Heirot

"No tickling!" Tenele told him firmly, sitting up slightly on the bed.

Atul smiled. It was good to see the darkness leave her eyes. It was good to see her normal. "I suppose it would be wise to let her go a few days without tickling. Unfortunately you will accrue a hefty amount of interest, which we will collect in full."

Tenele swallowed. "I will sick Stalker on both of you. He'll listen to me. I'm the favorite."

"You just keep believing that," Vlad scoffed. Stalker's wolflike ears tipped upward with halfhearted interested at the mortal banter.

"How is Espha?" he asked the king, lowering his voice so those downstairs couldn't hear it.

Atul frowned. "She's upset, resting on the couch. She lost her mother two years ago, and now her father. I've given her the invitation to live in the palace, as a reward for breaking the curse. She insists she'll stay in Ida with some relatives. I may be able to convince her otherwise someday. She's a bright young girl, I think she'd do well in court. Gods know I need as many intelligent people as I can get there. I've got to go out in a minute and make sure my orders have been followed. We'll leave for the capitol mid-day tomorrow, if that's alright."

Vlad nodded thoughtfully at his words. "I should go talk to her," he muttered.

Atul nodded. "I think she would like that. She is very fond of you," the King told him with a gentle smile. He glanced over Vlad's shoulder and watched Tenele settled back into the sheets, looking weary for real this time. "I'll go down with you. That way Tenele can have some space."

"Yes," Vlad said, looking back at his wife. "I will be near," he said softly. Turning, he was gone from the room a little too fast. He drew a slow breath and composed himself as he glided down the stairs with Atul close behind him.

He paused at the bottom, taking in the crying figure of the young girl in the next room. He studied her from the hall, considering where to start with her and forcibly pushing out everything else.

Espha wiped her eyes. She sat on a small stool near the window, holding a cloth tightly in her hand. Every now and then she'd take it to her eyes to wipe them. Eventually the young girl exhaled in a shuddering breath and slumped back against the wall.

Vlad walked into the room with the young girl. He hooked his thumbs in his pockets while he watched her. "I'm sorry we couldn't figure it out sooner," he said.

Espha worked to calm her breathing, wiping her eyes again. "We did the best we could with the circumstances," she rationalized. "It is good that the city is saved now."

"It is," Vlad said. "Your rational attitude seems useful, under the circumstances." He strolled to a chair in the corner opposite her and perched on it gracefully. "Thank you for helping my wife."

Espha nodded. "It was nothing..." Espha fiddled with the cloth in her hands. "She seemed very frightened." Her dark eyes flickered up to him. Her mouth worked, but she didn't ask the question she want to ask. She didn't ask Vlad why his wife didn't want his help, or why she was so afraid, or why there had been such awful screaming. "Is she better now?"

"I can be frightening," Vlad said with a dull smile. "Even to her. She is resting more peacefully now."

Espha nodded. "That is good," Espha told him. "I am glad she is resting well. The King says you will be leaving in the morning. He asked me to join him in the capital, but I think my place is here. My father would want me to stay and make the city a better place. They will need all the help they can get."

The vampire thought over her words. "It must be your choice. I suspect that you can achieve something important, here or in the capitol. The King and I will see to it you're equipped to do it."

Espha smiled. "You both have been very kind to me. I thank you very much. My father would have no need to worry for me with the two of you around." The young girl sighed. "I think I'll go sit outside and get some fresh air." She stood up and patted Vlad on the shoulder before stepping towards the door.