Vampire Girl 2: Midnight Star(34)

Fen shakes his head. "The Spirits cannot be killed, not truly. Only injured. The best we can do is find the Water Druid. If she dies, Wadu will be forced to find another Keeper, to choose another Fae who is worthy. The spirit will be reborn, young again, weaker—for a time."

Asher nods. "I heard what the Fire Spirit did to your realm. My condolences, brother."

My eyes go wide. This is news to me. "What happened?"

Fen sighs. "Riku, the phoenix, burned our forests. We do not have the wood to rebuild Stonehill."

I remember Oren, the rage in his eyes, Riku the phoenix in his hand. I can almost feel the fire against my skin. "I’m sorry Fen."

The Prince of War grunts, looking at Asher. "You never told me, where did you find her?"

"In a village in the Outlands north of your realm," Asher says, lying with ease.

Fen studies me again. "And you weren't hurt?"

"No. I was held captive, but they weren't cruel to me."

"I felt you calling for me through the blood mark. I tried to find you, but it led to a dead end in a cave. An ancient door of some kind. Do you know of it?"

I look at Asher, unsure how to answer. I hate lying to anyone, but especially to Fen. It hurts more than any physical wounds ever will. "The Fae who captured me made camp in the cave for a while. They didn't seem to know what the door was either."

Baron howls and chases Yami around the room. I think the two are playing tag, and I stifle a laugh. Fen cocks his head. "I'll have to have him examined." He looks to Asher. "I'm going to need a room near Ari's, while she stays here."

I want nothing more than for Fen to stay, but Asher frowns. "Brother, your realm needs you now more than ever. And it is my turn with her. The others princes would frown on you being here. They would see it as an unfair advantage."

Fen bows his head. "I will need to see her again, Asher."

Asher nods. "I know, brother. I will make sure you do. But trust me to care for the princess. I won't let anything happen to her."

Fen stands, and I stand, not knowing what to do. Asher looks at both of us. "I have some business to attend to," he says. "The attack has caused damage I must help repair. Why don't you two say your goodbyes in private while I... attend to that business."

He leaves us alone and Fen reaches for me, pulling me into a longer, more intimate hug than on the boat. I rest my head on his shoulder and breathe him in. It feels so good to be in his arms again, I don't ever want to let go.

"Have you healed well?" I ask. "I had to give you my blood. I'm sorry."

He chuckles and kisses my forehead. "Only you would apologize for saving someone's life at the cost to yourself. I'm fine. Thank you."

"Anytime," I say. "But you really should stop getting kidnapped and tortured by Outlanders."

He chuckles. "I've missed you, Ari."

"I still miss you," I say. "It doesn't feel like you're here, knowing you are leaving. When will I see you again?"

"Soon," he says, his voice low. "Soon."

Baron whines and pushes his nose between us. I lay my hand on his large furry head. "Take care of this guy for me, Baron, will ya? Don't let him do anything stupid." Baron licks my hand, and I pet him and then put my hands on Fen's chest. "We'll figure this out. We'll figure us out. But for now, go figure out your realm. Your people need you."

"They need you too," he says softly.

"Tell them I'm well, and that I miss them and my heart grieves for their losses. And tell Kayla... " My voice wavers. "Tell her I'm so sorry. So very sorry. I tried to save him. But I couldn't. I didn't know how, and it's my fault. I should have let her go. She would have known what to do."

"She doesn't blame you," Fen says. He lifts my chin with his finger, looking into my eyes. "No one does. It's war. People die."

"Don't die," I tell him. "I couldn't handle that."

"I'm not easy to kill," he says, grinning in his cocky way. "You'll be sick of me long before I die."

He leaves then, with Baron reluctantly following. Yami droops and makes little pouty noises as his new friend disappears out the door.

"We're both going to miss them, huh?" I ask. "I guess you don't get a lot of friends. Sorry about that." I walk to my new bed and sit down. "Are you hungry? Should I call for some meat?"

Yami wags his tail and flaps his wings, and I laugh and ring the servant's bell. Kara and Julian arrive, and I hug each of them. "It's so good to see you safe. Were you cared for well? Given a place to sleep and change?"

"Yes," Kara says. "Thank you. "