Apprentice of Death

The King watched Cinder and Sebastian’s parting with curiosity. There may have been more to their relationship than was at first obvious. The way Sebastian touched and looked at Cinder and his kiss on her forehead spoke of an intimacy he had not noticed at first. The two had interacted very little up until that moment, despite the Bondmate connection he could sense between them. But were they romantically involved as well? A witch and a werewolf? It went against everything he knew, but then again, she had already challenged everything else he knew about witches; should he really be surprised that she went against the grain in this area as well if it was true?

Adrian could practically feel the protectiveness the two felt for one another just by observing how they had looked at one another then; Sebastian kept a close eye on her, speaking to that as well. Adrian’s fascination with Cinder grew even more; if she had an intimate relationship with Sebastian, it would back up everything he was discovering about her not having any prejudice against werewolves.

Some witches tolerated and dealt with them to a degree, but all held at least a small measure of superiority to their kind, and none would have dared love one of his kind. It would be another thing yet unheard of by him. Humans sometimes fell in love with his kind, but never a witch. She was a walking paradox that he was drawn to.

Once Sebastian was out of sight, Cinder turned and walked back to the King, unsure what to do while she waited. She looked at him, feeling his growing curiosity and desire to ask her things.

“Cinder, can I show you to your room?” he asked her. She bowed her head and took his offered arm.

They walked from the courtyard onto the terrace and then continued down a more heavily guarded hallway than any other they had been down.

“Where are we headed exactly?” she inquired.

“This is the hall for nobility residents, high-ranking military officials, and royalty,” he said.

Her eyes widened, and she glanced at him, meeting his eye, thinking, “I would be perfectly comfortable in a lower-stationed room, Sire. There is no need to worry yourself about Sebastian or me.” He gave her a kind smile that reached his eyes, and she felt drawn to its reassurance and to him.

He kindly answered back, “Nonsense, Cinder. You are an honored guest in my home, and I believe we will have much to learn from one another; so much has already changed for me. I desire to keep you two close to continue learning more about and from you. As an Ambassador to our people, you would stay in this wing of the palace anyways, and it certainly would not be acceptable to place Sebastian, a King Alpha, anywhere other than in my second-best room, close to one for you.”

Down the white marble hall, she saw a tall, grand double door that was very ornate and had multiple guards stationed outside.

She let him feel her curiosity, and he answered, “That is my room.”

They turned right down a smaller hallway, a short way before the large double doors of his royal chambers, and passed by one ornate door, to the second one on their left. Smaller doors were on the right, across the hall they walked in. A guard was outside each of the two doors, and the King nodded to the one at the second door to open it for them.

He led her into a room rich in earthen tones, dark wood, and green textiles. It had a massive four-poster bed draped in gossamer curtains pulled to the posts out of the way, resting in the center of the large room. A French double door on the right wall opened to a balcony, allowing a fresh breeze into the room. A small sitting area was on that side of the room, tucked into the corner. To her left were a sizeable ornate vanity and armoire against the door wall they had come through. A door was in the middle of the left wall, connecting this room to the next, and in the upper left-hand corner was a divider that hid a changing area behind it. Another door, in the back corner, behind the changing area, led to a bathroom. It was the most beautiful room she had ever seen. She looked around in awe, her lips parting slightly in amazement.

“Will this be satisfactory?” Adrian asked her after giving her a chance to look around, watching her reaction. She was speechless, feeling overwhelmed by his generosity.

“Your Majesty, this is too much. I don’t need all of this.” She couldn’t stop her feelings of being uncomfortable and unworthy from showing. She was happy sleeping in a lean-to in the woods, for heaven’s sake, and being surrounded by such luxury, had her humble origins making her blush.

“I asked you to call me Adrian, Cinder. Though unmarried, you are as good as a Queen in station with Sebastian by your side.”

She managed to close her mouth, but her blush stayed as she looked at him, thinking, “It is too much, Adrian. Please, I don’t need all this. It’s not why I came here.” His observance of her relationship with Sebastian showed how intelligent he was while also giving her a lot to think about from his perspective.

He smiled kindly at her blush, calm and unwavering, answering, “I know. Which is why I insist that you take it. That way, if I require you, you are close. There is a hidden door here,” he motioned to a section of the back wall, opposite of them, to the right of her bed, as he continued, “that leads into my chambers if you ever need anything.”

