“We’re finally off!” Amelia exclaimed excitedly, bouncing in the seat next to me as the cart started to move. It was shortly after sunlight, and I looked up at the orange and purple streaks that had yet to give up to the darkness of the night. I could almost see the edge of the magic as we passed through the barrier, and the mansion disappeared from sight, replaced with endless woods between the mountain peaks as we started down the cobblestone road.

It had been two days since the Queen gave me my appointment, and now I was finally traveling with a few of the head servants to get clothes from a nearby wolf pack, the Amber Sky. They were somewhat on friendly terms with the High Court and frequently traded with the mansion. The two servants driving the cart were Iaton and Wylen, and from what Amelia explained, they were the servants who usually gave orders to all the day-servants. Trips like this were the only times they were awake at night, and I glanced over to Viktor as he walked near the horses.

Escorting our little group was Viktor, Virgil, Rowan and another vampire I didn’t know, although apparently, they would not enter the town with us. Amelia explained that there was always an escort just in case anyone tried to harm us, but no one had ever attacked the servants, even when they went all the way to the human kingdom. It put me at ease to hear her reassurance, and I looked down at the journal I had brought with me.

Despite my intentions, I found that I was subconsciously carrying the journal with me everywhere, and even if I tried to force myself to leave it, I would discover I had picked it up again. My mate was respectful though, and he only ever responded if he noticed I had written first. I felt bad that he had asked to know more about me, and I had yet to tell him anything about myself. Instead, I had used him for information about the mansion and the vampires, answers he gave me willingly.

I sighed as I opened the journal, glancing over our conversation from the morning. I had finally asked him what his role was, and he said he took care of the Queen’s garden during the day. The flowers held great importance to her, and he tended to them, so that she could enjoy the peaceful solitude at night. He admitted that the house would keep the flowers from dying regardless, but the Queen believed that life appreciated life, and that the garden was more beautiful when it was cared for.

“What’s that?” I closed the journal quickly as Amelia leaned over to me, trying to peek inside the book. My heart raced as I turned away from her, trying to think of a good excuse to keep her from prying further.

“It’s just a journal, something for me to write in,” I managed, looking into her curious blue eyes. It wasn’t technically a lie. “I like to write down my thoughts, and sometimes read over them later.”

“Oh, Alora does that too,” Amelia sighed, disappointed by my answer as she leaned back to her side of the cart as we bounced along the road. “I thought that was just something girls do.”

“More than girls like to write down their thoughts,” I chuckled, slowly turning to face the girl again as I relaxed my hold on the book. The fountain pen began to stab through the pocket of my pants and I subtly shifted on the seat to move it. “I mostly enjoy it just to write.”

“Do you like to write stories?” Amelia’s interest suddenly peaked again, and I chuckled slightly as I stroked the golden edge of the journal.

“I would like to, maybe,” I admitted, humming thoughtfully as I traced the intricate shape. Was this the type of thing my mate wanted to know? “I… like to read, and I like the idea of creating my own stories one day.”

“Please tell me you don’t like to read those romance stories like Alora,” Amelia pleaded, and I laughed, looking up to see her pouty expression. “They’re so lovey dovey and boring! What’s so interesting reading about people kissing and hugging each other?”

“Stories that have romance in them are nice, but I like mysteries and thrillers more,” I explained, watching as the young girl moved closer to me, completely enraptured with what I was saying. It was almost endearing how naive she was, and I once again found myself thinking about my sister. Could we have been like this, had our circumstances been different? “It’s… exciting to try and solve the puzzle, to find the clues with the character and see the puzzle come together at the end. And if the stakes are high, I love it even more.”

“I like a good puzzle too,” my smile faded as Virgil spoke and I looked up to see him smiling at me mischievously. This was the first time I had seen the vampire since he rescued me, and I had no doubt his inclusion in tonight’s escort was no accident. Alora said it was common for Virgil to escort ventures outside of the vampire lands, usually to find a new victim. Considering I was his current target, we both assumed he was intending to make his first move while we were further from the queen’s eyes. “It’s always fun to finish it and see the final beauty.”

“I’m sure children's puzzles suit you quite well, Virgil. After all, we can’t have you thinking too hard,” I replied smartly, unable to help my smirk as Amelia, Rowan and the other vampire fought not to laugh. Only Viktor didn’t react, and Virgil’s smile twitched at the edges as I watched him.

“My, my, the little wolf slave has found their tongue,” he cooed, and my smirk quickly turned to a frown. I had never dared to speak back to my family, knowing that saying anything would only guarantee more pain. I always swallowed my words, spoke my retorts only in my mind as I counted the days until I could be free. I had no reason to do so now, and I growled softly as he chuckled. “I hope you plan to put it to good use.”

“You–”

“Enough, Virgil,” Viktor interrupted me as I started to speak again, and I turned to glance at the prince where he walked near the head of our group. He hadn’t even bothered to look back at us, but his annoyance was clear in his voice as he spoke. “If you have time to talk, you have time to keep your eyes open for trouble.”

“Yes, your Highness.” Virgil’s voice was polite and firm, but his golden eyes betrayed his intentions as he stared at me. I merely glared back until he looked away, unable to help my annoyance with the vampire. I almost wished Alora had come with me instead of Amelia, but the older girl said she wasn’t allowed to leave the mansion. She was the Queen’s handmaid and while she often helped the other servants where needed, she always had to be available to her. Amelia was supposed to be training to work alongside her sister, but the queen gave her more freedom due to her young age.

“Oh, have you given thought to the clothes you want? I know all the best shops, regardless of the clothes you want!” Amelia’s voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I turned to give her my attention again. There was something about her constant excitement and enthusiasm that was endearing, and I often found myself smiling as I talked to her.

“Yeah, I’ve given it a bit of thought,” I answered honestly, and as I talked with the young human about the clothes I wanted, and where to buy them, I pushed all thoughts of the vampires to the back of my mind.