Page 18

DAHLIA

“ B loody hells, that’s clever, that is,” Braddock says as he studies another pair of the gauntlets I’ve made. I’ve improved a bit upon the design from the set Alaric had admired the day of the Choosing, and I plan to give this set to Wesley, another pair on the way for Nova. I smile at the big man and wipe a dirty hand across my brow.

“Thank you.”

“You’ve got your father’s eye for the craft, that’s for sure. I’m honored to have you work at my forge, my Lady,” he says with a bow of his head. I giggle but bow in return, unable to hide my joy at his compliment.

“Thank you. And thank you for letting me mess about here. It helps with the homesickness.”

“Well, you are welcome here anytime. It’s nice to have someone around who knows what they’re doing.” He says the last a bit louder, directing the words to his apprentice in the other room, Singh.

“I’m from a fucking fishing village,” Singh replies indignantly, poking his head through the doorway. “I’ve never done this shite before!” His dark hair is falling out of the knot on the top of his head, the strands not quite long enough to stay put, but too long to remain down while he works. He blows a lock away from his face in an annoyed huff. “I’m bluidy trying.”

“You’re doing just fine,” I say, trying to sound encouraging without sounding patronizing. “I set my trousers on fire on three separate occasions while I was learning.”

“Well, I haven’t done that ,” Singh says, smiling pointedly at Braddock, looking a little smug.

The blacksmith rolls his eyes. “Give it time, lad.” He winks at me and I can see that he has affection for the new recruit. I think the young vampire will get the hang of things quickly, but Braddock is putting him through his paces to be sure, making him do all the dirty work that’s no fun for anyone. Despite being his daughter, da had never spared me that either, so I feel Singh’s pain.

Takara clears her throat from the doorway.

“My Lady, if you are quite done with your…work,” she says, glancing around the shop and wrinkling her nose slightly, making Braddock and I both laugh, “I thought we might be due for a visit to the village? One of the soldiers just came back and said that Madam La Cruz’s dog has had her puppies!” I swear the vampire barely stops herself from jumping up and down like a giddy schoolgirl. Though, I can’t fault her. Who doesn’t love puppies?

I tell Braddock and Singh a quick goodbye and head out the door.

“We are…friends now, are we not?” Takara asks as we walk quickly towards the cabin, both clearly eager to get on the road to the village.

“Well, you do keep calling me my Lady , which is not something a friend would really do…” Takara rolls her eyes.

“That is a very hard habit to break after so many years,” she says defensively, and I can’t help but laugh.

“But yes, I would consider us friends, why?”

“Good. Because as a friend: I must insist that you bathe before we go to the village.”

I throw my head back and laugh, and hear chortles behind me from Malcom and Cyrus. I stick my tongue out at them.

“I suppose I can accommodate that request.”

“Oh thank the gods,” Takara says with a dramatic sigh of relief.

After a bath and a change of clothes, we set off for the village. I’m excited for an afternoon away from the camp. Nova is still off with Alaric, though Takara says they should be back this evening or tomorrow, and Wesley is out on watch, so I’ve been a bit lonely. Plus, I’ve become very fond of the village and its inhabitants, knowing almost everyone by name by now.

We make our way towards the jewelry shop. I’ve never cared much about jewelry, but Enid loves it and the owner, Rayner, is one of my favorite people here.

“Lady Dahlia!” Rayner exclaims, grinning widely and showing off his gold-capped teeth. He begins to make his way towards me, but I quickly cross the space to him instead. The man is almost ninety—if I can save him a bit of walking, I’m happy to do it.

“How are you, Master Rayner?”

“You are too kind to an old man, my Lady,” he says, taking my hand in his and patting it gently with the other. “I am well, as I hope that you are.” I incline my head in answer and the man beams. “Good, good.” He holds up a finger, telling me to wait a moment. I arch a brow but obey as he shuffles behind the swinging doors that lead into the back room of the shop. He emerges a few moments later carrying a small case.

“I think you may like some of my newest pieces. I have several amethyst and blue topaz—your sister’s favorite, yes?”

I smile widely. “You remembered!” I’m touched by the old man’s kindness. He proffers the case, opening it so that I can see its contents and I gasp.

“These are beautiful, ” I breathe. Rings and necklaces and bracelets lay within the velvet lining of the case, all of them expertly crafted, the delicate details surrounding the stones making them truly stunning.

“You are again too kind, my Lady,” Rayner says, bowing his head. He breaks out into a coughing fit and I reach out to place a hand on his shoulder to steady him.

“Are you alright?” I ask, worriedly. I know that he has problems with his lungs, but he has medicine for it. Is it not working? The coughing subsides and he pats my hand gently.

“I’m fine, I’m fine. I’ve had to cut back on the amount of medicine I take. The coughing is a bit worse now because of it, but it’s alright.” He smiles warmly at me, gray eyes shining with kindness.

“Why have you cut back?”

“It is not something you need to worry yourself with, my Lady.”

I give him a pointed look and cross my arms over my chest, letting him know that I won’t be leaving without an answer. He looks somewhere between exasperated and touched, and exhales roughly, admitting defeat.

“You remind me much of my youngest granddaughter, Rosalind.” He gives me a soft smile. “She is as stubborn and immovable as the mountains, just like you. The medicine has become quite expensive, my Lady. I cannot afford to pay the apothecary for the amount I used to take.”

A rush of shame spills through me. Here I am, spending the abundance of wealth belonging to the Montclares freely on whatever frivolous thing I wish, while Rayner has to go without medicine he desperately needs.

