Kingmakers, The (Vampire Empire Book 3) (36 page)

A
DELE BUSTLED AROUND
her old room. It hadn't changed, still pristine as if it had been waiting for her all this time. The early spring sun couldn't penetrate the dense stones of the castle, leaving the room damp and cold, but a fire crackled in the fireplace.

There was a knock on the door and Captain Shirazi's voice called out. “Your Majesty, you have a visitor.”

Adele's heart raced at the thought that Gareth had arrived, and she said swiftly, “Enter.”

The heavy door opened and Morgana flew into the room, her face an expression of utter joy and excitement, shouting Adele's name.

“Morgana!” Adele returned, rushing to her friend and embracing her in a fervent hug. “Oh, how I've missed you! I've thought about you so often.”

“I never dreamed in a hundred years you would return!”

“I only had to become empress to do it,” Adele replied jokingly.

“Our lord will be happy to see you. He broods so when he is here alone.”

“As I do when he is away from me,” she assured the woman, readjusting the blond hair that she had displaced on her friend's head. “You've let your hair grow longer.”

Morgana blushed. “So did you.”

Adele's hand touched her long curls and remembered the shearing
Gareth had once given her long ago. To dispel her returning worries, she grabbed Morgana's hands and drew her to the chairs by the fireplace. “Tell me everything I've missed! How have you been?”

“I've been well, miss. Life here isn't near as exciting as yours, I'm sure. Baudoin drove off three vagabond vampires, bless his soul. Thomas tore his best net, and we lost Ol' Mary only a month ago.” Morgana's eyes glistened at the last.

Adele couldn't help but feel the same. Mary was the second human she'd met in Edinburgh after Morgana. Adele's hands were chafed for days after helping Mary at the washtubs. “She went peacefully?”

“Aye, she did. She lived a good long life thanks to the prince.”

“I'll miss her. She showed me such kindness.” Adele squeezed Morgana's hand. “All of you did.”

“Of course we did. You were lost. We wanted to make you feel at home here. The prince included, though you didn't know it at first. Now tell me, miss, what brings you back? Baudoin told me there is some danger.”

Quickly, she told Morgana about Nzingu. The handmaiden had not seen anyone matching the Zulu's description. If Nzingu was here, she was covering her tracks well. That made Adele even more anxious.

“I'll make sure to spread the word,” Morgana assured her.

Someone must have seen Nzingu if she dared enter the city, and the more people looking for her, the better the chance of discovery. In addition, Adele explained about the potential for Undead here. She asked Morgana to alert the city to be aware of recent arrivals, particularly those who seemed distant or odd. And if any of them should suddenly disappear, Adele needed to know. All she could do was be mindful and pray time was on her side.

For now, however, Adele sat quietly with her friend, content to pass a few moments woman to woman without fear of the outside world.

The dark shape silhouetted against the grey sky made Adele's heart jump. Any human with any sense would be terrified at the sight of a vampire hunting. Instead, Adele immediately started briskly from the jumbled
courtyard toward the familiar shadow. Her Harmattan moved into place around her without question. She paused. “Captain, remain here.”

“He's a vampire.”

“I can handle him.”

“I'll be one minute behind.”

“Five.”

With that, she moved with measured and resolute steps toward the western quadrant of the castle where
Edinburgh
was still moored. As soon as she was out of sight of her men, she broke into a sprint, waving her arm. Gazing upward for a glimpse of him, she stumbled.

Suddenly a shadow passed over her and landed directly in her path.

“Gareth!” She ran the last few steps into his crushing arms. He smelled of wind and rain and grass. His clothes were damp from a passing storm. She should have been cautious of someone seeing them, but in this moment she didn't care. She only knew she needed to feel his touch.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded with unexpected ire.

“Saving you!”

Anger made his frame more rigid. He gripped her arms and held her out from him. “This foolishness must stop. I'm perfectly capable of fighting my own battles. I've only come here briefly to begin moving people into the countryside. What am I to do with you here?”

“I can help you with that.”

“Adele, you can't be so impulsive. We've talked about that before.”

“I'm not being impulsive. You don't understand. Mamoru put an assassin in play before we arrested him. She is on her way here to kill you. I came to warn you, and to help you. She is a powerful geomancer.”

Gareth sighed and surrendered his anger. He brushed his lips over her flushed cheek. “You worry too much.”

“Someone has to.” Adele embraced him again. Everything would be okay now. Together, they could deal with any obstacle.

The stomping of heavy boots on cobblestone and the rattle of weapons heralded the approach of her Harmattan.

“Do your men know everything?” he asked quietly.

