Blood Ward

Chapter 28

We returned to the inn anddiscussed our plans over supper. We would set out for Lunda thefollowing day. Whenever we camped, two of us would stay awake andkeep watch at all times, and when we passed through villages, wewould do our best to spend a night and take out any residentvampires.

All of us turned in that night alittle weary. Anders and I even opted for simply cuddling. When I wasinvaded by Drust for the first time in weeks, Iscowled. "What do you want?" I asked.

"I hear you've beenkilling my subjects," he scolded.

"Sorry," I shrugged."They're not really yoursubjects though, are they? What would Genovia think?"

"Semantics," he scoffed."When I have you, they will be mine."

"Don't you ever get tiredof being wrong?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"I think you'll find I amnot wrong often, especially in this," he said.

"I won't hold my breath,"I said and dragged myself painstakingly from the dream.I woke feeling in need of a drink.

I got up, slipped on my boots andwrist sheaths, and went down to the common room. It was quiet, but afew patrons still lingered around the room. "Can I get a pint?" Iasked the barkeep, climbing onto one of the stools.

I glanced around the room,surveying my surroundings. To my surprise, in a quiet corner by thefire, I spotted Stefan sitting with Lúthiel. Both were smiling andtheir bodies were inches apart. I perked up my ears to eavesdrop."I'm sorry I could not help with your sea sickness," she saidsoftly.

"It's alright. I'm finenow," he assured her.

"Have you always gotten sick onthe water?" she asked.

"No. It's only since I was...healed," he admitted.

"There are so many side effectsto Reif's miracle," she pondered. Lú was not capable of wrappingher brain around the fact that Reif was a vampire and that he'dmade Stefan one as well. She looked the other way most times when thesubject came up. "I wish I could have helped you. I was useless."

I watched as Stefan brushed alock of her soft, dusty brown hair from her face and held it backwith a gentle palm on her cheek. The touch was light, but she leanedher face into it. "You did all you could." He smiled softly.

As they gazed into each other'seyes, her smile faltered. "I am not like your warrior princess,"she said nervously.

"You think I don't knowthat?" he asked. "Lú, you are you, and youis who I want, not Ana. Not anymore." He sighed.

"I'm sorry," she said."It's just, no one's ever wanted mebefore. I'm always too shy or too delicate. Even Aelairwen candefend herself if she must."

"I think you're perfect, justthe way you are, Lúthiel. Those other men were fools," he chided.

"It's good to hear someonefinally say that," she beamed, looking at Stefan like he was a god.

"I would say it to you everyday, just to see that smile," he said returning the look she held.

I had not realized theirrelationship had progressed quite as far as this. Lúthiel was adifferent girl around him, not shy or stumbling over her words, but aconfident, radiant woman. It kind of suited her. Not wanting tointrude further, I quietly finished my ale and slipped back to my bedand my Anders who hadn't even stirred.

We traveled two weeks. Coming outof a village just before the mountain pass, I said, "I thinktonight, I will take watch."

"We'll be stopping soonanyway," Beriima said. "Night is fast approaching. We would havegotten more daylight if the mage hadn't had to haggle for thoseclothes."