Royally Cursed, page 11
part #2 of Vampire Princess Series
Or night.
I really hoped this wasn’t a ploy to get me to fool around with him. I knew he wasn’t going to force the issue, but I didn’t want to keep rejecting him.
Besides, I wasn’t 100% certain that I would.
My eyes widened in appreciation as we got closer. We swam around the edge of the island until even the faint light from the bonfire was not visible any longer.
Wow, now we were really, really alone.
I was surprised at the size and untamed beauty of it. Huge, craggy mounds of bedrocks formed a small cove on one side of the island. We waded into the shallows, staring up at the majestic trees.
Remember not to touch them, Soph. You don’t want to create a beacon for the New Leaders.
Or the Daily Mirror.
It was one of the many ironies of life but the Mirror was a must-read for vamps. Accoring to Caleb, the London-based newspaper was one of the most accurate reports of supernatural activity. He read it online daily.
Of course, the news was obscured and made even more fantastical, but he could see below the surface and read between the lines. He called it Vampire News Daily when we were alone at home. Which I appreciated, since it almost sounded like a joke.
“Wow, this is gorgeous.”
“Do you want to look around?”
I shook my head swiftly.
“I’m afraid I’ll… hurt it.”
He stared at me curiously, his wet skin gleaming in the moonlight.
“What?”
“Sometimes when I touch things— they change.”
“Like what?”
“Well, plants mostly. But also some lower lifeforms. Insects so far. And trees.”
“Jesus, Soph.”
“Yeah, just another non-perk of my exotic lifestyle.”
He laughed.
“You’re a funny girl, Sophie.” He stepped closer, his eyes serious. His hand brushed my wet hair back from my face and over my shoulders. “But then again, you’re not really a girl, are you?”
He was going to kiss me. I knew it. And I knew I should stop it.
But nobody ever said I was stellar in the good decision department.
My voice was soft as his fingers grazed my cheek.
“I am a girl.”
His lips came closer, his eyes a gorgeous sparkling blue, visible even in the dim light. Water lapped against my legs as I leaned towards him.
“I know.”
Our lips met and I sighed, trying not to melt into him. He gripped my arms, pulling me closer. I felt his wet skin press against my suit. It was sweet and sultry and perfect. He was perfect.
The kiss might have gone forever, if it weren’t for the scream.
The bloodcurdling shriek tore us apart. I ran into the water and swam back around the island towards the shore, where the party was going. I could see a shape thrashing in the water.
“She’s drowning!”
I took off without thought, hearing Dylan close behind me. I swam as quickly as I could for the girl. I recognized her, even at that distance.
Trisha had swam out too far. It occurred to me she was most likely trying to spy on us. She had gotten too far from shore for anyone there to reach her in time. I had a horrible feeling this was happening because of me.
I was even farther away from her but with my speed I could reach her.
So I did.
The water churned around me as I sped towards her. I knew I’d lost Dylan. I also knew that if Trisha or anyone saw me, they would know I was, um, different.
But there was no way I was letting her drown.
I grasped her head by the hair, lifting her so her face was well above the water. Then I slammed on her back, making her choke and spit out mouthfuls of water.
I had zero idea about actual CPR, but it seemed to get the job done.
“Get off me!”
I smiled at her grimly as she started to flail. I could smell booze on her. Lots of booze. It looked like she’d pounded some seriously strong stuff after we disappeared. And then she’d had the brilliant idea to swim out into the lake alone, probably to track us down.
Humans were so silly sometimes.
“Not gonna happen.”
I held her wrists together with one hand and swam for shore at a moderate pace, using the side stroke. She was still choking and hissing at me, but she wasn’t gonna die.
Didn’t mean I had to treat her with kid gloves. She wasn’t making this easy for me. I decided getting her to shore alive was my only responsibility here.
I dragged her onto the shore and onto the sand as everyone stared. People crowded around us immediately. I dropped her, rolling her onto her stomach. She puked up some water and started coughing.
Just like that, it was over. She sat on the sand with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, glaring at me.
“You bruised my wrists! Look what she did to me!”
One of the guys I knew from the football team mentioned that I had saved her life and she should thank me. She chose to ignore it. I rolled my eyes, thinking she was extremely ungrateful and a big ole ‘b’ on top of it.
I pinned a sickly sweet smile on my face.
“You are welcome.”
She sneered at my sarcastic tone.
“Janelle was right about you. You think you’re so great.”
I crossed my arms over my chest.
“No, I don’t. I do think I’m a pretty good swimmer though. And I’m way too smart to do it drunk.” Her eyes darted behind me and she paled. I knew she just got confirmation that I’d been alone out there with Dyl. I couldn’t resist a parting jab. “Or alone.”
I glanced over my shoulder as Dylan came out of the water. He was silent as he stood beside me. I said a mental ‘thank you’ that he was in fact wearing swim shorts. Other people were trying to help Trisha, bringing her water and rubbing her back. And others were congratulating me on the save.
Someone even said I should apply for a lifeguard position.
