looked at me as if I’d sprouted a second head, not a disgusting one, but one that made her curious. “Are you sure this is not your doing, Vasco?”

“Quite sure, my lady.”

“If you want me,” I said to her, “then you will have to accept me as an Elder.”

“There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, Epiphany. Tread lightly.”

“At times, one must test that line.”

“Be wary that the line does not break,” she said, “for if it does I will not have you at all.”

“Are you saying that these challenges might kill me?”

“The challenges? No. The challengers? Yes.”

Vasco was suddenly beside me. “That is not legal,” he said. “A vampire that does such a thing forfeits their life.”

“It is easy to forfeit that which you do not care about.”

He opened his mouth, then closed it, opened it again. “You would let them slay Epiphany?”

“No,” she said and touched my hair. “My punishment for such a crime would be swift, but I may not punish someone if I am unable to prove just cause.”

“Are you saying they could make it look like an accident?”

“Of sorts, yes. There are fates far worse than death.”

“Tell her,” he said. “She needs to know. You need to prepare her. If there’s one thing I’ve learned with Epiphany, it is that keeping her ignorant will not protect her, Renata.”

She gave Vasco an unfriendly look. I shuddered where her hand had stopped in my hair. “Lucrezia will be among the Elders challenging you.”

A knot of fear wrapped itself within my throat. I swallowed past it. “She will try to kill me?”

“After what I have seen of Vasco’s memory,” she said, “I would not put it past her.”

“I thought you were going to kill her?” I asked.

She wound a piece of my hair around her fingers. “You will find with your power that what a person thinks and what they do are two different and often contradictory things. A thought in a moment of passion is blinded by emotion. I cannot slay her without a reason,” she said. “If I were to slay her before you face your challenges, then the Elders will believe that I am going out of my way to protect you.”

“So?”

“So there has been talk.”

“Of what?” I asked.

Her look sank into my bones. “My death, Epiphany.”

“That is what you would not tell me?”

She gave the slightest of nods.

My heart gave a fierce thump against my ribcage. I would not stand idle if they tried to hurt her. Despite being cast out and despite whatever reasons she had, I could not find it in my heart to sit back and watch her be assassinated.

“Oh, Epiphany,” she murmured, shaking her head. “You cannot protect me.”

“No,” I said determinedly, “but I would die trying.”

She touched my cheek again.

“Now it is I that does not understand you. Earlier, you seethed with hatred of me. Now, you are willing to lay down your life to protect mine? Is it that you accept my reasoning at long last, or that you have forgiven me so soon?”

When she said it like that…I didn’t understand it myself.

“I do not know,” I said. “I only know what I feel.”

“Emotions are misleading,” she said. “They are not a thing to die for.”

“Love,” Vasco said, “love is a noble thing to die for.”

“The days of poets and knights are long gone, my Silver Prince,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Look at the woman before you and tell me you believe that.”

She did and what she thought in that moment, I could not say.

Chapter Five

I was sitting on the edge of Renata’s great bed pulling my leggings back on. I didn’t know exactly how I felt about Vasco implying that I was anything like a poet or a knight. Renata had left us with instructions. She’d given Vasco permission to tell me about the challenges.

“The challenges will take place over the course of seven nights,” he said leaning against the bedpost. He watched me slip my naked foot into the first boot.

Thanks to Renata, I didn’t have any stockings. It unnerved me that I couldn’t remember hearing the thin material rip. I didn’t have time to go back to my room to find another pair.

“What’s tonight?” I asked.

“Physical,” he said. “You won’t face the more metaphysical challenges until the end of your trials. It will be the metaphysical trials you need to prove yourself impressive in.”

“What about Lucrezia?” I tied the boot with a sharp jerk.

He rested his head against the bedpost. “That is something I have been giving some thought to. She is powerful.” He paused and stood straight. “Did you taste her power when she…” He motioned at my back.

I shook my head. “No. She used brute force.”

“She is a creature of fear,” he said cryptically. “I presume she will be one of the metaphysical trials.”

“Do you think she will try to find a way to kill me and make it look like an accident?”

“What do you want?” he asked.

I gave him a perplexed look.

“Truth, or would you like me to, as the Americans say, sugar coat it?”

“Truth,” I said. “I need truth. I’m sick of cowering like some wounded puppy dog.”

I tied the other boot off and stood, smoothing my skirts over the leggings.

