The carriage was swaying as someone stepped outside when I woke. The air smelled of fresh rain, and I realized I’d slept through a storm. When I opened my eyes, Rose was already gone, leaving me alone in the quiet.

  I sat up and let my feet drop over the side of the bed, staying that way for a moment. We would reach the city before noon tomorrow. Then this would be over, and I could go home.

  At least, that was what I’d wanted when this began.

  Now, the thought unsettled me. I was afraid of losing my new friend.

  Leaving Lina and the others had been unpleasant, but the thought of leaving Laurent felt worse in a way I hadn’t expected. I told myself I would get over it. I could visit him someday. I knew exactly who he was, and with the resources back home, I could show up at his door in my own carriage whenever I wished.

  …Depending on how his family felt about that. Or mine.

  I let out a quiet sigh, stood, and reached for a dress to change into when I heard movement from the other side of the carriage.

  I peeked around the cloth barrier to find him still lying there, staring at the ceiling, looking just as lost in thought as I felt. On impulse, I pushed the barrier aside, squeezed through, and dropped onto the bed beside him, stealing half his pillow.

  “Tomorrow is going to change everything again.”

  He startled slightly at my sudden invasion before turning his head toward me. “Rose is going to roast you for being over here… but yes. It will.”

  I buried my face in his pillow and grinned. “This smells like you.”

  He snorted. “Yeah. I can’t imagine why.”

  I gave his arm a light smack. “Shush.”

  He glanced at the ceiling again. “Have you ever been to Valoria before?”

  “No. This is my first real time away from home. I’ve barely left the castle grounds, and never very far.” I looked at him. “What about you?”

  “It’ll be my first time too. We can explore it together.” He paused, then added, “That sounds like it could be fun. You were raised in a castle? That sounds… restrictive. I’ve been inside a few. They always felt uncomfortable to live in.”

  I grinned. “It’s not that kind of castle. Maybe I’ll show you someday.”

  He hummed thoughtfully. “Let me guess. Huge. Ever-changing. Like Hogwarts. Moving staircases. Rooms that appear out of nowhere.”

  “I…” I hesitated, frowning. “I don’t think I’ve heard of Hogwarts.”

  He chuckled softly. “You don’t sound very sure of that.”

  “I’m not.” I shifted closer against the pillow. “What is Hogwarts?”

  He raised an eyebrow, studying me for a moment before answering. “It’s a fictional boarding school of witchcraft and wizardry. Students go there to learn magic, but the stories are mostly about making friends and going on adventures. The school itself is a giant castle full of magical classrooms, moving staircases, secret rooms, and talking paintings.”

  For just a moment, my mind filled with impossible things. Robed children. Broomsticks cutting through open air. Laughing voices echoing through vast, unfamiliar halls. The images slipped in and out like a half-remembered dream.

  “No. No, it’s nothing like that,” I said, a little too fast. I steadied my breath. “Ebonhold is full of magic, but there are no children there. It was only me, and I’ll be an adult by the time I get home. Laboratories, libraries, studies, galleries, workshops… wings added over time for specific purposes. But no classrooms.”

  “That sounds like a fantastic place,” he said quietly. “Maybe a little lonely to grow up in. I’m surprised I’ve never heard of it.”

  I smiled. “I’m not. It’s a secret, so don’t tell anyone.” After a moment, I added, “It was lonely, but I didn’t know any different. The servants kept me company, and I was always studying or training, so I didn’t really notice. I think… after making friends with the adventurers and spending time with you, it will be different. But I’ll get used to it again.”

  “Do you have to go home right away? You could always stay here with me for a bit. I have a feeling the church will be putting me through some training after the festival, and they might have something in mind for you, too.”

  I snorted. “The church won’t want anything to do with me. I’m not really sure what I’d do here, and I don’t have a way to send word home to let Father know I’m alright.”

  He didn’t have an answer, and I could see the apprehension on his face at the thought of us splitting ways. It was comforting to know I wasn’t the only one feeling it.

  “Don’t worry,” I said. “I’m sure I can find a way to visit. Preferably without being kidnapped this time.”

  “Your father won’t be panicking and ready to lock you away forever?”

  I gave a half-shrug. “I’m sure he’s realized I’m missing. He might have even sent someone to look for me, but I doubt it. He knows I can take care of myself.”

