16. New Tutor

The following days were tense and stressful for both Lark and August. August had left to meet William and his troops on the border of Hygate. He had received an alarming letter from his friend and left in a hurry, leaving Lark a note to tell her he would return soon. Lark had been focused on her lessons but they proved to be difficult. Madame Fawst was harsh and demanding with no mercy for any mistakes. Lark had been forced to rip out many lines of embroidery on more than one occasion for one small misplaced stitch. Her fingers were tender from her frantic stitching and jabbing herself with her needle. She was able to mask her discomfort and the matron was infuriated by her calm demeanor. She didn't dare confront Lark for abandoning her position but she made no attempt to cover her contempt. Lark returned to her chamber emotionally bruised. 

King was a comforting companion but her loneliness was acute. She refused to regret her decision to return but she wished she had someone to talk to. She didn't want to make Ariane a target by reaching out to her. She had visited her once in the courtyard and they had a small picnic hidden away behind a bastion wall. Ariane had avoided discussing the rest of the harem even when coaxed with wine so Lark was forced to draw her own conclusions. Vayn had made no attempt to approach her in the common areas of the castle. In fact the older woman was avoiding her. When Lark entered a room Vayn usually left only moments later. She waited just long enough to be polite but it was obvious to the entire harem and the guards as well. This behavior was not what Lark had expected. It made her far more anxious than outright hostility. Vayn could be making an effort to distance herself from Lark so she could attack without being suspected. Lark watched her carefully.

It was on the third night of August's absence that Lark's new tutor arrived. They arrived as Lark prepared for bed and she would meet them the following evening. Bernard would be present to introduce them and Lark could already feel her stress melting away. Madame Fawst's cruel treatment would soon be only a memory. When she woke the next day she expected to meet them immediately for morning lessons but Bernard informed her that her schedule would be pushed back by a few hours and she would meet the matron's replacement right after dinner.

"Can you tell me about them?" Lark asked Bernard eagerly. He was charmed by her innocent curiosity and nodded. 

"Your tutor is the Lady Ferra. She is the Lady of the Eastern kingdom of Maldove."

"A Lady is to be my tutor? Certainly she had other responsibilities."

"She has known August for over a century. They are close friends and I believe she owed him a favor. She and her husband have a marriage of convenience. It is possible she had ulterior motives." Bernard gave her a pointed look and Lark felt her stomach drop. Bernard rarely spoke so openly. She suspected he was trying to protect her from disappointment. There was an existing connection between Ferra and August. It was possible that Ferra would join the campaign to get rid of Lark if she discovered that August was showing her favoritism. Lark tried to stay calm. Lady Ferra was already married so she was not free to be with August. Perhaps she had pure intentions. Only time would tell.

Lark's lessons with Bernard dragged on longer than usual. She was both excited and anxious to meet the vampiress who had agreed to tutor her and found herself unable to focus. When Bernard brought her dinner she swallowed it quickly without tasting a bite. At last the sun began to dip below the horizon. As darkness fell over the castle, Bernard finally led Lark to the courtyard where Lady Ferra was waiting under a blanket of stars. 

The noblewoman was resplendent in a dark velvet gown and an ornate hood that gave her an imposing silhouette. It was a very dated style but she looked like an ornate Tudor painting even in the dark. Many vampiresses maintained clothing styles from their mortal life to give themselves an otherworldly or timeless presence. This was true in the case of Ferra who seemed more like a ghost than a vampire. Her hair was tucked into a bun and was hardly visible beneath the structured hood she wore with its long black veil. Her dark eyes seemed to cut through the deep blue dusk. She watched Lark closely as she dipped into a respectful curtsy. She nodded in approval. 

"My Lady," Lark greeted her and averted her eyes politely.

"Lark," Ferra replied coolly. "I have heard that you are a capable student. Is this accurate?"

"Yes, my lady. I will not disappoint you."

"I am relieved to hear you say that. I do not waste my time with disappointments."

Lark raised her eyes to meet those of her new tutor. Her expression was neutral but Ferra could see the fire in the human's eyes. She appreciated this passion and smiled covertly. She could already tell that this pet would be a match for her challenging lessons. 

"Then it is fortuitous that we have crossed paths, my lady," Lark replied boldly. Ferra smirked down at her. 

"Indeed. Let us begin."