“I agree with our Queen. I would not put it past her to try.”

“And what happens if she tries to kill me and I kill her instead?”

To that, all he had to offer was a shrug.

I walked past him to the door that led back out into the hallway. He barred the way with his arm. “Colombina, you need to remember everything, absolutely everything I have taught you in the past. Tonight, you will have to duel with Gaspare. He is quick and light on his feet. Do not underestimate him or overestimate yourself. Be aware. The Elders are a tricky lot. If we can tiptoe around something, we’ll do it.”

“It is strange to hear you count yourself as one of them,” I said.

“I am an Elder, Epiphany. You need to remember that now more than ever.”

I touched the silver tinsel in his long black hair. “You are one worthy of the title,” I said. “I always remember it.”

“Good.” He grabbed the back of my head and pulled me to him. I had a moment of panic before I felt his lips press against my forehead. “Show them what you’re made of,” he whispered, “show them the thorns hidden amongst your beautiful petals, bellezza.”

We stood there for several moments. I was about to pull away when he held my face in his feminine hands.

I stared into those eyes and it was like gazing out over an azure ocean. Vasco bent his head, but not like he was trying to steal a kiss. He opened his mouth and breathed his power on me like some great dragon. I felt his power curling around my face like invisible smoke. I inhaled that power, drew it into my lungs, pulling its metaphysical essence up into my mind until it felt as if I would burst with it.

I saw sunlight glinting on metal. The sounds of steel against steel rang like some heavenly song in my head. I was light on my feet, quick and agile. I was fast. Gods, so quick! My father was a great warrior and king, and few in his realm could catch me. I knew when to push forward, when to fall back. I knew how to twist my blade and how to spot the weaknesses in my opponent’s defense. It was why they called me the Silver Prince, the Sword King’s son.

When I opened my eyes, Vasco’s grin loomed in my vision.

I licked my lips, as if I could taste the knowledge and power lingering there.

“What did you do?” I asked, but this time I was quite aware of myself.

“A gift,” he said. “Tell Gaspare I send my regards.”

He turned and offered me his arm. I slipped my hand in the crook of his elbow. “I get this feeling he’s not going to be happy.”

He patted my hand. “He won’t be. Gaspare never could best me in a fight,” he said.

I laughed. “I could get used to this empathy thing.”

“Sì,” he said, “it beats the hell out of spending years trying to train you.”

I nodded and hoped. No, I prayed. I prayed that the power Vasco had given me was enough. That I would not falter.

I had to beat Gaspare. I had to beat the others.

How was I supposed to defeat the others when they were all so much more powerful than me? I couldn’t absorb everyone’s power.

I had to stand on my own two feet.

I forced myself to focus on beating Gaspare one step at a time. If I worried about the others, especially Lucrezia and whatever mind tricks she’d pull out of her hat, I would only discourage myself.

Thorns.

It felt pretty much like a handful of petals to me.

“The Silver Prince?” I broke the long silence, cocking a brow in his direction as we walked arm in arm.

“Ah,” he said, grinning. “That was a long time ago.”

“Promise me something, Vasco. One day, if I survive these challenges, you will tell me your story and how you came to the Rosso. In all the time that I have known you, you’ve yet to share such things with me.”

“You will live through this, colombina, and one day, if you wish, I will tell you a very boring story.”

I laughed. “With a title such as the Silver Prince, I highly doubt it’s boring, Vasco. It sounds a little peculiar, but somewhat adventurous.”

“Then you’ve something to look forward to.”

I smiled despite myself. “So it seems.”

Chapter Six

I dug my nails lightly into the bend of Vasco’s elbow. Two guards standing like massive statues opened the mahogany double doors as we made our approach. The torchlight flickered in the spacious room beyond. There was enough light to completely illuminate the room, but even so, the shadows danced in corners like eerie specters.

At the northern wall was a row of small thrones reserved for the twelve elders. The eleventh and twelfth chairs were empty. One, I knew was Vasco’s place. The other must’ve belonged to Gaspare.

Renata sat in a throne made out of some type of ebony wood. It was placed higher than the others, the back was high, and the arms were intricately carved and curling. Behind the fall of her skirts she was long enough of leg that her heeled feet touched the floor.

Vasco led me dumbly before her. He went to his knees and I followed.

