Mark of Betrayal (Dark Secrets #3)(95)
Author: A.M. Hudson

“I…I’ve been suffering so much guilt for having killed that boy. There was never any resolution for me. I just kept wondering what he did wrong—what he did to deserve being killed.”

Arthur smiled. “I wish I had told you sooner. I’m sorry. I did not think of it.”

“It’s okay. I know now.” I rubbed my face firmly, then my neck, shaking my head the whole time. “How is it that pretty much any conversation we have leaves me with more information about everything to do with vampires than an entire eight week lesson with Morgaine?”

Arthur chuckled. “She thinks she knows everything. I actually do.”

I laughed, too, looking up when a shadow passed over my face on the left.

“Hey, guys.” Eric sat down beside me.

“Hey, Eric,” I said; Arthur merely nodded.

“So—” He knocked me casually with his elbow. “Emily sent me out here to look for you. Says Morgaine told Mike you weren’t in your room, and now he’s gone mad looking for you.”

From the corner of my eye I saw Arthur’s dimple press into his cheek as he looked down.

“Well, I’m right here. I’ve just been talking with Arthur.”

Eric laughed. “That’s what Mike’s worried about.”

And that made me feel heavy. It seemed even proving myself as queen wasn’t enough to get Mike off my back.

Eric placed his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into him, kissing me quickly on the top of the head. “Good job last night, kiddo. I nearly fell over with pride when you came up that hill today.”

“Thanks, Eric.” I rubbed his chest then sat up again.

“Anytime.” He stood and dusted the sand off his jeans. “I’ll go tell Mike I found you down here alone and sent you to your room, okay?”

I smiled up at him. “Thanks.”

He nodded, then gave Arthur a slight bow, a force of habit, I guess, and wandered up the giant, steep stone stairs, like a human.

“He’s afraid of you, isn’t he?” I said.

Arthur laughed. “Only with good reason.”

“He still bows.”

“Yes.” He laughed again. “I noticed that.”

I linked my arm through Arthur’s and rested my head on his shoulder again. “Hey, Arthur?”

“Yes, my dear,” he said in a much warmer tone than any before.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

He patted my hand. “Me too, princess.”

Chapter Twelve

Sitting in front of my dresser, I angled my wrist into the light and rolled it, making sure the Markings had completely faded. The absence of black ink showed the perfect, unblemished white skin; all my scars had healed now, even the few Jason left when he kidnapped me at the Masquerade. I touched my fingers to my neck and traced down my chest to where he literally tore my heart out only a few months ago. That scar was gone, too. I’d made the full transition to queen—to Lilithian, and completely left the past behind—even its scars. But somehow, that made me feel a little sad.

The mysterious Celtic Knot key rested just above the red silk of my ball gown, looking ever so shiny, like a silvery blade in a pool of blood. It suited me, this key, and I was glad I found it—glad I found something to replace the locket Jason took and never gave back.

The door opened and I looked up, putting my thoughts away.

“You nearly ready, Queen Amara?” Morgaine stepped in.

“Yeah. Is my hair okay?” I motioned to the ornate pile of curls on my head, falling softly over my ears and neck.

“You look perfect. Most beautiful queen we ever had.” She shook her head a few times, slumping on the foot of my bed. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that we found you, Amara. And how lucky it is that David and I used to date because, Your Majesty, if I hadn’t loved him once, I’d have tortured him, and you—” Her face went a little pallid, her dark eyes round. “You’d be dead.”

“I know.” I smiled, feeling my curls tickle my neck as I nodded. “I guess it’s just…destiny.”

“I guess so.” She shrugged. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m just really tired.”

“Well, plenty of time for sleep later.” She held up a small, grey gun-looking thing and grinned. “You wanna wear earrings tonight?”

“Um.” I looked at the silver box David gave me the night before our wedding. I did have a nice pair of black coral earrings that’d go great with this dress. “Maybe. But, my ears are already pierced, Morg.”

“Uh, no, they’re not.”

“Uh, yes, they are.” I turned back to the mirror.

“Amara, you’re a vampire. If you don’t keep your earrings in, your holes close over in a matter of seconds.” She stood behind me with the gun.

“Oh.” I touched my earlobe. “Didn’t think of that.”

“How terribly human of you,” she said. “So, you want me to pierce them or not?”

I looked at the box again then opened it and, seeing the moonstone bangle, decided against earrings. “Nah, I think I’ll just wear this and my key tonight,” I said slipping it on.

“Okay then.” She glanced over her shoulder at my balcony for a second. “And, Arthur’s waiting for you, by the way. He requested the first dance.”

“Oh.”

“What’s wrong?”

I stood up, being careful not to step on my skirt, and wandered over to Morgaine. “It’s just…does it have to be the first dance?”

“Only with your permission, Amara.”

My head rolled slowly down as I bunched a handful of fabric in my fingertips.

“Shall I give you another minute or two?”

“Please.” I nodded, not looking up.

I heard the door close, and stood in the middle of my room for a few breaths, feeling the loneliness weigh me down. My dress felt too tight and the heat outside seemed to creep in through my windows and wrap my shoulders, making it hard to breathe. I ran for the cool air of the balcony and grabbed the railing, thrusting my shoulders past my hands, leaning out into the night.

The moon above was only inches from the full circle it had been last night when I made my torturous walk. Its soft, silvery glow turned everything out here pale and white—as if I were in a mystical painting, with sequined sparkles glistening on a blanket of jet-black sky. The only other colour was the golden warmth from flickering candles on the other side of my curtains. It was a nice setting for a ball, really. Magic happened on nights like this.