She looked at him, embarrassed again by his generosity and kindness. She hadn’t known what to expect coming here, as Sebastian had been one of only a few werewolves she had ever been around, but she hadn’t been expecting this. Not the generous luxury or even the kindness Adrian showed her. If she was being honest, she hadn’t expected such a welcome, and it surprised her.

She looked at Adrian and studied him for a moment. She found his mind very controlled and calm, even for a werewolf, probably due to his age. She also sensed much wisdom in him. That coupled with his love and devotion for his people, she got the sense that he was a King worth following and bowing down to.

He watched her examine him and finally admitted, “I have much I would like to ask you, Cinder, but I should let you rest and become familiar with your room.”

“No, please stay and ask your questions. I am here to help, not rest in a room too beautiful for me,” Cinder blushed.

“Nothing could be too beautiful for someone who sacrifices for others like you do.” His thought was fleeting and not meant to be heard, so she did her best to ignore it, but she found herself blushing deeper and looking away from his eyes.

He gently touched her shoulder, motioning for her to walk with him as he stepped toward the French doors. They walked onto the balcony overlooking a small garden area below that naturally flowed into the surrounding forest. It was a beautiful sight, and she noticed a larger balcony to her left, off of the King’s chambers. To their right was a view of a part of the palace and other buildings off in the distance with a beautiful mountain backdrop and view of the sky. The sun was lowering, and the very beginning taste of the sunset was on the horizon.

“What is it you want to know?” she prompted him as they enjoyed the view together. They had walked out to the balcony railing and stood there, Cinder taking in the beautiful sight of his palace and city. The changing colors of the sky cast a golden light down on them as they stood with one another in a comfortable quiet. Something about him had her feeling relaxed and at ease, drawn to his presence even. She watched him rub the stubble on his jaw while he considered things. He had so many questions and thoughts that he had difficulty selecting where to start.

“How did you come to not hate or look down on our kind?” She smiled at him and put her hands on the balcony railing, looking over the surrounding buildings.

“I grew up in the woods with Sebastian, away from other witches and their influence. My family doesn’t have the same views on werewolves, so I was never instilled with the prejudices others are taught at a young age. It is a taught part of our culture, not a natural one. Fear has led to many things surrounding your kind, unfortunately, but it is a taught fear, irrational a lot of the time. Sebastian has been my closest friend, and I have never been afraid of him.”

Adrian turned his eyes from the view, seeking hers, as he gently asked, “He is more than just a Bondmate and friend to you, isn’t he?” She met his eye with a gasp and blushed before looking down and away, feeling nervous as the blush spread to her ears. She had never outrightly discussed her relationship with a stranger outside of Celeste.

“Forgive me, Cinder. I don’t mean to pry. I’m just trying to figure you out. You are a mystery to me and everything I have ever known to be true of witches.”

She didn’t know what to say but could still feel his eyes on her. What was appropriate in this situation? She wanted the King’s trust, but there were no guidelines for this situation; she was used to not discussing it or bringing it up with others because it was so taboo among her people. She concluded that truth was the simplest of answers, and being here among werewolves, she hoped it wouldn’t be viewed with the same animosity as it was amongst witches.

Looking back up into his eyes, she found that she trusted him; his mind could be described as honorable and faithful, an unblemished purity there that pulled on her to answer him unafraid. She wanted to confide in him, she realized.

“Yes, I love him. He and . . .” She was about to speak Garret’s name aloud out of habit before remembering. Her memories were painful, and they showed on her face and in her eyes as they contorted in pain before she turned away, looking down. She blinked back the tears that had come to her eyes, slowly drawing in a breath and releasing it.

“What pains you, Cinder?” She didn’t look at him, so he couldn’t see her struggle with the tears pricking her eyes.

“I had two childhood friends growing up in the woods. Sebastian and another boy. We were the best of friends as children, and when we grew older, I fell in love with them, intending to bond with my witch friend but still work as an Eradicator alongside Sebastian. I thought I would be lucky to have both of them in my life. His name was Garret, and I’m why he’s dead.”

This shocked Adrian, and he couldn’t help asking, “What do you mean?”

Cinder sighed and at last looked up into his eyes, hers glassy, as she explained, “It’s my fault he’s dead. If I hadn’t chosen the Life Pathway that I did, he would still be alive. My future would have been completely different, but he would be alive. I was warned that this choice, this pathway, would contain death. I bring death with me. Are you really sure you want me here?”

He stepped a little closer to her, seeming like he wanted to comfort her as he asked, ”How did he die, then?”