Bernard excused himself and the pair found a secluded bench in the courtyard with only the moon to see by. They discussed etiquette and Ferra was satisfied with the breadth of her knowledge. They practiced noble titles, reviewed August's enemies and allies, and discussed Ferra's life at court and the responsibilities of a Lady. She had ruled Maldove alongside her husband, Marcus, for nearly three centuries. Before the pandemic they already held most of their territory, so their subjects had lived there for almost five generations. Though their reputation was not quite as positive as August's, their human citizens and vampire soldiers were extremely loyal which made them a powerful ally. It was through negotiations regarding the Hygate incident that August had come into contact with Lady Ferra and had the opportunity to invite her to be Lark's tutor. 

Lady Ferra had arrived with hopes to rekindle a relationship with August who had briefly courted her before her marriage to Marcus. However through their ongoing correspondence she had realized that he was not emotionally available. None of the flirtation or gentleness she had once received was present in his letters. There was only the polite, direct language of a Lord and acquaintance. During her first lesson with Lark she finally understood why. She had been brought here to educate a Favored pet. This girl must be the reason he had diminished their relationship. It had been decades since they had been together but the Lady still felt a pang of jealousy. Her Marcus typically kept a harem and several Favored pets at a time. Some even slept in his bed with him. But Ferra had never loved him.  Their marriage was simply a contract and they were an effective partnership as rulers. But she had never cared enough to be jealous. Her own pets kept her busy enough. She had never loved them though. She could not imagine loving a human. They died so quickly. 

She ordered red wine for herself and Lark and they sipped together as they discussed the harem within the castle. 

"I have been told to avoid the harem," Lark admitted. Lady Ferra caught on quickly. 

"It would be dangerous to involve yourself. I was informed of your absence. The other pets must be frustrated that your Lord still favors you." 

Lark nodded glumly. 

"He is right to favor you," Ferra whispered. "You are indeed a promising student."

Lark's eyes widened as she stuttered her thanks but Ferra held up a delicate white hand. 

"I would not say so if it was not true. I do not give empty praise. Bernard and Madame have prepared you well for my arrival."

Lark winced internally at her matron's name and folded her hands to hide her bandaged fingers. The Lady had already noticed, however. She could smell traces of blood. But she pretended not to notice. 

"I thank you for your praise, my Lady," Lark replied. Her voice was soft and sincere but still strong. Lady Ferra was impressed by this human girl. She and August both sensed her innate hunger. She had a strange immortality than most other humans did not possess. It was her thirst for knowledge that made her feel like such an ancient soul. She seemed to absorb information quickly and efficiently. It was surprising from a human woman with a humble background. Many were clever and charming as Ora has been and they were worthy of care and respect. But few had Lark's attributes. 

She even smells different. 

After two glasses of wine Lady Ferra's mind had begun to wander. Her conflicted emotions made her head swim and she rose gracefully to take her leave. 

"You are dismissed," she announced. 

Lark rose to her feet and dipped into a perfect curtsy. 

"Thank you, my Lady," she replied. "And good night."

She left Lady Ferra standing in the garden as she had found her beneath the stars and left the courtyard. The castle was very dark and Lark could hardly find her way by the light of her small lamp. She passed the entrance of the harem which was black and silent and tiptoed down the halls towards August's wing. But as she reached a broad arch, she could hear the whisper of footsteps behind her. She hesitated for a moment but could hear nothing but the crackle of the lamp's wick. She took a step forward and heard it echoed by someone hiding in the shadows. Her heart began to race as dread built up in her stomach. Could it be a guard? A harem girl? Lark was not a coward, but with August away from the castle she didn't have any guaranteed protection. She might not survive if she did not run. However she did not wish to show her fear. Her stubbornness challenged her desire to flee. She turned suddenly on her heel and was confronted by a wall of darkness. Her lamp barely penetrated into the shadows.

"I have no patience for this," she called into the black hall. "Reveal yourself or depart."

There was no response. Breathing deeply to keep herself calm, Lark turned and strode towards her chambers. The door was just visible in the dark but she could still hear the footsteps following her. They were well hidden by the sounds of her own steps but Lark took intentional missteps that revealed them. Frustrated and scared, she tried to quell the urge to escape. Luckily she reached her door without being caught and slipped easily into her chambers. She locked the doors quickly behind her and stood silently to listen for her stalker's approach. But she could hear nothing. Either they had slipped away or they were still waiting. Her rooms were lit by many larger lamps so she extinguished the small one in her hands. She felt goosebumps forming on her arms and legs as she waited for some sort of sound from the hallway. But it was quiet. After several minutes of total silence she tore herself away from the door. Struggling to calm herself she slipped into her bed still fully clothed and hid under her comforter to wait for daylight. She had never wished for August's presence so ardently.