  “Are you serious? If I went missing, patrols would be racing in every direction. I’d think your father would worry a little more than that.”

  I couldn’t help smiling at his concern. “Don’t get so worked up. I grew up a little differently than you. I’m proud that he has so much faith in me.”

  “Still,” he said, frowning slightly. “It seems so… distant.”

  I nodded. “He is. But it’s alright. Besides, as you can see, I’m doing just fine.”

  He glanced at me and said dryly, “I think if he knew you were alone in a boy’s bed, he might have some concerns.”

  I giggled. I couldn’t help it. “Yes, he might have a few questions. He wouldn’t kill you, though, so you don’t need to worry.”

  His eyes widened, and he looked like he was about to jump up, but I pushed him back down. “No, stay. This is nice.”

  “You know, eventually someone will come looking for us, and they might throw a fit about this.”

  I smiled. “Well, just don’t honk at me and give us away, then.”

  He let out a small chuckle, lying on his back and staring up at the ceiling. “You’re terrible.”

  “You adore me,” I corrected.

  He grinned at me. “You certainly are unique.”

  I laughed. “I’m not sure if that was an insult!”

  Just then, the door opened, and Rose stepped back inside, not noticing us until she closed it behind herself. She didn’t say anything at first, but as she moved toward the other side of the divider, she said, “You two should get up and get dressed soon. Breakfast is about ready.”

  We both laughed, and I had no idea why, but I squeezed his hand before rolling out of bed and following Rose. I took a quick glance back as I crossed the divider and caught him watching me go, then smiled before turning away.

  I quickly slipped out of my nightgown and into my dress, and Rose was kind enough to lace the back for me before heading outside to help with things. I found a matching blue hair ribbon and began to brush my hair when Laurent cleared his throat.

  “Mirela, I wanted to ask about your parents, if you don’t mind. It’s okay if you’d rather not talk about it.”

  The divider suddenly felt too close, too closed in, so I stood and unlatched it. Laurent helped fold it away without a word, and we tucked it back into its compartment together.

  “I can’t tell you much about them,” I said once we were done. “They died when I was an infant. My father took me in and raised me. He had help from a wet nurse when I was very young, a retired adventurer who’d lost her own child. She still lives at the castle, working in the main library.”

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  “So… he’s not your real father?” he asked gently. “Do you know who your parents were?”

  I nodded. “I do. I visit their graves every year on my birthday. I’ll miss that this year. It’s also the anniversary of their deaths.” I thought for a moment, then added, “They were both clerics. I don’t know much more than that, but I think that means they were decent people.”

  Laurent nodded. “It usually does. It takes a strong moral character to unlock that class. Did they know your father, or was it just chance that he took you in?”

  A quiet, dark laugh slipped out of me before I could stop it.

  I knew the truth, even if no one had ever said it aloud. Clerics in the Dark Forest weren’t there by accident. They were trespassing, and trespassing rarely ended well. I didn’t know the details, only that I’d been born there… and that I was a vampire.

  None of it fit neatly together, but I’d never felt the need to push Father for answers. Maybe I should have.

  In the silence that followed, I finally shook my head.

  “They knew him briefly, but not well. I never asked him why he took me in, but I have some suspicions. I do know that if he’d decided against it, I would have died with my parents. I’m grateful for everything he’s done for me. He’s the only family I have.”

  “Mirela, he’s not the only family you have. He’s only the family you know about.” He studied me for a moment. “If you knew who your parents were, you could find the rest of your family. Their parents. Their siblings.”

  I looked up at him, a little stunned. I’d never thought of that. Of course, it would be a terrible idea… but it was possible.

  “I’d never considered that. How would I even find them? How would they know who I was?”

  The smile on his face told me I’d walked straight into the conversation he wanted.

  “Well, your status is a good place to start. You have your family name, and if you know their given names, you can search the Kingdom Registry. Or the Republic Registry, if they were from Lysandra. There are cantrips, spells, and artifacts that can prove blood relations.”

  I didn’t reply right away, still thinking. He took that as permission to keep going, stepping to the shelf above his bed and pulling down a heavy tome.

  “If you want to look… I have a book of noble genealogies. I’m supposed to be studying it. It covers the noble houses of nearby nations. Lineages, heraldry, major historical events.”

  He held it out to me. I stared at it for a long moment before finally taking it.

  “I will think about it,” I said quietly. “Thank you, Laurent.”