It sounded so normal that I almost wished I could do it. I tried to picture what it would be like if I was human. I’d get sunburned. Dylan would be worried about me trying to save anyone bigger than a kid. And Trisha would call me a slut every chance she got.
Yeah, like I wanted to hang out with Trisha with Dylan around ever again. All the nopes to that. Plus, I had a war to prepare for.
He took my hand and squeezed it.
“You okay, Soph?”
“Yeah. Fine. I think I want to go home.”
He nodded and ran to get our stuff. I stood by myself, ignoring everyone who was staring at my curiously. I’d swum really, really fast to reach Trisha, but I didn’t think they had seen me. Trisha might have had a clue when I appeared out of nowhere though.
I just hoped her night vision sucked.
She hadn’t been joking about her wrists. They were already turning a dark purple. Oops. The bruises were kind of hard to explain. Hopefully nobody would make a big deal about that.
There were way too many people here to glamour, even if they did.
Fantastic.
Chapter 23
“Well, that was something.”
“Remember when I said you could date?”
I knew Dylan didn’t want to hear it. He certainly didn’t want me to date. He made a funny sound and kept his eyes on the road. It was dark out and deer were everywhere.
“Well, I take it back.”
“You do?”
He looked startled, relieved and thrilled. I just nodded.
“Yes. You can date anyone except her.”
He laughed, shaking his head. But I could feel his disappointment. He’d been hoping I meant something else entirely.
“She’s alright. She just got a little obsessed.”
I snorted.
“That’s an understatement.”
“What can I say? I’m obsessable.”
I rolled my eyes, slinking down in my seat. I smelled like lake water. Not gross, but a little murky. It had been refreshing at first but now I was getting cold.
“Hey, you need another towel?”
I was already sitting on a towel and wearing my clothes over my damp suit. Dylan reached back and grabbed one, laying it over me with one hand.
The other hand was still driving.
“I hope you don’t text and drive.”
“No, I don’t do that.” He sounded disgruntled. “I’m not an idiot, Soph.”
“I didn’t think you were, Dyl.”
I was cranky and taking it out on him. He didn’t deserve it. He cleared his throat.
“Maybe you should have a sip of that stuff.”
That was his subtle way of telling me I was grumpy. But he was right. It probably would help take the edge off.
“Oh. Right.”
To think that 24 hours ago I’d been chained up, afraid I would go Texas Chainsaw Massacre on any human I crossed paths with. Now I was steady. Strong. I wasn’t even thirsty. Not really.
Dylan’s blood had cured me.
Well, to be fair it was Dylan and Maxim’s blood. Now they were both connected to me. And I owed them both my life.
The last thing I wanted to do was hurt either one of them.
This war would put them at risk though, no matter what I did. And as long as I survived, I was going to go to war. I had to. I was painfully aware that my father was suffering, and Maxim’s mother as well. As well as untold humans who were being treated like sheep.
It was more than my destiny to put an end to their reign. It was my duty.
I sighed, taking a swig of the mixture Bernard had made me. I closed my eyes in pleasure. It really did hit the spot.
I took another sip and put it back in the cup holder.
“You hungry?”
“Nightfall, yes.”
“Nightfall?”
“Oh, it’s like saying ‘oh, God’ or something. Nightfall is to vamps what God is to humans. Kind of?”
I was rambling but Dylan was right. I was famished. Low blood sugar must be making me stupid. I shut up abruptly.
“So… you are hungry.”
I laughed and nodded.
“Yes.”
He pulled into a fast food restaurant when we hit a major road on the way into town. We hit the drive-thru, getting me fries and a chocolate shake. Dyl got a soda and fries.
“Fries are the perfect driving food.”
“What about chicken nuggets?”
He gave me a warning look, shaking his head sternly.
“Don’t ever order the meat.”
I nodded.
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about going vegetarian actually.”
“Seriously? Don’t you crave blood?”
“Not anymore.” I give him a warm look and he beamed. “But even before today, I was starting to feel really bad about it. I don’t want to… end life. For anyone.”
“You’ve got a big heart.”
I sighed. That wasn’t it exactly. I felt more like a sucker than a bleeding heart most days.
“I don’t really. It’s just not right.”
“Like not letting Trisha drown.”
“Yeah. Even if she did call me a slut like eight times.”
“Eight?”
“Well at least three times. That I could hear.”
Dylan laughed.
“You are the farthest thing from a slut there is. Not that there is anything wrong with… well, you know.”
I tried to ignore the thread of disappointment in his voice.
“Uh… thanks?”
He pulled back onto the highway, snagging a fry from the cup holder now and then. I munched mine and washed them down with the shake.
Oh my goodness that was a good combination.
It was a delicious explosion on salty and hot and sweet and cold… hmmm, maybe this was even better than pancakes.
Or maybe not.
“You’re going to have to talk to Kah.” I said, staring into the darkness ahead.
“Yeah.”
I took a swig of the cold shake and winced. Brain freeze. I cleared my throat, hoping he would get the seriousness of talking to Karen.
“I would try to catch her in a good mood.”
Dylan shook his head.