“They don't know you are Greyfriar, but they know there is an assassin about. And they know I intend to put you on the throne.”

He cocked a sarcastic eyebrow. “You are
putting
me on the throne?”

“In this scenario I am.”

“Well, thank you for that,” he said playfully.

“You're very welcome.”

Adele and Gareth pulled apart as Shirazi rounded the corner with his men.

“Your Majesty.” The captain's greeting may have been to his empress, but his stern visage did not stray from Gareth.

Adele waited nervously for Shirazi to recognize the vampire as Greyfriar. She saw the similarities so plainly now, she couldn't believe anyone could be fooled. However, Gareth's alteration of voice and posture was subtle but effective, and the soldiers showed no recognition.

The prince bowed. “A pleasure to meet you, Captain.”

Shirazi responded with practiced courtesy. “Prince Gareth, I presume.”

“At your service.”

“And I, apparently, am at yours.” Shirazi stared coldly, and his men looked murderous behind him.

“I bid you welcome.” Gareth's hand gestured around at his castle. A rain shower arrived suddenly, forming a grey shrouding mist. “Let us go inside and discuss our new friendship.”

Gareth led the way, greeting the cats as they rushed him. He picked up a wiry young white cat and placed it on his shoulders. The animal perched there proudly.

“Is she new? She's adorable.” Adele reached up to scratch the cat's head, but it shrank back and slapped a quick paw at her, thankfully with the claws retracted.

“She was a gift. I call her Adele.”

“Oh really. She seems very antisocial.”

“Some consider it strong willed.” Gareth's eyes crinkled at the corners.

Adele longed to reach out impulsively and squeeze Gareth to let him know how much she loved his small gesture, but watchful eyes were everywhere.

“Has Baudoin seen to your quarters?” Gareth spoke to the entire group. “If they are not to your liking, please feel free to choose any room. There are many, and few are used.”

“I chose my old room,” Adele told him. “It suited me then and it will serve me well now.” A gentle smile played about her lips, though she attempted to keep it hidden from Shirazi.

“It is the best room in the castle,” he replied. “Morgana keeps it pristine. I'm sure she's delighted to see you again.”

Adele's smile grew wider. At least she didn't have to be shy about her feelings for her good friend. “And I her!” She regarded him suddenly as she asked, “Do you think it's possible to empty the city in so short a time?”

He nodded. “With your ship here things may move quicker.”

“It's at your disposal,” she said.

“Why remove them at all?” Shirazi countered, obviously not liking the fact that she had just offered up their sole means of escape.

Gareth replied, “It's better the people be removed in case things don't go well in London and my brother retaliates.”

“I didn't realize there was so much love lost between vampires,” Shirazi said. “What do you have to fight over?”

Gareth said stiffly, “Power and food, much like humans.”

“Not quite like us,” Shirazi replied. “We don't fight you over food. We are your food. You eat us.”

“Captain,” Adele admonished. “You forget your place.”

Gareth smiled graciously, but turned a cold glare on the impertinent man. “It's true. We do eat you. You make it sound so dastardly, but it's really just nature. We feed off you. You kill us.”

“Yes,” Shirazi said in a low voice. “Things balance out.”

Gareth smirked, unimpressed by the soldier's attempt at menace. The windows behind him spattered with heavy raindrops. “Every creature has its day. Vampire or human.”

Adele felt a growing ache in her heart. She remembered a distant conversation with Gareth about the fleeting mayfly and the end of the vampires. The thought of a world without Gareth ate at her soul. She stood quietly, unable to reach out to him.

T
HE NIGHT ENVELOPED
Edinburgh. For the first time in many days, the clouds blanketing the sky parted to allow the thin moonlight to hold the worst shadows at bay, keeping them from wandering too far into the streets.

The castle ramparts were lit as if there were a hundred lanterns shining down upon them. Gareth gazed out over his city with a sense of sadness that it would soon be abandoned. Even though it was for the best, he wondered how his people would endure. In time, they could return to Edinburgh.

When he was king.

That sounded strange. He had never wanted his father's throne, but now he didn't want Cesare to have it either. He was jealous that his brother had spent the last days with their father while he was off playing Greyfriar.

The masked hero was unnecessary in this new world he and Adele were shaping. Perhaps he would become like Adele and use a disguise as a means of escape from the oppressive duty to the throne.

Soft footfalls below made him smile. His heart beat faster. Seconds later an auburn head appeared through the wooden hatch set in the roof. The scent of Adele was plain on the breeze. Gareth stepped forward and
offered his hand. Adele grasped it so he could lift her one-handed off the ladder and onto the roof beside him.

“You're so strong,” she said. “Like a bear.”

