The Caged Bird

29. A Trade

After the Favor Rite August and Lark had collapsed into his bed and quickly fallen asleep. Dawn had begun to glow on the horizon and their guests had departed to the safety of their own homes where they could hide from the approaching sun. Exhausted by the excitement of the event, neither had even bothered to fully undress. Lark still wore her chemise and stockings and August had only removed his jacket and boots. However despite the peaceful scene Lark found that her sleep was plagued by nightmares. Devore appeared before her and beckoned her menacingly as shadowy figures pursued her through a dark corridor. She held a sword tightly in her hands and brandished it threateningly at whatever was chasing her. She felt spidery fingers claw at her skirts and the air around her chilled. She ran but she could not escape the monsters all around her. All at once Devore rushed towards her and she raised her sword confidently to deflect him. As his hand gripped the blade and tightened black blood began to drip down his palms to the floor. She pushed her weight into her weapon and slashed, severing his hand. It seemed to fall in slow motion as he drew back in pain. But before the dismembered hand could hit the ground, Lark finally jolted awake.

She was confused to find herself in her own bed, changed completely into her nightwear. But she had no memory of returning or preparing for bed. She tied up her hair and pulled her dressing gown on before hurrying to August's chambers. As she entered through the unlocked door she could see the swirl of a skirt disappearing through the opposite entrance. August stood in the center of the room with a crumpled letter in his hands, his eyes fixed on where his guest had exited. It seemed as if he hadn't even heard Lark come in. She went to his side and took his hand hesitantly. He was startled but quickly recovered and pulled her into a hug.

"Who was that?" Lark asked. She tried to keep her suspicion at bay. The thought of another woman in August's chambers made her chest tighten. And she recognized the distinct perfume lingering in the air. August's eyes seemed to cloud over.

"It was Vayn," he stated. He did not elaborate but pressed the letter into her hands and collapsed onto his couch. It was just after midday and he was weakened by the height of the sun. She could see he was utterly exhausted. Lark smoothed out the letter. To her surprise, she recognized August's handwriting on the page along with the spidery scrawl of an unfamiliar hand. The words were written as if they were being whispered, with the pen barely touching the page.

She read the letter and her brow furrowed. She did not feel any satisfaction, only a strange sense of pity for her perceived rival. Vayn had always been desperate to attain the position that Lark had so easily won. She looked up to see August's eyes fixed on her.

"What did she come for?" she asked him. August shook his head in disbelief.

"She has requested to be sent to Trenpell's territory," he replied. "She suggested a trade. So that I would not lose my investment entirely." Lark nodded in agreement.

"That seems a reasonable request," she said slowly. August seemed surprised. "She seeks the power and influence granted to a Favored pet. She has helped to maintain the harem for many years and has sought to gain your favor. But she now knows that is impossible. It is only natural that she would turn elsewhere for what she seeks. So what is your concern?" For a moment, Lark felt a twinge of fear. She worried that perhaps August did hold some space in his heart for Vayn after their years together. Even with her position ensured, Lark knew that she would be safer with Vayn gone. She was only her rival if they both remained with August. August sighed heavily.

"Madame Fawst has given Vayn a great deal of responsibility within the harem," he said. "I worry about how the other women will fare without her. I cannot personally manage them, and I fear that Fawst is not capable."

"I can share the responsibility," Lark announced confidently. "Madame and I can overcome our differences to protect the integrity of the harem." She could see August relax slightly as he considered this option. "Or you could request an experienced woman from Lord Trenpell," she continued. "We can manage it together."

After a moment, August nodded.

"Very well."

Soon after, he retired to sleep until nightfall and Lark returned to her chamber, feeling much lighter. Her anxiety already began to ease at the thought of Vayn's absence. The woman she saw as her greatest threat might soon be gone. She may be able to gain some peace and continue to build her new life. As she shut her door behind her she was too distracted by her excitement to notice the dark figure lurking in the feeding chamber pressed against one of the black walls. It was Vayn herself, wrapped in a dark cloak. One of her daggers glinted against her thigh as she swept the cloak behind her. She had lingered in the chamber unsure of her own motivations. Her head was swirling with conflicting thoughts. Her rage had whispered to finally destroy Lark despite the risk but she had been satiated by Lark's support of her request. She had even considered punishing the lord himself for wasting so many of her years though she knew it had not been his intention. She realized that she might have some real attachment to August and the castle which had been her home for so long. The thought of leaving was painful and frustrating. But she had met Lord Trenpell. He was just the sort of vampire to accept her confidence and heartlessness. Her coldness was balanced by the heat of her fury. She was like a storm. And Trenpell seemed hungry to tame her. He would fail, but would pursue her relentlessly. She could finally achieve the goal she had set. She stood silently in the chamber for what seemed like hours, gazing into the darkness as she tried to reconcile her past life with the one she yearned for. But finally as night began to fall she slipped back into August's chamber without disturbing him and into the corridor. She concealed her weapon and exhaled deeply. She was confident he would acquiesce to her request. She would finally get what she had always wanted.