  I held the book to my chest for a moment before deciding I should go eat and think about it later. I placed it on my bed, noticing the several ribbons already marking different pages.

  Laurent opened the door and stepped down first, offering me a hand as I followed.

  We joined the others for breakfast and kept up a quiet, easy conversation. Everyone was excited to reach Valoria, and those who had been before, like Rose and Cedric, clearly enjoyed describing the city. They spoke of crowded markets, towering spires, and the grand cathedral at its heart. It all sounded beautiful, but my thoughts kept drifting back to what Laurent had said.

  And to the thirst.

  Food helped, but only for so long. The smell of breakfast seemed to make it worse somehow. That felt absurd, but maybe it wasn’t. Scents made people hungry. Why would I be any different? At least there was no smell of blood to go along with it.

  I had to shake that thought away when I realized I was staring at Laurent's neck.

  I stood quickly, excused myself, and returned to the carriage. A few others had already finished, so it wasn’t terribly awkward. Just abrupt.

  I climbed inside and closed the door behind me. I only hesitated for a moment before swapping the books I’d taken for new ones. I set them neatly on the shelf beside my bench before picking up the genealogy book and settling it on my lap.

  Before opening it, I glanced at my status.

  ====================================

  Mirela Beaumont

  ====================================

  -----------------------

  Basic Information

  -----------------------

  Race: Vampire-Blood Acolyte (Evolution Available)

  Bloodline: Blood Sovereign

  Age: 17

  Gender: Female

  Level: 5

  Class: Requirements Not Met.

  I had never given my family name much thought. It hadn’t mattered, but this book would change that. It would give me yet another connection to this world. It also filled me with a terrible sense of unease.

  I knew it was foolish to be nervous about it. I didn’t even have to open the book. I could ignore it and move on.

  But I didn’t.

  I flipped through the pages for several minutes before deciding the Kingdom of Aranthor was a waste of time. Laurent had referenced Lysandra more than once, so I turned there instead.

  It only took a few pages to find a white ribbon, worn soft with age, marking a page.

  House Beaumont.

  A house closely tied to the church, filled with clerics, priests, and mages. Their magical bloodlines were renowned for their benevolent works, not just in their homeland, but across nearby nations. Their seat lay in the Barony of Beaumont, which also served as the count’s seat for the region.

  My grandfather’s seat.

  I followed the family tree downward, and it didn’t take long to find them.

  Avery Beaumont. Married to Marie Beaumont, formerly of House Du Ciel.

  And their daughter.

  All three were marked as missing. Presumed dead.

  I found myself touching the symbols for my mother and father without remembering moving my hand. I didn’t want to pull away. Somehow, the simple contact made them feel more real than their graves ever had.

  A tightness formed in my chest. It hurt, and I didn’t want it to stop.

  I wasn’t sure how long I sat there, but voices outside the carriage pulled me back. I saw faint smudges across the page where my tears had fallen. I tried to blot them away, but the damage was done.

  I pulled a handkerchief from one of my hidden pockets and cleaned my face, feeling a little foolish.

  With a deep breath to steady myself, I followed the lines and saw that I had four uncles and three aunts. They all had children of their own, most still alive. My grandparents were also alive and well, so far as this book knew.

  I looked down to my own marker and its lack of detail. There was no name, and only the shape of the icon indicated I was female.

  And then, I noticed something else. A small golden ring. I followed the dotted line to the annotation, but the door opened just as I found it, and I quickly closed the book.

  Laurent looked up at the sound of the closing book and asked, "Did you find anything helpful?"

  I shrugged. "I'm not sure if it's helpful or not."

  He stepped over and sat beside me. “Are you doing alright? You seem… quiet.”

  I leaned into him slightly, taking a moment to think before answering. "I'm not sure about that, either."

  His arm rested over my shoulders, and I nearly jumped, but it wasn't so bad. "Why don't you tell me what's on your mind?"

  I exhaled slowly. “I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it before. I always knew my parents were dead, but I never really wondered who they were. I visited their graves every year, and it never occurred to me to think beyond that. Now I know they had a family. People who never knew what happened to them.”

  I stared down at the book in my lap.

  “How could I have never considered that? I don’t know if I should try to meet them, or write them a letter, or tell them what happened. Or if I should leave them alone entirely and not drag old wounds back to the surface.”

