Chapter 26

ARIC

I watched Eleanor saddling Whisper. Then she hoisted herself up expertly, gripping the reins. She cast me a sour look.

“I wanted to ride alone,” she informed me.

“Not going to happen,” I told her, pulling myself up onto a large bay. She glared at me.

“I don’t need a babysitter,” she snapped.

“I’m not your babysitter. Did you think that maybe I wanted to ride too?”

She cocked her head to one side, her eyes widening. “That’s okay then, I suppose,” she mumbled and gave the horse a little kick.

I followed her out of the barn at a canter. She took off at a full gallop, choosing the road hugging the side of the lake. I watched her stance.

She had learned to ride very fast and spent half of her time in the barn with Father, and I cared for the horses.

She and Whisper had grown together, learned together, and as I watched her ride, I realized that they could communicate with the smallest movements.

She flew ahead of me, never looking back, her breathing heavy and her heart racing. I followed on the bay, keeping my distance, letting her vent whatever nine-year-old little girls needed to vent.

She stopped and drew her horse to a light canter, then to a stop. As I caught up, she slipped off her horse and led it to the lake to cool down.

She sat down in the grass, stretched her little legs out, and leaned back, staring up at the stars.

“Aric,” her voice was soft, but she knew I could hear her. “I know something is wrong, and I know it’s my fault. Could you tell me how to fix it? I don’t want to see Mother cry.”

She rolled over and looked at me.

I pursed my lips and came to sit down next to her. She stared up at me, wide-eyed.

“Firstly, it’s not your fault,” I started. “It’s Mother’s fault. And secondly, there’s nothing we can do about it right now.”

She was quiet, propping herself up to look at the water. She was still breathing hard from her ride, but I saw her shiver slightly in the cold air.

“Aric. Why are we moving?”

“To keep you safe.”

“From who?”

“Whom. From everyone.”

She blinked at me. “Gosh, I am in danger, aren’t I?”

I grinned at her. “You always have been.”

“Do vampires have the same emotions as humans?” she asked, blowing at the dark curl that had fallen in her eyes.

“Yes, but we have many more years to learn how to control them.”

“Does it make you sad or mad to have me as a sister?” she demanded, turning to look at me. “I know I’m a burden. I’m not an idiot.”

I considered my answer. “It makes me frustrated,” I told her.

Her eyes widened. “Frustrated?”

“Yes. Eleanor, you smell delicious to me. I want you to imagine the smell of a chocolate cake baking in the oven, or maybe that roast chicken you like. That’s what you smell like to me.”

“Food.”

“Yeah.”

“So, I’m totally a burden.”

I ran my fingers through my hair. “Eleanor.”

I reached out and grasped her small palm. Her skin was warm, slightly sticky with sweat. I could feel her heartbeat through their thin skin.

“I’m not going to lie to you. I never will. So, you understand when I tell you that you’re not a burden. You never were. We love you. I love you.”

She nodded at me once, giving me a small smile. “Thanks, Aric. You’re the best brother.” I chuckled and ruffled her hair. She swatted my hand away, scowling.

“I’m cold,” she told me, rubbing her hands up her arms.

“Let’s get back then. The sun will be coming up soon,” I stood and reached my hand out for her. She grasped it and pushed herself up, leaping into the air with an exhilarated grin.

We rode back at a canter, Eleanor telling me about her new plan to set up jumps for her and Whisper to learn.

When we got back to the castle, it was quiet. The sun was just rising over the horizon. Its warm light instantly made my head hurt. I hurried the horses into the stable and pushed Eleanor quickly inside.

The curtains were drawn, so I was able to accompany Eleanor up to her room. She quickly closed the curtains for me. Her room was warming up, just slightly, but enough to make me uncomfortable.

She reached for her book on her bedside table and gave me a sheepish look.

“I promise I won’t read too late.” She grinned.

“Fine, I won’t tell Mother.” Though I knew she could probably hear our conversation.

Eleanor beamed at me and settled down in her bed, already engrossed in her book. I paused, then leaned down and kissed her forehead lightly.

Her skin was very soft, the racing of her heart loud in my ears. I pulled back quickly, not quite enough to see her giving me the biggest smile.

I winked at her and slipped out of her room, closing the door before I sped downstairs to my room in the dungeon below.

“Aric.”

I stopped in the living room. Father was sitting on one of the settees sipping a glass of B positive. He stood; his brow deeply furrowed.

“How is she?” he asked.

“Confused. But she’s strong.”

He nodded in agreement. “Your mother and I, we’ve made a decision.”

He sipped his drink. “You and your sisters will stay here with Selene and Orion. The girls aren’t four hundred yet. We need you to stick around a little longer to watch over them.

“Your mother and I, we’re going to take Eleanor with us.”

“Where will you go?”

“Probably Iquitos. We’ll keep moving.”

“For how long?”

“Until she’s old enough to survive on her own.”

“What did Grandfather say exactly? Is the law in place? When are they voting?”

“The king has called a special council for the vote. Sometime next year. He invited us to the council.”

“Will you go?”

“We don’t have a choice. King’s orders. Who would have expected us to be in this situation?” he chuckled.

I shrugged before turning back to my room.

“Let’s all hope she’s worth it in the end,” I murmured.