Troubled (The Binding Chronicles #4)

26. Vampires aren’t Fire-Proof

Vampires aren’t Fire-Proof

“ B y all the gods, I hope you won’t hate me for this when you wake up,” Marius huffed as he climbed the steps out of the House of Forgotten Shadows. His bodyguard’s unconscious body was cradled in his arms, his hands wrapped around her upper chest and thighs.

Vivienne had been out for a solid hour.

Marius thought his heart would explode out of his chest when she dove towards the glowing water littered with bones.

The vampire had seemed single-minded about touching the pool. He’d yelled at her to step away, reminding her that it would kill her and they needed the water to stop the First, but she hadn’t seemed to hear him.

Thank the gods, he’d been able to stop her.

Vivienne’s sword was sheathed at his hip, and his pack was on his back as he trekked forward. He hadn’t dared walk the silver planes to See what was ahead, but he was prepared to fight if anything came at them .

He wasn’t able to move quickly, and he was incredibly aware of every creak, every whistle of wind, and every footfall.

Phyrra had been right.

This place was filled with death.

He’d spent hours with the spymaster before leaving Castle Sanguis, plying her for any information she knew about the House of Forgotten Shadows. She hadn’t known much, but she’d admitted that throughout her travels, she heard tales of vampires entering the ruins and never leaving.

At the time, Marius had thought they were just stories. Now that he’d seen the bones, he knew they were all true.

A shiver ran through him, and he tightened his grip on Vivienne. She was safe in his arms, but she’d come far too close to joining her brethren at the bottom of that gods-damned pool.

A vivid imagination wasn’t required to realize precisely what would’ve happened to his bodyguard if he hadn’t stopped her.

The vial of prohiberis-laced water had been his last resort. A gift from Phyrra, in case of emergencies. He’d never dreamed he would have to use it on Vivienne.

Unstopping the cork and forcing the liquid down her throat had been the hardest thing Marius had ever done. And the wounded look of betrayal on her face before she stopped fighting him…

His heart had nearly shattered at the sight.

The moment Vivienne fell unconscious, Marius lowered her carefully to the ground. Keeping himself between her still body and the pool, he’d hastily collected the vial of water they required, wrapped the glass containers in several layers of wool and twine, and tucked it in his bag.

Then, he’d picked Vivienne up.

When the vampire was awake, she was all fire and spite. From the first moment she interrupted his escape into the woods, he’d admired the life that flowed effortlessly from her.

Now, it was barely present.

The slow, steady thump of his bodyguard’s heart was the only reason he was moving calmly through the darkness and not panicking about how she felt in his arms.

He hadn’t killed her.

Relief had coursed through him when he realized that, his breath catching in his throat. He wasn’t entirely prepared to unpack what it meant, but he knew that Vivienne’s survival meant far more to him than he was prepared to admit.

It was more than just her riveting company—although he immensely enjoyed the way hours melted away when they were together, talking about everything and nothing. There was something about her that made him feel safe in a way that nothing, not even his sister’s presence, ever had before.

Marius’s chest warmed as he carried the vampire, and despite the near-death situation they’d just escaped, he felt a strange sense of peace. He’d spent so long searching for adventure, yet he felt more alive with Vivienne in his arms than he had when they faced the First.

Vivienne moaned as he carried her through the dark ruins.

He tightened his grip around her protectively and brushed his lips over her forehead. The silky kiss was barely a touch, but his lips heated.

“Rest, Viv. I’ll get us out of here.”

As if she heard him, she exhaled softly, curling her head into his chest. He blew out a low breath and hugged her tighter as he exited the House of Forgotten Shadows.

A whipping, howling wind had been haunting Marius since he left the ruins an hour ago. A storm was in the air, the skies were dark, and the breeze was cold.

He shivered, tightening his grip around Vivienne. Once he’d left the ruins and immediate danger had passed, he stopped long enough to dig out a healing salve from his pack. He’d applied Odette’s concoction liberally to his ankle, the lingering pain disappearing almost instantly. He’d have to thank the witch when they returned.

A stone keep with a round tower rose above the moonlit planes, their destination beckoning him forward. Marshwood Tower was abandoned, but this was where Sebastian had arranged for their ride to pick them up.

The bodyguard in Marius’s arms moaned. He halted mid-step, his gaze dropping to her face.