  We sat in silence for a while as the carriage began to roll again.

  Finally, Laurent spoke.

  “I think… if you truly must rush home, you should write them a letter. At the very least, let them know you’re alive. You could have it magically certified in the capital, so they know it really came from you. And if you decide later that you want to meet them, you can.”

  He paused, then added quietly, “If I had lost someone important to me, I wouldn’t want to live without closure. You wouldn’t be reopening a wound. You’d be giving them a chance to heal.”

  I nodded, slowly. “I’ll think about it. If I decide to… you’ll have to show me how to do that. I’ve never had to certify a letter before.”

  He squeezed my shoulder gently. “Of course.”

  We sat like that for a while before I finally sat up and moved to the Conquest board. With a resigned little sigh, Laurent followed.

  It turned into hours of playing again. We were quiet at first, but I didn’t want to spend my last day with him wrapped in heavy thoughts, so I started talking about the game. That slowly slid into talk about books. I’d read very little fiction, and he had far too many recommendations. Naturally, that turned into me teasing him about his smut collection, and him teasing me about my obvious envy of it.

  When we stopped for lunch, we climbed out and stretched our legs, taking a slow walk around the edge of the clearing.

  Laurent broke the comfortable silence.

  “Mirela… what are the chances I could convince you to stay in Valoria for a while? Maybe you could write your father a letter. Let him know you’re safe and where you are.”

  I was surprised he asked again, but this time it felt more serious. The idea was tempting. Staying didn’t sound so bad. Writing home, though, felt impossible.

  “I want to,” I admitted. “But it isn’t possible. I told you my home was secret. No one goes there without being invited. Who would even deliver the letter? Besides. I wouldn't have anywhere to stay."

  "I meant stay with me."

  I nearly missed a step. "Would that even be allowed?"

  He chuckled, "Well, I don't think anyone would argue with me."

  I didn't answer for a few steps, but then I just shook my head, "I'll think about it, but I have no idea how I could get word home."

  I cleared my throat, fighting down the familiar, clawing thirst. That, too, made staying in the heart of church influence feel like a terrible idea.

  He frowned slightly. “Are you alright? This is a terrible time to catch a cold.”

  “Just thirsty,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “Let’s go eat.”

  When we finished lunch and the horses had rested long enough, Laurent and I climbed back into the carriage. He stared at the Conquest board for a few seconds before shaking his head and sitting down.

  “I think I need a break from getting beaten.”

  I sat across from him among my scattered books and smiled. “Don’t think of it like that. We’re both improving a lot. Maybe we can find a full-size board in the city, and you can teach me the rest of the game.”

  “I’m afraid to,” he said. “You trample over every standard tactic I try. If either of us is improving, it’s you.”

  I shrugged. “I am. But I know you are too. Every game, we both learn something. You’re much better at thinking on the fly now. You’re moving more aggressively when you spot openings. You’re even starting to catch my traps. I think we’ve been doing very well learning together.”

  He smirked. “I think I’d enjoy it more if we were on the same team.”

  “I’m sure we can find something else to be on the same team for,” I said, reaching for his genealogy book. “I’m going to look up my mother’s family. I want to write them, too.”

  He leaned back and picked up one of his own books. “Alright. I’ll just be reading, then.”

  I remembered her family name, Du Ciel, and after flipping through all of Lysandra, I turned to Aranthor. There were so many families listed that it took more than an hour before I finally found them. The entries were ordered from highest rank to lowest, and my mother’s family wasn’t wealthy. They were Titled Nobility, a family with noble blood but no lands of their own, and reading through their history, it made sense. Almost all of them served the church.

  My mother had a brother and two sisters, one of whom had died. My grandfather was listed as a bishop, and my grandmother was marked as deceased. They lived in the city, though beyond “Cathedral District,” no further details were given. I also had four living cousins, most of them only a few years apart from my own age.

  I felt a smile slowly work its way onto my face. I decided, right then, that I would meet them before I left for home.

  My task complete, I picked up my latest novel and a pillow, moved to Laurent’s bench, tossed the pillow against his side, and lay back to read.

  “Hey, what’s this?” he tried to protest, but I only made myself comfortable.

  "I don't know if I'll get to spend much time with you after today. I am going to make the most of it, and also, it's easier to show you the ridiculous things I find in the book this way."

  He chuckled, shaking his head before returning to his own reading.