“Padrona,” he said in his court voice, a voice that was at once charming and untouchably cold. “I bring forth your scion, Epiphany.”

“Vasco, rise and take your place,” Renata said smoothly.

Vasco rose and only then did I take my hand from his arm. I forced myself to stare at the stone floor. If I looked at him I knew my expression would betray how I felt. I was afraid. I was nervous. I hated court politics, but if there was one thing I knew to be true, it was that you did not show weakness to those that would delight in exploiting it.

I sensed Vasco take his seat. It left me feeling suddenly and undeniably very alone. I raised my head enough to look at Renata.

A woman laughed and every hair on my arms stood on end. I didn’t want to look at her, didn’t want to see the face that went with that unmistakable laugh.

I turned and met Lucrezia’s wild eyes, eyes that were the color of fresh spring grass. The bodice that cinched at her waist was a few shades darker. She smiled with lips that were as red as her flaming locks. “Greetings, Epiphany.”

I forced myself to go completely still. I would not give her the benefit of a reaction.

“No hello?” Her red brows arched high. The look she gave me was predatory and amused.

I opened my mouth to follow the protocol of court etiquette when Renata’s voice flowed like something lethal into the silence. “Lucrezia.”

Lucrezia mouthed something. I think it was, “Good luck.”

“Epiphany.” I must’ve been staring at her because Renata’s voice called me out of my thoughts.

I bowed my head. “Yes, my lady?”

“Do you wish to face the challenges?”

“Yes.”

“Do you accept the challenge of a duel from the Elder Gaspare?”

“I do.”

“Rise and choose your sword.”

Dominique was suddenly by my side. He offered his hand to me, to help me stand, but I did not take it. Again, it would be another sign of weakness for the others to exploit. He went to the far wall opposite the thrones, flicking back a tapestry that bore a crest of a griffin on it. There were swords, so many of them. Broadsword, short swords, and twin daggers all gleamed in the torchlight like a deadly bounty. I didn’t own a sword, and thus, I was forced to pick one.

I didn’t want to.

I didn’t want to handle a sword that had been handled before. I went to the wall, trailing the tips of my fingers over the blade of one of the longer swords. The swords had been taken care of, oiled and cleaned. I could smell the faint scent of the oil that had been used on them and knew that they had been cleansed very recently, probably in preparation for the challenge, but one thing they retained were memories.

My fingers faltered as a brief image of masculine hands gripped the pommel. The pommel sported the design of an eagle. I drew the breath in through my nose and moved to the next sword.

Cleansed or no, my powers of empathy were picking up on psychic impressions, memories that had been left behind that no cloth could wipe away. The swords seemed to whisper their histories to me. I knew Lucrezia’s blade before my fingers even brushed the polished steel. It was a modest blade, medium length, with thin crescent guards. It reeked of blood and violence, of death and decay. I shuddered, drawing my hand away. I didn’t want those memories.

It was a shorter blade that caught my attention. Despite its small size, it was the most uniquely crafted blade of the lot. Etched into the shining steel were patterns of spiraling vines, and curled around the pommel was a metallic fox, sleek and sly. I closed my eyes, touching the fox with tentative fingers, feeling its metallic body.

Empty. It was the first sword that was empty of memories. It would do.

Somewhere in the back of my mind were Vasco’s memories, but I kept them pushed back, allowing what knowledge I needed to handle a sword to come through naturally. I took the sword down from the prongs that held it, wrapping my hand around the pommel.

“Is it done?” Renata asked.

Dominique nodded beside me. “It is.”

“Vasco,” she said.

I turned to watch as Vasco crossed the open area. He smiled faintly, but instead of coming to me, he turned and drew his sword. He lowered his blade, tracing an invisible circle in the middle of the room. The double doors clanged opened as a tall figure entered. His black hair was pulled back tight at the nape of his neck. I met his light brown gaze.

He strode into the room like it was his party, full of an arrogance that was not unknown to our kind. It had to be Gaspare. I’d seen him before, but never spoken with him. He wore a dark purple jacket with black lace at the throat. His hand lifted, fingers stroking the little black beard hanging from his chin. “A slip of a girl,” he said, talking to himself. I ignored the comment.

“Inside the circle,” Vasco said, “both of you.”

“Gladly,” Gaspare said striding into the midst of the circle Vasco was creating. I wondered how Gaspare managed to walk in boots that were heeled and went up to his thighs. The fashion seemed a little silly for a duel.

