Page 21 of The Vampire Castle in the Sky

“You should go ahead first,” I suggested, dreading that initial heart-dropping swoop.

Hector obliged, knowing well how terrible I was at sailing from one line of gravity to the other. Unlike us, vampires were sogood at adapting to alternate gravity that it had prompted some humans to believe that they were able to sleep upside down, which is where the whole bat comparison started.

Of course, Hector could not find his rest standing and certainly not standing upside down, but he did finish walking the trail of black and white squares with a perfect flip of his body, landing gracefully upon the original path.

Having no other choice, I followed, and when I reached the final set of squares right before the gravitational pull changed, I shut my eyes, sucked in a heartening breath, and forced myself to step forward into my inevitable fall.

The feeling was absolutely wretched, not to mention stomach-turning, but Hector caught me as easily as ever, murmuring in that soothing, soft-spoken way of his, “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

I cracked one eye open and found us standing on the other side of the corridor, limbs entangled. His hands were firm on the curve of my hipbones, and his face hovered so close to mine I could see nothing but the ribbon of redness that had crept over the bridge of his nose.

Gods knew Ilovedwatching him blush.

I smiled dreamily. “Some things never change, do they?”

Hector untangled himself from me, straightened the collar of his shirt, and continued down the corridor without so much as a word.

After a few more strides, the hall opened up into a familiar foyer, where two new rooms seemed to have materialized in my absence. One had a plain wooden door, brown and gnarled, while the other was a charming gilded arch adorned with rose carvings.

Hector closed his hand around the rosebud-shaped doorknob, and with the faintest hint of excitement in his voice, announced, “I think you’re going to like this.”

As the door creaked open, he stepped aside so I could enter first into what could only be described as a treasure trove.

It was a small, cozy space with a low, round ceiling threaded with ivy. The carpeted floor was cluttered with colorful bolts of fabrics, chests glimmering with rare gemstones and fine jewelry, and trunks overspilling with clothes and undergarments, wisps of lace and silk springing out of velvet casings. Along the walls, bronze racks were tilting from the weight of gowns so exquisite I believed them fairy-made, while the pink chaise in the center of the room lay strewn with elaborate hairpieces and strings of glowing pearls.

“Are the clothes to your liking?” Hector asked with an attentive expression on his face.

“Are you joking? I feel like I’ve stepped into a dream. But…” I hesitated, trapping the corner of my bottom lip between my teeth. “I can’t wear Esperida’s things. It doesn’t feel right.”

Hector rubbed the nape of his neck, the billowy sleeve of his shirt flying back to reveal the sculpted lines of his forearm. “These were not my mother’s,” he said. “Do you remember the small orchard my father had in Lumia?”

I nodded eagerly, intrigued to see where he was going with this.

“Well,” he exhaled, “I got into business with a few of the local farmers, and we ended up expanding it along the borders between Lumia and Sandrea City, and to tell you the truth, we’re making a fortune exporting our goods. Lumia has some of the best soil in the Realm. We may not have the North’s magic or the South’s technology, but that doesn’t mean the kingdom has to stay poor. We just have to utilize the resources that we have.”

I stared at him, feeling amazed and delighted and wistful all at once. I’d missed it. He’d made himself into this incredible man, and I’d just… missed it.

“Hector,” I said, a bittersweet smile hanging across my face. “I’m so proud of you.”

Hector shook his head. “There’s nothing to be proud of. It’s like you said. I had certain opportunities set out for me.”

“But you made the best of them,” I argued.

“At any rate,” he diverted, locking his wrists behind his back. “I traveled a lot these past few years, and since I had my own money for the first time in my life, I kind of cultivated the habit of collecting things.”

I bent over the overflowing chest at my feet and fished an ivory corset out of the heap. “Have you also cultivated the habit of wearing corsets? Because I don’t think this is the appropriate size for your bust.”

Hector leaned against the ornate dresser, his featherlight attention wandering to the curve of my breasts. From the color that had crawled up the sides of his neck, you’d think he was imagining me wearing this corset and nothing else. But perhaps I only flattered myself.

“You know, that’s real gold,” he drawled, pointing a finger at the stitching along the neckline.

I pulled the undergarment off me, tutting as I continued my rummaging through the chest. “Your wealth disgusts me,” I claimed, but when I got my hands on the prettiest little comb, decorated with red roses along its arch, I found myself exclaiming, “Oh, can I have this?”

“You can have everything.”

“Have you gone mad?”

“I’m serious. These don’t mean anything to me anymore.”

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