Heirot

"Espha," Vlad spoke up as she reached the door. "This city is too small a goal for someone like you. When you outgrow it and find yourself with a larger dream, come to the capitol and tell us what you need."

Espha smiled at him, her cheeks flushing. "I will do that. Who knows. The day might not be that far off. I'll be back in a minute. I just need some air." She opened the door and stepped out into the cool night air.

Atul crossed his arms where he leaned against the wall, and Talon sat in an armchair tucked in the corner. "She's a strong girl to be so young," Atul appraised, glancing to the door.

Talon's red eyes flickered between Atul and Vlad. "Will it be safe to move Tenele tomorrow when we leave?"

"There are no adequate supplies here to deal with her burns. She needs a proper doctor to look after them or they risk infection," Atul told him. "She should not have come on this trip."

"There was no leaving her at the capitol," Talon pointed out.

"It's pointless to debate it now," Vlad said flatly. "I will carry her. I can be smoother than the horses."

Talon pursed his lips together. "I don't think its the jostling that's the problem," he explained. "Will the desert heat truly do any good for a fever?"

Atul pinched the bridge of his nose. He had difficulty keeping his temper when it came to Talon, mostly because he just didn't like him. "She'll be fine. Vlad will tend to her. When we reach the capitol she'll receive proper care."

Talon glowered at Atul. "I think we should wait here."

Atul glared. "We'll leave in the morning."

"Talon, we are taking her away from this place," Vlad commanded. "Since you've generously expressed your concern, you may shield us with a parasol during the journey," he smirked. Talon was still New. His sun tolerance was bound to be weaker than theirs. He wasn't surprised the man was irritable. "Unless you're not up for the ride yourself?"

Talon's jaw clenched, and his hard gaze turned on Vlad. It immediately went to the floor. "I will do whatever you wish me to do," he muttered.

Yes, you will, Vlad thought without much relish. Every time he felt tempted to truly feel close to Talon, he reminded himself that the man's loyalty was not a choice. He briefly imagined living this way with Tenele. "Unlike the horses, we will be fresher after Dark. If we run out of daylight, we will continue on our own until she is safe in the capitol."

Talon nodded.

Atul frowned. "The desert is dangerous to travel at night. Some sands are not what they seem, and are easier to notice in the day. If you fall into quicksand, no amount of strength will get you out of it. You won't be able to teleport out of it in the desert either. I'm not saying you shouldn't, I'm just warning you of the dangers if you go on at night."

Vlad hesitated, considering Atul's words carefully even though he'd just ignored Talon's similar warning. There were very few people who could get through to him when Tenele was involved, but Atul was one of them. "You know the area best. I will follow your advice when dark comes," he told the King.

Atul nodded. "I want to see her back safely to the palace, as well. I just want to see us all back safely." He stepped away from the wall. "I need to see about my men. I'll be back later tonight. If you plan on traveling through tomorrow night then I'd rest if I were you." Sometimes Atul forgot that Vlad didn't need the rest that others needed.

Vlad's lips twitched up into a private smile as the king left. He did tend to treat him as mortal, although he wasn't. With anyone else, the dead king would have found it insulting. "Beware any ankle biters that might still be lurking in the gutters," he warned Atul as he left."

Atul chuckled, closing the door behind him. Talon let out a agitated sigh. "He doesn't like me very much," he muttered to his master. "I get the feeling I'm not very welcomed in his kingdom."

"He doesn't need to like you," Vlad turned to his Blood. "Your family is here. We go together."

Talon smirked. "Family," he muttered. "Yes. We're family." The young vampire glanced to the stairs and then to Vlad. "Did Tenele ask you to turn her?"

Vlad went cold. Frigid red eyes bored into Talon's. "I declined." The words were so simple and rational. They told nothing of the sense of betrayal and anguished inadequacy they carried behind them.