Blood Ward

Chapter 2

I hated waking up alone. Nomatter how many nights Stefan spent in my room and how many times Ifell asleep in his arms, I always woke alone. Stefan was careful toleave before the castle stirred so he wouldn't be caught in my roomby an unsuspecting servant. I sighed, sliding my hand over the coldsheets, feeling his absence. I stayed there for a moment more,inhaling deeply the scent of him that still lingered on my sheets.

I heard a timid knock on my doorand heard Enalairya's voice coming through. "My lady, your fatheris requesting your presence."

I sighed. "I'll be rightthere, Enalairya," I said forcing myself to separate from the scentof Stefan. "Tell him I need to dress."

"Yes, my lady." I listened asmy elven servant scurried away quickly to lick my father's boots.

I dressed in a dark red velvetdress that hung to the floor, coupled with a matching pair of shoesmade to be lady like and very uncomfortable. I longed for my ridingboots. Feeling presentable, I left my room and walked silentlythrough the stone hallway, practicing stealth even though my shoesadded an extra challenge, clicking on the stones if I was notcareful. Stefan had taught me well, I was quick and quiet, theperfect assassin if I wished to be such. I smiled, thinking of thehours of rigorous training to get me where I was. I was adept ateverything I set my mind to. Fighting, riding, cloaking myself inshadow, all skills no woman was meant to have in her repertoire. Itwas a deadly combination, as I'd proved to countless straw dummies.I'd even bested Stefan in hand to hand combat more than a fewtimes.

"Where is that girl?!" Myfather's voice boomed as I neared the meeting hall.

"Do not fret, father. I amhere," I said stepping inside.

"Good, good darling, come overhere." I bowed respectively, my eyes flicking around the room andfinding Stefan standing stiffly at his post. We shared a glance thenI straightened and faced my father. "You remember Earl Compton fromyour party last year." He indicated the man standing next to him.

"Of course," I fought thesneer threatening to curl my lip and smiled. "A pleasure." Ibowed stiffly. How could my father think he was a good match for me?He was at least twice my age and extremely pompous, not to mention,unattractive.

"Lady Anastasia... the pleasureis all mine. You are looking as radiant as ever." He took my handand kissed my knuckles.

"Darling, would you like tomaybe show Earl Compton around the estate, while I take care of somebusiness with his father?" My father asked. I pictured the old manI'd met at my party as the senior Earl Compton and fought anotherunpleasant face.

"Why?" I blurted. "He'sseen it before."

Earl Compton burst into a fit oflaughter. "My, my, Henry, she is a feisty one."

"Anastasia!" My father'sface turned beet red. "You will show some respect! Do as I'veasked. Don't test my patience."

I glared harshly, but conceded."Yes, father."

"Come, my dear, I would love tosee the gardens." Compton grinned widely.

He took my arm and led me towardthe exit. "Blackwood, Giles... escort them," I heard my fatherbark. I smiled catching Stefan out of the corner of my eye, breakingaway from his post and falling in behind us at a respectful distance.I thought I caught a glimpse of a smile crossing his face.

Compton chattered constantly aswe walked, and I zoned out, not hearing most of it. Finally hestopped us near the fountain on the grounds. "Lady Anastasia, may Isay that your beauty outshines the sun itself..."

I believe I was expected to swoonand maybe giggle, but what came out were a snort and a harshdisbelieving laugh. "Right," I said.

"My lady, do you deny yourbeauty when it is so obvious to all around you?" Compton asked.

"No," I stated simply. "Look...Earl Compton, I know my father, and your father signed some contractthat says we're to be married, but the thing is I'm notinterested."

I heard a pair of gasps fromStefan and our other guard, followed by a fit of stuttering fromCompton as his face turned an ugly shade of purple. "How dare you!You've no right to deny me!" He grabbed my arm.

"Let go!" I growled tuggingaway. His grip held firm.

I heard the tell tale sound of apair of swords being drawn as Compton said, "I think not."

Before I knew it, I twisted myarm against his fingers, loosening his grip and pulled away. My otherarm came up in a fist, punching him in the nose. He staggered insurprise and I scurried behind my knights and away from him. "Thatwas unwise, Ana," Stefan whispered.

"Take me back," I demanded.

I started toward the castle,leaving Compton bruised and angry. I heard Sir Giles turn and followand I knew Stefan had stealthily started after me as well.

I stormed back to the meetinghall and heedless of etiquette, demanded an audience. "I will notmarry that Neanderthal!" I pointed behind me in the direction ofthe garden.

"This is outrageous!" Comptonthe elder sputtered, reminding me of his son.

My father held up a hand tosilence him. "What happened darling?"

"My lord, Earl Compton grabbedthe lady's arm," Giles spoke up.

"Then she provoked him!"Compton Senior said like his son couldn't possibly be at fault.

"I merely expressed mydisinterest in his advances," I spoke calmly.

"Was the Earl rough with youAnastasia?" My father asked.

"He was," I said, rolling upmy sleeve to show the bruises his fingers had left.

"There is no excuse to harm alady Miles," my father said to Compton Senior.

The Earl gaped at my arm,disbelievingly, opening and closing his mouth, looking like a fishout of water. "My son... did that?"

"Yes sir, I saw it with my owneyes," Stefan said defensively.

"I am sorry Henry. Thomas willbe punished for his actions," Compton Senior said.

"I will not sign my daughterover to such as him," my father said.

Compton looked angry but said,"Understood."

Just like that, I was free of mybetrothal. I wanted to jump around excitedly, but kept my composure."Men, find Earl Compton and bring him here. Anastasia, you are freeto go. Sir Blackwood, escort her please."

"Thank you father," I saidbowing and leaving the room, Stefan a silent shadow falling in behindme.

When we'd gotten far enoughaway, he caught up to walk beside me. "When they see what you'vedone to Compton, they'll wonder where you learned it," he saidquietly in case we could be overheard.

"He'll never admit it was mewho punched him," I reasoned. "It would hurt his reputation incourt."

"It was not wise. You should bemore careful," he scolded.

"Stop worrying!" I saidstopping. "You do realize I'm no longer promised to another man."

Stefan's stony countenancebroke and a smile graced his face. "Of course," he said.

"I feel in need of a ride," Isaid. "Meet me at the stables, I need to change."

 "Hurry," he grinned and gaveme a short chaste kiss before running off toward the stables.