GABRIELLA'S POV
I quicken my pace to walk beside Catrina as we follow Lady Calypso through the grand corridors of the palace.
"I can't help you pass the test if the king's assistant will be watching your every move," I say, my voice low and laced with worry.
Catrina shoots me an annoyed glance. "Use that brain of yours and think of something. Remember, if I fail this test, you'll be out of a job too." She says in a stern tone.
It's infuriating how quickly she seems to forget that I was the one who helped her survive the last test with the beast. She is yet to even thank me for saving her life.
"I have an idea," I whisper, careful not to let Lady Calypso overhear us. "But I'll need you to lie to lady Calypso."
"Lie about what?" She questions.
"When we reach wherever we are going, tell her that her presence makes you nervous. Ask her to bring in someone less watchful to supervise you while you take the test, preferably a servant." I explain quickly. "We have enough to bribe a servant to keep quiet, but not lady Calypso."
"All I have to do is lie. That's a perfect plan." She approves with a thrilled smile. "Just don't dare fail the test. The kings are already smitten with my performance. I can't afford to disappoint them." She warns.
I refrain from agreeing as I cannot ascertain that I will indeed pass the test. It might end up being something dangerous as the test with the beast.
"This is a facility set by the kings for vampires with medical problems," Lady Calypso explains as we follow her through the foyer of one of the buildings.
I wonder how vast the palace grounds are really. Every time I think I have seen every space I find out there is more. I had no idea there was a vampire hospital within the walls of the palace.
Most vampires have very quick healing abilities but there are illnesses that are unique to them. Illnesses that take longer to recover from.
Lady Calypso ushers us through ornate doors. There are orchids and roses in vases all around. The furnishings are sumptuous. Walls and floors are white marble, clean, palace-like. We follow her down a long hallway toward a set of large dark wooden double doors.
She pushes the doors wide and we go in after her into a big luxurious bedroom. There is a little boy laying asleep on the King size bed at the center of the room.
The room looks like a little kid's paradise, but the boy laying quietly on the bed has a skin that has turned way too pale and has got little dark dots on it too.
"He has got a disease!" Catrina exclaims her lips pursed in disgust, while stepping back away.
"Yes," Lady Calypso says looking back at Catrina. "He is an only son to the King's general. He consumed blood from an unhealthy human. The palace doctors have done everything to keep him alive for many moons until you are found."
The little boys condition is indeed very bad because he is shivering despite it being very warm in here.
"Your special blood can help him recover and live normally again," Lady Calypso explains, handing Catrina a small knife. "All you have to do is feed him a few drops of your blood."
God I hate the idea of getting cut.
"That's all I need to do and I will pass the test?" Catrina asks, her voice laced with hope. Lady Calypso nods affirmatively.
Does she even remember the plan we made?
She accepts the knife from lady Calypso.
"If you are afraid to cut yourself I can help?" Lady Calypso offers.
"I'm sorry, my lady, but your presence is... well, it' has always been too intimidating for me. You make me nervous and I usually have problem concentrating." she says, trying to sound genuinely anxious.
Lady Calypso's smile turns into a troubled expression. "I'm genuinely sorry to hear I intimidate you. Your comfort is our utmost priority. What can I do to ensure you feel at ease?"
Catrina smiles, then replies, "I'd prefer if you could bring in another person to watch while I carry out the test, someone that won't make me this nervous. Perhaps . . . a servant?"
Lady Calypso mulls over her request for a long moment and I hold my breath. Finally she nods slowly. "Very well. If that's what you need to feel comfortable, I will send for one."
She turns to Adria. "Go get any servant of the kings that you find outside first," she instructs.
Minutes later, Adria returns, leading a servant through the grand doorway and I realize it's Eliza, my dear friend! A smile breaks across my face, knowing that things just became a whole lot easier.
Her eyes widen in recognition, and a grin spreads across her face as she realizes it's me.
"If you're now comfortable, my dear, then you can proceed. I'll wait outside," Lady Calypso says before exiting the room and closing the doors behind her.
"What's going on?" Eliza whispers to me.
"I will explain everything later." I promise.
Catrina turns to face me. "You better not fail me." She warns coldly.
I nod and take the knife before moving to the side of the big bed.
Rolling up my sleeve where a cut won't be seen, I press the small knife against my skin and wince as it breaks the skin. Blood wells up quickly. I hand the knife back to Caterina. "Now you need to cut yourself too."
She frowns. "Why do I need to cut myself?"
"So Lady Calypso thinks it's your blood we used." I explain.
"But a scar will ruin my flawless skin." She whines.
"Is your skin more important than becoming the wife and the queen of the kings?" I respond and she shakes her head, agreeing with me. She grasps the knife and makes a tiny cut on her palm, barely drawing any blood.
I lean over the unconscious boy lying on the bed, allowing droplets of my blood to fall onto his lips. He instinctively moves to swallow.
Everyone gathers around to watch for any changes.
After releasing a few more drops, I pull back.
"Nothing is happening," Adria says in disappointment.
"Why is it not working? His skin is still awful," Catrina says, frustration creeping into her voice.
"Maybe it takes time," I reply, trying to be optimistic. But something very astonishing starts to happen.
The dark dots on the boy's skin starts to disappear and the pale skin begins to gain back it's healthy colour and a beautiful glow.
"It's working!" Freya gasps.
We watch with wide eyes as all the dark dots and paleness disappears from the boy's skin. He stirs slightly, a soft gasp escaping his lips as he begins to awaken.
"You healed him?" Eliza exclaims, watching in awe. "You can heal a vampire?" she asks quietly, disbelief evident in her voice.
I glance at Catrina, who narrows her eyes at Eliza. "You better not say a word about this, servant," she warns menacingly. " When lady Calypso gets in here you'll tell her I did it. Do you understand?"
Eliza nods slowly in fear, "I won't say anything," she promises.
"Now quickly! Get lady Calypso." Catrina orders. I nod and rush to open the door after covering my wound.
Lady Calypso enters the room and her eyes widen in disbelief as she takes in the sight of the healed boy, now glowing with health.
"You did it!" she says, stepping closer to the bed to assess the little boy, whose eyes are now open and confused. "You should be so proud of yourself, Caterina."
Catrina straightens up, a smug smile spreading across her face. "I am. It's not every day you get to save a life."
I roll my eyes at her words but keep my mouth shut.
"The kings will be most pleased. No doubt you will make the best of queens." Lady Calypso praises.