Moonlight illuminated Vivienne’s pale features in silver. Fiery tendrils of hair blew over her face. Her eyes blinked open, and long lashes framed those black eyes he dreamed about more often than not.

A long moment passed as her gaze swept over his, and her red brows creased. Her body tensed, and she sucked in a sharp breath.

“You,” she hissed, her voice husky. “You… drugged me.”

Despite the wind, he heard each word as though she’d shouted them. Accusation shone brightly in her eyes, and his chest ached at the sight.

“I did.” He swallowed. “And I can?—”

“Put me down.” Her tone was hard.

He did as she asked, placing her feet on the cold, snow-dusted ground. She stepped back, her face hardening.

Marius’s arms felt unbearably empty without her in them. His fingers flexed, wanting to reach out to hold her. Touch her. Keep her forever.

Wait.

Where had that last thought come from? He wasn’t entirely sure, but he didn’t hate it. At all. He could easily envision a future with her .

Marius stepped towards her. “Viv?—”

“Don’t,” she seethed, darkness flashing in her eyes. “You don’t get to call me that right now, Prince.”

His heart thundered as he studied her. “You’re angry.”

“That’s an understatement,” she ground out through clenched teeth.

Wings burst from her back in a flurry of night, and darkness swelled around her. Just because she didn’t have shadows—something she’d shared with him during their initial journey to Hoarfrost Hollow—didn’t mean the night wasn’t drawn to her.

In the same way that the High Lady of Life seemed to breathe, and life followed suit—at least now that the balance had been restored—darkness ebbed and flowed around vampires. It was as much a part of them as the need to drink blood.

And Marius had angered Vivienne.

If he were a smarter man, he’d probably consider how quickly the vampire could kill him and back away.

Instead, he stepped towards Vivienne.

She moved back.

Pain lanced through him, but he tried to ignore it, focusing on the vampire.

“What did you do to me?” Her familiar voice was quiet, but there was nothing soft about her words. Her features were like stone, and her fangs glistened in the moonlight.

He hated that he was the reason she was angry.

“You were about to touch the water.” He itched to step towards her, but he held himself back. “I couldn’t let that happen. It would’ve killed you.”

Those bones at the bottom of the pool flashed before his eyes. He couldn’t imagine this vibrant vampire reduced to nothing but a skeleton, the light in her eyes forever extinguished .

“You stopped me.” Not a question, despite her earlier inquiry.

He dipped his chin. “I did.”

“How?” Narrowed black eyes met his, and her wings snapped together.

He inhaled deeply, steeling himself for her reaction. Something told him it wouldn’t be good. “I gave you prohiberis.”

He knew what the substance did to vampires, and he hated that he’d had to give it to her. The wind quieted at that exact moment, and it was as though he’d shouted his shame.

A predatory, vicious snarl ripped from Vivienne’s chest. A reminder of their positions—she was a bringer of death, and he was a halfling. Good with a sword, but mortal blood still ran through his veins.

Aware that he had to speak quickly if he wanted to remain alive, Marius hurriedly continued, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do. You couldn’t touch the water, and you didn’t seem to hear me shouting at you.”

He would never forget the fear that chilled his heart as he yelled, and she ignored him.

An eternity seemed to pass as she studied him. Every second felt like hours, her dark gaze sweeping over him. What was going on in her mind?

“The song was deafening.” She worked her jaw. “I… I couldn’t seem to break away from it. It called to me.”

He frowned. He hadn’t heard anything in the cave.

“Do you still hear it?”

“No, it’s gone.” Vivienne drew her lip through her teeth. “Was it the only way?”

To stop me .

The unspoken words echoed around them louder than any drum.

“I think so. Nothing else was working.” His heart clenched, remembering the desperation he’d felt grabbing the poisoned water. “It was my last resort. If it helps, I didn’t want to do it. Hurting you…” He shuddered. “It was worse than when the First sliced my chest open.”

He never wanted to do that again for as long as he lived.

Her gaze flitted to his pack, then back to him. “You got the vial?”

“I did.”

“And you carried me out.” Again, not a question.

He jerked his chin. “I couldn’t leave you there.”

That would’ve made him as much of a monster as the shadow creature they’d fought.

Vivienne’s lips pinched together, and her brows creased. The wind picked back up, blowing strands of hair in front of her eyes. She was so beautiful, even in her anger, and he drank in the sight of her.