He bowed to me as I cautiously made my way. “Poor child,” he said in heavily accented English. “Poor little rabbit in the wolf’s den.”

“We’ll see,” I said.

“Indeed!” His eyes lit with an inner flame. “We shall,” he said and I heard the sound of steel sliding from its sheath a second before he rushed me.

Chapter Seven

Gaspare was quick. He was almost as quick as Vasco, but I had Vasco’s memories. I whirled backward, keeping my body out of reach as I dodged the tip of Gaspare’s blade like it was second nature to me. I held the fox sword in both hands, driving it upward at an odd angle for defense. Gaspare’s blade met mine in a loud clash of steel. The impact shook my arms. He inclined from the waist up, forcing me to widen my stance as I tried to hold him at bay.

“Hmm,” he mused, “I wasn’t expecting that.”

In truth, neither was I.

Gaspare withdrew his sword in a move almost too quick to see. He tried to bring it down over my head. This time, I didn’t bother trying to block his blade. I dropped into a low crouch, placed my left hand flat on the stone floor, and tucked my head down. The blade cut the air where my head had been only moments before.

I reared up and kicked my right leg out in a sweeping motion.

My foot connected with the back of Gaspare’s left knee. He lost his balance and stumbled, but recovered quickly, springing from foot to foot like a jack-in-the box ready to pop.

He smiled beatifically. “Little one, little one, where do I go?”

I made no reply, instead, I watched him, trying to anticipate his next move.

“Remember,” he said as I dodged the thrust of his blade as it brushed past my cheek, “you can’t stay on the defensive forever. We are fighting ’til third blood.” He flashed fangs. “I get to bleed you twice before defeating you.”

I tried to anticipate his next move, ignoring the baiting remarks he cooed at me. Even with Vasco’s memories like a past life of experience in my skull, Gaspare was better than I was. How could it not be so when they were Vasco’s memories? Vasco was taller, longer of leg and of arm, and the memories I was using were of arms that had more reach.

I clutched the pommel tightly. The memories helped some, when Gaspare pressed me I knew instinctively where my sword needed to be, but I wasn’t confident going on the offensive. Gaspare showed me why when I tried to take advantage of his opening. His sword parried mine smoothly. I had to get past his guard, but couldn’t see how when he kept making me back-step into defense.

A spurt of warmth flickered between my palms.

The sword that had been empty of any memories or any remembrance of what it had been seemed to awaken in my hands. In the back of my mind I saw the image of a very large fox opening its maw in a yawn.

The fox’s brown eyes widened. It yelped, UP!

My arms went up. The vibration of my blade meeting Gaspare’s sang through my body.

It was hard to focus. I tried to see Gaspare, but for a moment, all I could see was the sleek orange fox in my vision.

The fox gave me a considering look and if a fox could smile, that’s what it did, showing its sharpened little canines.

Epiphany. It whispered through my mind in a gentle androgynous voice.

“How do you know my name?”

“What?” Gaspare asked, hesitating as we circled one another like caged tigers.

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

Ye have but to think. The fox eyed me curiously.I know everyone that touches me.

Chills shot up and down my spine.

Whoops! The fox gave a little yip of pain as I hissed through my teeth.

I touched the cut Gaspare had dealt me on my upper arm, fingers coming away with blood.

Gaspare grinned widely.

Bugger that! the fox murmured, licking its injured shoulder. Let go, will ye? He eyed me. Ye seem to have a problem.

What do you mean?

Give me control, my lady.

Why?

The fox sat up, and even sitting he was much taller than any fox I’d seen. His elongated ears swiveled forward. Because, my lady. As ye can see I am a—

His ears flattened in concentration and the sword was suddenly pulling me with it. I followed the blade, trying to match its movement with some measure of grace. As ye can see, the fox growled as Gaspare charged me. The sword pulled me left, right, around, and down as the blade bit into Gaspare’s thigh. He screamed, but I ignored it, using my own strength to pull the blade out while I concentrated on the fox.

Well, bugger, the fox said again. We’ll talk later. All right?

Fine.

Good girl. Now! The fox beamed. Let’s play a little game of cat and mouse!

