Chapter Twenty
“We’ll miss you, Mimi,” said Emmett, throwing his arms around her waist in an uncharacteristic show of affection.
Caden and Jack joined their brother, the three of them cocooning her in little boy arms and lanky bodies. Caden pulled back first, turning away with a hard swipe across his cheek.
They stood in a circle of tall evergreens just beyond the exit of a secret passageway outside the castle. When Friedrich had led them down the cavernous tunnel from a hidden door in the kitchen, the boys had been excited about embarking on a clandestine mission. But now, at the time of parting, they were sullen and quiet.
It was a bright, starry night, the near-full moon hanging above the tree line like an interloper listening in. The air still, but crisp.
Beatrice stood to the side, wearing a brave face. Brenna went to her and cupped her cheek. “You’ll take care of the boys, won’t you, Beatrice?”
Her eyes were rimmed red, but she didn’t let the tears spill. “Yes, Mimi.” Her voice was scratchy. “Olog and I made enough meat pies and pastries to last the journey.” She bit her bottom lip.
Brenna pulled her into a hug and whispered into her ear as Beatrice was almost her height. “I’m sorry, my dear.” She smelled of flour and woodsmoke and sweet herbs, that distinct aroma that was only Beatrice. “I’m counting on you to keep the boys and the little ones in line. They’ll need you.” She needn’t add, because Helena isn’t here. Beatrice understood.
She squeezed her tighter. “Don’t worry, Mimi. I’ll take care of them.”
Brenna let her go and knelt down to Izzy and Denny, who were both sniveling. Izzy most of all. Her sky-blue eyes sparkled with tears. “Come here, both of you.” She pulled them into a hug. Denny practically choked her, squeezing her around the neck.
“Denny, I didn’t thank you before, but I want to now. You were so brave when you told us Helena was in trouble. I want you to work on your speech until I can see you again. Don’t let your fear keep you from becoming the young man you’re meant to be.” She pulled back and met his sweet dark-eyed gaze. “Do you understand?”
He nodded, no longer sniffing. He wiped his face with his sleeve. “Yes, Mimi,” he whispered.
She swallowed the lump lodged in her throat. “That’s my boy. I’ll be eager to see how much progress you’ve made when I come to meet you all.”
Izzy piped in. “So you will come meet us soon?”
“Oh, yes, darling.” She kissed Izzy on the cheek. “Very soon. The duke and I are going to get Helena. Then we’ll all be together again. So no more tears. All right?”
Izzy exhaled a shaky breath then nodded.
“That’s my big, brave girl.”
Brenna gave them both one more hug then stood and surveyed her children. Minus Helena. Quelling the storm of fear and sorrow in watching her children leave without her, she forced a smile to her face.
“Listen to the Bloodguard and all will be just fine. They are experts in covert operations and battle. You are well-protected on your journey.”
She caught the spark of excitement shine in Caden’s eyes as he grinned at Emmett. She knew her words would move them out of sadness and remind them they were going on an adventure. Grant leaned over and whispered something to the boys as well, which made them smile even wider. It seemed they’d all formed an attachment to her children. But who could blame them?
The circle of twelve guardsmen came forward. Mikhail and Dmitri had also come to see them off. Mikhail seemed to be giving a last few words of instruction to his men. They nodded in unison to his quiet words. This force of men was a well-honed machine. They seemed even more in tune than Legionnaires. Though admittedly, her only interaction with Legionnaires was back in Korinth, where they appeared to be little more than patrolling guards, meandering through the streets. She never trusted them, as they always seemed to be propositioning pretty women to become their bleeders.
But this lot of the Bloodguard were different. She wasn’t even sure who they drank from. They were so discreet and private, following their own code of vampire etiquette. And though they were the fiercest crew she’d ever laid eyes on—especially now dressed all in black, their glittering eyes shining beneath the moonlight—she trusted them with her most precious treasures. She still felt a pang of loss at their leaving. But she also breathed a sigh of relief knowing they were in the safest care imaginable among these men.
