Page 35 of Of Shadows and Blood

Avonde and Cedric. I audibly gasp.

Cedric flicks his eyes up to me and he blinks rapidly. I can’t read his expression from here, but I know this can’t be good. On that thought, I turn from the courtyard and run back down the length of the east wing, hoping to turn the corner before anything else happens.

“Interesting to see you out here,” Cedric says from behind me. I jump at his voice, whipping around to see him slowly prowl towards me. His brow is slick with sweat and his face is completely unreadable.

How did he get here so fast?

“You said it. I’m not a prisoner, am I?” I ask, feeling the weight of the knife in my boot.

Cedric shakes his head. “No, you’re not. Can I help you with –” he looks me up and down – “something?” My face probably gives away everything. I try to cool my emotions and put on a neutral look, but his obvious annoyance doesn’t go unnoticed.

“No, you can’t.”

Cedric continues walking towards me, stopping a few feet away. His eyes flick to my boots, which noticeably stick out under the dress. “You’re not to be out unaccompanied. It’s not safe.”

“I feel perfectly safe, Your Highness.”

“Don’t call me that,” Cedric bites back at my sarcasm. His height towers over me and the sheer power emanating from his form makes the hairs on my neck rise. “Avonde wants to see you, maybe she can force your mind to find some trust in me.” He walks past me gruffly.

“Why am I here?” I state, more than ask. “Surely it would be better to move me off-site and conceal me from the public.” Cedric stops, his body stilling. Without turning to face me, he sighs audibly and with that, he turns the corner and leaves me.

I’m not sure what sort of king Cedric is, but he isn’t the kind of ruler I always imagined a king to be. His features, expressions and words have gradually hardened since I initially rejected him yesterday morning. Which, to be clear, makes no sense considering we don’t know each other. A part of me slipped when I allowed him to convince me to feed but I won’t make that mistake again. Cess can have human food, I heard Avonde say it. I must build my tolerance so I can survive without the substance.

Out of all the potential obstacles I’m going to run into as I plan my escape, I already know he will be the most difficult.

“How do you fare this morning?” Avonde asks, once again startling me. The sorceress is in a white tunic and pants, which have dirtied, most likely from fighting. She crosses her arms, taking me in. Her eyes, too, catch on my boot. She raises her brows and tilts her head, looking at me curiously. I almost fold and say something stupid back, but she waves me over and turns back to the courtyard.

I will regret this but I reluctantly follow. I have to.

“Fine. So, you fight?” I say, breaking up the uncomfortable silence. She leads us to the pavement, picking some weapons from the ground and reracks them.

“I do,” she says almost cautiously. “As is customary for all cess.”

My eyebrows raise at that. I’m a supposed cess.

“Yes, that means you as well.” She leans against one of the racks, now fully facing me. The light directly hits her face. She’s looks slightly older than me. Her dark skin sweats in the sun, causing a glow. Her curls and braids are up in an unruly bun, a few wisps of them frame her face. She’s truly beautiful.

“As much as I have gratitude for the sentiments, I wanted to do something else with you today.” She smiles and crosses her arms.

It takes me a moment to process what she just said.

“Wait, how can you do that?” I ask.

“Do what?”

“Read my mind,” I press. The invasion of privacy in this place is uncomfortable.

“I’m cess,” Avonde answers, walking closer to me. I remember that’s supposed to answer the question, but I roll my eyes.

“Well, let us begin,” the healer says flipping her palms up to the sky.

“Begin with what?” I say, staring at her like she’s a madwoman.

Avonde looks towards the heavens, sighing. “Your way to health. The physical form. Just put your palms face up.”

With hesitation, I flip my hands, eyeing her. Whatever trick this is, I won’t fall for it. But I have to stop thinking this way. They say I am cess and vampyr, and a small part of me that is ever-growing does believe them. But is this how they would treat a healing patient?

“Think of that odd spark in your hand when you touch the doorknob of the cottage. It’s foreign and fleeting,” Avonde says. “Try closing your eyes and visualize that spark.”