A Shade of Vampire 37: An Empire of Stones(27)

Last night had been strangely amazing. Though a threat hung over us, and my thoughts were never far from my brother, Ruby or Julian, spending uninterrupted time with Tejus in a literal bubble had been so intimate I half-wished we’d never had to leave it. I’d felt so close to him, like I was finally getting some more insight into who he was, and having an actual conversation where we didn’t bite each other’s heads off was a novelty I wanted to experience again.

He still wouldn’t answer the questions I had about why he was so reticent in allowing something more to happen between us. I had told him last night that I would get to the bottom of it, whatever his reasoning was. Perhaps I could respect his decision more if I understood it, but at the moment I had no idea why he wouldn’t just let it happen, when he obviously had feelings toward me—or at least the possibility of feelings toward me. I found the whole thing unbelievably frustrating, and I had no reference point for any of this. In the world of fictional romance, the guy usually made his intentions clear, and it was the heroine who had misgivings. The role reversal was getting kind of insulting.

“We’re a few miles from the castle. Are you still cold?” Tejus asked.

Pressed against his body, with his arms wrapped around me, I had completely forgotten the outside temperature.

“I’m fine. Just looking forward to a bath.”

“Good. I don’t believe I will be as fortunate. The trials will begin this morning,” he mused.

“What?” I replied, stunned. “You’ll go to the trials? Can’t you tell them what happened? Surely they’ll delay it till you can get some rest?”

Tejus snorted. “Do you honestly believe that?” he asked.

He was right. Like the ministers in Nevertide had ever cared about the wellbeing of those taking part in the trials. I remembered the faulty disk and shuddered. Though they’d been powerless to stop it, as soon as the nightmare had come to an end they’d carried on as if nothing had happened.

“Fair point. But you should try at least,” I grumbled.

“Out of the question.”

I sighed. If it was a trial of willpower and stubbornness, Tejus would win hands down.

As predicted, as soon as we entered the courtyard, ministers flocked from the front doors, running down the stone steps to meet us.

“Your Highness,” they cried breathlessly. “The trials begin in an hour!”

“Can’t you give him some time to rest?” I snapped, ignoring Tejus’s warning look.

“There is no time!” Qentos’s reedy voice cut through the air. “He must depart at once!”

“I’m ready,” Tejus replied, but his gaze was directed at me.

“You’re insane,” I muttered. I was worried. If Tejus wasn’t fit for the trial, then he shouldn’t be going. The kingship trials had been dangerous enough. I couldn’t imagine what the imperial trials would have in store for him.

“Hazel,” Tejus growled. “Go and get warm. I will be back soon, and we’ll resume the search for your brother.”

“Okay.”

I relented, and gave him back his robe. He thanked me with a nod, and then turned his attention back to the ministers. Not knowing what else to do, I made my way across the courtyard to the castle.

I fully intended to head straight for my quarters, but it occurred to me to check on the guards who had been on the night watch. I hadn’t seen any of them outside, and no update had been given to Tejus.

The castle was busy. There were ministers everywhere, and every time I passed one of them, heading in the direction of the emperor’s room, their whispering would start, but nothing clear enough that I could understand what was being said. No doubt they were talking about my brother, and it made me feel uncomfortable—and angry. This was mostly all their fault, and if they thought any differently, then they were more stupid than I had originally given them credit for.

When I reached the passageway, a group of ministers and guards were huddled around the entrance. All conversations came to a halt and the guards eyed me warily.

“What’s going on?” I asked, my heart thudding.

Only silence greeted me. I tried to peer around them to the opening, but my view was cut off by more guards standing directly in the doorway of the passage.

“Can someone please tell me what’s going on?” I asked again, more desperately this time. I didn’t like the looks they were giving me.

“It’s best if you just go back to your room,” one of the guards murmured. “We’ve got this under control.”

Yeah, right.

“Someone needs to tell me what’s going on,” I demanded. “Or I’m marching right back out to your king.”