Toreh was bored. There was absolutely nothing for her to do in the room other than sit still, and sitting still was nothing she was used to. Her wounds were healing nicely, so why won’t they let her go? She decided then that she wouldn’t stay here. She would pick the lock. Yes, that’s what she would do.
Leaping from the bed, she searched the drawers for something sharp. She did find a crocheting pin. That should do it.
Kneeling before the door, she slit the crochet pin into the keyhole and began picking the lock. The door burst open then, and Toreh was thrown backward, the nightdress she had changed into rising above her knees. She looked up and was surprised to see the Crown Prince. Quickly, she rose, curtsying. “Your royal highness.”
“You were planning to escape, were you not?”
“What do you expect, your highness? This room is a bore. All I do is sit around all day,” Toreh replied glumly.
“I apologize for the lack of hospitality, but you cannot leave until you have spoken with the king.”
“I want to go home, your highness. My owner might be looking for me.”
“Your owner, huh?” the prince asked. “Do I know this person?”
“I do not know, your highness. Please let me leave. I have to be in the church tomorrow.”
“Church? Why, are you a Christian?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t know slaves celebrated Christmas.”
“Every Christian celebrates Christmas, which makes me wonder why the royal family celebrates it.”
Ruarc smiled. “Such a curious little thing, are you not? We Icelanders love celebration. You see that annual release of long-time prisoners? If we don’t celebrate Christmas, that custom wouldn’t exist.”
“You have a point.”
“Duh, I always have a point. That’s why I’m Crown Prince.”
Toreh rolled her eyes mentally. Cocky much?
“I want to leave, your highness. I need to.”
“And I said no! You are not leaving here until you have a word with my father.”
“Then take me to him so that I can leave.”
Ruarc raised a brow. “Are you ordering the prince?”
She gasped. “I would never. I just want… You know what? Don’t bother. I’ll just accept my fate.”
Ruarc sighed. “Come on out.”
“Huh?”
“I’m not keeping you locked up on Christmas Eve. So come on out.”
“Oh.”
Toreh broke into a run the minute she was out of the infirmary. She had no idea where she was going; all she knew was that she needed to be away from the Crown Prince. Taking a sharp turn to the left, she bumped into an approaching figure, throwing her off balance.
Looming over her in dark clothes stood Wilhelm. His inky hair was combed back, and his clothes were wrinkle-free. His eyes burned a fiery red, fangs on display. He was everything Eloive was not, a warrior.
Toreh swallowed as she dragged herself to her feet. She should apologize, but she was shocked and at a loss for words. He was pale and breathtaking.
“Shouldn’t you be watching where you’re going?” she asked angrily, recovering from shock.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re excused. You know, just because you’re strikingly handsome doesn’t give you the right to go around bumping into people and catching them off guard.”
“Strikingly handsome?” he asked, brows furrowing in confusion.
Jeez, was that the only thing he heard? “Forget I said anything,” Toreh said, blushing. “You should watch where you’re going.”
“Don’t you think there’s a reason I bumped into you?”
It clicked. “Look, mister, there’s no way I’m giving you my blood.”
He laughed. “Funny of you to think that I want your blood.”
“If… If you don’t want my blood, what then do you want?”
“I want you punished for the murder of Lady Victoria.”
Toreh froze, then swallowed. Her eyes darted between Wilhelm and the handcuffs he held in his hand. She wasn’t going to jail. She couldn’t.
Turning on her heel, she ran, only to run into him. Huffing, she turned to run and realized he was there. Every corner, he was there.
“Why are there six of you? Why?” she asked tiredly. “I didn’t kill her. It was an accident.”
Wilhelm scoffed. “Tell that to the court when you appear before them. You’re under arrest, Toreh, and anything you say or do will be used against you in the court,” he stated, reaching for her hands.
“Wait! You can’t do this! I am under the protection of the king! You cannot arrest me under his roof.”
Wilhelm smiled. Humans amazed him, and Toreh was no exception. “I can do whatever I want, wherever I want. Now stop being silly and give me your hand.”
She broke into a run again, but this time she knew where she was headed. The royal dining room. Eloive would be there, and so would his father. They would protect her from him.
Toreh burst into the dining room, causing sixteen pairs of eyes to look at her. Kayne’s was one of amusement, Eloive’s shock, and Avetha’s disgust. Toreh didn’t care. She moved to the other edge of the room, eyes fixed on an approaching Wilhelm. He bore no handcuffs, but he still couldn’t be trusted.
Avetha was surprised to see him. “Wilhelm, you didn’t say you’d be coming.”
“My father’s calm. You should have figured it out,” Wilhelm stated without looking at her, his eyes solely fixed on Toreh. “Toreh, be a good girl now and come here.”
“Go sit on a cactus,” she yelled, earning gasps from the royal family. Wasn’t she aware that she was talking to a prince? Wilhelm just sighed.
“Wilhelm, what is going on here? Why are you chasing my guest?” Thjis asked, frowning.
“I didn’t know the Icelanders harbored criminals,” Wilhelm replied, tone laced with annoyance.
Dogara frowned. “Criminals? What are you talking about, Wilhelm?”
“The slave,” Wilhelm replied. “She’s a murderer. A very skilled one at that.”