“I was a bear once.”

She leaned forward and kissed him. The excitement lingering on her lips spread to match his own. He picked her up, lifting her onto the edge of the ramparts. She had his worn scarf tied neatly around her head and neck.

“You still have it.” Gareth tucked the fluttering scarf tighter around her face.

“Of course. It's my prized possession.”

“I still have the book you gave me. I've added it to my expansive library.” He caressed her cheek lit by the starlight. His hand nearly glowed white like some macabre specter against her deep olive skin. Her lips pressed against his palm. He barely felt it, but his every other sense filled with her. “Alone with you. It's been too long.”

It was several minutes before they parted. She glistened in the night, and the salty taste of her lingered.

Adele took a deep breath of the cool night air, indulging in his embrace, her only refuge. “This is where I'm happiest. High up, under the open sky in your arms.”

“Rooftops seem to be safest for our trysts.”

She laid her cheek against him. “I like that. It fits us.”

“I was wondering what happened to you. I thought Morgana forgot.”

“She startled me when she appeared from behind the curtain. Imagine my surprise when she showed me the passage in the wall of my room. Did you ever use it when I lived here?”

Gareth's blood fanned warmly at her use of the word
lived
. That she considered Edinburgh even a temporary home pleased him. He shook his head. “No. Though it was tempting. I was content to spy on you from the rooftops. The cats tend to use the passageways the most. Lots of food in there.”

She held up a hand. “I don't want to know. Though I always wondered how Pet got in that first night. Speaking of which, where is he? I haven't seen him today.”

“Baudoin saw him a few hours ago in the kitchen. He'll find you tonight I'm sure.”

“So long as you do as well.” Her hand stroked his long fingers as they rested on her thigh.

Gareth's head dipped to her shoulder, drawing the cloth away to reveal the curve of her neck, kissing her there. She shivered with anticipation in his arms, her breath a quivering exhale. It thrilled him that she was unafraid, so unlike most humans around vampires.

The sliver of a moon moved behind trailing clouds, darkening the rampart. Gareth could still see clearly, but she couldn't. Instead she used her hands to feel for him. Gentle fingers fluttered over his face, tracing his cheekbones and brow. She slowly kissed each part of him she touched.

Adele shivered again, though this time from the blustery Scottish wind as the perspiration dried on her skin. He wrapped his coat around her. She sighed pleasantly, drawing deeper into its decadent soft wool folds. He only wore one in case she needed it.

“I went to Paris,” Gareth said, “to see Lothaire. To see whose side he would take if given a choice. Cesare or myself.”

“He was your old friend, right? Is he still?”

“Yes, more so than ever.”

“I'm glad,” Adele said. “Tell me about him.”

And Gareth did, his voice filled with excitement and hope. “The humans in Paris are left largely to do as they please. There were times in Paris I almost felt it was back before the Great Killing. Most extraordinary.”

“That's amazing. Then you're not alone!”

“He's just one vampire,” Gareth pointed out.

“Who's teaching his family new values. I knew you couldn't possibly be the only vampire with some compassion.” She impulsively hugged him.

“I wouldn't make too much of it. Paris is a far cry from Edinburgh, and far from mutual understanding between our two species.”

“Still, it's incredible. And it offers some hope for the future.”

“Lothaire is a friend, but he's still a vampire. His treatment of his herds doesn't mean he likes humans. He just understands their
usefulness and is practicing conservation in hard times. He isn't creating anything new.”

A revelation suddenly occurred to Adele, and she gave a slight gasp. “I've just had a thought that I can't believe never occurred to me before.”

Gareth pulled back to regard her as she straightened slightly in his arms. “What?”

She gazed full into his eyes. “Despite what you've always told me about vampires never creating anything, I know one who has.”

“Oh really?” He crossed his arms with humorous expectation. “Who is that?”

“You. You created Greyfriar. You made him with your mind and your heart and your hands. He is a piece of our history now. Just like all the kings and pharaohs in the British Museum.”

Gareth stared at her, contemplating the concept. A smile played over his lips. “It's not the same thing as creation. Just like when I was trying to write. You said I was only copying.”

“No, it's not like that at all. Greyfriar is a unique creation that didn't exist before you made him. You, a vampire, created something lasting and important.”

He laughed. “How simple you make it.”

“It should be that simple. I want Greyfriar in my life always.”

“Greyfriar. Not Gareth.”

“Don't,” she warned. “You know I didn't mean it that way.”

“I know.” For the first time since Adele had known Gareth, his eyes seemed to glisten. He blinked and nodded in acceptance. “Thank you, Adele. That's a very kind thought.”

