Chapter 56 That is mahogany
Amara POV
Tomas pulls the chamber door open and steps aside, motioning for me to walk first.
“Your father awaits.” He says.
I hesitate for only a moment before stepping into the hallway.
The castle is already awake. Odd. You’d think it’d be a dead scene during the day, but it’s quite the opposite. But instead of vampires, you see human servants around.
Morning light pours through the tall arched windows lining the corridor, casting long pale beams across polished black stone floors. Torches still burn along the walls, their flames steady and controlled, more for decoration than necessity now that daylight has arrived.
It’s.. far grander than the dungeon I first woke up in.
Servants move quietly through the halls carrying trays, linens, and books. A few glance at me as I pass. Some quickly lower their eyes.
Others stare a little longer.
Curious.
Cautious.
Word has clearly spread.
The vampire king’s daughter.
I fold my hands loosely in front of me and continue walking.
Tomas falls into step beside me, his pace matching mine easily.
For a few moments, the only sound between us is the soft echo of our footsteps.
Then I feel it again.
That look.
I glance sideways.
He’s watching me.
Not in the careful, guarded way most of the vampires here do.
No.
Tomas studies me like I’m a puzzle he hasn’t quite solved yet.
“You’re staring again,” I say flatly.
His head snaps forward immediately.
“I am not.”
“You absolutely are.”
“I’m observing.”
“Mhmm.”
I tilt my head slightly, studying him now.
“You realize I can feel it, right?”
He exhales slowly through his nose.
“I’m making sure you are safe.”
That makes me snort quietly.
“In a castle full of your own people?”
“That doesn’t make you safe.”
Something about the way he says it makes me look at him again.
His expression is serious now.
Almost.. protective.
How interesting..
“You worry about me an awful lot for someone I called a useless bloodsucker yesterday.”
The corner of his mouth twitches.
“Well, maybe you were right.”
“I don’t think I was.”
“You like me now?” He questions, a clear grin on his face. I roll my eyes and say nothing, keep walking.
We turn down another corridor.
This one is larger. The ceiling arches high above us, supported by massive pillars carved with old symbols I don’t recognize. Ancient-looking ones.
Old magic.
I can feel it humming faintly in the air.
I slow slightly, my eyes tracing one of the carvings.
“What are these?”
Tomas glances up at the pillar.
“Protections.”
That word immediately makes my ears perk.
“Protections from what?”
“Many things.”
Very helpful.
I narrow my eyes at him.
“You’re doing that thing again.”
“What thing?”
“The one where you answer my question without actually answering it.”
He chuckles under his breath.
“I’m not allowed to explain everything.”
“Convenient.”
We walk a few more steps before I speak again.
“So where exactly are we going?”
“The throne hall.”
Of course we are.
My stomach tightens slightly.
“Is he alone?”
“Yes.”
That’s.. not very comforting. Actually, him being alone scares me.
We reach a set of massive double doors at the end of the corridor.
Two vampire guards stand on either side. Both straighten the moment they see Tomas approach.
Then their eyes shift to me.
They immediately bow their heads.
Tomas stops in front of the doors.
For the first time since we started walking, he turns fully toward me.
“You should know something before we go in.”
I cross my arms.
“That sounds ominous.”
“It’s information.”
“Which usually is.”
He hesitates for a moment.
Then he says quietly,
“Your father has been watching the forest.”
My stomach drops.
“Watching it?”
Tomas nods once.
“With magic older than this castle.”
My pulse quickens.
“And?”
His eyes hold mine.
“He knows your mate is in the Dark Forest.”
My heart slams against my ribs.
Sebastian.
“Of course he does,” I whisper under my breath.
Tomas’ expression shifts slightly.
“He also knows something else.”
I lift my head slowly.
“What?”
His voice drops just slightly.
“He found the third artifact.”
For a moment the words don’t even register.
“..the third what?”
Tomas studies my face.
Realization dawns in his eyes.
“You don’t know.”
My chest tightens.
“Know what?”
Before he can answer, the doors behind us suddenly rumble open.
The massive throne hall beyond stretches wide and shadowed, lit by towering windows and rows of burning braziers.
And at the far end of the chamber…
My father sits on his throne.
Waiting.
His voice carries easily across the stone.
“Come, Amara.”
My stomach twists.
I take a seat, my curiosity peaking like a mountaintop. What are these artifacts? And what do they have to do with my mate?
“How was your breakfast this morning? How did you sleep?” He questions, earning a cocked brow from me.
“You didn’t send for me just to ask me how much I found the palace comfortable. What do you really want?” I ask.
He clears his throat and sits straight.
“Since your mate has proven far more capable than expected..”
His crimson eyes gleam faintly in the firelight.
“We need to discuss what to do about him.”
“You’ll do nothing!” I growl, my claws slipping free and digging into his desk.
“Now, Amara. That is mahogany.” He hisses, glancing down at the now torn desk.
I take a few deep breaths.
“No one said I’d harm him. I’m going to let him through. On one condition. He hands over the grimoire and ruby.”
“He probably doesn’t even have it! He didn’t like the ruby!” I say.
“Well, dear daughter. That ruby is half of your soul.” He says.
“How did that even happen anyway?” I ask, hoping for answers.
“A witch who helped make you disappear, split your soul in half. Taking the vampire side was the easiest way to hide you in a pack among wolves.” He says. I nod, finding that makes quite a bit of sense.
“So.. how do we go about this?”
“Once he gets the third artifact, you should be able to link him. Tell him we will trade off the ruby and grimoire, for you.” He says, waving his hand nonchalantly.
I furrow my brows. “You’re trading me for the ruby? You’re gonna let me leave?”
A slight chuckle escapes him, “Now I never said anything like that, little daughter.”