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly and he waves the words away.

“It is no worry, my Lady. I promise, I am fit as a fiddle. A ninety-six-year-old fiddle, true, but I can still carry a tune.” He winks and I huff out a laugh.

“Well, I will take this lot, please.”

“Of course, my Lady.” He bows his head and closes the case, eyes crinkling at the edges when he smiles. I thank him and promise to visit again soon. Once outside, I walk purposefully towards the apothecary shop. He’s more than happy to help me in my mission of making sure Rayner never pays for medicine again. I pay the man double what a year's supply of the medicine would cost.

“This is quite generous of you, my Lady,” Fredrich says as he makes a note in his ledger.

“Are there many others like Rayner? Who cannot afford the things they might need?”

“At times, yes, my Lady.” I nod, mind made up.

“If someone cannot pay, you will give them what they need—you may take whatever they can give or nothing at all, I’ll leave that to you—but send word to the camp and I will make sure you are paid for your wares and services.”

Fredrich’s brows arch so high that they’re hidden in his black-and-gray hair. “Truly, my Lady?”

“Yes, of course.” He blinks, tilting his head to study me.

“You are…very unlike the last Consort I met.”

“I will take that as a most esteemed compliment,” I say with a smile. His lips curl upward as well.

“It was meant as one, my Lady.” He inclines his head and then adds, “I will take whatever people can give. The village is small, but proud. I will take payment in whatever form someone can offer, I promise on my honor, my Lady.”

My eyes prick with tears, and I’m not even sure why.

“We have a deal then.” I smile and offer my hand. He laughs lightly and takes it, shaking it gently.

“A deal, Lady Dahlia.”

My heart feels lighter as we head to Madam La Cruz’s, feeling as if I’m finally doing something good with the wealth and privilege given to me because of the Choosing. I finally feel as if I…matter.

“That was truly wonderful,” Takara says quietly. “I am…I am very proud to be your Keeper and friend, Dahlia.”

I smile widely and she does the same, bumping my shoulder softly with hers. I open my mouth to say something sweet and profound back, but I don’t get the chance.

“Puppies!!” Takara squeals, streaking up the path to Madam La Cruz’s cottage where a small pen in the front garden holds squirming, rolling, balls of golden fluff. Seeing a vampire overcome by the cuteness of puppies is something to behold, and I can’t help but join in. We ooh and ahh and cuddle the puppies for well over an hour, and even the guard are not immune.

“You are a very good boy, yes. The best boy even. You will be called Muffin. Would you like that?” We all turn to gape at Descartes as he coos to the puppy in his hands, holding the little face up to his own, pressing their noses together. He sees us and clears his throat, putting the pup back down with his siblings. “Not a word,” he says to all of us, sternly. “Not one fucking word.” We all try to hide our smiles and laughter, but it doesn’t work very well.

I promise the old woman that I’ll be back to spoil the puppies soon and she assures me that I’m welcome any time. I eye Descartes and I think he might just come back and buy Muffin for himself.

We leave the village a few hours later, full of puppy cuddles and pie (me) and blood (everyone else).

“Today was a very good day,” Takara says, smiling and resting her head on the velvet-lined cushion behind her.

“It was,” I agree. The day was wonderful, with good deeds done and relationships strengthened, and knowing that Nova will be back soon, safely within the camp, makes everything just that much better. And, alright, yes, Alaric being back is a relief as well. Despite everything, I still feel ill at ease with him gone. I wish I could explain it or even understand it.

Takara and I both frown, brows furrowing as the carriage lurches to a stop. We’re still at least two hours from the camp, I’m sure.

“What’s going on?”

“Stay here, I’ll check.” Takara slips quickly out of the carriage. I obey for sixty-seven seconds before climbing out and joining Takara and the guard farther up on the road. Takara exhales in exasperation. “You cannot follow the simplest of instructions, can you?”

“Not at all,” I say, not even the tiniest bit sorry. Descartes’ lips quirk before he winks at me and trots off.

“How did that happen?” I ask, nodding to the giant tree lying across the road.

“Old tree, that’s all. Not to worry, we’ll have it moved in short order,” Malcom says, walking past us to join Descartes, Viktor, and Cyrus beside the trunk, discussing the best way to go about moving it, judging by their hand gestures. Isaiah and Kane pace along the edge of the road, scanning the tree line.

“Go wait inside the carriage. It will be taken care of soon,” Takara says before moving closer to the tree. To bark orders at the men, most likely, I think with a grin. I sigh, but agree that I’m not much help when it comes to moving behemoth tree trunks from the road. I walk down the line of horses, stopping to stroke noses and necks as I pass, taking my time to get back to the carriage. The forest is thick on either side of the road here, mountains in the near distance rising up like giants standing watch over the travelers. The leaves have changed from green to beautiful shades of red and orange and yellow, resembling a tapestry of multicolor flames against the dark stone of the mountains.

I reach out to pet Kane’s horse, a chocolate brown brute that I named Coco. He leans into my touch and I laugh, scratching his neck and up behind his ears. He noses at my stomach, searching for the treats I often have in my pockets when I come to visit the stables.

“I don’t have any carrots today, greedy boy.” He huffs indignantly and raises his head again, staring straight ahead as if he’s cross with me. I can’t help but laugh, but then a strange feeling settles over me, making the fine hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

A heartbeat later, an arrow buries itself in Coco’s eye before bursting out of the back of his skull, hot blood spraying and coating my face and neck.