“She’s never in a good mood anymore.”
“Well, she’s got a lot of weight on her shoulders.” I sounded defensive, which was weird. But it was true. Karen and I both had a lot on our shoulders.
Dylan cast me a probing look.
“She does?”
I nodded.
“She’s practicing magic. Learning from your Great Aunt. And she knows what I am. Even the Princess part.”
I don’t want to blame her for the breakup so I left that part of it out. Dylan nearly hits the brakes anyway though.
“She does?”
“Yeah. I thought I told you that,” I said, nodding. “But I didn’t tell her. She just knew.”
“I feel kind of stupid now.”
“No, Dyl. Karen is more in touch with her gifts, that’s all. Your Great Aunt is the one who confirmed it for her. It doesn’t mean you don’t have your own… abilites waiting to be developed.”
“I guess that’s true.” He gave me a rueful smile. “But do I want these gifts?”
“Trust me, I ask myself that all the time.”
Chapter 24
“Where the hell did you go?”
I stood on the porch, staring at Maxim. His skin was flushed. He must have fed recently.
A thought flashed through my mind. A jealous thought.
Who had he fed on? Had he kissed her? Had he done more?
I knew Maxim had a flair for the dramatic when feeding. I also knew he had a reputation for romancing the women he fed off of in the past. Beautiful women, I was sure.
Not seventeen-year-old girls who didn’t know what they wanted from him.
As much as I pretended he didn’t get to me, he did. Especially now. He looked gorgeous standing there with his cheeks slightly flushed. Almost human, but you know… better. I liked the way his skin felt when he was warm with fresh blood. He was confident and a little brazen about all the vamp stuff I didn’t understand yet.
That night I rode behind him on his motorcycle had been amazing.
I’d felt things for him then, long before drinking his blood.
This was a dangerous line of thought. I exhaled and squashed it immediately. Maxim was radiaiting jealousy and anger, and looked far too handsome for my peace of mind.
Tortured bad boy was a really, really good look on him.
Dylan, meanwhile was standing beside me, radiating something else entirely. He was smug and hopeful.
And I was going to have to crush them both.
But not tonight. Tonight I wanted to relax. Tonight I was going to enjoy this. The sense of doom that had been hanging over me relentlessly was gone. I was free. And, well, so what if there were cute boys all over the place confusing my emotions?
Not exactly the worst problem to have.
“We went out. Sophie needed some air.”
Maxim scoffed, crossing his arms defensively.
“You don’t even know her true name.”
“She’ll tell me when she wants to. I don’t pressure her like that.”
Maxim growled and stepped forward.
I shook my head.
“Enough guys. I need to wash the lake off me.”
“You went to a lake.” Maxim prodded, waiting for more information. “Where is this lake?”
“It’s in the state park. There was a party and—”
Maxim turned on Dylan, practically growling.
“You took her to a place with humans? Are you mad? What if the hunger returned?”
“It didn’t. Not after she drank my blood.”
Maxim stepped forward threateningly. I knew they didn’t like each other. Maybe that was instinctual, on top of everything else. The whole Fae versus Vampire thing. But if they actually fought each other, Max could kill Dylan.
Best to put the brakes on, and fast.
I exhaled, turning to Dylan.
“You should go home, Dyl. It’s getting late.”
“Yes. You should go home, boy.”
“Maxim!”
He smirked.
“Well, he is a boy. I am a four-hundred-year old man. There is no comparison.”
I rolled my eyes as Dylan made the most of that particular bit of information.
“Gross. You are way too old for her, dude.”
“Enough! I’m not a piece of candy for you two to fight over.” I started muttering as I walked into the house. “Bunch of babies.”
I smiled to myself as Maxim growled.
“Did she just call us babies?”
Dylan laughed, not in the least upset.
“She did. Goodnight Sophie.”
I turned back to wave goodbye to Dylan. He grinned at me, his voice chipper. He thought he had won. And I guess he had.
This round anyway.
“Goodnight.”
His smile crinkled.
“See you tomorrow. During the day.”
Maxim growled again, following Dylan out. He walked down the long driveway to find his car by the road. I made a face, realizing I should have driven him to it.
Ugh, but I couldn’t legally drive yet.
Not unless I wanted Caleb and Bernard to go crazy. I decided that the first thing I was doing was taking my driver’s test. No more training. Nothing.
Not until I could drive.
Maxim came inside and looked at me.
“We don’t need him.”
“Yes, we do.”
“I will be happy to collect a pint of blood from him a few times a month. I can ride a thousand miles in any direction in one night. I’d go even farther to do that for you.” He grinned wolfishly at me. “That’s where the boy belongs. Farther.”
“Very funny, Maxim.”
“I’m not joking.”
I sighed. “I know you’re not.”
“So what now?”
“Shower. Or bath. And then tomorrow we begin again.”
“But it’s early!”
I yawned, stretching my arms over my head. It was early for a vamp. But I felt different. Not more human exactly but maybe… I don’t know… less vamp?
“I know. But for some reason, I really want to sleep. In my own bed.”
