Chapter 42

Chapter 42
Chapter 42
The morning came slowly, bleeding across the sky in streaks of pale gold and quiet gray. The fire had long since gone out, leaving behind a ring of cooled ash and silence. No one spoke much as they packed up camp. The events of the night before hung in the air like smoke that refused to clear. Even the birds in the nearby trees seemed subdued, their chirps scattered and low.
By midmorning, the group was on the road again, making their way down the narrow path that curled toward the southern plains. The human kingdom was still days away, but the journey had resumed, each step measured and quiet.
Samuel rode beside Nova for a time, his hands resting lightly on the reins, his eyes on the horizon. Nova said nothing, her gaze fixed ahead, though her face was pale with fatigue. Samuel watched her carefully, the corners of his mouth drawn down.
He waited until they were out of earshot of the others before speaking, his voice soft.
“In our kingdom,” he said, “a betrayal like that does not go unpunished.”
Nova blinked, startled by his words, but she did not turn to him. Samuel went on.
“If a wizard betrays his partner,” he said, “no matter the excuse, it is considered one of the gravest dishonors. The king himself issues the punishment. They dig out the traitor’s nose. It is symbolic, so he will never again smell the one he betrayed.”
Nova let out a breath, slow and heavy.
Samuel looked over at her. “We value loyalty above all else. If I ever found the one meant for me, I would not look away. Not for anyone. I would hold onto her until my last breath.”
Nova glanced at him now, her expression unreadable.
“You do not need to respond,” Samuel added gently. “I just wanted you to know how some of us were raised. That loyalty is not just a word in our world. It is a vow.”
For a while, there was only the soft thud of hooves on the dirt path, the creak of leather, and the distant whistle of wind through the grass. Then, another voice joined them.
Lestat had drawn his horse up alongside theirs, his black cloak fluttering behind him. His face, as always, was calm and composed, but there was something in his eyes, curious, calculating, and just a little amused.
“I agree with Samuel,” Lestat said, brushing a strand of silver hair behind his ear. “Though I will admit our customs are a little different.”
Nova turned toward him, wary but listening.
“Among vampires,” Lestat continued, “we are not known for choosing only one partner. Our life spans are long. Our hearts are complex. It is rare for a vampire to bind himself to one love and one love alone.”
He paused, letting the words settle before his tone shifted.
“But exceptions exist.”
Samuel narrowed his eyes slightly, but said nothing.
“I have never considered myself bound by rules,” Lestat said, his voice softening. “Not even our own. But if I found someone who made me feel what I always believed was impossible, someone who stirred something more than desire, then I would make my choice.”
He turned his gaze directly to Nova.
“And I would be hers. Only hers.”
His eyes lingered on her, silent and steady, carrying more meaning than his words.
Nova did not respond right away. She looked ahead again, her grip tightening on the reins. The wind picked up, brushing strands of her hair across her cheek. Her expression gave nothing away.
They rode on.
James had been silent for most of the morning, trailing a few paces behind the others, his face shadowed and tense. But when he caught wind of Samuel’s and Lestat’s words to Nova, something inside him snapped.

He urged his horse forward with a sharp tug of the reins and came up beside them, eyes blazing. His voice rang out, sharp and furious, cutting through the quiet morning.

“You think now is the time to try and win her over? While she’s still hurting? While none of us even know the truth of what happened?”

Nova looked away, jaw clenched, but James barely glanced at her. His attention was on Samuel and Lestat, and he wasn’t holding anything back.

“You two are disgusting,” he spat. “Taking advantage of a misunderstanding to flirt and play hero.”

Samuel’s calm expression tightened. “It’s not flirting to offer comfort.”

“And it’s not betrayal to fall,” Lestat added coolly, “when temptation is placed right in one’s lap.”

James’s fists clenched at his sides. “I don’t remember anything. Nothing. I was sitting alone, then I woke up with Nova slapping me. You think I would hurt her on purpose? You really think I’m capable of that?”

Samuel raised an eyebrow. “Maybe you didn’t intend to. Maybe you were drunk. Or maybe you just didn’t care at the moment.”

Lestat shrugged, his voice deceptively soft. “You always did think you were untouchable, James. Maybe you thought Aurora wouldn’t speak.”

The accusations hit like stones. James lunged forward in his saddle, pointing a shaking finger at both of them.

“You don’t know anything. You weren’t there. Don’t act like you know me.”

The tension thickened, the air almost crackling with the threat of violence. Samuel’s hand moved subtly toward the hilt of his blade. Lestat’s eyes shimmered faintly, like moonlight glinting off blood.

Before the first blow could be struck, a voice rose above them all.

“Enough!”

Oliver’s horse stepped between them, his arms raised. The youngest of the group, he rarely spoke in anger, but now his voice was firm and steady.

“We’re supposed to be allies. We can’t afford to fight each other, not now. Not over what we don’t fully understand.”

His gaze moved from James to Samuel, then to Lestat. “Stop accusing. Stop assuming. We need to work together, not tear each other apart.”

For a moment, none of them spoke. The road stretched before them, empty and quiet. Then, reluctantly, the three men backe
d down.

No one apologized and there was a tense atmosphere in the air.

The group rode in silence as the terrain around them began to shift. Trees thinned out and gave way to jagged cliffs, the path narrowing into a long, winding canyon that cut between towering rock walls. The air felt heavier, stiller, as if holding its breath.

Oliver squinted ahead, then drew closer to Isabella, lowering his voice. “We’re heading into a canyon. This kind of terrain is dangerous.”

Isabella turned slightly, her brows raised. “Why?”