CHAPTER30
Wife?
Wife?
My mind repeats the word time and again. Are bloodsworn and wife the same in vampir society? “Ruvan—” I don’t get a chance to ask.
“Ventos, we’re heading back to the castle.”
“Go on ahead,” Ventos says.
“It’s getting late and Lavenzia will grump if she has to come hunting for you while the Succumbed are more active.”
Ventos sighs. “All right, all right.”
He leaves his wife’s side and falls in line with us as we weave through the other slumbering vampir. I try and focus on anything other than bloodsworn and wife being used in the same sentence—as possibly having the same meaning. My desperation has me asking for more personal information from Ventos than I ever have…or wanted.
“Do you visit her often?”
He side-eyes me. “What’s it to you?”
“I’m just curious. Ruvan said she’s your—” I choke slightly on the word and clear my throat, quickly recovering. “—wife.”
Ventos glares at Ruvan, but quickly abandons the emotion with a heavy sigh. “Yes, she is. And I used to come much more. It’d been too long.”
“Do you still come before you do something that could get you killed?” Ruvan asks.
“Every time.” Ventos folds his arms, as if he’s trying to shield himself from these personal questions.
“Do you ever think of waking her?” I’ve never seen Ventos this vulnerable, or tender before. I can’t help but wonder what sort of woman would end up with him. For the first time, I think of him as having a part of him that could be considered soft.
“Every day. But more than I want her as a companion, I want to build a world she can return to. I want to help end this so she can wake up and help rebuild.” He smiles weakly, arms falling limp at his sides. “She’s a brilliant healer and one of the last. The generation of vampir that returns to the world is going to need her. She’s too precious to waste on us now.”
“We’ll make a good world for her,” I say.
He seems startled by my confidence. Ventos pauses and I do as well. He sizes me up and down. For the first time, I think I’m close to measuring up.
“See that you do, Floriane.” Ventos charges ahead.
“I think that’s the first time he’s used my name,” I murmur.
“Careful,” Ruvan whispers in my ear. “Before you know it, he’ll call you ‘friend.’”
I mull this over the short way back to the castle. We don’t mist step until we’re out of the academy, so I assume that it has some kind of similar warding as the castle. The momentary silence gives me an opportunity to try and untangle my thoughts…less about Ventos and more about what Ruvan said.
Wife.
The word returns in full force to the forefront of my mind as he hoists me into his arms to carry me back across the buttress that leads to the winding stair and chapel. All I can think of is the recently wed in Hunter’s Hamlet. Partners hoisting their spouses to carry them across the threshold of their home. I’m transported back to my town. Ruvan is there with me.
I’m fighting crazed laughter at the thought of the fanged vampir lord in Hunter’s Hamlet, carrying me into the smithy in a compromise so that I may carry him into the home. My thoughts spiral until I’m seeing him sitting at my table across from Drew and Mother. I’m imagining domestic, nightly habits and going to bed next to him—imagining more, much more than we’ve done so far. Our clothes are off. The marriage is consummated.
“Is everything all right?” Ruvan asks as he sets me down. Ventos has paused at the top of the stairs.
“No,” I answer point blank. Ruvan’s eyes widen a fraction. “I think you and I should talk.” I give Ventos a pointed glance.
He’s quick on the uptake. “I’ll let everyone know you’re back safe.” Ventos wastes no time in fleeing from the rising tension.
“What’s wrong?” Ruvan has picked up on it, too.