Her face contorted with the pain of the memory as she answered Adrian, “He was killed by hunters because of my choices. I . . .” She didn’t say anymore. Instead, she ran her hands over the smooth marble railing to comfort herself.

He was too easy to talk with, and she had never intended to tell him about Garret; she rarely mentioned his name, even if he was never far from her thoughts. She felt confused about how they had gotten on such a painful topic so quickly.

“I’m sorry for your pain. I understand such loss well,” he offered her.

His 400 years seemed filled with loss and pain that he buried deep, but she could feel it in his mind as he empathized with her, drawing her eyes to his once again. His sincerity and quiet understanding were comforting.

“Why are you so easy to talk with, Adrian?”

He chortled and smiled at her, countering, ”I’m not, really. Most are too afraid to converse like this with me because of who I am. I never speak like this with anyone else. Being King is lonely because everyone is intimidated or trying to prove something. Talking with you is refreshing, probably because you weren’t raised in our society.”

She wasn’t sure if that was the real reason, but it was true; she found him very easy to talk with and even confide in. Something about him drew her in, even telling him about Garret, whom she had never discussed with anyone. She wanted to know more about him and why he was who he was now. How had he become the wise man before her, who was so pure of heart, despite suffering loss?

He was studying her again, in the contemplative way that his wisdom allowed, asking, ”Tell me, what makes you willing to bear the curse of my people on yourself?”

It was her turn to give a good-humored chuckle and smile at him, “I guess, Adrian, it stems from my love of Sebastian and my desire to help him. Watching how others have treated him and your kind makes me want to help because no one else is willing to do so.”

He thought to himself about what she said, considering her words. Was it really so simple to her? She was still a mystery to him in many ways, but what he had learned about her so far astonished him.

“Will Sebastian ever step into the role of a King Alpha and form a Kingdom?” Cinder had never really considered this and had no answer for him.

She shrugged, “You would have to ask him. I don’t think it’s anything he has ever considered, honestly. He grew up an orphan after his pack fled one of the selfish and evil King Alphas. He has no experience in werewolf community or politics. He has the natural affinity of wisdom and perspective that would serve a ruler but no experience.” Adrian again thought with a hand on his face, his fingers rubbing his jaw contemplatively.

His thoughts centered on how many selfish and cruel King Alphas there were versus the kind and wise ones who put the needs of their people before their selfish, destructive desires. He only knew of one other King who cared for his people besides himself. If he could help Sebastian grow in experience through mentoring him, it could be a solid foundation for Sebastian to become one of those good King Alphas that others would flock to.

“Do you believe he would be interested in being mentored to gain experience?” Adrian asked her, looking over at her.

The idea pleased her, so she smiled but thought, “You would need to speak with him about that.”

Adrian nodded, returning her smile, ”I will offer that to him. I would see another Kingdom rise up with a good ruler for our people. He will be fortunate to have you by his side, to help him see into matters if he does start a kingdom. Your insight must be invaluable.” He sunk into his thoughts then, thinking about how big of a help she could be in matters of state. “Cinder, would you be willing to help me with your Seer abilities, to advise me from what you can hear? Would you be willing to stand by me when I rule over the court and share your insights? I would value your insights into things at any time, but that is one time when you could be a huge help to my Kingdom and me.” She was hesitant; she had never even wanted to be a Seer for her people.

She remembered then the terms of her contract in serving him and said, “As you wish, Your Majesty.” Adrian felt the distance she put between them by speaking out loud and referring to him formally.

“What is it, Cinder? How have I offended you?” he asked quietly, his brow wrinkling with concern as he studied her.

She sighed and looked down, blushing from chagrin, “I’m sorry, Adrian. Forgive me. I have been avoiding being trapped in a Seer position my entire life. My work-release contract dictates that I am yours to use however you wish. I will do whatever you ask of me.”

Adrian moved closer and touched her shoulder, wanting her to look at him. He waited her out, and finally, she raised her face to look him in the eye. His blue eyes fixed on hers, and he thought, ”Cinder, I won’t ask this of you then, and I would never trap you in the position. You have a choice here.”

She sighed and shook her head, “It’s alright, Adrian. I will help you. There are worse things you could ask of me.” His mind jerked to Dominique, applying her words to him.

Shocked, he asked, “Is this the same for Dominique?! What is he forcing you to do?”

Cinder started wringing her hands nervously as she answered, “Celeste wisely had me hide my abilities from Dominique. He believes me to be a healer and uses my services in that area to heal the prisoners he drinks from.” Adrian felt disgusted and angry towards Dominique, followed by suspicion.