“It's a very exciting one, don't you think?” Adele crushed him in her arms. “It shows that our people may have more in common. There may be a way we can coexist.”

“No, my love.” Gareth kissed the top of her head. “There's nothing in Greyfriar's existence that will lead any human to accept a vampire. Not fully.”

“Don't talk that way. General Anhalt has accepted you!”

“By your command,” Gareth pointed out. “And he is only one man.”

“We'll change their thinking one person at a time if we have to.”

“It will take centuries.”

“So? It takes as long as it takes.”

Gareth took comfort in her steadfast determination. Once she made up her mind, there was no shaking her from her course. And it was what he loved best about humanity; she thought far into the future even though she would never see it. He might live to see such change, but she would not. His heart ached at the thought that her life was so short in comparison to his.

In four hundred years he had never loved anyone like he loved her. There was no logic, no rational explanation save who she was. He would never find her equal again, and he knew it. He would live and die beside her. Whatever happened in the future, his calendar now matched hers, no matter what.

At the break of dawn, Gareth entered the great hall alone to find Baudoin waiting for him. The servant was seated at the table with two cats curled upon his kilt. The vampire paid the sleeping cats no heed, but he did gently nudge them off to rise to his feet.

“The din around here is deafening,” was his sour comment to his liege.

“It is less than a dozen people. You'll get used to it. Like you did the cats.” In his arms, Gareth carried his Greyfriar clothes and swords.

“Cats seem remarkably reserved in comparison.” Baudoin reached for the bundle. “I shall clean your wardrobe. It will be ready for your next excursion.”

Gareth dropped the woolen garments and steel on the table. “I won't need it again, my friend. I will wear this no more.”

“I don't understand.”

Gareth took the rapier and swung it through the air with a sad whisper. “Soon I will go to London.”

Baudoin took the clothing into his arms. “And then what?”

“I think you know.”

“I want you to tell me.”

“I'm going to kill my brother,” Gareth said. “And then I will be king.”

Baudoin stared agape. “You will be what?”

“King. It's time I give up my romantic notions and return to the real world.”

“What are you talking about, Gareth?” The servant panted as if gasping for breath. “When did you decide this? You've never wanted to be king. Have you gone mad?”

Gareth laughed and pointed at the bundle Baudoin carried. “I thought you would be happy that I'm following in my father's footsteps instead of…” He touched the cloak. “Instead of this.”

Baudoin stared at his prince. “I love you, Gareth, as if you had been my own son. You are loyal and brave and strong. But, my boy, you are no match for Cesare in London. Clan politics are his battlefield. I raised both of you. I know.” He pointed a silencing finger when Gareth began to object. “I don't know why, but I know you are doing this for Adele. Now, she's a match for Cesare. I'm telling you, Gareth, that human will destroy you. She's already destroying Greyfriar.”

“No, Baudoin. You don't understand her. I'm the one who is killing Greyfriar. It's time. I can't live inside storybooks any longer. My father is dead. I have to take his place. I owe that to him.” He studied his old friend keenly. “I'm surprised. You most of all had no love of this…game I played.”

Baudoin straightened and stared into Gareth's gaze. “It was no game, my lord. I have watched you over the many centuries. After your father faded, you lost heart. If this”—he touched the wool reverently—“gave you solace, then who am I to deny you? I want only for you to be content in this world.”

Gareth clasped his friend by the forearm. “I am content with the people at my side. Loyal friends, trustworthy souls. You and Adele have been that. You more than make up for my brother's and my people's perfidy.”

“Then you truly love the human woman?”

“Yes.”

Baudoin nodded, as if he had known it all along. He drew in a deep
breath before asking his next question. “Once you are king of Britain, won't that make you a target for the Equatorians?”

“Not so long as Adele remains ruler. We will try to stop the war before it claims one species over the other.”

“How can there be any other solution?”

“I have faith.” Gareth became grim. “In North America, Senator Clark is striking the clans by destroying their herds. Killing humans in order to starve us to death. He would have done the same here if Adele had allowed the union between Equatoria and the Americans to go forward.”

Baudoin's face grew angry and then slack with stunned understanding. “Adele refused to marry him?”

“Yes, she wouldn't sanction genocide, even if it had been the best solution for her people.”

“But against humans, not vampires.” Baudoin's voice was harsh.

“Both. She knows, like I, that genocide is not the solution.” He still believed that despite the fact that he remembered the taste of her blood and the promise of death he had found there.

Baudoin bowed his head. “Perhaps I have misjudged the woman.”

“Most do. It's her greatest asset.”

Baudoin smiled. “Adele will always be welcome in this house.”