Vampire Love

The Edge of Time

Chapter Five

Celina’s POV

The bread on my plate had gone cold, but I forced myself to chew. Mornings in this palace always set in like a trap, where every clink of cutlery and glance carried weight. I focused my eyes on the tea, demanding it to cool the knots in my stomach.

The doors opened with a crack. Nyx walked in, heels clicking across the floor, which meant that she'd announce herself. Without asking, she slid into the chair directly opposite me, the moment her eyes set upon me narrowing instantaneously.

"Word has it you want to go back to medical school," she said, contempt thick in her voice.

With utmost caution, I placed my cup down. My hands were itching to tremble. I looked her squarely in the eye. "Yes. I do."

One of those smiles that never quite reach one's eyes curled on her lips. "Ambitious. But laughable."

The door opened again. Valerian stepped into the room. As if thunder filled a sky, so his presence filled the room. Silent, yet impossible to ignore. He sat at the head of the table, his expression unreadable; nevertheless, his gaze flickered between the two of us.

Nyx took the opportunity then. "Celina speaks of school as if her position here is already assured. Without an heir, she is nothing. The council will make that very clear."

Tighter grew my chest, but I awaited.

Nyx leaned in, her voice a venomous whisper. "I can give Valerian what it needs. An heir. A future. After that, you, my dear, will be nothing more than a memory."

But at that very instant, the air had been cut through with the voice of Valerian.

"That is enough, Nyx."

Even I was startled with the steel in his voice. Nyx flinched and quickly masked her irritation with coyness.

He turned his gaze back to me with unbroken intensity, making his words deliberate, as though he was taking his sweet time on each word before speaking. "She will decide her future. Nobody else."

Something flickered in my chest--relief, warmth, fear of hoping too much. My throat tightened, but I kept my head high.

Nyx's smile thinned. ""Of course, my lord," she purred, though venom laced her words. "But the council may not share your... indulgence."

She rose smoothly, brushing invisible dust from her gown. With one last sharp look at me, she swept from the room, her laughter trailing behind her like a curse.

I was frozen, experiencing all that had been said play again and again in my mind. She will decide her future. He had said it clear-cut, in front of her. Nyx lost this time against her.

When I finally looked at Valerian, he was back to this plate, his face shut. But that defence was real enough to light me with some fragile spark inside.

Later, I spread the books across the tabletop in my chamber. Those pages, frayed with notes and diagrams, anchored and steadied me in this storm that was always left behind by Nyx. I read the words as they went from the page to my mouth, softly whispering them, as though drowning in my dream, like one who clung to a lifeline.

"That's who I am," I murmured under my breath. "Not her. Not them. Me."

Before the silence could set in, however, the abrupt banging against the door dramatically interrupted me. A guard entered, pale and breathless.

"My lady-chaos in the palace. Lord Valerian has collapsed. The physicians cannot explain it."

The book slipped from my hands. "Collapsed?"

"Yes. The court is in disarray. They ask for you at once."

My legs took off before my mind caught up, and I rushed through the corridors. Buzzing and hushed whispers followed me like shadows. Servants huddled in corners, fear across their faces.

Dawn: say, at two guards at the great chamber doors; they dare me not to enter. "Let me in," I demanded in fierce voice.

They hesitated, then stepped aside.

Inside hung the atmosphere of chaos and bitter herb-tasting. Valerian lay, pale against the massive bed, his strength drained away, his chest rising shallowly. Physicians circled him, murmuring frantically and failing to provide any remedies.

I rushed to hold his head in order to kiss the burning forehead. Skin-hot and breathless. "Valerian," I whispered while gripping his hand.

His eyelids fluttered. For the briefest second, he met my eyes. He tried to speak, but only a hoarse breath escaped.

"Whats ," I asked . choking back the tears that burned behind my eyes. "What’s happening?"

Uncomfortable shifting took place among the physicians. One finally stood up, concealing a mournful face early on.

"My lady, the Lord’s long ailment has caught up with him, all remedies have been given to him but none are working ," he said, voice low, "there is only one remedy remaining."

The heart is pounding inside of me. "Tell me."

He swallowed hard. "A potion... brewed with pure blood. Nothing else can cure him," he said.