“Does this mean he also could do whatever he wants with you?”

A shiver traveled down her body, forcing Cinder to close her eyes as her head jerked slightly to the side. She let out a breath of dread and nodded yes, before opening her eyes to meet his again. His eyes darted to her neck; he couldn’t help himself. He didn’t like the sound of that but knew he could do nothing but help advise her on how to deal with Dominique.

It was his turn to sigh, “I’m sorry. You should have come here first.”

She grimaced and answered, “I never went to him, Adrian. He was at Celeste’s fortress when we arrived and saw me, felt me. He has backed Celeste into a corner, forcing me to work with him during this time or to be his next apprentice instead of hers. He orchestrated this, and Celeste sent me to you to fill up the rest of my time, so Dominique couldn’t demand more. Dominique wants me to increase his power by bonding with him. He . . .” she didn’t finish; she just showed Adrian the vision she had seen in Dominique’s head of her at his side as his Vampire Queen. Adrian’s blue eyes flashed and illuminated a bright ice blue as a growl emanated from his chest at the vision.

It was the first time Cinder had ever seen another werewolf’s anger outside of Sebastian and her Eradicator trainer Brane, but still, she felt safe near Adrian. She looked up into his eyes, which seemed so far away from her, as he thought about Dominique’s evil and endless quest for power. She felt a growing sense of protectiveness for her from him; he hated that she was at the mercy of Dominique and that Dominique wanted to use her for evil. Adrian couldn’t stand the thought of Cinder, who appeared so selfless to him, being hurt by Dominique. He was already beginning to care for her, accepting her into his Kingdom and concerned for her safety.

She listened in on his thoughts, slowly reaching up to his face to run her fingertips along his eyebrow, fascinated with his blue eyes. He started a little and looked down at her. Others usually didn’t touch him out of fear, and her gentle caress awoke something deep inside him that he hadn’t felt in eons.

“Your eyes are blue, even in your wolf or Lycan form?” She was genuinely curious, having never been around other werewolves besides Sebastian and Brane. ”They are beautiful. Is it common?”

Unsettled by her casual touch, he looked at her, answering, “No, it’s not common. They are in our Kingdom’s royal line only. Most have a deep brown, orange, or even a silver grey. Sebastian’s yellow is also distinctive, though it can be found more commonly in the Southern Kingdoms.”

She smiled and meant to drop her hand away, but he caught her wrist on the way down. “You really aren’t afraid of me?” he asked incredulously.

Her brow wrinkled, “Why? Should I be?”

He searched her eyes for any sign of it, thinking, “No, you have nothing to fear from me. I am probably the most under control of any in my Kingdom, but like I said earlier, most people are intimidated by my station. They do not often speak so casually with me, let alone touch me.”

Her mouth opened slightly at the realization, “So you are not used to being touched? I’m sorry. I will try to remember to keep my distance.”

He still held her gaze and wrist as he corrected her, “That’s not what I meant; I was just surprised.”

She felt bad for unsettling him, “Adrian, I am sorry. I’m so used to being around close friends, particularly Sebastian, that I forget that others may not like to be touched. Forgive me.”

His eyes were intense as he looked back at her, that hidden piece that her touch had awoken stirring, “There is nothing to forgive. It’s just been so long since I’ve had anyone who would dare to touch me; I’ve forgotten what it was like.” He hadn’t let go of her wrist, standing over her, looking down into her eyes. She really wasn’t afraid of him.

She stood there listening to his mind wrestle with different thoughts about how the touch had surprised him and how it had made him feel. She could hear his continued astonishment at her lack of fear and a growing trust at how she wanted nothing from him; she wasn’t trying to get close to him to gain something. All she had shown him was a selfless sacrifice for his kind, not even wanting the room he offered her because she believed it to be above her. Her touch had been casual but kind and comforting. He finally settled on how it was nice to have someone near him who was unafraid and that the simple touch had felt nice. He smiled at her, appreciating her presence as he looked into her eyes.

“Adrian?” She questioned him.

He smiled and thought, “Treat me as a friend, Cinder, when we are alone. It would be a nice change, I believe.”

She blinked, accepting his words, and mentally whispered, “Alright.”

She smiled back at him, reached up with the same hand that he still held, and repeated the motion, caressing him the same as before. His eyes slowly faded to their normal blue as he watched her gently touch him. He searched her face with his blue eyes as she touched his brow before a knock at her door drew their attention. He released her hand, and she dropped it, turning to face the door as a guard announced Sebastian’s return.