The Caged Bird

08. Wartime

The lord did not return to his castle for many days. He was negotiating the free movement of humans between his kingdom and the kingdom to the West, Hygate. Their shared border had become a point of contention between the two. Rumors had reached August that the lord of this kingdom had detained some of his subjects and refused to release them. This was likely to boost his own population. Humans were in such high demand that they were often stolen, but this group was too large to go unnoticed. Almost twenty humans had disappeared while at a market in Hygate to trade local goods. August had gone to investigate. He found Lord Whitlock very stubborn. The younger vampire appeared far older, having been turned when he was middle aged. However he was less than two hundred years old and still intoxicated by his power. His bloodlust still raged and he was famously ruthless. August disliked him immensely.

Politically they were usually able to remain civil and compromise, but this situation had revealed a new side of Whitlock's character. He denied the allegations despite the overwhelming evidence. Frustrated, August had refused his explanation and threatened to send a small army to retrieve the missing humans. The negotiations became tense and August was forced to leave. He was not known for empty threats. Whitlock was already organizing his own soldiers to defend the castle where the humans were being imprisoned. It was only a matter of time before August discovered their whereabouts and came to recover them.

He spent the journey back to his kingdom quietly fuming as his associate, William, sent ahead orders to prepare for battle. He had barely thought about Lark during his absence, though her face seemed to appear in his mind during quiet moments. So absorbed in his work, he had been unable to write to her. He hadn't made any promises but knew she was still trapped in her cell. He was confused and unexpectedly hurt by her desire to escape but felt foolish for allowing himself to think of her at all. She resembled Ora, his lost companion, but was nothing like her. Though they had the same long, wavy black hair and hazel eyes, Lark had much finer features that gave her an elfin appearance, with high cheekbones and slanted brows. Ora had been round and lovely with full lips and large eyes. Both were equally captivating but could not easily be compared. Ora had been like sunshine. Warm, passionate, and bright. And Lark was like moonlight. Cool, quiet, and reserved. He had allowed his loneliness to cloud his judgment. He tried to focus on the issues laid out before him but Ora and Lark consumed his mind instead.

As the lord traveled back to the castle, Lark remained alone in her cell. Madame Fawst and Ariane had visited for a short time, but they didn't offer any real comfort. The matron scolded Lark for small mistakes in her embroidery and was harsher than before. Ariane tried to be friendly but Lark could tell she was troubled. Carefully avoiding the topic of her attempted escape, Ariane chatted about her flowers and the new songs and dances the harem was learning. Lark listened politely and was grateful for the distraction. But she hoped to learn more about August. She knew Ariane would never be complicit in helping free her, so she avoided the topic of escape completely.

"Tell me more about our master," Lark asked casually. She did not have to feign genuine interest, but Ariane seemed unwilling to talk about him. After days of avoiding Lark's questions, she came to her cell with a bottle of wine. They shared it, and as she began to relax from the alcohol, Ariane finally opened up.

"He is gentle," Ariane told her. "And kinder than most other vampires I have met. He loves books. Any book. All of us have to compete with books for his attention." She pouted. Ariane finished her third glass of wine with a satisfied smile. She swayed slightly in her seat and could hardly control her laughter. The wine was stronger than she had expected. She began to lose her inhibitions.

"What kind of attention does he give you?" Lark asked. She gave Ariane a suggestive look. Ariane smirked and shook her head.

"The master won't share a bed with any of us if that's what you're asking. It's not like we haven't tried. Vayn told me she waited naked in his chamber after the party and he sent her away."

Lark's eyes widened and she laughed but her stomach twisted uneasily.

"Have you tried?" she asked.

"We all have. But I am not as bold as Vayn. I have tried to kiss him." Ariane pouted. "He has rejected me every time. Even after feeding."

Lark couldn't stop herself from wincing. Ariane noticed and laughed.

"It doesn't hurt," she insisted. "Maybe the first few times. A little. It actually feels nice. They have some type of venom." She grinned wickedly. "It's an aphrodisiac."

Lark coughed into her glass. Ariane giggled loudly, nearly knocking over the empty wine bottle. Ariane patted her shoulder.

"It's okay, dear. He doesn't go for it, remember?" She grabbed the bottle and stood up, slightly unsteady on her feet. After a cheerful goodbye she knocked on the door to be released. A guard let her out and locked the door behind her.

Her head fairly clear, Lark still felt embarrassed and flopped onto her bed, burying her face in the pillows. This news had heightened her anxiety. She hoped Ariane was exaggerating. She tried to distract herself with embroidery but her thoughts kept straying to the lord's intense eyes and small smiles. She shuddered, trying to focus on something else. But when she fell asleep, she dreamed of him standing in the castle courtyard in the sun.

It was another day before she opened the letter August had written before leaving the castle. It had been sitting on the small table in her cell since the morning after the lord had left. She had forgotten about it. Suddenly curious, she opened it, not knowing what to expect.

What is your favorite book?

What are your interests?

Do you like songbirds?

August

Lark read the letter many times. She had been allowed parchment and a pencil, so she scribbled her response.

Ravens.

She refolded the letter, slid it back into the envelope and knocked timidly on her cell door. The guard slid open a small window and peeked inside. Lark held up the letter and he took it from her.

She wondered why the lord would ask her such frivolous questions. She had laid awake dreading the contents of that letter on the night he had left. But a small part of her was flattered at his attention. Did he have a motive? Only time would reveal the truth. Her anger was still overwhelming. She did not want his attention or his company.

He would not receive her reply until he returned, which he did the following night. Lark was already fast asleep when he came to see her and he left without disturbing her. It could wait until the following night. He went to his chambers and sent out messages to some of his allies, informing them of his situation with Whitlock. He was preparing for bed when a servant delivered Lark's letter. He was stunned; he had forgotten the letter entirely. Lark's handwriting was tall and slender. It leaned elegantly with soft curves and narrow loops. It was very fine, written with effort so that it would be neat. He imagined her bent over the page with a determined look on her face and smiled. He folded the letter and put it away. Dawn was approaching, and he could feel the exhaustion of days of traveling. Lark would have to wait for now. He stripped off his coat and ordered a servant to draw up a bath. Ariane joined him afterwards and he fed, avoiding her questions about his trip. Her constant attention could be exhausting. He sent her away with his head full of anxiety. Would he really have to declare war on Hygate?