Was this why Luna was always watching Sebastian? He was starting to understand why she did that. It felt like every time he looked at Vivienne, he saw something new.

“Thank you, my prince,” Vivienne said, pulling him from his thoughts.

He wasn’t sure what he’d expected her to say, but it wasn’t that. His mouth fell open in shock, but she wasn’t done.

Gratitude shone in Vivienne’s eyes as she bowed her head, placing her hand flat over her heart. “You saved my life tonight. I owe you a debt.”

He shook off his shock, his eyes widening as he moved to close the distance between them. “No, that’s not why I did this.”

He didn’t do it so she would owe him. He just wanted her to live.

“I know, and that’s why I’m grateful. You didn’t need to save me, but you did.” Her lips tilted up into a teasing smile. “Don’t pretend the debt won’t come in handy, Marius. You and I both know you have a knack for finding danger.”

He scoffed, crossing his arms. “I do not.”

She raised a brow in silent rebuke .

“I will admit that trouble seems to be drawn to me, but I certainly don’t seek it out.” He paused, thinking about how he’d decided to go after the First alone. “Much.”

Not only that, but he had a feeling that after this journey, his incessant itch for adventure would be sated. At least for a while.

“Mhmm, keep telling yourself that, Prince.” Vivienne rolled her shoulders and held out her hand for her sword.

Now that she didn’t seem like she wanted to kill him, he handed it over.

“I’ll just be here, waiting for trouble to show up, calling your name.” She sheathed the sword behind her back. “Until then?—”

A thunderous thump, thump, thump filled the air, cutting her off.

Marius’s gaze rose to the sky as a dark shadow flitting through the clouds drew his attention.

It was beautiful.

Enormous wings were spread, blotting out the stars, and a booming roar shook the heavens. Moments later, red flames swept across the sky.

It was a stunning sight.

“Is that a dragon?” Vivienne asked, stepping towards him even as she looked up.

“It is,” he breathed.

It didn’t matter how many times he saw one of these majestic creatures. Each experience filled him with awe.

The first time he’d met a dragon was after the Battle of Balance. Luna and Sebastian had invited the High Ladies and their mates to Castle Sanguis to celebrate the restoration of the Balance. Three dragons had arrived with them, each a marvelous creature of death.

The adventure bug had already bitten Marius. Meeting the Carinoc dragons and seeing them up close had solidified his desire to explore the land.

Not everyone felt the same way he did about dragons, though. There was a reason the Crimson King had sought to eradicate them a century ago. Many people in the Four Kingdoms feared the fire-breathing creatures, and based on the look flickering across Vivienne’s face, she might have been one of them.

She drew her sword in a smooth movement, spun on her heels, and cast a look over her shoulder that distinctly said, See? You attract trouble.

“Stay behind me,” she commanded. “Dragons are?—”

Marius was already shouldering past her, a joyful grin stretching across his face as he approached the descending dragon.

Vivienne released a string of curses, running towards him in a blur. Her hand landed on his arm, and she yanked him back. “Are you so eager to call in your debt, Your Highness? Stay back.”

He stumbled but shook her off. “It’s fine.”

“It most certainly isn’t.” She pointed her sword towards the sky, her wings flaring. “Did you miss the fire-breathing beast flying straight towards us? That’s the opposite of ‘fine.’ Vampires aren’t fireproof, Marius.”

“I’m well aware.” That was the reason Castle Sanguis was illuminated by Light Elf orbs. “But I recognize this dragon.”

He realized who it was the moment they broke through the cloud cover. After all, there weren’t many dragons in the Four Kingdoms, and only one had scales that mimicked a flourishing forest in the middle of the summer. Spikes lined the green dragon’s back, from its head to its long tail. Curved talons extended from its legs. Large wings were spread, facilitating its descent. Golden, slitted eyes were wide and trained on them.

“You do? How?” Vivienne asked.

Marius raised his hand in greeting as the dragon approached. Heat radiated off the beast, melting what little snow remained on the ground.

His grin widened. “He’s a family friend of sorts.”

He hadn’t expected the dragon to pick them up from Marshwater Keep, but in hindsight, it made sense. Dragons could travel quickly over large expanses of land, and this particular one was Sebastian and Luna’s good friend.

The dragon landed. The ground quaked, trees shook behind them, and then, a brilliant white light flashed.