Game of the Vampires

Chapter 34:

    
     It's amazing how nervous I have become this past month. One month of seeing Kadrian two times a week... and I'm still not accustomed to it. I still feel like it's wrong to talk to him. It seems like a status barrier is placed between us. I've always felt the same way with Col, too, even though I've known him forever. 

     As I come closer to our meeting spot, I can't help but pick at the stray seams on my skirt. I come to a stop at the bottom of the mountain. Not a moment later, Kadrian lands on his feet with ease right next to me. My eyes widen, traveling up to the mountain ledge he just jumped from. 

     Kadrian flashed a grin at my shock. "Come on."

     He held out his hand to me, and I placed mine in his. I avoided the fluttering feeling in my stomach from simply touching his cool skin. In a blink of an eye, Kadrian flashed us to the cavern within the mountain. 

     I clapped my hands together as I took a seat on one of the chairs. "So, what's been going on?" I asked.

     Kadrian took his spot on the lounge. "Council affairs and such..." he trailed off, boredly. His eyes met mine. "What about you?"

     I shrugged. "I've just been a bit bored. Being forced to do nothing can be a bit boring," I said.

     "What kept your mind off your boredom before?"

     "Well, I had work... and I had my friends," I explained.

     Kadrian's eyes raked over my face. "Do you miss your friends?"

     "Very much," I answered without hesitation. 

     Kadrian looked away and didn't comment. I quickly racked my brain for something else to say.

     "What were you wanting to tell me?"

     Kadrian perked up at that. He moved to his feet and walked over to the bookshelves. He inclined his head for me to come closer. I joined him and tried to peek over his shoulder. Pulling me closer, he swept his hand over the bookcases.

     "I thought you may want to read," he suggested.

     I felt my eyes widen. "Y-you mean you're going to let me read your books?"

     He shrugged. "I figured since you might want to practice your reading again. Besides, we wouldn't want you poisoning someone with the wrong herbs in the futu-" he caught himself when he realized what he just said.

     His eyes met mine, seeming apologizing. I shook it off because I had also become accustomed to having more time. But now, it feels like my time keeps getting shorter and shorter.

     I cleared my throat as my fingers lingered on the spines of the books. "I thought reading for slaves was forbidden," I countered.

     Kadrian seemed to relax a little at my change of subject. "Another secret of ours," he said, sending me a sly wink.

     I couldn't help the smile that spread across my lips as I turned my attention to the bookcase. The excitement in me was bubbling up, and I could hardly contain it. Kadrian reached above us and retrieved a book from one of the higher shelves.

     "If I may, this seems like it might interest you."

     He handed me a book with the words 'Pride and Prejudice' on it. The book's blue binding was slightly worn, but the yellowed pages were completely together with not a single tear.

     "It's an English edition from the old world," he added.

     I traced my fingers over the worn binding, silently admiring it. "I'll be sure to read it whenever I'm here," I said.