Chapter 26

I sighed with contentment as I ran my fingers through the lush grass. The afternoon sun shone across the castle gardens. The heat of the late summer day had reached its peak and bathed the area in a drowsy warmth. I rested against the rough bark of an apple tree. The blooms had given way to a multitude of fruit that was almost ready to harvest. I glanced up toward the main building to see if my absence had been noticed yet, The window’s as I left it, so I probably have at least an hour before anyone starts looking for me.

It had been nearly two months since the ceremony where Lucas had formally introduced me as a blood slave to the Anerchmeno Astri pact. After that night Lucas moved me into his room. We were supposed to spend as much time as possible together to strengthen the bond between us. Eskal had said it had something to do with Lucas being of both vampire and werewolf descent. I had been shocked and relieved when Lucas continued to feed from the other girls in his harem, howev