Before I could ask which role we were playing, the blade thrummed in my hands as we deflected yet another attempt on Gaspare’s behalf. I saw the fox in my vision as if he were curling over my body and taking control of my very being through the sword. No, not control…

Collaboration! The fox yipped in happy delight. I lifted the blade parrying Gaspare’s much longer sword.

The fox smiled a wicked smile that I felt spread across my own lips.

Gaspare’s eyes showed a little too much white around the edges.

And then we went on the offensive. The fox was clever. So clever! He moved through my body like liquid honey, slow and steady, and then like water, quick and nimble. Gaspare sought my neck with the blade and I bowed my entire body back, springing up and driving the tip of the fox blade into his stomach.

Second blood! The fox’s words echoed my thoughts, but he added, hastily, One more drop to go!

It didn’t take long. We played cat and mouse, falling back, then suddenly going on the offensive when Gaspare least expected it. We allowed him to wear himself out, and I found myself so in tune with the fox that I completely forgot about Vasco’s memories.

Gaspare gave an inhuman growl of frustration and tried to drive the point of his blade into my face. With the fox’s aid, I saw the opening. We skipped to the side on the tips of our toes. I stopped the flat part of the blade with an open palm, the fox blade steadily balanced in my right hand, my hand went back, and the sword sang forward and into Gaspare’s stomach.

I rode the sword through his body, until I felt the tip of the blade hit the stone floor.

An echo of power dripped into my words as the fox and I hissed, “Third blood!”

I jerked the blade free and Gaspare fell over, clutching the wound. Already, his body struggled to heal it.

Renata’s voice carried throughout the room. “Epiphany has drawn third blood. Are all in agreement that she is the winner of this duel?” She glanced down the row of Elders and the look on her face challenged them to defy her.

They didn’t.

Slowly, fists went out and thumbs went up.

Lucrezia eyed me across the distance. She held her thumb up, in agreement with the entire party.

The wound on my shoulder had already healed. Unfortunately, the sleeve of my dress hadn’t and blood was still trickling down my arm. Vasco smiled brightly and then sent a questioning look at Renata. She inclined her head. He rose and as he had earlier, traced his sword around the circle Gaspare and I had fought in, this time, counter-clockwise.

Gaspare was getting to his feet, but the sour expression on his face was all for me. “I do not know how you did it,” he whispered, “but the next battle we fight, I assure you, little rabbit, you will not be so lucky.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said softly, holding the sword against my skirts with the blade pointing down. A droplet of blood fell and hit the stone floor.

Gaspare stood with an effort, wiping his blade on the trim of his jacket.

As if there’s much blood to wipe off, the fox crooned in victory.

Hush, you.

‘T is all right to gloat a little.

I’ve got bigger things to worry about.

Ahh, yes, he mused,like that one there and the look she is giving ye…

Renata’s beautiful eyes met mine. Her voice whispered through the confines of my skull. We need to talk.

Oh, yes, the fox said, we most definitely should!

Renata’s eyelids flickered in surprise

Fox, I thought.

I closed my eyes, blocking out the sight of Renata.

The fox lowered his head. My lady, I am Cuinn, he said with a lilting tongue. Ye do not have to keep calling me “fox.”

Cuinn, then, I said. Please, stop doing that right now.

Stop what?

Jabbering.

He inclined his head again. As ye wish, but I am going nowhere.

What do you mean?

Ye woke me, Cuinn said yawning. It was your power that woke me, and now I and the sword are in your keep.

I watched him give a lazy smile as he curled up, nuzzling his nose into his fluffy tail.

Wonderful.

It is, he said. I like ye.

I shook my head and jumped when a hand touched my shoulder.

“Colombina, are you well?” Vasco asked.

“I’m fine,” I said and realized that we were the only two vampires left in the room. “Where did everyone go?”

“They left.”

“When?”

“A few minutes ago,” he said. “Are you sure you’re fine?”

I nodded.

He gave me a look that told me he didn’t believe me and then held out his hand.

I arched a brow.

“The sword,” he said.

At that, Cuinn leapt to his feet and screamed, NO!

I shook my head. “It’s mine. I can’t.”

“It’s not yours, Epiphany. The sword doesn’t belong to anyone.” His voice was tender, as if I’d lost my marbles somewhere during the fight.

“It does now!” The fox made my words a whispered growl.

Vasco actually took a step back. He held up his hands. “I’m sorry.”

Good, Cuinn seemed to settle down.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 681