I didn’t have a chance to eat and I groaned at my usual table being cleared. My stomach rumbled quietly and if I didn’t hurry I’d have to sneak into the kitchen. A nearby door clicked shut and we both turned toward the noise. Zyacus stood off to the side with a plate of food in hand. He stared at me, a silent invitation to go to him.
“Since we’re being honest, I need to tell you something.” Kyan touched his hair nervously. “I took part of your memory so you wouldn’t know what I was. I am sorry.”
My cheeks flushed with anger. “How dare you.” I clenched my hands. “What memory?”
He recounted what happened with Senica and a young girl in the bathroom and I felt sick. He put me in more danger by doing that. “Is this magic or a vampire ability?”
“The ability to mess with memories is unique to me only. My gift.”
Raging inside and I wanted to strike him but I kept my hands at my sides. “Don’t ever do that again. I should have you thrown out for that. I can’t believe you did that to me.”
“I won’t, I promise. I’m sorry. Please don’t send me away or tell what I am.” His eyes fell to the floor.
I took in a deep breath. I wanted to send him away. I wanted him to be punished but a part of me knew he only did it because he was afraid. “I won’t this time.” Only because I didn’t want him to die. If the professors or Headmaster knew he was a vampire they’d probably kill him.
He lifted his gaze and smiled. “Thank you.” His attention went to Zyacus who was still waiting. “Not that it’s any of my business but is there something between you two? He always seems to be interrupting.” His onyx eyes slid to mine. “He’s protective of you. Which initially surprised me given that he’s your rival.”
At this point, I didn’t know what was between Zyacus and I or if I wanted to continue a friendship with Kyan. I enjoyed our time at the tournaments together but after he took my memories, and learning he was a vampire… to say I was wary was an understatement. Sure, he was fun and there was something about him that drew me, like a moth to a flame but I had a feeling it was the allure of what he was. And that scared me. Something a natural predator had to lure its victims.
Then there was Zyacus, years of bad blood between us that was becoming something else, not exactly romance but that line was becoming hazy and my mother warned me to be careful with him. With anyone. I was a princess, every move I made would be judged. Every potential courtship would be subject to scrutiny and could send a message that would be received well or a potential disaster. People would expect me to marry someone from Delhoon, a magic-born warrior who’d proved himself worthy. And a princess wasn’t ever courted by someone who didn’t seek potential marriage even at my age, at least to the public eye.
In answer to his question about Zyacus, I shook my head. “We’ve known each other for a long time but there is nothing between us.”
Kyan’s eyes lowered to my hand. “It would seem your ring disagrees.”
Eyebrows drawing closer together, I brought my hand up and stared at the glow of the red jewel. I blushed furiously. “The prince of Hesstia and I are not romantically involved.” The glowing dimmed. Traitorous ring. “Anyway, I’m going to see what he wants. And I won’t tell the professors what you are or what you did to me but I’m not happy about it.”
I didn’t miss the subtle glare that formed on his face when he beheld the Hesstian Prince. “I don’t blame you. And thank you for keeping my secret. I hope you have a good rest of your day. Maybe we’ll see each other around.”
“Maybe. Goodbye, Kyan.” It felt like a final goodbye of our friendship.
∞∞∞
Zyacus motioned toward a table in the now empty dining hall and we sat across from one another. Pushing the plate he’d had in hand in front of me, he drawled, “You’re ever popular with the males at this academy, Princess but I thought we discussed you staying away from that one.”
“First off, I’m not popular with the males. Hardly any of them talk to me.” The plate of food in front of me was calling my name, and I debated on what to eat first. Ruled by my sweet tooth, I picked the pastry then I’d have some eggs. “And I was getting information on Senica. He’s gone now by the way.”
“They don’t talk to you because they’re scared. The Delhoon boys because you’re their princess and they don’t think they are worthy.” He smirked. “Most of them aren’t. And everyone else because they think you’d turn them down flat.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure why fangs has balls big enough to go for the Princess of Delhoon.”
“Well, he’s not.”
He lazily tapped his fingers in a quiet drumming motion. “Think what you like but I know how males are. Anyway, how can we trust his word? The word of a bloodthirsty beast.”
“When did this become a ‘we’ thing?” I bit into the frosted delight and savored it.
He let out a short ha and arched an eyebrow. “I distinctly remember you asking me to aid you in keeping your heart beating or is your memory a little foggy?”
There was not an ounce of fogginess to that moment. The moment our lips nearly touched. The moment
