Chapter 44 Ash to the Wind

Chapter 44 Ash to the Wind
“Let’s have our lesson in here today,” Bethias said. “How far have you read in the books I sent you?”

“I‘ve finished one and started another,” Lucy said, rising to retrieve the books. She worried she had not read enough. 

“Good, let's start there,” Bethias said, putting her tea down. 

Soon the books were laid out as they dived into the information. They reviewed their previous lessons as a refresher before looking over the info Lucy had covered on her own. 

Using the notes she had made, she asked about topics that had confused her or that she was not sure she understood correctly. 

Bethias provided additional insight, including which landscapes had changed, which houses had fallen, and which had risen in prosperity. 

Lucy was surprised to hear about those who had fallen from grace. “There is always someone who wishes to climb higher.”

They spent the day in Lucy’s chambers, even eating the second meal there. At one point, Sapphira was sent to the library to retrieve more books for them. Lucy was thankful for the seclusion since she did not wish to deal with the vampires who viewed her unfavorably, to say the least. 

They were discussing a house that had died off when a footman brought a note to the door. 

Sapphira collected it for “It is for Lady Bethias.”

Bethias reached out her hand and took it quickly, skimming the contents, quirking an eyebrow before handing it off to Lucy. “My husband sent word that the bodies of the Rovers were recovered before the dawn broke.”

Lucy's eyes looked at the letters, but it was hard for her to read what Bethias had said, “What does that mean?”

“Normally, they would be tossed in the gutter or even left out there, but it seems our king has another plan.”

“And what is that?” would she be forced to face their bodies again, and what could be done with the bodies? 

“They are to be set out in the palace drive and allowed to be burned by the sun.” She had never explained exactly what happened to vampires in the sun, just saying they could not go out in it without hurting themselves. It seemed as if Lucy was going to be able to see exactly what happened. 

“What will that do?” Lucy could understand the need to display the bodies. 

“Provide a gruesome display,” She said before adding in a lower tone, “And a warning.”

As the last meal approached, Lucy bid Bethias farewell. She would not attend the previous meal again and decided to stay in her chambers. Tomorrow, she would face the vampires, but today she would hide away.

She was tired even though she spent the entire day locked away in her chambers. 

The Duke sent her a note asking if she was alright and how she was doing. The king had already assured her that she was safe and sound. Lucy knew the concern was primarily about the alliance, not necessarily about her. 

He may not wish harm on her, but she had a greater purpose for him than her happiness. The Duke was not an evil man, but he was a politician and the King’s representative. 

She wrote him at once to reassure him and insisted there was no need for him to check on her as he had offered to do. She would see him the next day, after a day of rest or hiding. 

Patricia delivered the letter herself since she thought the duke might be reassured of her safety from a human more than a vampire. 

Walking out onto the balcony, she could see movement below at a distance. The longer she stared, the more she was able to understand. It was the bodies. The guards were carrying them out to the drive. 

The guards seemed to watch as if someone would try to take them away. Would anyone be interested in the rovers, she thought. The guards stayed out until the sky began to lighten, then disappeared into safety. 

They were thrown onto the ground without care. She decided to watch and see. 

She took her last meal out on the balcony, not wanting to take her eyes off or miss what was to happen. 

As dawn approached, she dismissed the maids, since they did not need to see this display. She wanted to be alone in case she cried or got mad. She did not know which emotion would overtake her, if any. 

As the light began to break over the horizon, she watched as the shadows were chased away. The bodies would soon be exposed, and she saw the shadow fleeing into the day. 

The light hit them, and they began to burn, sending up small puffs of smoke. Then, more and more, till they were like a fire burning; she saw wisps of flame, but the smoke rolled high into the sky. 

When the smoke died down, Lucy looked for the remains of the bodies but did not see any. Squinting, she was barely able to make out small piles of ash that lay on the ground. 

The wind picked them up and began to sweep them away. Something that had almost killed her was being swept away into nothing.

She watched as her attackers were blown away, and then she stared at the spot they had been. She felt nothing. She expected to feel some type of way, but no emotion swelled within her. 

It would have to do, she sighed. She would never forget the fear she felt, and she would watch the vampires more carefully, even if she did not think it possible. 

Back inside, she pulled the curtains, blocking out the light. The candles were still lit, allowing her to see. She put away her books and set her tray outside since she did not want it to stay in her chambers all night. A footman would find it on their patrols.

Since she had dismissed the maids, it was on her to undress herself for the evening. The buttons and laces proved tedious and frustrating, but she finally managed to free herself from her confines. A nightdress had been laid out for her, which was one less thing she had to hunt for. 

Dressed for bed, she quickly tucked herself into the sheets, making her feel safe and secure, as if it could actually help her. 

She tossed and turned all night. Without the adrenaline rush, her body did not exhaust itself; instead, it replayed the ordeal in her dreams. 

She woke up a few times, sitting up and reminding herself that she was safe in the palace. Each time she felt she was not alone, she felt a comforting presence, not fear. 

Looking around the room, her eyes squinted, but there was nothing to see.