Man Of My Dreams

Chapter Fourteen

I spent the rest of the day in the garden with the Sangrian language book, a pen, and notepad. After I stormed out of Kian’s office, I mulled over something I had noticed. Before I came here, I would dream of Kian every night. I noticed he spent a lot of time hunched over ancient books. It didn’t take me long to notice that he was in search of something. No, that was obvious. But evidently, finding out why the dream thing even happens is not a priority to him. Especially when he’s already busy looking for answers on something else. Or else, he’d have at least some sort of lead on an answer by now.

Honestly, aside from just plain old curiosity, I didn’t really care what he was looking for before I’d come here. But if he wouldn’t expedite this fucking dream bullshit, then I’d learn the vampire’s ancient tongue and find out myself. I can’t handle the mixed signals, the rejection, being second to my ancestor, and now, that woman. That was just the cherry on top for me. And as it turns out, Sangrian isn’t all that difficult to figure out. I don’t need to pronounce the words right. As long as I can read and understand it, then I can get the job done.

It was getting late when I went to the kitchen to have a late supper. It was empty, save for a staff member or two finishing up dish washing. I got what I needed and decided to eat in my room while I studied. Afterwards, I’d go into the library and get put to work getting whatever book’s Kian needed and, while I was at it, I’d look for books that seemed like they would be useful to me. It shouldn’t be hard. I’d just look for books that mention dreams and magic, bonds and tethers. I’d memorized those four words and a few more today.

I ate my supper and headed to the library. Kian’s office door was still closed when I passed by. “Miss Taylor?” I jumped, startled at Mrs. Nora’s sudden shrill voice. I looked over to her desk where she peered up at me from behind her computer screen. “His Majesty has left a list of books and a message for you. He says he won’t be joining you tonight.” I nodded, and grabbed the note. “Thank you,” I said, through gritted teeth. Another night with that woman, for him. Meanwhile, the person I choose to distract me tries to drug me!

Maybe I’ll hunt Silas down and ask him to– I sighed. Whatever, I thought, as I shoved open the library’s doors. If he’s perfectly fine with hurting me over and over, then fine. But I won’t stoop so low. The two tables that were normally full of open books were bare. Awaiting me to fill them, I suppose. I got started immediately, all while keeping an eye out for any books that would help me too. Within two hours, I’d located every book Kian needed, and found two of my own. I piled all of the books onto the table and then found a table of my own.

It was nearing midnight by the time I had finished trying to decipher what I could from the books I had found on dreams. One book seemed to have answered a few questions on what could be why we dream of one another. Apparently, a bargain ensures some sort of bond. A connection between Kian and I. But I found that, for a bond to create a bridge between two souls, the bargain would have had to have been struck between two magical beings. And as far as I knew, Genevieve was an ordinary human.

The other book, on the other hand, spoke of something I had never even known to exist. Mates. Fated to be with one another. Created by the dust of the same star. But the book said that when one finds their mate, a physical reaction occurs upon first sight. And, as far as I could tell, Kian hadn’t really had one of those when he saw me. If any reaction did occur, it was most likely because of how similar I look to Genevieve. I hadn’t found much, but I felt like I was off to a good start. I stowed the books on a shelf full of dust. I’d come back for them if I needed to. But for now, I wanted them to stay here, and I didn’t want anyone to know I was even looking for a way to end this.

And not because I was afraid of how Kian would react. But, because I wanted to know if I could just… sever whatever it is and leave. Without anyone knowing a thing. Though the bargain itself was still there, and I suppose he could always just find me through that, I figured since I had to bring myself to him, well then it’s probably still snuffed out by whatever magic my ancestors used all those years ago. Besides, he didn’t even look for me for the twenty years I’ve been alive. I doubt he would if I left again.

I showered as soon as I made it back to my room. I toweled off and wrapped myself in my robe. The air felt unusually warm and sticky tonight. Back home, that usually meant rain. I wondered if it even did that here. I shucked off my robe, deciding it was too hot to wear anything to bed. Sleep found me eventually, until my screams woke me once again. This time, when I shot up in my bed, Kian was already in my room. He stood from the sitting chair in the corner and started to walk towards my bed. “No,” I said. He stopped abruptly. “Leave.”

I couldn’t see his face. But I could see his silhouette. His shoulders slumped, and he turned slowly and left my room. I seethed at the sheer audacity of him. After that woman was here all night, as well? He truly was daft. I have no experience with dating, or even men for that matter, but I know better than to allow anyone, much less a man, to treat me like that. I’m no one’s toy. You don’t get to pick me up and then toss me back down when you’re done playing with me. I could have forgiven him for calling me Genevieve in his sleep. But the woman… I could not. Would not.

I slept fitfully and hot the rest of the night. When morning came, a letter sat on my nightstand.

There’s a car waiting for you at the elevator. Spend the day away.

Kian

I crumpled up the note and tossed it across the room. I took a cool shower and dressed quickly. Fine, I’d spend the day away. But only because I’m stir-crazy. I had the driver take me to the little restaurant I stopped at on my first night here. I had coffee and breakfast. I paid my bill and then decided to stroll through the market again. Maybe this time I won’t run into another serial killer.

I was admiring a vendor’s beautiful handmade jewelry when I felt someone's hand rest upon my shoulder. I turned to see it was, and my blood ran cold. It was Mama. What on earth? She looked… different. Her skin was so perfect. All of her was perfect. Not a single strand of hair out of place. She’d… turned! She grabbed my arm and pulled me through the crowd away from everyone.

“Mama, what’s going on? What happened to you?” She smiled a huge, broad smile. And then she spun in a circle, “I look good, don’t I?” She did look good. But that’s not what I was hung up on. Why? What happened? Did she choose this? I had so many questions. “Don’t worry,” she said, clocking the worrisome on my face, “I chose this. I figured I’d be a lot harder to kill if I was a vampire.”

I suppose she isn’t wrong. But she could still die! Didn’t she know that? “Nevermind me, girl. I came here to see you. To warn you,” her voice was low, “they’re coming for you. I left the swamp and found someone to change me. I went back to get the animals, and there was a note taped to the front door.” She reached into her back, and pulled out a slip of paper. She handed it to me.

We know.

That was all it said. A cold chill tingled down my spine. I had a feeling this would happen. I said my goodbyes to Mama, and congratulated her on her new-found life. But I also told her to be careful. I know they aren’t only looking for me. If they find her, especially in her current state, they won’t hesitate to kill her. I had the driver take me home immediately. I ran through the halls and checked every single room for Kian. But he wasn’t in any of them.

I was safe here, sure. But I still felt a sense of impending doom. Like at any given moment, something terribly awful was going to happen. I reached to open my room door, but stopped. Something felt off. I turned the knob slowly. I had no weapons. All the ones I had are in my backpack under my bed. I pushed the door open, and relief washed over me. It was Kian. He was sitting on my bed. At the same time, we said, “I need to talk to you.”