Gregorovich, the mountainous one Friedrich had put in charge, moved to Brenna. “Do not fear, Miss Snow. I will get them there safely. On my life.” He bowed then stepped toward Caden and crouched. “On my back, boy.”
Caden grinned like it was Harvest Holiday and climbed on his back. Beatrice and Emmett also climbed aback the vampires assigned to carrying them. The smaller ones were lifted into the arms of their carriers. Friedrich had already explained to her that each child would have a carrier, and a guard was assigned to protect each carrier should they come under attack while in motion. They would move at vampire speed as long as possible, though the experience might make one or more of the children sick. At that speed, they should reach Hiddleston, a port village to the southeast where there were contacts of the Black Lily.
Izzy stared up at the sharp-angled face of her assigned protector. “What’s your name?” she asked, bold as ever.
“I am Aleksei,” came the melodious baritone of the man cradling her against his chest.
“That’s a pwetty name. For a boy. Do you know we have the same color hair?”
The vampire smiled as she pointed to a long strand of his blond hair falling over his shoulder. “Indeed. We do.” He grinned and joined the others in line, waiting for Gregorovich.
Brenna shook her head. Already, Izzy had wrapped the fierce guardsman around her finger.
Friedrich stepped up behind Brenna, placing a comforting hand around her waist. “Gregorovich. As I said before, I have reason to believe Marius and some of the Black Lily soldiers may be encamped near Hiddleston. Report to the Bull’s Head in Hiddleston. The bartender will get word to him if he’s there. Or he’ll get the person who can arrange passage, if not. I’ve already sent word to Marius what has transpired so he’ll know you’re coming.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
He said lower, “This is an important mission. More so than any I’ve ever given you.”
Brenna’s heart clenched. Friedrich was telling him that the lives of her children were more important than his own, for the only other mission of the Bloodguard was to protect the life of the duke.
“I will not allow any harm to come to them,” he said, fierce determination written on his shadowed face, moonlight glinting in the deep dark of his eyes.
Then he moved, blurring away so fast, Brenna sucked in a breath. A split second later, they were all gone, leaving Brenna alone with Friedrich, Grant, Mikhail, and Dmitri. Grant watched where they’d disappeared, then gave her a reassuring smile before reentering the long, man-made cavern back into the castle. Dmitri and Mikhail followed suit without a word. Friedrich remained still and quiet behind her.
So silent. The pristine snow sparkled like fairy dust on the trees and ground. The cascade of stars across the inky night flickered in joyous harmony so incongruent with her heart, which seemed to be shrinking to nothing behind her ribcage. Pounding out a lament that only she could hear.
“It’s so beautiful.” Her words sounded too loud in the serenity of the still beauty.
The tears finally fell. Friedrich turned her into his arms, pulled her against the expanse of his broad chest, and rocked her gently, rubbing his palm in slow circles below her shoulder blades. She sobbed. She knew not how long as he held her. Patiently. Sweetly. Murmuring soft words of reassurance, soothing the ache of loss that bloomed the moment her children vanished.
After some time, he bent and scooped her up into his arms. She laced them at his neck and lay her head against his shoulder, letting the sadness well and release as he carried her through the dark cave and out through the iron door inside one of the kitchen’s pantries. Without releasing her, he closed the paneled shelf that concealed the door, hearing the mechanical cogs turn and notch into place to lock and seal the hidden entrance.
As he carried her through the cold, dark kitchen, so different than the day she saw the smiling Beatrice dusted with flour rolling dough next to Olog, she asked, “Are we going to start—?” The what? The marking?
“Quiet, kitten. I’m going to take care of you.”
She settled deeper against his chest. The rhythmic, strong beat of his heart and his commanding hold reminded her that she was in the arms of a powerful Varis vampire who treated her like a treasure. Not a broken woman to be cast aside. She latched onto his promise and let him take care of her.