Toreh glared at him.
Dolan laughed. “Don’t be silly, Wilhelm. How can that log of wood be a murderer? I mean, look at her. She’s all skin and bones.”
“I killed a bear when I was barely eight. You would know better than to underestimate a human,” Wilhelm argued.
“You are a vampire. She’s a human. That’s a big difference,” Dolan countered.
“That’s enough! Wilhelm, you helped calm Hanos; we appreciate that. But what I won’t condone is you ruining lunch with my family. You either take a seat at this table now or leave,” Dogara yelled, tone laced with authority.
Wilhelm’s eyes met hers. “Fine. I will sit but it’s only because of the respect I have for you, aunt.”
Dogara didn’t take her eyes off him until he settled down beside Eloive, who was still trying to process what was happening. “You too,” Dogara said, turning to Toreh. “Join us.”
“Dogara, you simply can’t be serious. She…” Avetha began.
Dogara glared at her. “It’s Queen Dogara to you, Fae.”
Avetha shut up. “Now come, child, sit beside Waxlyn. Waxlyn, do accommodate her. After all, there is enough room for all of us since your uncles are unavailable at the moment.”
Toreh glanced at the empty spot beside Waxlyn. Opposite the spot was Wilhelm, which made her frown. Wilhelm noticed this and smiled.
“I… I don’t think this is a good idea. I’m not fit to dine with royalty.”
“But you’re fit to kill royalty?” Wilhelm asked.
Toreh glared at him. “Lady Victoria was no royalty.”
“Enough, you two!” Ruarc bellowed. “Gosh. You bicker like a married couple!”
Eloive frowned at this.
“Toreh, sit with my granddaughter,” Dogara ordered.
Toreh didn’t move.
Dogara raised a brow at this. “You dare defy the queen’s orders?”
“No, my queen.”
“Good. Then sit.”
Begrudgingly, Toreh took her seat beside Waxlyn, and to her utmost horror, the young girl began sniffing her. Toreh shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
“Waxlyn, stop that at once!” Thane ordered.
“I will, father. It’s just… her scent is quite familiar.”
Toreh’s blood ran cold. She glanced at Eloive, but he wasn’t looking at her. She tried to remain calm, so she laughed it off.
“Um, I’m sure it’s your mind playing tricks on you.”
“No, it’s not,” Waxlyn argued. “Oh, I know! You’re the one!” Waxlyn exclaimed.
“Waxlyn, don’t start this now,” Yale said dryly.
“No, it’s her, Yale! The girl that Eloive was trying to get pregnant!”
Avetha choked on her wine. Kayne swallowed his grape. Ruarc leaned back in his chair. Massa’s eyes widened. Izal looked away. Elijah stopped eating. Dolan stifled a laugh. Eloive cursed. Toreh wished her lifespan was up.
“It can’t be,” Yale said.
“It is, Yale. She’s the one. Come smell for yourself.”
Yale sniffed at her skin then stepped back. “She is the one.”
“See, I told you she’s the one Eloive was trying to get pregnant!” Waxlyn exclaimed.
Toreh sucked in a sharp breath.
“Eloive,” Thjis called out. “Is this true?”
Dolan didn’t allow him to talk. “I wonder,” Dolan said. “Tell us, boy. Were you fooling around with a slave?”
“We’re just friends,” Eloive muttered, eyes down.
“Ha!” Eoff exclaimed. “No Lancaster is just friends with a female! She’s either your woman or your whore.”
“Eoff! The children are here!” Izal shouted.
“The children know the methods involved in making babies, seeing one of them was practicing the methods. I now believe that matters like these can now be discussed freely in their presence,” Eoff said.
“Eoff, enough,” Ruarc spoke. “Eloive, are Waxlyn’s allegations false?”
“Of course they are,” Eloive answered.
“They aren’t!” Waxlyn screamed. “He was trying to get her pregnant, I’m sure of it.”
“Do you have evidence to support your claim?” Thjis asked. “Any witness?”
“Yes, I do. Yale, tell them,” Waxlyn urged.
The boy looked lost. “Huh? Tell them what?”
“The truth. That Eloive was trying to get a girl pregnant.”
“What? I don’t know what you’re talking about, Waxlyn. This is the first time I’m hearing about this. I know that she was with Eloive because you said she was, but I cannot say that he was trying to get her pregnant. You do recall that I only came into the room after you.”
“Yale!” Waxlyn cried out. “May the heavens punish you for the lies you’ve told.”
“Waxlyn! Watch your tongue. Thane, control your daughter,” Avetha said.
Thane sighed. “Waxlyn…”
“Father, I’m telling you the truth. I swear, I’m telling you the truth.”
“I know, sweetie, but you’ve got to back up your truth with evidence,” Thane said.
“What if I don’t have evidence?” Waxlyn asked, close to tears.
“I think you already know the answer to that, sweetie.”
Waxlyn ran out of the dining room, tears flowing down her cheeks. Thane swore softly before rising. He turned to Eloive.
“You made my sweetheart cry. If I find out that she’s indeed telling the truth, I’d burn you,” Thane threatened before walking out.
Wilhelm turned to his cousin. “You are telling the truth, are you not? ‘Cause I’d hate to see you burn on Christmas Eve.”